Featured event

Bridges Academy: Fiscal Fitness Bridges Academy, a continuing education program for those 55 years of age and older, presents the Fall semester lecture series. Fiscal Fitness: Year-end Tax Planning for 2009 and Beyond.  This informative presentation will cover a wide range of topics, such as recent tax law changes, minimum distribution requirements, charitable giving, tax-deferred exchanges, the alternative minimum tax, and how you can prepare for next season by doing some year-end planning  today. Registration required at Bridges Academy or call (619) 260-4815. Go to www.sandiego.edu/bridges.

Men's Basketball 6th Man Event Men’s Basketball Head Coach Bill Grier and Trustee Ron Fowler invite you to participate in the Sixth Man Night to benefit the Torero Men’s Basketball team. Tickets: $125, individual; $1000, table of eight. RSVP by October 30, 2009 or call (619) 260-5917.

The Big Read Keynote Address by Sister Helen Prejean The Big Read initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts is designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. This year's selection is A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, a painful yet inspirational tale of institutional injustice and personal redemption. It addresses the biggest theme possible-how one affirms life in the face of death. As part of the USD participation in the Big Read, CEE presents Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking and The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions, with the keynote address. Join us for a post-lecture reception in Camino courtyard. Sister Helen began her prison ministry in 1981 when she dedicated her life to the poor of New Orleans. While living in the St. Thomas housing project, she became pen pals with Patrick Sonnier, the convicted killer of two teenagers, sentenced to die in the electric chair of Louisiana’s Angola State Prison. Her first book, Dead Man Walking, was an international bestseller and was developed into a major motion picture.  Sister Helen’s second book, The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions, published in December 2004, tells the story of two men whom she accompanied to their executions. Sister Helen examines how flaws inextricably entwined in the death penalty system inevitably lead to innocent people being executed and render the system unworkable. Co-sponsored by The Black Storytellers of San Diego, Inc. and the Center for Educational Excellence.

Chamber Music Concert Quartetto Sorrento: USD faculty member Alyze Dreiling, violin; Greg Lawrence, violin; Paula Simmons, viola; and Gordon Grubbs, cello. Program will includeBeethoven's “Serioso” Op. 95, and Debussy's Quartet in G minor. Tickets available at the door only. $10, general admission; $8, seniors, USD faculty, staff and alumni; $5 students with valid ID.

2009 Remarkable Leaders Honors Please join us as we recognize and honor the 2009 Remarkable Leaders in Education. Remarkable Leaders in Education serves as an annual opportunity to honor legendary contributions to the field of education made by individuals from San Diego and Imperial counties. Each year, members of the community nominate those whose careers as educators, administrators, elected officials, and community leaders are deemed extraordinary and outstanding in their contributions to the field of education. Tickets are $25 per couple or $15 per person  Purchase your tickets today at Remarkable Leaders  The 2009 honorees include: John D. AndersonConstance Carroll, Ph.D.Robert Fellmeth, J.D.Barbara MacNeil, Ed.D.Dorothy L. W. Smith, Ed.D. Join us as we celebrate these remarkable individuals and inspire future generations. A reception will immediately follow  the program in the Bishop Buddy Sala Business Attire The last day to purchase tickets is Friday, October 30, 2009Parking is available in the underground lot of Mother Rosalie Hill Hall. Go to www.sandiego.edu/soles/alumni/remarkable_leaders/index.html & register at http.

2009 Bowes-Madison Lecture Series: Michael Barone Please join us for the sixth presentation of the Joan E. Bowes-James Madison Distinguished Lecture Series. Michael Barone, senior political analyst, Washington Examiner; contributor, Fox News Channel; and resident fellow, American Enterprise Institute, will deliver a keynote address titled American Politics: Are we in a New Era? 5:30 p.m. - presentation, KIPJ Theatre6:30 p.m. - reception, KIPJ Rotunda Admission is free of charge, but you must RSVP by Wednesday, November 4, 2009 by phone, (619) 260-6848, or e-mail. MCLE CREDIT:The University of San Diego School of Law is a State Bar of California approved provider of MCLE credit. This activity is approved for one hour of general credit. Directions to the University of San Diego | University of San Diego Campus Map

Bike to School Day As part of Wellness Week, the T.R.E.E. (Totally Radical Environmental Enthusiasts) student club is sponsoring a Bike to School day on Nov. 11 Also, to encourage people to get to campus without driving, Associated Students has arranged for Mission Beach tram service on Nov. 11. Trams will run from Mission Beach at the roller coaster to the USD campus from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., every hour on the hour.

Goya's Restless Monsters: Exhibit Opening Reception Join us at the opening reception of a new University of San Diego exhibit, Goya’s Restless Monsters: “Los Caprichos” and the Birth of the Modern Print. The work demonstrates not only Goya's prowess as a virtuosic and experimental printmaker but also his critical views of late 18th century Spanish society and biting cynicism about the human condition. Epigrams inscribed under the images reveal Goya’s facility with puns and his innate sense of how word and image can be powerfully combined. The exhibit runs from Nov. 11  through Jan. 17 in the Robert and Karen Hoehn Family Galleries in Founders Hall. It is a companion to the Goya exhibit Disasters of War, currently on display until Dec. 12 in the Fine Arts Gallery of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice. Go to www.sandiego.edu/cas.

John Prendergast Lecture Please join us to view the film “3 Points” and to participate in a Question and Answer session afterwards, hosted by John Prendergast. Reception to follow RSVP to peacestudies@sandiego.edu by Monday, Nov. 9. About “3 Points”When Tracy McGrady of the Houston Rockets heard about the massive challenges children from Darfur were facing in the refugee camps in Chad, he decided to see for himself. After spending days listening to the harrowing stories of young Darfuris in the refugee camps and their incredible thirst for a better education, he decided to act. When McGrady and his traveling companions from the Enough Project returned, they hatched the idea for the Darfur Dream Team's Sister Schools program linking American middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities with schools in the Darfuri refugee camps. McGrady’s journey to the refugee camps in eastern Chad is chronicled in the movie "3 Points." Go to www.sandiego.edu/peacestudies.

Founders Day The university community is invited to celebrate Founders Day at the 12:15 Mass in Founders Chapel.  November 12 is the traditional feast of St. Didicus (Latin form of San Diego) of Alcalá, a 15th century Spanish saint known for his service and outreach to the poor.  All are welcome to join in remembering our founders, Bishop Charles Buddy, Mother Rosalie Hill and all those who have served and studied at USD throughout these 60 years.  Sister Mary Hotz, RSCJ, will give the reflection.

Faces of Spirituality Series: "Francis of Assisi - A New Way of Being Christian" This year marks the 800th anniversary of the formal founding of the Franciscan order. Author, international speaker and professor of Christian spirituality, William Short, OFM, will reflect on the spirit of Francis of Assisi and Franciscan values that are as relevant today as they were then: reverence for all of creation, commitment to the poor and simplicity of life. Fee: $10, pre-registration; $15, at the door; faculty and staff, half price; free for students with I.D. Go to www.sandiego.edu/cas/ccs.

60th Anniversary: Founders' Gala The University of San Diego 60th Anniversary celebration concludes with the Founders' Gala, supporting student scholars. Join University of San Diego alumni, parents, trustees and friends in the spirit of philanthropy. The formal evening will include fine wine, a tastings menu, music and entertainment, and silent and live auctions featuring exclusive one-of-a-kind USD experiences. All proceeds support USD student scholarships. 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.VIP Diamond ReceptionLa Gran Terraza in the Hahn University CenterComplimentary valet parking available 6 - 7:30 p.m.Gala Reception and Silent AuctionStudent Life PavilionSilent auction tables begin closing at 7:10 p.m.Complimentary valet parking available 8 p.m.Live Auction, Dinner and EntertainmentForum Ballroom in the Hahn University Center 10 p.m.Nightcap — Music and DancingLa Gran Terraza in the Hahn University Center RSVP and registration required by Nov. 4. Go to www.sandiego.edu/sixty/gala  or call (619) 260-7478 Go to www.sandiego.edu/sixty/gala.

Poland's Road to Freedom, 1980-1989 "Poland's Road to Freedom, 1980-1989: From Solidarnosc Days to Free Elections" by Malgorzata Cup In June 2009, Poland celebrated the 20th anniversary of its first semi-free elections. Poland was the very first of the Warsaw pact countries which freed itself from communism. The speaker, Consul Malgorzata Cup, will delineate the process from the very beginning of the founding of Solidarnosc, a labor union and freedom group, until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990. Her talk will emphasize Poland’s relationship with its neighboring countries and the Soviet Union in particular. All students, faculty, staff, and guests are welcome.

Fall of the Berlin Wall Ambassador Balazs Bokor, Consul to Hungary, will talk about the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Preceded by a wine and cheese reception in the rotunda. Part of International Education Week. Go to International Gateway for a full listing of all events for the week. Go to www.sandiego.edu/international/iew/iewevents.php.

Greening Borders: Cooperation, Security and Diplomacy A three-day, binational working conference, November 18-20, to enhance cooperation and effective communication among policymakers, scientists, community organizations, tribal communities, and conflict resolution experts designed to advance integrated water resource management of the Tijuana River Watershed. We will explore transboundary water management approaches from around the world to inspire multi-level and interdisciplinary dialogue locally; engage in interactive working sessions that improve conflict management/resolution skills; welcome diverse perspectives from both sides of the border; recognize and build on previous regional and local initiatives; participate in consensus-building workshops to identify shared priorities strive towards securing political support and funding. For more information, go to Greening Borders. Go to www.sandiego.edu/peacestudies/news/events_calendar/greening_borders/.

International Poetry Night Students, faculty and staff are invited to read their original works or the works of others in any language or to simply come and listen. Light snacks and refreshments will be served after the reading. Go to www.sandiego.edu/international/iew/iewevents.php.

Bridges Academy: Miniscule Majority: Why do insects dominate the planet? Bridges Academy, a continuing education program for those 55 years of age and older, presents the Fall semester lecture series. Miniscule Majority: Why do insects dominate the planet?  November 24, 2009 will mark the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species - a book that revolutionized the natural sciences. But is Darwin’s work still influential today? Meet Professor Geoffrey Morse and you’ve got your answer. Learn about Morse’s work concerning how complex interactions shape the biodiversity of the planet's most successful group of organisms: insects. Registration required at Bridges Academy or call (619) 260-4815. Go to www.sandiego.edu/bridges.

Challenging Racism in the Age of Obama Tim Wise is among the most prominent anti-racist writers and activists in the U.S., having spoken to over 300,000 people in 48 states, and on over 400 college campuses, including Harvard, Stanford, and the Law Schools at Yale, Columbia, and Vanderbilt. He has trained teachers as well as corporate, government, media, entertainment, military and law enforcement officials on methods for dismantling racism in their institutions, and has served as a consultant for plaintiff’s attorneys in federal discrimination cases in New York and Washington State.