​The Daniel B. Woodruff Memorial Scholarship

1973-2000

Daniel B. Woodruff served in the U.S. Navy from 1992-96. He earned his undergraduate degree with emphases in economics and finance from the Knauss School of Business at the University of San Diego in May 1998. His passion was real estate finance, an outgrowth of his self-directed studies of derivative securities, including mortgage-backed securities.

Dan was awarded numerous scholarships and was recognized repeatedly for his academic excellence and leadership at USD. On campus, among other activities, he served as president of the Intercollegiate Business Policy Competition Team, one of the toughest challenges in the School of Business, and as president of the USD Chapter of Toastmasters.

What set Dan apart from his peers, however, was his extraordinary intellectual curiosity and sophistication, his maturity and warm personal style, and his tremendous capacity for friendships, for reaching out to others and for love.

Dan was truly an inspiration to his family and to all who knew him. After graduating from USD, he accepted a position in secondary marketing at one of the nation's largest independent mortgage banking firms. However, within months he was diagnosed with cancer, a battle he fought with incredible determination and spirit for almost two years.

While Dan never had a chance to become part of the older generation, he was wise beyond his years. From a diary he maintained throughout his life's journey, he said: "Looking at where I am now solidifies that we need to live for the 'now,' to take advantage of what we have, not take it for granted. Nothing is granted. It is all a blessing, all we have, all we feel, all we see."

Dan was told of the Center's decision to create this scholarship as a permanent memorial to his life about four weeks before he died. He was overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude.