Torero Tidbits: Mortar Board Turns 20, Honors Founding Director, Faculty; Multicultural Night Entries; Career Fair

Mortar Board Celebrates 20 Years, Renamed to Honor Founding Director

The Alcalá Chapter of Mortar Board at the University of San Diego celebrated its 20th anniversary on a Oct. 18 Zoom call.

Founded in 2000 when Alice B. Hayes was USD’s President, the anniversary party featured Mortar Board games, trivia, a number of Mortar Board alumni and dignitaries to celebrate the milestone and share stories and good memories — perfect timing since last week was USD’s virtual Homecoming and Family Week.

But this event had another special, important purpose. The best part of the celebration was a big announcement.

Judy Lewis Logue, founding director and biggest supporter of Mortar Board, was given the role of keynote speaker. She shared her recollection of how the organization came to be at USD and expressed the pride she had for what it has become in its 20 years. At the conclusion of her talk, though, current student members and director Perla Myers had a big surprise for Lewis Logue.

It was announced that the USD chapter has officially changed its name to The University of San Diego’s Judith Lewis Logue Chapter of Mortar Board.

Logue, who retired in January 2019 after 30 years as USD’s director of financial aid — including other institutions, she did financial aid work for 55 years — but she also took on Mortar Board director duties for the first 19 years. Upon hearing the name change announcement, she was teary-eyed, speechless and grateful.

Lewis Logue was surrounded on the Zoom call by students past and present who she helped mentor college seniors with opportunities to hone their skillset in the way Mortar Board does — via achievements in scholarship, leadership and service. Lewis Logue and her student leadership have won numerous Mortar Board national awards. Lewis Logue, individually is the recipient of Excellence in Advising (2001), Excellence in Advising with Distinction (2012) and a Distinguished Lifetime Membership (2o16) from the national organization.

Following the announcement Sunday, Lewis Logue was directed to a Kudoboard link where past and present students, faculty, administrators and friends posted congratulatory videos, photos and words to express their love, thanks and appreciation for her.

Faculty Appreciation Event Honors 28

For its first event as the newly named USD Judy Lewis Logue Chapter of Mortar Board, the honors society’s 21st annual Faculty Appreciation event was held online. The event “strives to honor faculty who have made a significant contribution to the academic advancement and personal growth of USD Mortar Board members.” Faculty members honored were selected because they represent the ideals upon which Mortar Board is based — academic excellence, superior leadership and dedicated service. Mortar Board students are the ones who pick a favorite faculty or administrator.

The 2020 honorees are: Dr. Corey Barnes (Philosophy), Dr. Rachel Blaser (Psychological Sciences), Assistant Director Ariela Canizal (Community and Leadership Development), Assistant Director Branda Cook (Athletics Facilities and Operations), Dr. Bahar Davary (Theology and Religious Studies), Dr. Halina Duraj (English), Dr. Jane Friedman (Mathematics), Dr. Veronica Galvan (Psychological Sciences), Dr. Laura Getz (Psychological Sciences), Dr. Maura Giles-Watson (English), Dr. John Glick (Computer Science), Assistant Director Rhonda Harley (Career Development/Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering), Dr. Kelli Khuong (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Dr. Jeremy Kua (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Dr. Curtis Loer (Biology), Dr. Daniel Lopez-Perez (Architecture), Dr. Susan Lord (Integrated Engineering), Professor Jessica Magellan (Sociology), Dr. Peter Mena (Theology and Religious Studies), Dr. Jeanie Moore (English), Dr. Geoffrey Morse (Biology), Dr. Vidya Nadkarni (Political Science and International Relations), Dr. Turner Nevitt (Philosophy), Professor Thomas O’Rourke (Communication Studies), Professor Stephen Pearlberg (Psychological Sciences), Director Renda Quinn (Parent and Family Relations), Dr. Eliza Smith (French) and Dr. Rebekah Wanic (Psychological Sciences).

Submit Entries Now for Virtual Multicultural Night, Winners to be Announced Oct. 30

For the United Front Multicultural Commons' annual Multicultural Night event, 2020 means they're putting a virtual twist on it and it will be spread out over the week!

The UFMC event committee is looking for talented USD students to submit a video submission through this link and to get shared through its YouTube channel. The deadline to submit a video is this Sunday, October 25, 11:59 p.m. PDT. The winner will be announced on October 30 on UFMC's Instagram Live so make sure to tune in and see the fan favorite, on-point performance, and the most reflective performance. The UFMC YouTube channel handle is @theUFMC and the IG handle is @usdufmc.

Register here, and here for more information.

Attention Interested Career Fair Attendees ...

Join the Career Development Center for USD's virtual Marketing, Communications and Public Relations Career Fair on Tuesday, October 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. PST. This is your chance to network with companies looking specifically for students and alumni interested in marketing, communications and public relations industries and roles. This year the fair will be held virtually through the Brazen platform, so register today and prepare to connect with organizations who are eager to meet you! Log in to Handshake for the registration link.

Need help preparing for the fair? Register now if you're interested in completing the TalentLMS modules to help you prep for the fair on your own time! The deadline is noon on Monday, Oct. 26.

— Compiled by Ryan T. Blystone

Photos, taken in 2018, are by Ryan T. Blystone