USD Hosts Between the Mountain and the Sky: A Celebration of Compassion in Action

At the University of San Diego, the call to “confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love” is more than a phrase in the institution’s vision statement; it’s a guiding principle to building a better future, and in the process, discovering the best versions of ourselves. 

This bold vision came vividly to life Monday evening inside the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theatre, where students, faculty and community members gathered for a special screening of the award-winning documentary Between the Mountain and the Sky.

The film follows the extraordinary journey of Maggie Doyne, who at 19 years-old co-founded the BlinkNow Foundation in Nepal and began building what would become the Kopila Valley Home, a place of refuge and recovery for orphaned children. It is a story of hope, of resilience born out of grief, and of the choice to lead with compassion.

“This film, and the work of Maggie and Jeremy in Nepal, really connects with USD’s vision of confronting humanity’s urgent challenges, and leading with love,” said Tom Mulvaney ’77, whose vision and generosity with his wife, Karen, helped establish USD’s Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness and Social Action.

That theme was echoed by Doyne herself, who explained the heart of her story: “In this [film], we created a throughline of grief, as that’s something we all as humans eventually have to face. But we also have the choice as to how we respond to that grief. Do we let it overwhelm us … or do we seek light again? Love again? Love is what connects us; makes us stronger. I chose love.”

As the credits rolled, the audience rose for a standing ovation — a testament to the film’s impact and visceral connection to USD’s mission.

For the university, the screening reflected more than an evening event. Through programs like the Micah Fellows and community partnerships led by the Mulvaney Center, USD encourages students to confront challenges with empathy and responsibility.

In Doyne’s story, and in USD’s mission, the message is clear: Love is not only a response to grief, but also a force for change.

— USD News Center