ST. MARY’SBlue&Gold

SUMMER 2002

PRESIDENTCharles L. Cotrell, Ph.D.

(B.A. ’62, M.A. ’64)

UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENTVICE PRESIDENTThomas B. Galvin

UNIVERSITYCOMMUNICATIONS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORDianne Pipes

EXECUTIVE EDITORCandace J. Kuebker (B.A. ’78)

ASSOCIATE EDITORSAnastasia Cisneros-Lunsford

(B.A. ’92)Rob Leibold

PUBLICATIONS DIRECTORSteve Weed

PHOTOGRAPHYMelanie Rush Davis

Morris GoenTommy Hultgren

Stephen and Jan JohnsonJason Jones

Stephanie Klein-DavisRoanoke Times

CONTRIBUTORSKaren Persyn and

Will Elliott (B.A. ’93)Advancement Services

Gold & Blue is produced for alumniand friends three times a year by theUniversity Communications staff.

Contents © 2002 by St. Mary’sUniversity. All rights reserved.

One Camino Santa MariaSan Antonio, Texas 78228-8575

www.stmarytx.edu

M E S S A G EF R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T

The 2002-2003academic year promises tobe exciting for the St. Mary’sUniversity community andalumni. We will implementseveral initiatives that flowfrom our strategic plan,Vision 2006. I’d like to sharesome of them with you.

The fall freshman classpromises to be one of ourlargest ever, exceeding 600 students.This planned growth in theundergraduate student body isundertaken with a keen awareness ofkey quality indicators, such as a lowstudent-faculty ratio and small classsize. The School of Law’s incomingclass has improved in traditionalindicators of quality such as LSATscores and grade point averages, whichshould result in greater studentacademic success.

The Rev. Bernard J. Lee, S.M.,has been selected as St. Mary’s firstAssistant Chancellor. He will bring thepresence and influence of a professedMarianist to the highest levels ofUniversity administration and will leadthe work of Campus Ministry and theMarianist Forum. Father Lee joins usat the same time of the historicestablishment of the Province of theUnited States, a conjoining of the fourNorth American Marianist provincesinto one. (Province headquarters willbe in St. Louis.)

We have inaugurated the 21stCentury Leadership Center, toprovide our students with opportunitiesto build their leadership skills in coursework and in the community. The twinthemes of service and civicengagement characterize the ethos ofthe center. Andy Hernandez, formerpresident of the Southwest VoterRegistration Education Project, hasbeen named center director.St. Mary’s has long been noted for theleadership qualities of its graduates—the 21st Century Leadership Centerwill build upon this tradition.

We are moving forward with ourefforts to raise funds to support ourGateway to St. Mary’s beautificationinitiative, which will preserve anddramatize the historic architecturalsignature of St. Louis Hall andtastefully fence the Universityperimeter. We also are moving forwardon the announcement of an

Information TechnologyCenter that will serve theacademic mission and be ofservice to our neighbors inthe community as well. Itwill complement theSt. Mary’s UniversityLearning and LeadershipCenter which we continue tosuccessfully partner with thecity.

St. Mary’s athleticteams have compiled four nationaltitles since 1986. Four of the fiveintercollegiate national championshipsin San Antonio have been won bySt. Mary’s teams. The Rattler womenearned our fourth national titlewhen they won the NCAA DivisionII National Softball Championshipin May. In the fall, I will appoint anathletics task force to developdirections and strategies for our teamsand devise a plan for future positioningand continued success.

One of the most enjoyable aspectsof my job has been visiting alumnithroughout the country and overseas.In July, Abbie and I visited alumni inSantiago, Chile, and Lima, Peru(St. Mary’s has had a contingent ofPeruvian students in attendance fordecades). During the fall, we will havereunions with alumni in Atlanta,Honolulu, Dallas, Houston, Chicago,Milwaukee, New York, Denver andSan Francisco. Next spring we willvisit Austin, Brownsville, McAllen,Washington D.C., Laredo, El Pasoand St. Louis. Members of theSt. Mary’s University AlumniAssociation will accompany me onthese trips as well.

The yearlong SesquicentennialCelebration continues throughout thefall semester. On Sept. 13, St. Mary’swill mark our celebration with aspecial liturgical ceremony andrededication to our patroness andUniversity namesake, Mary. PopeJohn Paul II has called upon theAmericas to have a renewed vision ofthe role of Mary in our institutionaland personal lives. Please join us inthis rededication to our mission ofeducation as we move forward to takeadvantage of the opportunities offeredby our rapidly changing world. I hopeto see you in September.

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CONTENTS From the Editor

It’s been nearly a year since our lastissue of Gold & Blue. We spent most ofthat time researching and producing theSt. Mary’s Sesquicentennial publicationyou received in April. We appreciate thecomments many of you shared with us.

Because so much time has elapsed,News from Around the Grove and ClassNotes are lengthier than usual—we’replaying catch up in this issue. To youwho submitted Class Notes informationlong ago, thanks for your patience.

I was fortunate to be with the LadyRattlers in Virginia when they won asecond consecutive national title forSt. Mary’s, this one in softball. You’llremember the men captured the NCAADivision II baseball crown last year, andthe women used that victory asmotivation to do the same. I hope you’llenjoy their story as much as I enjoyedwatching it unfold.

And, the national recognition gainedin April when a St. Mary’s moot courtteam won the law school division of theAmerican Bar Association’s NationalAppellate Advocacy Competition inChicago, is clear evidence of the qualityand talents of our students.

We are proud to share the victoriesof our newest teams of champions withyou in the magazine.

It’s been a hectic and exciting year.Reaching the 150-year milestone issomething most schools look upon withenvy. It is our wish that our publicationshave allowed you to experience—andshare—the sense of pride we feel at theUniversity.

Our Sesquicentennial year ofcelebration will end Dec. 31. St. Mary’sand the Marianists have been such avisible part of the history and fabric ofSan Antonio and South Texas, abicentennial birthday is a certainty.

We hope to see many of you oncampus Sept. 13 for a community-wideSesquicentennial celebration (see page3). In the meantime, remember tosubmit your comments and Class Notesinformation via Web, e-mail, fax, letteror telephone. It’s always nice to hearfrom you!

—Candace Kuebker

2Letters to the Editor

3News from Around the Grove

9Queens of the Diamond–Capturing Crown in the Cards

by Candace Kuebker

13Blazing Her Own Path

by Patricia Dargin Padilla (B.A. ’78)

14Training Leaders for the 21st Century

by the Rev. Andy Hernandez

16Life After Honors

by Daniel Rigney, Ph.D.

18Biegler Brothers Big on Benevolence

by Rob Leibold

19Class Notes

In Closing

On the CoversOn the front cover, from left, Rattler seniors Tanya Medina, Jessica Jimenez,

Ashley Boedeker and Natalie Hill celebrate capturing the 2002 NCAA Division IINational Softball Championship crown in May. On the back cover, the victors pose

for a team photo at Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Va.

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We were delighted by the responseto the St. Mary’s UniversitySesquicentennial publication. Many ofyou telephoned and e-mailed us, orsent notes and letters. Here are someexcerpts.

. . . I have appreciated the hard workput forth in working up such aremarkable and complete history . . .(that) brought back fond memories ofSt. Mary’s . . . I attended while FatherRabe was President and attribute mysuccessful work years to my educationat St. Mary’s. Thanks for the history!

—Martel E. Mabrito (B.S.C. ’34)Yuma, Ariz.

. . . I just received (the) publication . . .you folks did a great job. I will enjoyreading it.

—C. Gay Meyer (B.B.A. ’57)San Antonio

. . . Congratulations on a truly well-done work of art (that) should make allalums proud of their alma mater.

—Rev. Paul Ryan, S.M. (B.A. ’36)Marianist Residence

St. Mary’s University

. . . The history of St. Mary’s isbrilliant!

—James A. St. Ville (B.A. ’79)Phoenix, Ariz.

. . . A fine job celebrating 150 years ofan important San Antonio civic asset.Well done!

—John R. Brazil, Ph.D.President, Trinity University

San Antonio

. . . As one of many (graduates) with aBachelor of Music Education degreewho have gone on to successful careersas music educators, I am offended by(the) seemingly wanton disregard forthose of us who have chosen to simplybe dedicated, hard-working teachersand musicians. . . We believe thatmusic is important to the humanspirit . . . It seems to me that would beat least implied in the Marianist

mission of the University.. . . (I’m) sure that those responsiblefor the music education of theirstudents. . . would settle for a simplemention in future publications.

—Harold A. Reynolds (B.M.E. ’67)Ithaca, NY

When attempting to compile a 150-year history, it is an unfortunatereality that some departments,organizations and people will beoverlooked. Space, too, does not allowus to include everyone and everythingimportant to our history. Ourintentions, however, were good.

In President Cotrell’s response toProfessor Reynolds, he aptly stated:“Please be assured that the seeminglack of focus on the Music Department. . . or other aspects of music educationdoes not in any way diminish theimportant role that musicians haveplayed in the history of St. Mary’s . . .We are very grateful for the role thatmany of the alumni have played intheir communities since graduating . . .They have all contributed greatly tothe advancement of the human family,long a hallmark of Marianisteducation.”

–The Editor

. . . one of the most attractive,informative publications (I’ve)seen . . . It will be added to our libraryof institutional histories.

—Carol L. McDonald, PresidentIndependent College and Universities

of Texas Inc., Austin

. . . (It) is such an informative record ofthe University, and brings back manymemories of people, events andbuildings that were so much a part ofmy life . . .

—Annette RichardsonFormer University Bulletin Editor

Portland, Ore.

. . . What a trip down memory lane . . .We will miss all of the old brothersand priests who gave so much to . . .the University. I would like to offer acorrection (when) referring to BrotherLouis Schuster as having begunteaching English in the early 60s. I amcertain he began in the mid-50s, as hetaught me then . . . Thank you forproviding such a delightfulpublication.

—W.L. “Bill” Dowdy (B.S. ’59)Temple

You are correct. Brother LouisSchuster, S.M., Ph.D., joinedSt. Mary’s English Department in1947.

–The Editor

. . . technically excellent; beautifullypays tribute to my congregation . . .

—Brother Dan Sharpe, S.M.Marianist Residence

St. Mary’s University

. . . Every now and then we come uponmoments that . . . force us to reflectupon earlier chapters of our lives. Itwas more than a privilege to contributeto your celebration of legacy. It was ajoy.

—Nancy Roth-Roffy (B.A. ’75)Former Gold & Blue Editor

San Antonio

. . .Thank you for sending a copy ofyour magnificent 150th anniversarybook and congratulations to match itselegance!

—Sister Alice Rosa Lacey (M.A. ’78)Alton, Ill.

. . . What a treasure!—Bob (B.B.A. ’49) and Alene Boerner

San Antonio

L E T T E R S

The Board of TrusteesPresident and Mrs. Charles Cotrell

and the University Communityrequest the honor of your presence at

the St. Mary’s UniversitySesquicentennial Celebration Mass

and Rededication to MaryFriday, September 13, 2002

at 11:15 in the morningBill Greehey Arena

Alumni Athletics & Convocation Center

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n Short SubjectsLaw Students Victorious

The St. Mary’s School of Law wonthe law school division of theAmerican Bar Association’s NationalAppellate Advocacy Competition inChicago on April 6.

The moot court team of BethWatkins, Monica Galvan and TinaCampbell claimed the championship.

Watkins, a third-year law student,was named the best advocate in the

national competition. Galvan andCampbell are second-year students.

This is the 26th annual ABAcompetition and the first timeSt. Mary’s has taken the crown. It isone of two major national moot courtcompetitions, which annually pits thebest advocacy programs from acrossthe country against each other. In thepast two years, St. Mary’s teams havewon four regional competitions.

Bill Piatt, dean of the law school,said the students’ accomplishment isall the more remarkable since theprogram began only three years ago.

The ABA-sponsored event drew118 teams from 72 accredited lawschools nationwide, which competedin regionals, winnowing the field to 16for national competition.

To win, teams prepare oralarguments and written briefs for asimulated U.S. Supreme Court

Computer Corp. Incoming freshmen,plus returning juniors, each willreceive a wireless-ready Dell Latitudemodel C840.

St. Mary’s has been fullyintegrating computer-enhancedinstruction into the classroom toprovide students with an optimallearning experience and excellenteducational technology skills. n

St. Mary’s, UTHSCSASign Nursing Pact

St. Mary’s students wanting to gointo nursing now can do so through acooperative partnership with theUniversity of Texas Health ScienceCenter at San Antonio.

Students take their first 60 hours ofundergraduate coursework atSt. Mary’s, followed with two years atthe Health Science Center where theyearn their bachelor of science degreein nursing.

High school seniors who plan tostudy nursing and attend St. Mary’s

N E W SF R O M A R O U N D T H E G R O V E

hearing. Separate panels judge eachteam’s arguments and briefs. Watkins’brief was ranked fifth best incompetition.

A second team of Phelicia Kossie,Cindy Rosen and Kristina Dyson,victors in the Texas region, alsocompeted in Chicago.

The School of Law notched anotherwin in Junewhen St. Mary’swon the TexasYoung LawyerAssociationMoot CourtCompetition atthe State BarConvention inDallas.

The team ofTina Campbell,RebeccaCopeland andMonica Galvanbested a teamfrom BaylorUniversity totake top honors.

Campbell was selected as the bestadvocate, and Copeland’s brief wasselected as the best in the statecompetition. n

St. Mary’s OffersDell Program

Incoming freshmen will receivewireless-capable Dell notebookcomputers this fall as part of theUniversity’s comprehensive student-computing program.

St. Mary’s is the first undergraduateschool in San Antonio to offer the DellUniversity Honors program, whichincludes training, on-site depot repairservices, data transfer, and on-siteresources for warranty repair duringthe project.

The St. Mary’s notebook computerinitiative will enter its third year thisfall, its first with the Austin-based Dell

National moot court champs (left to right) Beth Watkins, Tina Campbell andMonica Galvan show off their trophies. Savoring the victory are team coachRicky Poole (J.D. ’90), and faculty moderator David Schueter.

4

can enter the Collaborative AdmissionsProgram for Scholars, which will allowthem to be involved in the activities ofthe nursing school. Programparticipants may continue to live onthe St. Mary’s campus and use itsfacilities while attending classes at theHealth Science Center. n

Jehan Sadat PromotesHusband’s Legacy

Anwar Sadat endangered hispersonal and political life in a searchfor peace and justice in the MiddleEast. His place in history is secure as a

champion of peace who made the firstmove to settle the present Arab-Israeliconflict.

His widow and Egypt’s First Lady,Jehan Sadat, Ph.D., spoke atSt. Mary’s on “Sadat’s LastingExample of Peace,” as part of thePresident’s Peace Commission’sspring program, “Understanding theMiddle East.”

Sadat’s talk touched on herhusband’s form of diplomacy, the 1978Camp David Peace Accord, the 1979peace treaty with Israel, globalterrorism and women’s rights. n

Spring Speakers Abound In keeping with the 150th

anniversary and the University’scommitment to international education,David S. Hong, Ph.D., vice presidentof the Taiwan Institute of EconomicResearch, spoke to students about “TheImpact of World Trade OrganizationMembership on Taiwan-MainlandChina Relations.”

Ambassador Mary Ryan addressed“The Expanding Role of Women inInternational Affairs” at a Marchpresentation. Ryan is the highest-ranking female career officer in theU.S. Foreign Service.

The spring semester saw two notededucators lecture as part of the LinGreat Speakers Series. The Rev.Terrence Toland, S.J., S.T.D., andSister Karen M. Kennelly, C.S.J.,Ph.D., addressed topics related to theseries’ theme, “Catholic Education inthe 21st Century.” n

Southern Cone Studied Chile and Brazil represent two of

the largest and fastest-growingeconomies in the Latin AmericanSouthern Cone and are main tradingpartners of the United States. Demand

Graduation Rolls Top 950

For the first time, students who completed their studiesduring the summer or fall semesters participated in officialmid-year commencement exercises. San Antonio Mayor EdGarza spoke at the ceremony where 310 students receivedbachelor’s and master’s degrees. In May, St. Mary’s TrusteeFrancisco Cigarroa, M.D., president of the University ofTexas Health Science Center at San Antonio, addressed the410 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students atcommencement, while U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis (J.D. ’81),spoke to the 233 law graduates during their ceremony.

Director of International Education Programs MinitaSantizo, left, with Jehan Sadat, Ph.D., First Lady ofEgypt.

Top Rankings PrevailSt. Mary’s continues its strongshowing in national rankings. In theannual U.S. News & World Reportmagazine survey of colleges anduniversities, St. Mary’s moved up to11th in the Best Overall category inthe Western region and tied foreighth place in Best Value. HispanicBusiness magazine ranked the lawschool the fifth best in the nationfor Hispanic students in its BestSchools 2002 edition. And,Hispanic Outlook magazine namedSt. Mary’s University to its HonorRoll of schools best serving Hispanicstudents.

5

“Padre Shuckie” a Winner

To celebrate Fiesta, retired Marianists entered “Padre Shuckie” ina contest sponsored by the San Antonio Express-News and won

recognition for Best Senior Medal. The Marianists portrayedFiesta Oyster Bake’s longtime mascot sitting in awheelchair, wearing trifocals and a priest’s collar, wavingan American flag. “Padre Shuckie” also carried a cross,symbolizing 150 years of Marianist influence and education

in San Antonio.

for Americans who can conductbusiness in that region has increasedgreatly and will continue to grow if theFree Trade Area of the Americasbecomes a reality.

St. Mary’s has introduced a 10-week summer program in SouthernCone Studies that combines language,cultural, business and internationalrelations training. Classroom theory iswedded with on-the-scene practicalexperience as students split the 10weeks between San Antonio and SouthAmerica.

The program gives studentsinterdisciplinary training in LatinAmerican business which enhancestheir marketable skills as potentialemployees for firms doing business inthe Southern Cone. n

MBA RevampedThe School of Business and

Administration has implemented a newcourse curriculum for its Master ofBusiness Administration (MBA)program after extensive research andinput from business and communityleaders.

The new MBA curriculum ismultidisciplinary and flexible to meeteach student’s needs and interests.Financial planning, internationalentrepreneurship, informationtechnology and investment analysis areconcentrations now available. n

NEH ConferenceImportant First

More than 200 scholars and studentsattended last summer’s two-dayseminar and conference “Gender on theBorderlands” at St. Mary’s.

Funded by a National Endowmentfor the Humanities grant, the event wasconceived and chaired by Antonia I.Castañeda, Ph.D., O’Connor Professorof Spanish Borderlands History atSt. Mary’s.

The conference examined thenewest historiography on women andgender in the Spanish-Mexican andU.S. borderlands, from the pre-colonialperiod to the contemporary postmodernera of transnationalism andglobalization. n

Years of DevotionTwenty-three members of the

St. Louis Province of the Society ofMary marked special anniversaries inMay.

Celebrating 75 years as Marianists:Brothers Francis Dames and GeorgeSchuster. (Brother William Hamm,who died Jan. 11, 2002, would havecelebrated his 75th in the Society.)

Celebrating 60 years of religiousprofession: Brothers Joseph André(Canada), Arthur Cherrier, William

Chewning, Francis Haug, KennethJung and William McCarthy.

Celebrating 50 years as Marianists:Brothers Jerome Bommer, J. CharlesCasista (Canada), Hugh Charlson,Terrence O’Connor, Leonard Rudy,Albert Sutkus; Sister Grace Luther; andthe Revs. Norbert Brockman(Cincinnati), Gustave Lamontagne(Canada), Charles Miller, FranzSchorp, Eugene Sweeney and JosephTarrillion.

The Rev. J. Willis Langlinaiscommemorated 50 years and the Rev.Gerald Pleva observed 25 years asMarianist priests. n

Teachers Ace ExamSt. Mary’s teacher preparation

program is in the top echelon in Texaswith a 97 percent pass rate on the statecertification exams, according to theU.S. Department of Education. Thestatewide average was 88 percent forprospective teachers.

Among 62 St. Mary’s studentsseeking initial teacher certification, 60passed. In addition, St. Mary’s teachereducation program achieved the state’shighest rating. n

Spotlight on St. Mary’s The 2002 Southwestern Bell YellowPages and Business White Pages, withthe cover commemorating St. Mary’sSesquicentennial anniversary, wasunveiled Oct. 4, 2001, at a pressconference before being delivered to theGreater San Antonio area.

n NewsmakersFormer City Manager IsPublic Service Professor

Former San Antonio City ManagerAlex Briseño has joined the St. Mary’sfaculty as a Professor of Public Servicein Residence.

Briseño served the city for 24 years,including 11 as city manager. He willteach graduate courses and mentorpublic administration students in theDepartment of Political Science.

His career with the city began in1977 as assistant to the city manager,and eventually he supervised almostevery city department. He will add apractical dimension to his firstteaching position.

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also was capital campaignchairman for the $22 millionAlumni Athletics &Convocation Center. He isformer vice chairman ofSt. Mary’s Board ofTrustees and served as boardmember from 1981 to 1988.

Breckenridge Thomas(B.A. ’82, J.D. ’85) representsthe Law Alumni Association.She is a defense attorney forthe Air Force in addition to herprivate practice as a corporatelegal adviser.

Charles T. Barrett Jr.,president of Barrett HoldingsInc., and Francisco Cigarroa,M.D., president of theUniversity of Texas HealthScience Center at SanAntonio, also have beenelected to the board.

Barrett (B.B.A. ’62)received the Paul C. GoelzBusiness Leadership Award in2001. He owns Barrett MotorCars, a dealership of Jaguarand other premium cars in SanAntonio, and was Fiesta SanAntonio’s El Rey Feo for

2001-2002 in recognition of hischaritable work.

Cigarroa, an acclaimed pediatricand transplant surgeon, is the firstHispanic to lead a health scienceuniversity in the United States. Heearned a bachelor’s degree from Yalein 1979 and received his medicaldegree with highest honors from theUniversity of Texas SouthwesternMedical Center in Dallas.

New board members also includetwo professed religious from theSociety of Mary: Brother William J.Campbell, S.M., Ed.D., is assistantsuperintendent for personnel andtechnology in the Archdiocese ofPortland, Ore.; and the Rev. John A.McGrath, S.M., Ph.D., is assistantprofessor of religious studies at theUniversity of Dayton in Ohio. n

Owen, Velez AttendFulbright-Hays Seminar

Professors Patricia Owen, Ph.D.,and Alejandro Velez, Ph.D., wereselected to attend the “Thailand-BurmaFulbright-Hays Seminar in Thailandand Burma 2002.”

Briseño’s association with theSociety of Mary began at CentralCatholic High School, where hegraduated in 1967. n

Manuel Gets Nod David P. Manuel, Ph.D., has been

appointed vice president for AcademicAffairs effective April 12, 2002. Deanof the School of Business andAdministration from 1990 to 2000, hehas been acting academic vicepresident since June 2000.

Manuel’s appointment is for athree-year term. As academic vicepresident, he will be a catalyst for theUniversity’s long-term success asVision 2006 is implemented.

Manuel has been in the forefront offaculty development efforts and is astrong advocate of internationaleducation. n

Assistant ChancellorPost Filled

The Rev. Bernard J. Lee, S.M.,S.T.D., has been named assistantchancellor of St. Mary’s University, aposition that solidifies the Marianistpresence at the executive level andrepresents the spirit of collaborationbetween the Society of Mary and theUniversity. The assistant chancellorwill report directly to the president.

Lee will oversee Campus Ministryand the Marianist Forum, whoseprimary focus is to preserve and enrichthe Marianist charism at St. Mary’s.

He earned a bachelor’s degree inphilosophy and English literature fromSt. Mary’s in 1954 before pursuingmaster’s and doctoral degrees. Whileat St. Mary’s from 1985 to 1988, hehelped form the Marianist Forum, anddeveloped the concepts of dialogiccommunity and the integration of faithand culture.

Lee will use his expertise todevelop a Marianist methodology forthe growth in faith of persons andgroups, giving a deeper Marianistidentity to the University’s mission. n

Seven Trustees AddedDuring 2001-2002, seven members

have been elected to the St. Mary’sBoard of Trustees. All will serve two-year terms.

Nancy Brown Loeffler, a longtimeadvocate of volunteerism, currentlyserves on many boards, including theM.D. Anderson Cancer Center inHouston, the South Texas CommunityFund, and the Vice President’sResidence Foundation in Washington,D.C.

In addition, Loeffler is a member ofthe Chancellor’s Council of theUniversity of Texas System, thedevelopment board of the Universityof Texas Health Science Center at SanAntonio, and the board of governors ofthe Cancer Therapy and ResearchCenter Foundation.

Bill Greehey, CEO and chairman ofthe board of Valero Energy Corp., andSharon Breckenridge Thomas, civilianattorney for the U.S. Air Force, havejoined the board.

Greehey (B.B.A. ’60), the 1986distinguished alumnus of St. Mary’sand recipient of the 1993 George B.Kohnen Business Leadership Award,

GradsHonored

As part of its 100thanniversary, theSt. Mary’s UniversityAlumni Associationhonored threeoutstanding communityleaders at itsDistinguished AlumniDinner last October: theRev. David H. Garcia(B.A. ’71), rector, SanFernando Cathedral;Robert L. Mason, Ph.D.(B.S. ’68), seniorscientist and statisticalanalyst, SouthwestResearch Institute; andRobert M. McAdams,(B.B.A. ’65), managingpartner, Carneiro,Chumney & Co. Also inOctober, the Law AlumniAssociation selectedBexar County Judge andformer San Antonio Mayor NelsonW. Wolff (B.B.A., J.D. ’66) as its2001 distinguished law graduate.

Rev. David H. Garcia

Robert L. Mason, Ph.D.

Robert M. McAdams

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n Good DeedsA New Gateway

The University has launched a fund-raising drive for a beautification projectthat will address changing campusneeds while providing a safe andattractive environment for students andemployees.

The “New Gateway to HistoricSt. Mary’s University” developmenteffort will raise $4 million to enhancethe campus entrance and perimeter.

Committed to building on honoredtraditions, a new Plaza will be createdin front of St. Louis Hall as part of theUniversity’s rededication to Mary.

Centered between St. Louis Halland Chaminade Tower will beMemorial Plaza, which will pay tributeto alumni who have died in service toour country. Tree-lined walkways will

link buildings at the frontof the campus, and a grottowill provide a meditativespace.

A unique perimeterfence, constructed ofwrought iron and brickcolumns to reflect the

architecture of St. Louis Hall, will givethe campus identity as well as a safeenvironment.

Spearheaded by the Board ofTrustees, the beautification effort is apart of President Cotrell’s five-yearstrategic plan. n

Marianist brothers Kohnen andGoelz served as first and second deanof the business school, respectively.

Brian Weiner, founder andchairman of PMG International Ltd.,has been named International BusinessLeader of the Year 2002 by the Centerfor Global Business Studies atSt. Mary’s. The award recognizes localbusiness leaders who promote SouthTexas products and/or services,international revenues and economicindicators, cultural diversity andmentorship. n

Faculty StarsSix faculty members were

recognized for their dedication to theteaching profession by the St. Mary’sUniversity Alumni Association at anawards dinner in January. Thosehonored with the DistinguishedFaculty Award were: Jacqueline

Valadez, Ph.D.,assistantprofessor ofteachereducation; BethShepard, Ph.D., associateprofessor of psychology;Brooke Envick, Ph.D.,associate professor ofmanagement; TimothyRaabe, Ph.D., assistantprofessor of biology; DavidSchlueter, professor of law;and Zaida Martinez, Ph.D.,associate professor ofmanagement. n

The intensive study abroadprogram on Southeast Asianexperiential learning helps participantsincorporate their studies intoclassroom teaching.

Owen, chairman of the Departmentof Psychology, is a licensed clinicalpsychologist. Velez is a professor ofeconomics and coordinator of theLatin American Studies program. n

Candia EntersOCS Hall of Fame

Ruben Araiza Candia, Ph.D.,chairman of the Department ofLanguages, has been inducted into theU.S. Army’s 2002 Officer CandidateSchool Hall of Fame.

The Fort Benning, Ga.-based hallof fame recognizes leadershipexcellence in both military and civilianpublic service. Induction is the singlehighest honor bestowed on an OCSgraduate.

Candia, who served in the Armyfor 27 years before retiring as alieutenant colonel, joined St. Mary’s inJune 1977 as chairman of the militaryscience department. In 1985 hefounded the MultinationalOrganization Studies (MOS) programwith a view toward preparing studentsfor a global society.

A professor of Spanish, Candia isthe MOS program coordinator. n

Business LeadersPraised

The School of Business andAdministration has honored MalcolmStratemann (B.B.A. ’57) and JamesKoett (B.B.A. ’63) with businessleadership awards.

Stratemann, retired senior partnerof Padgett, Stratemann & Co.,received the Paul C. Goelz BusinessLeadership Award, which recognizesan alumnus who has established orcaused substantial growth of a profitor nonprofit venture and has sharedknowledge with other aspiringentrepreneurs.

Koett was recipient of the GeorgeB. Kohnen Leadership Award inrecognition of his distinguishedmanagement of a corporation ororganization by providing eminentleadership and making significantcontributions to the organization.

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Awards Pay Full FreightTo commemorate the University’s

Sesquicentennial anniversary, specialscholarship awards will be distributedthis fall to two freshmen, twosophomores, one junior and one senior.

Approximately $120,000 will beavailable for full-tuition scholarshipsto full-time students who maintain a3.0 grade point average anddemonstrate excellent service to theSt. Mary’s community.

Awards will cover all direct costs,including tuition, fees, room andboard, books and supplies, for amaximum of four years. n

Coates Gives $270,000to Law School

The St. Mary’s University Schoolof Law has received a $270,000scholarship grant from the ElizabethHuth Coates Charitable Foundation.

The grant will be used to fund threefull-tuition scholarships to law studentsfrom Hidalgo County.

Two years ago, the foundationprovided funds for law libraryacquisitions. n

University GetsTechnology Grants

St. Mary’s has received two grantsfrom the TelecommunicationsInfrastructure Fund Board of Texastotaling $217,000.

That money will be used to replacethe computer system and network atthe Louis J. Blume Library, and inseveral residence halls. n

n Sports CornerAnother Yearto Remember

One national championship (seestory on page 9), another team sixpoints shy of a national appearance,and five conference championshipscapped the 2001-2002 year in athleticsfor the Rattlers. To that can be added afew “Coach of the Year” honors aswell.

Women’s basketball, softball, golf,and men’s baseball and golf all wontheir respective Heartland Conferencechampionships. Both golf squads,softball and women’s basketball

progressed to regional competition,and a St. Mary’s female golfer movedon to nationals.

Heartland Conference BasketballCoach of the Year Paige Clawson ledthe Lady Rattlers to a 26-3 record andto the championship game of the SouthCentral Regional Tournament beforefalling to eventual national runner-upSoutheastern Oklahoma. The LadyRattlers, posted a perfect 10-0Heartland Conference Record. Postplayer Erin Griffin was namedHonorable Mention All-American aswell as Heartland Conference Player ofthe Year.

Heartland Golf Coach of the YearEarl Meyer led the men and womengolfers to regional play. Jillian Wyne,who finished 10th in the nationaltournament, earned second team All-American honors.

The baseball team, while winningthe conference title, missed out onregional competition and finished witha 33-21 record. Charlie Migl, namedNCAA Division II West Region andDivision II National Coach of the Yearfor the 2001 season by the AmericanBaseball Coaches Association, wasrecognized as the 2002 HeartlandConference Coach of the Year. PitcherFernando Tadefa was named Heartland

Conference Player of the Year.And, wing player Billy White was

named Heartland ConferenceFreshman of the Year in men’sbasketball.

In all, 34 Rattlers representing 10sports, were named to All-Conferenceteams. n

Hall of Fame GrowsThe induction of the 2002 class

brought to 121 the total number ofpeople inducted into the St. Mary’sUniversity Athletics Hall of Fame.

The 19th Hall of Fame classincluded: Yvette Buentello-Giron,softball and basketball, 1985-1988;Daniel E. “Danny” Galindo, baseball,1965-68; Joan E. and William A.Kuebker, longtime athletics boosters,1975-present; Gabriel Ramirez,basketball, 1990-92; Michael“Mickey” Schott, baseball, 1964-67;and Jennifer Zapalac-Lezak, softball,1987-1991.

Buentello-Giron, Ramirez andZapalac-Lezak were named NAIA AllAmericans during their playing days atSt. Mary’s. Zapalac-Lezak was a four-time selection. n

Rings of Glory

The St. Mary’s Rattler baseball team received their NCAA Division II championship ringsduring halftime at the men’s basketball game Jan. 26. The Rattlers capped a stellar 50-13 season when they captured the national title last June in Birmingham, Ala., markingthe first time a Catholic university or Texas team had won, and only the second time in 34years a private school has taken the title.

9

Situated in the ShenandoahValley on the Roanoke Riverbetween the Allegheny andBlue Ridge mountains, Salem,

Va., possesses all the beauty andgrandeur that nature can bestow. Likea kingdom nestled among regal peaks,the hamlet made a fitting arena forSt. Mary’s softball royalty to ascend toits rightful throne.

But the road there wasn’t pavedwith gold. Instead, it was long,grueling and fraught with pitfalls. TheLady Rattlers would battle 69opponents–beating 58 of them–andtraverse thousands of miles in searchof softball’s Holy Grail—the NCAADivision II National Championship.

Guided by coaching nobility DonnaFields and Jessica Peoples, and led byseniors Ashley Boedeker, Natalie Hill,Jessica Jimenez and TanyaMedina–along with sophomorepitching ace Kym Kling–this band ofsoftball blue bloods seemed destinedfor distinction.

Embarking on a 16-year CrusadeThe quest for gold began when

today’s queens of the diamond weremere infants. Future head coach DonnaEckert Fields could only watch as herteammates reveled in St. Mary’s 1986softball championship, the University’sfirst-ever national title (NAIA). But,Fields didn’t play. The three-sportathlete tore her left anterior cruciateligament in a basketball game the yearbefore, forcing her to miss the entiresoftball season, including thechampionship run. She’d been thestarting shortstop.

“Things happen for a reason,”Fields said, admitting thatexperience helped her betterunderstand patience and therole she had to settle for.She always has worn herchampionship ring with

pride, and herstory—legendaryamong her players—inspired her team towant their own rings,and to win another forFields.

Shortstop Nat Hillwanted to win anational title “justbecause I know Coach’sstory. She’s given a lotto the team and school.During my four years,this has been her ultimategoal.”

Center fielder TanyaMedina, envious of thebaseball team’s 2001 nationalchampionship rings, set her sights on“getting a big fat ring” for herself andmodeled her tenacity after Fields.

“Coach wore that darn (NAIAnational championship) ring all thetime. She constantly pushed us. Wecomplained about the five and six hourpractices, but she knew it would payoff in the end,” Medina said.

To the Victors Go the SpoilsWhen they lost to Eastern New

Mexico State in the regional finals last

year, one game from a nationalappearance, it was a bitter experience.But, it offered an indelible lesson.“What it made them understandclearly,” Fields said, “is what it takesto win.”

Lion-hearted and single of mind,the Ladies navigated a demandingpath. By the time they hosted the SouthCentral Regional Tournament in theirown domain, the Rattlers boasted a49–10 record. No small feat, yet moreimpressive because the team hadtraveled far afield in Texas, and toNevada, Colorado, Oklahoma and

Missouri, for 51 of thosecontests. Their first game inthe regional tournament

marked only their ninthhome appearance of theseason.

St. Mary’s began itsjourney with a 2–1 victoryover the Regis University

Rangers of Denver. In thesecond but less difficultduel, the Rattlersavenged an early-season

Queensof the DiamondCapturing Crown in the Cardsby Candace Kuebker

Lady Rattler teammates gather around their championship trophy onthe field of the Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Va.

Jubilant seniors Ashley Boedeker, left,and Jessica Jimenez embrace afterdefeating the Grand Valley State Lakersto win the national title.

10

loss to the Texas Woman’s UniversityPioneers, overpowering them 8–0.Then it got tough.

Legions of fans gathered for St.Mary’s third game against TexasA&M– Kingsville, the only otherundefeated team in the doubleelimination tournament. Even thoughthe Rattlers held a commanding 5–2lead in the season’s earlier battles,everything was now at stake. One teammust beat the other twice to advance tonationals. Fields predicted a battle ofthe sticks. The challenge would be to“string enough hits together to scoreruns,” she said.

Fighting to the LastCatcher and designated player

Ashley Boedeker, rightfully hailed as ateam leader, used her discipline anddetermination–and her majesticswing–to propel St. Mary’s into thechampionship game. The Javelinas led2–0 going into the bottom of theseventh, and the Rattlers foundthemselves one strike away fromdefeat. With two on base and two outs,Boedeker calmly ripped an RBI singleto tie the game.

But that day’s heroine wasn’tfinished. Tied 2–2 in the bottom of theninth, the bases loaded and two outs,Boedeker again faced a two-strikecount. Her grand slam home run,which gave the Ladies a 6–2 victory,“couldn’t have happened to a betterperson,” Fields said. Boedeker hadhoped for a sacrifice fly, “but that wasthe biggest clutch hit of my career.”

Like knights jousting for theirhonor, the next day’s championshipgame was toe-to-toe, no-holds-barredcombat from start to finish. In acampaign that saw St. Mary’s fall

behind 1–0, then lead 4–1 beforetrailing 5–4 in the seventh, the Ladiesagain were down to their last strike.

Kling jumped on a 2–2 pitch anddrilled a single to tie the game. Juniorpitcher Amanda Bayless held off theJavelinas, and in the ninth the Rattlersignited for five runs, including an RBIsingle by Hill, a three-run homer byfreshman third baseman Veronica“Roni” Garcia, and a one-run single bysecond baseman Jessica Jimenez.

When the dust settled, St. Mary’sstately squad had notched a 10–5victory and was destined for Salem.

“We learned a lot about ourselvesthose two days,” Fields said with pride.

Confronting the EnemyTwo days later, the Ladies arrived

at the Virginia battlefield where theirmettle would be tested against thecountry’s most notable adversaries.

Entering the tournament with the

most wins among the national finalists,St. Mary’s refused to sit on its laurels.After all, these were foes never beforeseen by the Rattlers. “We just have torely on each other and play our best,”Fields had wisely advised her team.

The Rattlers flexed their muscles inthe first contest, scoring three runsagainst New York’s Le Moyne College(34–9) before the Dolphins swung abat. The Ladies posted a convincing8–1 victory, highlighted by Kling’seight strikeouts and Garcia’s two-runhomer, her 14th of the year.

On the second day, the Rattlersneeded only two runs to defeat theBloomsburg University Huskies(42–6) of Pennsylvania. Hill suppliedall the necessary firepower, hitting tworun-scoring doubles. On her way to ashutout, Kling recorded sevenstrikeouts, gave up three hits and, atone point, retired 16 consecutivebatters.

The Ladies’ third opponent wasGrand Valley State (47–10–1) ofMichigan. Like the weather, play wasbrisk and in six innings the pluckyRattlers trounced the Lakers 8–0,assuring a spot in the championshipgame. In her second consecutiveshutout, Kling threw 71 pitches, 54 ofthem strikes, and allowed only twohits. Dominant at the plate, sophomorecatcher Liz Hunt went three for three,Medina three for four, and freshmanright fielder Kristin Simmons two forthree. The Rattlers were hitting .350for the tournament, with seven of their28 hits going for extra bases.

Standing as the only undefeatedtournament team, the Ladies had first

First team All-American Rattler Ace Kym Klingtook home tournament MVP honors.

Head Coach Donna Fields assesses thegame situation.

Shortstop Natalie Hill, a first team andAcademic All-American, readies herself foranother inning.

Second baseman Jessica Jimenez preparesto steal.

11

by the Ladies in their first three games.Grand Valley’s hurler allowedSt. Mary’s just two second-inning hitsand retired the last 19 batters shefaced. In the bottom of the eighth, aLaker double to deep center fieldeluded Medina who became tangled ina collapsible fence. The base runnerscored from first, despite the strongefforts of St. Mary’s catcher Hunt toblock home plate. Kling allowed justfour hits and struck out 11 in adisheartening loss.

“Sometimes the ball bounces yourway, sometimes it doesn’t,” Fieldssaid.

With one loss each, the teamsconvened on the battleground a thirdand final time. The keys to thekingdom were within the contenders’grasp. And although both sides hadfought hard and with valor, only onecould claim victory.

It was crisp and overcast when theRattlers entered the playing arena atnoon on Monday, May 20. Less thantwo hours later, buoyed by Kling’spowerful pitching, the Ladies recordeda 4–0 shutout over their nemesis,Grand Valley State.

The Rattlers scored a run in the firstinning without a hit when Hill walked,stole second, moved to third on aground out by Kling and scored on awild pitch. Then sophomore left fielderPam Salinas drove in Garcia. Insuranceruns came in the third and sixth onRBIs by Garcia and Boedeker,respectively. The ill-fated Lakers neveradvanced a runner past second base.

Pleased to see her predictable squadshow up, Fields told reporters after thegame, “Our focal point yesterday was

the end instead of the present. Today,we knew the game and the tournamentweren’t over until the final out.”

Kling, who finished the season witha 35–5 record, pitched her thirdshutout of the six-game series. Shethrew 95 pitches, 61 of them strikes,and gave up only four hits. Crownedtournament MVP, Kling posted a 4–1record, striking out 40 batters in 391/2innings. She allowed just 21 hits, threewalks and two runs for a tournamentERA of 0.36.

Hill tallied tournament highs withseven hits and six runs, and tied Garciawith four RBIs. “Hitting is contagious”said Garcia after the final win. “Weshowed that today.” The Rattlersoutscored their opponents 23–2 overthe six games.

Exalting in TriumphAfter collecting the championship

trophy, followed by interviews,photographs, and a celebration withfamily and friends at a Roanoke eatery,the Lady Rattlers returned home. Overthe next few weeks, the team met withthe governor of Texas, appeared beforethe San Antonio City Council and theBexar County Commissioners Court toreceive proclamations and accolades,and popped up on numerous televisionprograms.

Polished and genteel for the mostpart, gritty and daring when necessary,this party of triumphant competitorshas concluded a fabled odyssey. Theiraccomplishment required resolve,courage and endurance. That is what ittakes to claim the softball throne andreign as queens of the diamond. n

to dispense with Chico State (Calif.),before playing for the championship.The Wildcats, with an unimpressive34–25 pre-tournament record, sloweddown the hard-hitting Rattlers until thetop of the seventh. Jimenez andMedina singled, and Hill’s blooper toleft field was dropped, allowingJimenez to score the only run of thegame.

Reigning SupremeLater that evening, the Ladies again

met the Lakers in what would be thefirst championship game.

The Rattlers coasted to an easyvictory over Grand Valley State intheir initial meeting. But thechampionship game was far different.Absent was the offensive brawn shown

Jessica Jimenez, with an ever-present smile,makes a play at second base.

Natalie Hill went four for four in stolen basesduring tournament play.

Displaying fine form, freshman KristinSimmons tallied five hits in Salem.

Sophomore first baseman Jennifer Survantawaits a teammates throw.

12

Final record 58–11

Heartland Conference ChampionshipPlayer of the Year: Kym Kling (P)Freshman of the Year: Veronica “Roni”Garcia (3B)

Coach of the Year: Donna FieldsAll Conference Team: Amanda Bayless(P), Natalie Hill (SS), Jessica Jimenez(2B), Tanya Medina (CF), Pam Salinas (LF)

South Central Region ChampionshipAll Region Team: Kling, Hill, MedinaDivision II South Central Region Coaching

Staff of the Year: Fields and JessicaPeoples

All Tournament Team: Kling (MVP),Bayless, Ashley Boedeker (DP), Garcia,Medina

NCAA Division II National ChampionshipSeries record: 5–1 (.833) Team batting: .272 in 162 at bats;

23 runs, 44 hits, seven doubles,one triple, one home run, 10 bases onballs, 30 strikeouts, nine for ninestolen bases/attempts

Team pitching: .034 ERA in six games;41.1 innings pitched with 22 hits, tworuns, two errors, four bases on balls,42 strikeouts

Individual hitting: Hill .389; Garcia 333;Kristin Simmons (RF) .312;Boedeker .278; Kling .273;Medina .263

All Tournament Team: Kling (MVP), Hill,Medina, Liz Hunt (C), Garcia, BoedekerPost-season Honors

First Team All-Americans: Kling and HillAcademic All-Americans: Hill and

Boedeker (both four-year); JimenezNational Fastpitch Coaches Association

Division II National Coaching Staff ofthe Year: Fields and Peoples

ChampionshipSeason

S O F T B A L L

After claiming the national championship trophy,team leader Jessica Jimenez was rarely seenwithout it. Here she shows it to fans who met thewinning team’s 1 a.m. flight.

Junior right fielder Julie Sanchez signs a softballfor one of the hundreds of fans who attended anon-campus championship rally.

Kristin Simmons celebrates the softball title withteammates, family and fans during a post-tournament party in the Pecan Grove.

Coach Fields talks to fans about the qualitiesthat made hers a championship team.

At the championship rally, senior outfielderTanya Medina tells the crowd her teammatesare “such girls.” Except . . . “We can playball, too, and look good doing it!” she says.

13

Getting fired from her job

as a teacher, says Hattie

Elam Briscoe, was one of

the best things that could have

happened to her. It set her on a

trailblazing course that would

shape her life forever and inspire

others to expand their dreams.

Even 50 years later, the painresonates in her voice when sherecounts the experience. Throughouther life, though, Briscoe has been theproverbial lemonade-maker.

Unceremoniously terminated fromWheatley High School withoutexplanation in 1951 after teachingthere six years–and earning a master’sdegree–Briscoe persevered andbecame the first African-American to graduate fromthe St. Mary’s UniversitySchool of Law and the firstfemale black attorney inSan Antonio.

She had earned herA.B. degree in 1937 fromWiley College inMarshall, afterleavinghome at16 to

receive an education. She taught forfour years at Booker T. WashingtonHigh School in Wichita Falls, thenlearned the beauty trade from herhusband, William Briscoe, in SanAntonio, and became a licensedcosmetology instructor. That led to theWheatley position.

“Black people could only teach atblack schools, and I was the onlyqualified person in town with a degreeand a cosmetology license,” Briscoesays. Then came the dismissal.

She gave up teaching, taking theadvice of a friend who believed Hattiehad a natural aptitude for law. Soonshe was working days and taking lawschool night classes downtown. Shepreviously had attended and taughtonly at segregated schools.Unintimidated, she reminded herselfthat she had more education than most

of the other beginning lawstudents.

“There was only oneother woman in myclass, Carol Haberman(later a district courtjudge). She took meunder her wing and gotme in her study group. I

taught that group for fouryears, then passed the bar

in 1956,” Briscoe says.The job market,however, wasn’t as

accepting as St. Mary’s.

With her

husband’s encouragement she openeda solo practice, at first doing all of herown typing. She tried all kinds ofcases, but gravitated toward and “fellin love with” family law. She foundthat women often sought her out as anattorney.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.Briscoe remembers that often she wasthe only woman in the courtroom,never mind the only African-American.

One case in particular served toestablish Briscoe as a force to bereckoned with. Her client, a black man,had a blowout on the highway. Hisimmobilized vehicle was on the side ofthe road, yet he was found guilty ofnegligent homicide when two whitepeople were killed when the car theywere in slammed into it.

“I couldn’t understand it.” Briscoesays, still indignant at the memory.

Her client couldn’t afford anappeal, but Briscoe footed the bill,vowing that no one would get awaywith such flagrant disregard for justice.She won. “After that, they didn’t messwith me. It was the only case I everhad to appeal,” she says.

Briscoe never again experiencedthat level of discrimination in thecourtroom. For the next 35 years herpractice blossomed. She won manycases, lost a few, and earned areputation as an honest, hard-workinglawyer. In 1992 she was namedSt. Mary’s Distinguished Alumna.

Now in her 80s, Briscoe looks backwith pride knowing that every obstacle

she overcame was part ofher legacy to other womenand African-Americanswho followed her.

Briscoe didn’t just takethe less-traveled road; she

cut through the underbrush tomake the path herself. n

Blazing Her Own Pathby Patricia Dargin Padilla, B.A. ’78

1414

St. Mary’s has undertaken aninnovative approach to nurturing,developing and training the nextgeneration of leaders through thenewly established 21st CenturyLeadership Center.

Over the next four years, we willintroduce initiatives that will expandstudents’ leadership potential –challenging them with the idea thatthey can and should be leaders, andthat we can help provide the tools forthem to succeed.

Training a New Generation of Leaders

The Leadership Center will be afocal point, incubator and catalyst foran array of leadership initiatives andprograms across the campus and inSouth Texas. It will seek to cultivateand educate a new generation ofleaders who reflect in their purposeand practice the ability to lead ethicallyand effectively from and acrossincreasingly diverse and more globallyinterdependent communities.

14

“It’s a different way of approachingleadership,” says Michael Kolenc,president of the Student GovernmentAssociation. “It emphasizes hands-onexperiences, like running for studentgovernment or other positions that helpyou understand what being a leaderreally is.”

One early initiative is the Leader-to-Leader Brown Bag Lecture Series,in which a prominent South Texas ornational leader and 10 St. Mary’sstudent leaders are brought together totalk in an informal, intimate setting.Presenters share their top 10 leadershiplessons and students are encouraged toimpart their vision and leadershipexperiences.

Sharing Lessons of LeadershipUniversity President Charles L.

Cotrell, Ph.D., and former Secretary ofHousing and Urban Development andSan Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros,already have met with students, givingboth men a unique opportunity todiscuss what they have learned duringtheir years in public service.

“These are quite candiddiscussions,” Kolenc says. “They toldus what they have done to institutechange. We were able to get a snapshotof how they approached leadership. Ithink we all left with a very differentpoint of view than when we started.”

Everyone has leadership potentialand promise, Cotrell told the students.Likewise, St. Mary’s mission, throughthe 21st Century Leadership Center, isto help all students move from

f all the questions

about the future of

leadership that we

can raise for ourselves, we can be

certain in our answer to only

one: ‘Who will lead us?’ The

answer, of course, is that we will

be led by those we have taught,

and they will lead us as we have

shown them they should.”

William C. Richardson, Ph.D.President

and Chief Executive OfficerW.K. Kellogg Foundation

“OThe 21st Century Leadership Center

Training Leaders for the 21st CenturyABC Primetime and 20/20 news correspondent andSt. Mary’s alumnus John Quiñones (B.A. ’74) talksabout the importance of training leaders at the publicannouncement of the 21st Century Leadership Center.Quiñones will participate in the center’s Leader-to-Leader Brown Bag Lecture Series this summer.

151515

promising leaders to purposeful, activeleaders, he said.

Over the next year, 100 studentleaders will be able to draw on thecumulative wisdom, experiences andreflections given by 10 public andprivate sector Leader-to-Leaderpresenters. Slated for this summer isABC Primetime and 20/20 newscorrespondent and St. Mary’s alumnusJohn Quiñones (B.A. ’74).

Ultimately a book, “100 Lessons ofLeadership for the Next Generation ofSouth Texas Leaders,” will bepublished to provide an enduringrecord for study and reference.

This is just one of the leadershipdevelopment initiatives that will beundertaken at St. Mary’s and in thelarger community. The center willcollaborate with faculty to expand thenumber of leadership courses taughtand to integrate leadership perspectivesinto courses already part of thecurriculum. It will sponsor leadershipdevelopment schools outside theclassroom for student and communityleaders.

Building on ConvictionsAfter much deliberation and

seeking input from members of theUniversity community, and leaders inSan Antonio and South Texas, thecenter has been created from thefollowing convictions:

n Leadership can be learned.Individuals can be taught and

trained to become leaders or theycan be developed into better leaders.

n Leadership purposes and practiceshave moral and ethical dimensions.

Leaders are needed who care asmuch about the purpose ofleadership as for the practice ofleadership. In concert with our

mission as a Catholic MarianistUniversity, we believe our worldneeds moral leaders committed totransforming cultures and buildingcommunities of peace, justice andlove.

n Serving, building and positivelytransforming communities, culturesand society are central tasks ofleadership.

The ultimate purpose of allleadership endeavors is to make apositive contribution to the socialorder. In this sense, leaders arecommunity builders. St. Mary’sUniversity is committed to developingcommunities of leaders.

n St. Mary’s University has both ahistoric obligation and a presentopportunity to prepare, educate anddevelop the next generation ofleaders.

St. Mary’s has a stellar record ofproducing leaders. It must continue todo so, and also must do more. We needto educate and train each of ourstudents to be citizen leaders.

n Every student is a leader.St. Mary’s wants to create an

institutional culture and communal lifethat nurtures and develops theleadership potential of every student.All students will be confronted withand given the opportunity to developtheir gifts, talents and commitments inleadership competencies. Everystudent graduates a citizen leader.

n America needs new leadership thatcan effectively and meaningfullylead in an increasingly diverse nation.

As the United States becomes moresocially, ethnically and culturallydiverse, we will need to developleaders who can lead in, from andacross communities.

Our vision is to nurture and developSt. Mary’s students into leaders whoare ethical, moral and spiritual, andwho seek to promote positive change;who are culturally sensitive, adaptableand globally literate; who can leadfrom and across diverse communities;and who are committed to buildingcommunities of peace, justice andlove.

For more information on the 21stCentury Leadership Center visitour Web site atwww.stmarytx.edu/leaders/. n

The Rev. Andy Hernandez,an ordained Methodistminister and writer inresidence in St. Mary’sPolitical ScienceDepartment, is the directorof the 21st CenturyLeadership Center. Before

joining St. Mary’s, he was president of theSouthwest Voter Registration EducationProject.

rs for the 21st Centuryby Andy Hernandez, Director, 21st Century Leadership Center

16

You may have heard

the story of the St. Mary’s

graduate who leaped aboard

a runaway passenger train

and successfully brought it to

a safe stop, saving countless

lives among those on board.

Later, a news reporter asked

where the alum had learned

to operate locomotives.

“Nowhere,” came the reply,

“but I’m a graduate of

St. Mary’s University, and

we were told that with a

strong background in the

liberal arts, you can do

anything.”

Since its inception in 1985, theSt. Mary’s University Honors Programhas sought to enrich the pre-professional education of its diversestudents through a demanding liberalarts curriculum that emphasizes criticalthinking, clear communication, andaesthetic and ethical awareness. The

Life After Honorsby Daniel Rigney, Director, Honors Program

17

program celebrates academics bystretching the students’ intellect.

More than 200 Honors Programalumni have passed through St. Mary’sdoors and gone forth to make theirmark on their professions andcommunities.

As the program’s current director, Ioften feel like a proud papa as I receivenews from our alumni across thenation and around the world.

Broadening Students’ HorizonsWhat we hear is that, beyond their

challenging academic experience, theskills further honed through the co-and extracurricular components of theHonors Program can be invaluable.

Michael Kelly (B.S. ’01), whoplans to enroll in a health careadministration graduate program, saysthe Honors Program challenged hismind while giving him opportunities todevelop networking skills.

As well, Honors students areencouraged to develop their culturalawareness outside the classroom byattending area plays, recitals, lecturesand other activities.

“The cultural events helped broadenmy horizons and helped me see thingsin a different way,” Kelly says.

Alyssa Giang (B.S. ’02) says herexperience helped her to learn moreabout communicating with others.

“In the Honors Program I was in anenvironment with other students whowere above-average and shared mycareer interests,” says Giang, who maystudy osteopathy or enter medicalschool.

Pursuing Advanced StudiesA recent analysis of our graduates

reveals that there is indeed life afterHonors.

Most program alums go on tograduate and professional studiesimmediately upon leaving St. Mary’s.Advanced study is a main goal of theprogram, and we are proud of thecontinuing academic successes of ouralumni.

Nearly 30 percent pursue advancedstudies in the health and life sciences.Two-thirds of these go to medicalschool, and most opt for one of thefour University of Texas medicalbranches. Some have gone to Harvard,Yale, Missouri and Nebraska, amongothers. At least five graduates havepursued both the medical and doctoral

degrees simultaneously in preparationfor research careers.

Another 13 percent have preparedfor careers in law at such venerableinstitutions as the University of Texasat Austin, Southern MethodistUniversity, Nebraska, Harvard and ourown School of Law.

Some have chosen to embark oncareers in public policy. Two formerStudent Government Associationpresidents, Robert Wernersbach (B.A.’97) and Nicholas Sisoian (B.A. ’01),have pursued studies at the GeorgeBush School of Government andPublic Service in College Station.Others have attended the Lyndon B.Johnson School of Public Affairs inAustin and the John F. KennedySchool of Government at Harvard. Itwould not be surprising if one or moreof these budding public servants risesto high office someday.

About 12 percent of HonorsProgram alumni move directly intocareers in business or to graduatebusiness administration and publicadministration programs.

Another 6 percent enter the nobleprofession of teaching, touching thelives of the young and preparing themto survive and thrive in the newcentury.

A growing number seek advanceddegrees in engineering and arescattered across the country, fromCarnegie-Mellon in Pittsburgh to theUniversity of California in San Diego.

Other fields of advanced studyinclude counseling and social services,computer science and mathematics,chemistry, English and creativewriting, economics, history, sociology,philosophy, theology and religiouseducation.

A handful have earned doctorates infields ranging from biophysics toEnglish literature. More arecompleting their dissertations at suchplaces as Ohio State University, theUniversity of Connecticut and theUniversity of Notre Dame.

Pursuing Challenging CareersTwo former Honors Scholars,

Meridith Alvarez (B.A. ’95) and PaulUhlig (B.S. ’90), currently aremembers of the St. Mary’s faculty incommunications and mathematics,respectively.

Another, Jeff Salaiz (B.A. ’96), ispursuing a diplomatic career followingtraining at Johns Hopkins and today

represents the United States in CostaRica.

Alicia Robb (B.A. ’91), created herown international economicdevelopment foundation beforecompleting doctoral studies and takinga position with the board of governorsof the Federal Reserve Board.

Meanwhile, Karin Kiser (B.A. ’93),took a graduate degree in internationalrelations at the University of Chicago,then founded her own consulting firmin San Diego, specializing in theSpanish-language book industry.

Not every alumni story isglamorous. Some of our graduates areworking hard where the work ishardest: teaching in the inner cities,fighting fires, building houses forHabitat for Humanity, and ministeringto the health needs of the destitute.They pursue vocations whose principalrewards are not monetary and whoselabors often go unthanked.

For alumna Rose Ramos, a 1994graduate and English and economicsmajor, courses in the Honors Programallowed her to look beyond her chosenfield. “There was a commitment tocommunity outreach and serviceprojects,” she says, and that focusspilled over into her job. Ramos worksat Women For Women International, aWashington D.C.-based nonprofitorganization dedicated to promotinghuman rights and economic, politicaland social justice among womenaround the world.

Leadership and service take manyforms, and the pathways that lead fromthe Honors Program into the largerworld radiate in all directions.

Perhaps these are the truest heroesof all–those who, without muchfanfare, climb aboard the runawaytrains of life and help their passengersto safety.

Daniel Rigney, Ph.D., isprofessor of sociology anddirector of the HonorsProgram. He seeks yourhelp in making our alumnirecords more complete. Ifyou know of the currentwhereabouts and/or e-mail

addresses of Honors Program alumni, pleasee-mail him at drigney@stmarytx.edu.

Volunteerism always has been bigwith the Biegler brothers. It’s atrait they got from their parents,Joe and Lucille, and further

ingrained through their associationwith the Marianists.

Even as they rose through separatecorporate careers, Jack, David andWalter Biegler found a sense offulfillment using their time and talentsin ways that help their individualcommunities.

“Once you get involved insomething, it just grabs you and youwant to do more,” says Jack (B.B.A.’67), currently vice chairman of theSt. Mary’s University Board ofTrustees and former president ofEllison Management.

Their father, a firefighter with theSan Antonio Fire Department for 38years, proved to be a role model andinspiration. The brothers, along withtheir sister Joyce Biegler Russell,established a scholarship at St. Mary’sin 1996 aimed at students who aredependents or survivors of SanAntonio Fire Department employees.Joe Biegler left college during theDepression to support his family andwas a firm believer in making sure hischildren received college educations.

“Our parents worked awfully hardand never had a chance to finish theireducation,” says David (B.S. ’68),recently retired as the vice chairman ofTXU Corp. of Dallas. “We wanted thisscholarship to specifically speak tochildren of firemen. Maybe somecouldn’t afford to go to college.Hopefully this will motivate some ofthem to go.”

“Dad was always one who felt acommitment to be involved,” saysJack. “He did that through his churchand as a volunteer on the pensionboard for the union. This (scholarship)is something we just wanted to do – torecognize my parents. We grew upwith these firemen and spent a lot oftime with them. We wanted to helpsome of them where we could.”

“I’m proud that it can help youngpeople get a St. Mary’s education andhonor our mother and father at thesame time,” adds Walter (B.B.A. ’68),a retired executive with La Quinta Innsand Periodical Management GroupInc.

“None of us are where we are byaccident,” says David, a formerSt. Mary’s trustee. “Our parents arepart of that molding, but our educationat Central Catholic High School andSt. Mary’s also made a big impact.”

The brothers continue to propagatethat spirit of community involvementthrough their actions, especially Davidand Jack.

Jack is involved with the UnitedWay of San Antonio and is on theboard of directors of the CancerTherapy and Research Center and theMedical Foundation.

David, a 1999 St. Mary’sDistinguished Alumnus recipient, iswell known for his devotion to Dallascauses. Last spring he became the 73rdrecipient of the Linz Award, presentedannually to the Dallas County residentwhose voluntary community andhumanitarian efforts have the greatestbenefit. He has given more than adecade of service to young people andto the revitalization of downtownDallas, and his civic and charitableendeavors are numerous.

The Biegler brothers came from afamily heritage of using knowledgeand compassion to make a difference.

“How you enable others to do someof the things they might not otherwisedo – that’s how you affect the world,”David says.

It’s a creed they learned well fromtheir parents and the Marianists. n

18

Biegler BrothersBig on Benevolence

by Rob Leibold, Associate Editor

Walter, David and Jack Biegler

In Closing

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