USD Magazine Fall 2020

Fall 2020

USD MAGAZINE

FEATURES DAWN OF A NEW ERA

Family Bleeds Torero Blue A Torero parent times four, Mary Levine has watched as her children —Michael ‘12 (BA), ‘15 (JD/LLM), twins Madison ‘13 (BA) and Aimee ‘13 (BBA), and Jordan ‘21 (BA) — have made their own mark on the campus community.

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The university’s pivot to remote instruction as the country navigates the health and safety implications of the COVID- 19 pandemic has required faculty to quickly adapt to new technologies in order to deliver course content effectively. Keeping students engaged is key. HOPE IS MUCH NEEDED Professor and interdisciplinary Black women’s historian Channon Miller, PhD, has unbounded enthusiasm for her field of expertise, as evidenced by a recent wide-ranging conversation about systemic racism and the movement for Black lives. A fall 2020 course, Black Lives Matter: Interdisciplinary Perspectives, will look at issues of systemic racism and the longstanding policies and practices that have led to widespread inequities. PERSISTENCE, PATIENCE AND RESPECT Interim Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Richard Miller, DPE, talks about what’s needed to make progress on a variety of social issues. USD has made grants totaling $1.5 million over the past four years, funding 30 projects that confront humanity’s urgent challenges. Economic Recovery A partnership with small businesses has resulted in a win- win for USD students, who’ve been paired with dozens of local businesses in need of qualified interns this summer. Providing Solace and Hope As the community and volunteer engagement manager for Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, Deanna Wolf ‘12 (BA) has seen how faith in action has been an integral part of the organization’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. New Spaces, New Possibilities The renovation of Copley Library and construction of the Learning Commons, USD’s newest academic building, was completed over the course of the summer. CONFRONTING HUMANITY’S URGENT CHALLENGES TORERO NEWS Empowering the USD Community

TORERO ATHLETICS Playing with Purpose

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Ross Dwelley ’18 (BS/BA) reflects on the road that led him to the pinnacle of his athletic aspirations: He’s about to embark on his third season as a tight end with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.

CLASS NOTES Flying High, Under the Radar

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It was only relatively recently that Curtis Chambers ’19 (BS/ BA) received his degree from USD, but he was a bit busy since he left the university, helping to build Uber into a global presence. Resilience and Strength Ellissia (Darley) Price-Fagin ’66 (BA) has seen plenty of history up close. And as a student in the San Diego College for Women, she made history of her own. Deeply Rooted The new executive director of the San Diego Audubon Society, Travis Kemnitz ’02 (BA), has made a love of nature his life’s work.

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ON THE COVER Photo of USD Professor ChannonMiller by Tarsha P. Jones.

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Fall 2020