USD Magazine Fall 2026

TOREROS MAKING WAVES

Reduce Your Tax Burden EVEN IF YOU DON’T ITEMIZE

IN MEMORIAM

to help expand access to education and support greater independence for blind and low-vision learners on a local and global scale. Richard Harris ’19 (MS) is proud to share the release of his new book, Call Me Nowww! Chasing Locks, Losing Sleep! , a nostalgic coming‑of‑age story about strong friendships, taking risks and an overprotective Chihuahua. He’s deeply grateful for the education USD gave him and the community that helped shape his journey. Robert Knecht ’19 (MA) was promoted on January 1 from major to lieutenant colonel with the United States Marine Corps Reserve. 2020s

THE LAST ISSUE GAVE HINTS TO AN OUTSTANDING TORERO. DID YOU GUESS WHO?

Rodrigo Hinostroza ’23 (BBA) was promoted to Account Manager - CTG at TA Services in Del Mar, California. Since joining in January, he has been part of two record-breaking revenue months and the company’s load count goal for their biggest clients (Tesla and Premier Protein) exceeded 100%. William Black ’24 (BBA) started a new role at Greystone as an originator in New York City.

Nathan Allen-Zimmerer ’26 (MS) is celebrating one year as a part-time associate editor for IEEE Pulse magazine, publishing five articles on new advances

A Torero

to Know SISTER VIRGINIA RODEE, RSCJ, ’57 (BA), ’74 (MA) When I told my grandparents I was going all the way across the country to California for college, to my surprise, they said they knew someone there! They told me she worked as a missionary in Korea while my grandfather was stationed in Japan. A mutual friend had introduced her to my grandparents and they became close. So, in 2016, when I arrived at USD, my mom and I dropped by her office in Founders without warning ahead. Without a beat, even though it had been at least 40 years later and my mother had been 12 at the time, Sister exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, it’s Kathleen!” She recognized my mom immediately and was able to regale us with stories of my grandparents from what seemed so long ago. Her sharp memory made it feel like the time in Japan and Korea was last week rather than decades before. From then on, Sister was a regular friend and mentor for me at USD. She always seemed to be involved with everything, with a kind word for all. I could tell that she made everyone’s lives better, and could feel her impact on

in biomedical engineering alongside a full-time role.

Carolyn Gould ’11 (BA) (1989 2026) passed away at the age of 37 on July 19. Her mother shares the news of Gould’s passing with utter sadness and remembers fondly how Gould enjoyed her time at USD, where she made friends for a lifetime and received her degree in sociology.

If you’re age 70½ or older, there’s a smart way to make a difference in the lives of deserving University of San Diego students — make a charitable gift directly from your traditional IRA. This special giving option, known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution or IRA Charitable Rollover, offers significant tax advantages: • Give up to $111,000 per individual as a tax-free outright gift from your IRA. • Make a one-time gift of up to $55,000 to fund a life income plan, such as a charitable gift annuity. • Satisfy all or part of your Required Minimum Distribution for the year. • Reduce your taxable income, even if you don’t itemize deductions. • Avoid limits on charitable deductions and prevent being pushed into a higher tax bracket. • Simplify your giving — just contact your IRA custodian to initiate the gift. LET’S MAKE IT EASY. To learn more or to get started, please contact: Erin Kathleen Jones, CFRE, CSPG Director of Planned Giving and Major Gifts (619) 260-4523 ekjones@sandiego.edu

Camdyn Meehan ’26 (MA) was joined by great aunts Candy (Herweg) McDaniel ’68 (BA) and Lani (Herweg) Konopaske ’68 (BA) in celebration of graduation and completing her master’s degree in counseling with a specialization in school counseling on May 22.

Chalamar Elkridge ’24 (BBA) founded Lence Labs LLC and built Lence, a student housing app platform which allows verified students to find compatible roommates, form a group and lease together. It then connects that group directly to landlords with open units in San Diego, Long Beach, Sacramento, San Jose and Orange County areas. Kaylin Polk ’24 (BBA) was promoted in April to sales executive at Web Manuals representative. Web Manuals is an aviation-specific document management system, helping operators simplify revisions and compliance monitoring around the globe. Polk loves her job and the opportunity to travel. after serving one year as a business development

Barbara Welsbacher ’67 (BA) (1937-2026) , a devoted and lifelong teacher, passed away in her home unexpectedly at the age of 88 on May 2. Serving as a Benedictine nun for 30 years, she completed her education at USD, received her teaching credential and taught students from kindergarten through college at Catholic schools around the world. For those looking to honor her, the family requests memorial donations be made in her name to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in National City, California, as they celebrate 100 years of faith on Nov. 14, 2026.

the university and community. Anthony (James) Pala ’20 (BA)

Samantha (Ecks) Kearney ’22 (BBA) and Brenton Kearney ’22 (BS) have been married since July 2024. They both work in careers focused on making everyday life better for those living with T1D while driving toward a world without it. Daniel Alvarez Mendoza ’22 (MBA) has taken on a new role as associate director of engagement and economic mobility at MAAC (Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty of San Diego County, Inc.).

Alexandra Milshtein ’26 (BBA) has started a new role with Visa Inc. as a sales rotational associate.

This information is not intended as tax or legal advice.

sandiego.edu | 47