USD Magazine, Spring 1996

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"We were able to craft a long-range plan. We're proud to say we've met all the goals and we're now in our second stage," Trifiletti says. "Events, activities and alumni participation in the annual fund are at an all-time high.'' Trifiletti is a natural for his role as ambassador to alumni and parents. He was the youngest of four children and from an early age participated in the entertaining and socializing connected with the family's manufacturing busi– ness. "As a child, I had no fear of people whatsoever," Trifiletti says. "I wasn't shy in front of large groups, and I was certainly the comic of the family.'' His family taught him important val– ues, too. "I learned from my family how to treat people, about hospitality and going the extra mile.'' When Trifiletti entered USD as an undergraduate in 1974, he had no idea of the experiences that lay ahead. "But I knew from the moment I walked onto this campus there was something special here," he says. "It wasn't until much later in my academic career that I learned that didn't just happen to USD - it was planned by Mother Hill and Bishop Buddy.'' Trifiletti says his deep respect for the personal commitment and accomplish– ments of Mother Rosalie Hill make him a proud recipient of the award that bears her name. "I see in USD today what Mother Hill set out to do," he says.

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It is amazing that this friendly decep– tion was carried out behind Trifiletti's back, considering that "Trif," as he is known, is usually the man behind the scenes. There were close calls, including one a few moments before the program started. Admittedly fanatical about details, Trifiletti had tried to check the name of the newest honoree on the recognition plaque. "The plaque was draped so tight it was practically upholstered," he says. Michael Liuzzi '76 (J.D. '80, LL.M.'83), who helped plan the surprise, steered Trifiletti away from the plaque before he could discover the true identity of the honoree. The Mother Rosalie Hill Award is named for the founding president of the San Diego College for Women and is given annually to an alumna or alumnus who personifies the spirit and philosophy of the university. One of the criteria of the award is that the recipient demon– strates service to and support of the goals of the alumni association. Trifiletti is unique in that he helped establish those goals soon after he became the director of alumni relations in 1988.

director of USD's Office of Alumni and Parent Relations, John Trifiletti '78 was busy orchestrating activities for Homecoming Weekend last fall. Little did he know that entirely dif– ferent plans were being made behind his back. Among other tasks, Trifiletti was involved in nominating and selecting the recipient of the fifth annual Mother Rosalie Hill Award. Trifiletti sat on the recognition committee, contacted the family of the proposed recipient, con– ducted research and, with his staff, planned every detail of the recognition dinner, including preparing a video pre– sentation about the honoree. When the time came for the video presentation, however, a well-planned switch was made. The subject of the video was none other than Trifiletti him– self, the 1995 recipient of the Mother Rosalie Hill Award. " I was shocked," says Trifiletti, shaking his head at the memory. "Touched, embarrassed, the whole thing. A lot of people went out of their way to totally surprise me."

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