USD Magazine Spring 2007

GENUINE ZEAL [ g u n g h o ] S andra Brue spent more than two decades in business for herself, making small, realis- Trustee Sandra Brue digs deep to support students

first time that college students choose —on their own— to participate in their religion. “My husband and I love to go to student Mass several times a year,” Brue says.“Founders Chapel is packed, and nobody’s forcing them to go. It’s upbeat and just what I think public worship should be.” Serving on USD’s board of trustees gives Brue a deep respect for how the university is run. “When problems arise, I see how things are handled, and I see an honesty there. We are always checking our actions against our values and our mission.” As for the campaign, Brue touts the “wonderful naming opportu- nities” available for donors and says the campaign is a way “to make a difference in the future for thousands of students.”

world-class learning facilities. Other key initiatives include an endowment to benefit the School of Law, an endowed chair in real estate and a newMission Cafe and Fitness Center. USD President Mary E. Lyons has been an enthusiastic booster of the Campaign for the University of San Diego.“The gifts of our gen- erous donors have provided stu- dents of exceptional ability with the benefits of a faith-based edu- cation,”she says.“These monies ensure that graduates of the University of San Diego are pre- pared as they assume positions of influence in our region, the nation and around the world.” The campaign has been ably chaired by university trustee Sandra Brue, who points out that USD has come a long way since its foundingmore than 50 years ago. “The school has achieved distinc- tion onmany levels,”she says.“It has outstanding faculty and exception- al students, innovative graduate programs, centers and institutes, acclaimed community outreach efforts, and competitive men’s and women’s athletic programs.” This close to the finish line, the goals of the campaign are nearly within reach. All that’s needed is for those who love their university to seriously consider making a person- al donation, influencing their com- pany tomake an outright or match- ing gift, or advising an organization or foundation to support USD. Vice President of University Relations Tim O’Malley is confident that the goals are realistic and attainable:“The Campaign for the University of San Diego has gener- ated excitement and support from all branches of the university family. Faculty, staff, alumni, parents, corporations, foundations, friends of USD, and even our students themselves are contributing to our success. We look forward to celebrating a $200 million cam- paign victory in 2007.”

money and has the qualifications. I look at it as a way for the parents hopefully not have to sacrifice as much as they would have.” Her connection with the univer- sity started when Brue attended the College for Women for her first two years of college before trans- ferring across town. She always kept a fondness in her heart for the University of San Diego. Brue loved that USD offered so many opportunities to participate in and connect more deeply with her Catholic faith. These days, she says the campus still offers that to students during what is often the

tic animal sculptures that her com- pany, Sandicast, sold all over the world. But these days, USD has become an equally big passion. “I really do love USD,”says the long- time board of trustees member. Brue designated that her own contribution to the Campaign for the University of San Diego go toward scholarships for Catholic students. While she welcomes reli- gious diversity on campus, she says,“I’d like my donation to help a Catholic student who needs the

BARBARA FERGUSON

ALAN DECKER

IN CELEBRATION of the final massive steel beam being set in place at the construction site of the new School of Leadership and Education Sciences building, a party marking the “topping off” was held on-site in late October. Above, architect Michael B. Wilkes shows off the blueprints to USD Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management Roger Manion, along with Sacred Heart alumna Fran Dolan and friend of USD Paul Cloonan. [ c o m m e m o r a t i o n ]

For the latest campaign figures, go to www.sandiego.edu/campaign/.

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SPRING 2007