USD Magazine Spring 2026

TOREROS MAKING WAVES

USD prides itself on being a Changemaker campus, but that mission doesn’t end with a diploma. Toreros are talented and aspirational, and the university works to equip them with the tools they need to confront humanity’s greatest challenges. Once they graduate, they take what they’ve learned into positions of leadership and make a positive impact on their communities. Each year, the Alumni Honors program recognizes Toreros who have gone on to make an indelible mark on their industries, their communities and the world, all while embodying the values and spirit of USD. The ceremony is anchored by USD’s two most prestigious awards, named for our esteemed founders, Bishop Charles Francis Buddy and Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill, RSCJ, and bestowed upon extraordinary graduates. The annual ceremony also features awards celebrating outstanding career achievements and rising professionals of noteworthy accomplishment. This year, USD honored eight alumni who are leading the way — from the stars to all corners of Earth. They spoke about being recognized and how their time at USD shaped them and helped them chart their course. Eight Standout Toreros Earn Alumni Honors

MOTHER ROSALIE CLIFTON HILL AWARD

BISHOP CHARLES FRANCIS BUDDY AWARD

Richard Yousko ’87 (BBA) Founder, Chief Operating Officer and Owner, SJ Creations, Inc. Knauss School of Business

Adama Iwu ’05 (BA) Cofounder of the We Said Enough movement College of Arts and Sciences

As Yousko stepped onto the stage to accept the Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill Award, several of his fraternity brothers cheered him on from the audience. So much of Yousko’s story is tied to this campus, where he learned invaluable lessons and made inseparable bonds. “USD allowed me to develop lifelong friends who became family, and are family to this day,” Yousko said. “In the journey of life — whether it’s births, weddings or deaths — this community is always there. And that is so special.” Yousko said no matter how long it’s been, he’s awed every time he steps foot on campus, and he feels the same way he felt on his first day. He and his wife, Sundi, worked together to build a successful business, a rewarding experience. Yousko’s experience has made him a champion of higher education, and now he’s in a position to give back. Last year, a gift from the Yousko family helped launch a state-of the-art nursing classroom, in honor of Rich’s mother, who was a nurse.

As Iwu prepared to receive the Bishop Charles Francis Buddy Award, she thought back to the professors who had such a big impact on her. “Going to USD changed my life,” Iwu said. “I met so many professors who cared, who were such an important part of my life, who I still know to this day. I can’t overstate the impact that going here had on me.” Iwu graduated with a degree in political science and a drive for change. She started a career in public policy, motivated to reshape policy in a way that worked for more people. In 2017, Iwu emerged as a key voice in the #MeToo movement after co-authoring an open letter that sparked the creation of We Said Enough, an organization dedicated to ending workplace harassment and fostering an inclusive professional culture. Her activism earned her a place among Time magazine’s 2017 “Silence Breakers,” the collective named Person of the Year for speaking out against sexual harassment. She continues to lead efforts for legislative reform and workplace justice. “The fact that I’m still able to be involved here and be a part of this community and now receiving honors for doing the things we said we would do when we graduated … that is amazing.”

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