University of San Diego Magazine 75th Anniversary 2024

A Labor of Love O ne of the key mantras of USD’s 75th anniversary is “to lead with love.” On a brilliantly blue April morning, more than 130 members of the Torero community put those inspiring words into action, donning their walking shoes and Torero blue “Team USD” T-shirts and traversing the 5K (3.1-mile) course through downtown San Diego in an effort to raise funds for, and awareness of, cancer research at the 2024 Padres Pedal the Cause event. “We’re so thrilled to partner with the Padres in the fight against cancer,” explained USD 75th Anniversary Co-Chair and Associate Vice President of University Events and Partnerships Coreen Petti. “This event aligns with many of the core values of USD’s mission and vision; values we’re proud to celebrate during USD’s 75th anniversary in 2024. Cancer has, in some way, touched everyone’s lives, and to be here and see the support of not only the USD community, but all of San Diego, is really inspiring.” Team USD contributed more than $15,000 in funds. All told, the 2024 event has raised more than $2.4 million to date, with every dollar raised going toward cancer research institutions based in the San Diego region. •

Celebrating Impact USD Honors Third Cohort of Diversity and Inclusion Impact Award Recipients

T he University of San Diego held its third annual Diversity and Inclusion Impact Awards in February. The luncheon, co-sponsored by USD’s Center for Inclusion and Diversity, recognized more than a dozen faculty and staff members from across the university for their contributions to making USD a more diverse and inclusive community. “We encourage all the members of our community to be inspired by the awardees and to commit to doing more individually and collectively to ensure that USD lives up to her mission, vision and values to be an inclusive community of leaders and lifelong learners who are prepared to change the world through their teaching, scholarship, service and activism,” said Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Regina Dixon-Reeves, PhD. The Impact Award was created in 2021 to honor and recognize the experiences of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) on campus. The award was established in response to an open letter

written in 2020 by Black faculty members. It highlights the often under-recognized work by those who mentor members of the community and contribute to cultural changes on campus and beyond. All awardees have provided exemplary service to USD, worked tirelessly to support students and are committed to advancing excellence. • Awardees included: V. Dozier (Copley Library); Jannise T. Baclig ‘08 (MSN), ‘14 (PhD) and Bianca Vazquez-Pantoja (Hahn School of Nursing); Jason Campbell, PhD, and Jacqueline Greulich ‘85 (BBA) (Knauss School of Business); Mary Jo Wiggins, JD, and Emily Keehn, JD (School of Law); Tom Lupfer and Lorena Silvas (in memoriam) (Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering); TJ Tallie, PhD, and Amanda Ruiz, PhD (College of Arts and Sciences); Kristopher G. Hall, PhD, and Perla Myers, PhD, (School of Leadership and Education Sciences) and Lissette Martinez ‘03 (BA) (University Marketing and Communications).

PHOTO: KELSEY GREY

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