Santa Clara University

News for the Campus Community
The Faculty-Staff Newsletter, e-mail edition
Santa Clara University, October 16, 2006, Vol. 7, No. 3

Table of contents

Campus Sustainability Day: Take the PLEDGE
Jesuits move into new home
SCU recognized by city of Santa Clara
SCU named one of the fittest universities in America
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute receives $100,000
Deinse Carmody honored
New senior administrators
New on the Web

Campus Sustainability Day: Take the PLEDGE

Sustainability at SCU is powered up, fueled by Sustainability Coordinator Lindsey Cromwell and student groups. The group is working to get the campus community plugged into a number of “green” events and to provide information about the University’s sustainable efforts. This month, the University is hosting its first Campus Sustainability Day on Oct. 25. In the week leading up to Campus Sustainability Day, Sustainability at SCU will unveil the Sustainability PLEDGE. Those who take the PLEDGE will receive a button, a window cling decal, and a card that enables them to receive a free cup of Fair Trade coffee from Mission Bakery once a month. Learn more about the PLEDGE.

Also this fall, SCU joined Sustainable Silicon Valley’s Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reduction Initiative. As a partner, SCU has committed to setting a goal for carbon dioxide emissions reduction, and to report our progress and yearly carbon-dioxide emissions to Sustainable Silicon Valley. “By having a goal, the hope is we will be able to increase our commitment to renewable energy and serve as a leader among institutions of higher education,” Cromwell said. Learn more about sustainability at SCU.

Jesuits move into new home

Freshmen are not the only ones getting settled into their new rooms this fall; the Jesuits at SCU are getting acquainted with their new surroundings, as well. The two-story Spanish-style, newly built residence for the Jesuits sits on the corner of Franklin and Alviso streets. It might be just across the street from Nobili Hall, where the Jesuits previously lived, but it is a world apart when it comes to design.

The open floor plan in the common areas boast high ceilings, inviting meeting rooms, and windows that overlook various courtyards. The walls are painted in earth tones and an abundance of natural light gives the building a welcoming and peaceful feel. Most of the wall hangings were brought over from Nobili, with the exception of a few new pieces. Kelly Detweiler, a professor in the art and art history department, designed the seal at the entrance to the new residence and a sculpture by Pancho Jimenez, also from the art and art history department, hangs above the fireplace. “The residence was built for engaging students and lay colleagues in conversation about all aspects of our University life, especially our Jesuit mission and identity,” said Sonny Manuel, S.J., rector of the Jesuit Community.

The new Jesuit residence houses around 40 Jesuits and is designed to “contract” if, as expected, the number of Jesuits living on campus lessens in the coming years. There are 25 new rooms in the residence, with an additional eight in the house that was moved from 644 Franklin last spring, which is seamlessly connected to the new building. There are four smaller houses in back of the new residence, as well. Manuel says the hope is that the new residence will serve the Jesuit community for at least the next 40 years. You can check out the new Jesuit residence yourself at an open house from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 27. For more information, contact Charles Phipps at 554-4071.  

Photos by Charles Barry.

SCU recognized by city of Santa Clara

The city of Santa Clara, the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce, and the Convention-Visitors Bureau honored SCU and its contributions to the community with a proclamation that commemorated the University’s history and service at a City Council meeting Oct. 10. The City Council also presented SCU President Paul Locatelli, S.J., with a plaque that recognized SCU’s long-standing presence in the community.

“Santa Clara University is one of the oldest, active businesses in our community,” said Patricia M. Mahan, the mayor of Santa Clara. “The University is well respected for its standards of excellence, ethics, and community. The city of Santa Clara is truly fortunate to have Santa Clara University as an integral part of our community, as a partner, and for making Santa Clara such a great place to live.”

Mahan also highlighted several SCU accomplishments over the University’s 155-year history, including: the construction of the new library and information commons; the University’s commitment to sustainability; the diverse nature of the student body; and the University’s commitment to foster conscience, competence, and compassion among its student body.

“Santa Clara University’s history, growth, and development into a top-ranked University is inextricably linked with the city of Santa Clara. The campus community values the partnership it shares with the city of Santa Clara and the Chamber of Commerce and looks forward to continuing this mutually beneficial relationship for the years to come,” said SCU President Paul Locatelli, S.J.

The event was also attended by James Briggs, executive assistant to the president; Bob Warren, vice president for administration and finance; Jeanne Rosenberger, vice provost for student life; and Jennifer Moody, president of the Associated Students of Santa Clara University.

From left: Steve Van Dorn, Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce and Convention-Visitors Bureau, SCU’s Jim Purcell, Bob Warren, Jeanne Rosenberger, Jennifer Moody, Paul Locatelli, S.J.

SCU named one of the fittest universities in America

SCU has been named one of the “Fittest Colleges in America,” according to a survey done by Men’s Fitness magazine. The survey of nearly 12,500 students at more than 110 schools is published in the October issue of the magazine. SCU is No. 16 on the magazine's “fit list,” which includes 25 of the fittest colleges and universities in the country. Other California schools include: UC Santa Cruz (13) and California Institute of Technology (20).

SCU has a strong fitness and recreation program with more than 450 students, faculty, and staff participating in fitness classes this quarter. “Educating the whole person is a priority at Santa Clara University and that includes teaching students the importance of keeping a healthy mind and body,” said Janice DeMonsi, director of recreation at SCU. Read more about the rankings.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute receives $100,000

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at SCU recently received $100,000 in funding from the Osher Foundation to continue its mission of providing learning opportunities for mature adults. “We offer an outstanding and engaging curriculum that appeals to adults with varied interests and this funding will allow us to share these opportunities with even more lifelong learners,” said Patti Simone, director of OLLI.

The program is embarking upon its third year and offers courses such as “The Historical Jesus” and “Holiday Letter Writing.” Many of the courses are taught by SCU faculty members and are tied to events happening on campus. This month, for example, in conjunction with the Game Face exhibit at the de Saisset museum, the Osher program is offering its members several “pre-program” discussion opportunities with scheduled speakers at the museum. Learn more about OLLI.

Denise Carmody honored

Faculty and staff gathered on St. Ignatius Lawn on Oct. 6 to honor Denise Carmody for her six years as SCU’s provost.

New Senior Administrators

Simone J. Billings, Assistant to the President In her many roles both inside and outside the classroom, Simone J. Billings has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience that will serve her well in her newest appointment: assistant to President Paul Locatelli, S.J. In addition to matching her interests and abilities, the part-time position also allows her to continue teaching, one of her strongest passions. She currently teaches classes in composition, creative nonfiction, and argumentation. A word of advice: Don’t look for Billings in either of her offices if you need to find her Thursdays at 8 a.m. She’ll most likely be in the gym at the Malley Center, playing a pick-up game of basketball.

Lester F. Goodchild, Dean of the School of Education, Counseling Psychology, and Pastoral Ministries Becoming dean at SCU was a unique opportunity, Lester F. Goodchild says, to merge the educational and ministerial aspects of his life. The professor of education holds a master of divinity from St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana, and his doctorate in higher education from the University of Chicago. He came to SCU from University of Massachusetts, Boston, where he was dean of the Graduate College of Education.

John "Jack" Treacy, S.J. ’77, Director of Campus Ministry After a stint at University of San Francisco, alumnus Jack Treacy, S.J. ’77, returned to his undergraduate stomping grounds this fall as director of Campus Ministry as well as resident minister in Swig Hall, two roles he relishes. As Treacy embarks on his newest assignment, he hopes to build on the deserved reputation of the Campus Ministry program as welcoming and inclusive. He plans to focus on continuing to foster student leadership and on developing more ecumenical, inter-faith outreach.

Photos: Charles Barry

New on the Web

The Community and Visitors site has a new look, thanks to the efforts of the Office of Marketing and Communications Web/editorial staff. On the revised pages, users will find links for those interested in how the campus reaches out into the community, as well as links for people who would like to come to the campus for an event or visit. There’s also a new section dedicated to the many lecture series at SCU. Check out the new page.

Refugee Awareness Week: Oct 16-20, Various locations on campus
Santa Clarans for Social Justice is sponsoring a week filled with lectures, tours, and reflections about the genocide occurring in Darfur. Schedule of events. 

Ethics at Noon: Brandi Chastain: “Girls, Women, and Sports: Ethical Challenges Today for Female Athletes,” Oct. 17, noon, de Saisset Museum
At a time when the ethics of sports is often in the news, top soccer star and SCU grad Brandi Chastain will speak on what she considers the primary ethical challenges today to girls and women in sports. The Ethics at Noon event is held in coordination with the "Game Face" exhibit on women in sports at the de Saisset Museum.

Movie premier: “A New Tomorrow,” Oct. 26, 7 p.m., Recital Hall
This documentary film follows two SCU Senior Design Conference teams over the course of the 2004-2005 academic year as they design, problem-solve, and implement their projects. Admission is free. This event is presented by the mechanical engineering department. RSVP by Oct.20. Contact: Michael Donohoe, 554-4937.

More SCU events.

Stephen Diamond (law) was quoted in a Los Angeles Times article discussing the recent HP spying scandal. Read the story.

Kirk Hanson (Markkula Center for Applied Ethics) co-wrote an opinion piece for the Los Angeles Times about the ethics of leaking information to the public. Read the editorial.

Tyler Ochoa (law) wrote an editorial for the San Jose Mercury News about the trademark dispute between Huntington Beach and Santa Cruz over the name "Surf City USA.” Read the editorial.

Thomas Plante (psychology) was quoted in a Wall Street Journal article about coping with colleagues who leave.

Drew Starbird (OMIS) was interviewed by several local media outlets regarding the lettuce and spinach recall. Watch Drew's interview on NBC 11.

More SCU in the news.

Paul R. Halmos (1916-2006)

Paul Richard Halmos, a major figure in American mathematics, died Oct. 2 in San Jose after a short illness. He was a faculty member at SCU from 1985-1995 and faculty emeritus until his death. Renowned as a mathematical researcher principally in the areas of operator theory, ergodic theory and algebraic logic, but also in probability and statistics, topological groups, and Boolean algebras, he was also one of the pre-eminent mathematical expositors of his day, having written a series of classic texts: Finite-Dimensional Vector Spaces, Measure Theory, the Hilbert Space Problem Book, Naïve Set Theory, and Problems for Mathematicians Young and Old, to name only a few. These works of his and others inspired generations of students to pursue careers in mathematics. Read more about Paul Halmos.

Mark Aschheim (civil engineering) and Mark Folgner’s (BSCE ’05) Bamboo I-Beams were featured in September at WIRED magazine’s NextFest, a four-day exposition of innovation featuring technologies and products that have the ability to change our world.

Rose Marie Beebe (modern languages) and Donna Schuele (UCLA Center for the Study of Women) have received a grant from the Historical Society of Southern California and the Haynes Foundation for their project “Women in law and politics in California during the 19th century.”

Jorge Gonzalez-Cruz (mechanical engineering) was awarded a $95,000 grant from the California Energy Commission for the phase change material solar thermal storage system. This solar air conditioning project uses no electricity.

Mahmud Rahman (electrical engineering) has received a one-year NASA-Ames award that provides $24,000 to support “Field Emission Optimization of an Individual Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube.”

Chad Raphael’s (communication) book Investigated Reporting: Muckrakers, Regulators, and the Struggle over Television Documentary, has been selected to receive the 2006 History Division Book Award of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Janice Edgerly-Rooks (biology) has received $37,698 in funding from the National Science Foundation to support “Collaborative Research: Phylogeny, Behavior and Silk Evolution of Webspinners (Embioptera), a Little-Known Insect Order.” This is year two funding of an anticipated three-year award. The award total to date is $60,589.

Peter Ross (math and computer science) received a Certificate of Recognition from the Mathematical Association of America at its summer 2006 meeting in Knoxville, Tenn. The award was “for extraordinary service to the mathematical community in organizing the mathematical lectures and editing the related expository articles comprising the book Mathematical Adventures for Students and Amateurs.”

Andrea Pappas’ (art and art history) article "Invisible Points of Departure: Reading Rothko's Christological Imagery" has been accepted for publication by the Journal of American Jewish History.

To submit grants, awards, and publication information, click here.