Developing Leaders for Life Contact Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of St. Thomas University Contact is also available on-line at www.stu.edu/alumni St. Thomas University Alumni Association Contact is published by the Office of University Advancement, St. Thomas University, 16400 NW 32 Avenue, Miami, FL 33054-6496, Tel: (305) 628-6660, Fax: (305) 628-6703. For Class Notes, we welcome alumni news and photos, including career changes, marriages, births, memberships and honors. Please send this information to Susan M. Smith by fax, mail or e-mail (ssmith@stu.edu). Thank you! Find us on our web page at www.stu.edu/alumni. Vice President, Office of University Advancement Beverly S. Bachrach bbachrac@stu.edu Editor Susan M. Smith ssmith@stu.edu Alumni Coordinator Guerdy Réjouis grejouis@stu.edu Information Update Please keep us informed of any change in address, employment or contact information. Include the e-mail address (either home or business) at which you would like to receive news about St. Thomas University. Please fax, mail or e-mail (cvaleria@stu.edu) this information to Carla Valeriani in the Office of University Advancement. Thank you! Mario Trueba, Class of 80 A Leader for Life When Mario Trueba became President of Mellon United National Bank three years ago at age 40, it was not by chance. He says it was not his degrees his double major in psychology and education from Biscayne College (as STU was then called) and his MBA from Florida International University that taught him to be a leader and a manager. It was what he learned in the classes that led to the degrees. In addition, he says, he has learned from his life experiences. Born in Cuba, he moved to Philadelphia with his family at age two. His continued on page 4 Carnival Cruise Lines Science and Technology Building $1 Million Gift to Name New Building Carnival Cruise Lines has donated a $1 million gift to name a new state-of-the-art Science and Technology Building at St. Thomas University. This combined gift is from Carnival Cruise Lines and Bob Dickinson, President of Carnival Cruise Lines and a member of the University s Board of Trustees. Dr. Emmanuel Nwadike, President of PAWA Complex International, also a trustee of the University, has generously agreed to donate his architectural and continued on page 5 Mario Trueba in his office at Mellon United Bank Carnival Cruise Lines Science and Technology Building (Designed by PAWA Complex International)
Contact Class Notes 1969 Kenneth M. Donohue Sr, B.A., History, was appointed by President Bush as Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on July 25, 2001. He has had a distinguished 21-year career with the U.S. Secret Service as a special agent, culminating with the Assistant Director s staff assigned to the CIA s Counter-Terrorism Center. Kenneth and his wife of thirty-four years, Kathleen, have four sons and a grandson. They live in Burke, VA. James Hagan, Class of 1971, of Havertown, PA, one of the five Hagan brothers who are alumni of STU, with Prof. Richard Raleigh during a recent visit to campus. Frank Tarrau with his students at Martin Luther King Leadership Academy 1978 Frank J. Tarrau, B.A., Psychology and M.S., in Human Resources (1981) is Assistant Director of Martin Luther King Leadership Academy for at risk students who cannot excel in a traditional educational setting. Frank was twice named Best Director of the Year by the Educational Alternative Outreach Program of the M-DCPS while Director of the Hialeah Institute from 1993-2001. 1980 Don Miller, B.A., Sports Administration, is Director of Stockton Sports Commission in Stockton, California. 1981 Timothy M. Sullivan is a partner in the law firm of Sullivan, Forr, Stokan & Huff. He is married to Victoria M. Vellios and they have four children, Rachel Christine, 14; Teresa Catherine,11; Colin Michael, 8 and Daniel Christian, 4. The family resides in Altoona, PA. 1983 Dr. Edward P. Monico, B.A., Chemistry, teaches and practices emergency medicine at Yale New Haven Hospital. Edward is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Yale University. He is also completing a Dr. Edward Monico law degree. 1984 Jorge Iber, B.A., Business Administration, is Associate Professor of History at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, where he received tenure in March 2002. He received his Ph.D. in History from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Jorge is also author of a book entitled Hispanics in the Mormon Zion. He has been married to Raquel Iber for 18 years and they are proud parents of Mathew Iber, who was born in January in South Korea and arrived in the U.S. on July 2, 2002. 1985 Mary Jo Van Dalen (née Fernandez), B.A., Computer Science, married to Alexander Van Dalen, Class of 1988, B.A., Computer Science. Mary and Alexander work as telecommuting computer programers for a New York City firm. They are living a laid-back country lifestyle in Asheville, NC, with their three children. They would love to hear from their classmates. Laurie Rhoads (née Graham), The Van Dalen family B.A., English/ Marketing. After years in the advertising, publishing and graphic design industries, Laurie moved to California with her husband Eric and had triplets Brady, Berkeley and Grace in February, 2002. It is my hardest job yet!, she says. She is the niece of Dr. Barbara Graham, retired STU professor. Rick Scholla, M.S., Sports Administration, is Box Office Manager at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA. Rick worked for the Atlanta Braves for 12 years as a Marketing Representative, ticket sales manager and customer service manager. 1987 Sean P. Melvin, B.A., English, has been appointed Chair of the Business Department at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, PA. He is the youngest chair in the 102-year history of the college. 1988 Robert Prior, M.S. Sports Administration, has been named Sport s Information Director for Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Previous positions include Director of Media for Major League Soccer in New York City and Director of Media Relations for the Boston Celtics. Larry Pujol, B.A., Accounting, was recently appointed Latin America Manager for ACMI Corporation, a leading manufacturer of minimum invasive surgery instruments. Larry graduated from the dual program between STU and Maria Cristina Uni- Page 2
Class Notes Contact Esther and Larry Pujol versity in El Escorial, Spain. He is married to Esther Pujol, Class of 84, B.A. Hotel and Tourism, who is Director of Travel and Related Services for American Express in Mexico City. They have been married for 12 years and have two children. 1990 Bettye Branker Lewis, B.A., Accounting, has her own accounting office, Beta Business Systems and is currently working on her second book, Helping Yourself Heal, Body, Mind and Spirit. Bettye is also a professional/motivational speaker. Her new business is Exciting Images Professional Speaking and Training Services. 1992 Elisa Patron, B.A., Human Services, is the program chairperson for the Women Healthcare Executive Network. Elisa is a professor at the University of Miami Continuing Education program and is also an international consultant for UM s South American programs. 1993 April Delano, B.A., International Business, is working for the town of Bedford, Mass, as Public Works Finance and Business Manager. She looks forward to hearing from her classmates. 1995 Matt Hagood, B.A. Communications and M.S. Sports Administration, 1997, wed Kathie Iannone, 1997, B.A., Liberal Arts, on January 5, 2002. Kathie and Matt first met in Professor Hart s math class while undergrads. Matt is currently the producer of In Game Entertainment for the Florida Marlins. Kathie teaches 9th and 11th graders at Chaminade- Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, FL. In addition, she is department chair and assistant softball coach. Kathie, daughter of STU faculty members Drs. Mercedes and Joe Iannone, is presently attending graduate school at STU. The Hagood s reside in Hollywood. Mike Nichols, M.S. Sports Administration is moving up in the world of golf. He has been appointed Championship Director for the 2005 US Senior Open in Dayton, OH. He was previously Executive Director of the Farmers Charity Classic of the Senior PGA Tour in Grand Rapids, MI. Sherry Wilson-King, B.A. English/Communication Arts, and M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy (1997), and husband Alan are the proud parents of three beautiful girls, Sydney, 5, Courtney, 2 and Elena Zoe, 5 months. Sherry is the Director of Adult Residential Programs for women in recovery at the Agape Women s Center in Homestead, FL. In Memoriam We were saddened to hear of the death of Loxley Arden Arch, Jr., Class of 1983, M.S. in Administration of Justice, who passed away suddenly on March 25, 2002, in Jupiter, FL. We extend our condolences to his family and friends. STU Alumni Update Form Name: Year Graduated: Major: Degree: Address: Home Phone: Work Phone: E-mail: Employer: Title: Work address: News for Contact: Please fax to the Office of University Advancement at (305) 628-6703 or mail to 16400 NW 32 Ave., Miami, FL 33054 Page 3
Contact Mario Trueba continued from Page 1 appreciation of history, especially American history, comes from his childhood in downtown Philadelphia, and later enriched by Fr. MacDougall s classes at Biscayne. From his home, he could walk to the Liberty Bell and football games at Franklin Field. By eighth grade he had moved to Miami where he attended Loyola, a private Catholic high school. He learned from coaching high school basketball and baseball and other part-time jobs that helped pay for his education, and from his student teaching internship during his last semester at Biscayne. I didn t go to college to get a job. I went to learn. I knew I could figure out what I truly wanted to do after I graduated, said Trueba. A Catholic higher education was always on the books. Among his choices were Villanova University in Philadelphia and Biscayne College. He said he was glad he stayed in Miami. He remembers the little things that made Biscayne people friendly, like class schedules being adapted for the convenience of a student who had undergone surgery and couldn t attend class on the second floor. Only at a school like Biscayne would professors at times ask me to come to their office to read my essay exams because they couldn t read my terrible handwriting, laughed Trueba. They trusted me not to change my answers. The one class that still sticks in his mind today was the one he thought was sure to be a snoozer. Taught by Rev. Gary McCloskey, Historical Writings of the Old Testament, held at 8:30 a.m. in the classroom next to the ping-pong and billiard room in Kennedy Hall, turned out to be one of the most fascinating classes of his college career. His goal to become a psychologist continued until he switched to business after a year in graduate school. This was a conscious decision, he said. The moment I became an MBA candidate, I was taken seriously from a business perspective. In 1984, while still working towards his degree, he was accepted in the first joint management training program at Sun Bank, which had recently merged with Flagship Bank. All the pieces of his education were fitting together, leading to his present position of leadership. After more than five years as a corporate lender at Sun Bank, Trueba was attracted to the entrepreneurial nature of a privately owned South Florida niche bank, United National. Beginning as a lender in 1989, he eventually became president in 2000. Trueba said the proudest moment of his banking career was his part in the sale of United National to the venerable Mellon Financial Corporation. The sale, which was good for both United s shareholders and for Mellon, was also employee and client friendly. He kept the interests of employees and clients first throughout negotiations. Almost five years later our clients and employees still believe it was very positive and that is what pleases me most, he said. Today Mellon in South Florida has the feel of a private bank, but with the backing and capabilities of a world class financial service organization, said Trueba. It continues to offer a culture of unsurpassed service and results to its clients. When we get a client, we work hard to keep them and consequently they don t leave, he said. Since he became president, he has added 100 employees, including 50 in private wealth management, which is a core business at Mellon. As Contact went to press, Trueba was proud to report that in the spring of 2003, Mellon will open its 19th office by relocating its local headquarters to 1111 Brickell Avenue. The 30-story building will be rechristened the Mellon Financial Center. Trueba is a well-known leader in the local community. In addition to the President s Board of Advisors at St. Thomas University, he serves on the boards of Miami Children s Hospital, the Family Resource Center, and he is a member of the Orange Bowl Committee. He continues to coach basketball and baseball (now as a volunteer) at Coral Gables Youth Center. He is a graduate of Leadership Florida, a group of business, non-profit and government/ elected leaders, who work together to benefit the State of Florida. A resident of Coral Gables, Trueba has been married to Susana, his high school sweetheart, for nearly 21 years. They have two children, Alexander, 14, and Monica, 11. Campus News FPL Solar Energy Project Florida Power and Light has funded a pilot project on the STU campus to examine the efficiency and safety of solar energy. One of seven projects statewide, it will generate electricity to power the chickee hut and an irrigation system for the organic vegetable garden. This project was initiated by Dr. Alberto Varela, Assistant Professor of Physics. He will use the project as a research and teaching tool for his students and the community. Photo courtesy of FPL From left: Jack Rose, FPL Manager of Lighting Product Development & Management, Juan Zamora, Director of Physical Plant, Julio Diaz, Asst. Director of Physical Plant and Dr. Alberto Varela, Professor of Physics. New Graduate Programs The Department of Education is again offering graduate programs in Education. The Master of Science in Special Education and the Master of Science and Certificate in Educational Administration started this fall. In addition, the School of Graduate Studies continues to offer master degrees in various fields: Accounting, Management, Sports Administration, Guidance and Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, MBA, MIB, Pastoral Ministries, as well as Certificate programs is several fields. Other unique degree programs added recently are the Joint Degree programs, J.D. MBA, J.D. Master of Science in Management in all its specializations, J.D. M.S. Sports Administration, and J.D. Marriage and Family Therapy. These joint degree programs allow students to complete both programs in three years. For more information, call (305)628-6614. Page 4
Upcoming Alumni Focus Groups STU s Office of Advancement is planning to invite alumni to a series of focus groups. We want to find how we can best be of service to you. Meetings of focus groups will be held initially with alumni in South Florida, and eventually with alumni in other parts of the nation by means of technology. Two focus group sessions will be held to accommodate alumni, both on Tuesday, January 7, 2003, and will be in the President s Boardroom, a lunch session from 12-1 p.m. and an evening session from 6-7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Alumni will also receive a special thank you gift for their participation. You must register with Alumni Coordinator Guerdy Rejouis at (305) 628-6796 or grejouis@stu.edu in order to participate. We look forward to hearing your ideas and working with you to put them into action. Carnival Cruise Lines Gift continued from Page 1 engineering services for the design of the building. The two story 32,000 square foot building, to be located to the north of Kennedy Hall, will house four science laboratories, six research laboratories, five clinical laboratories, four preparation rooms and a media laboratory. On each floor will be a circular amphitheater. These superior facilities will attract top science students graduating from local schools and from around the country. The University is dedicated to preparing a larger number of diverse students for medical school or doctoral programs in scientific research. We are honored and grateful that the Science and Technology building will bear the name of such a prestigious corporation, said STU President, Rev. Msgr. Franklyn M. Casale. This state-of-the-art building will provide excellent teaching and research facilities for students majoring in the physical and social sciences, as well as students majoring in computer science and communications. Alumni Sports Alumni, are you looking for a creative, fun and interactive way to stay fit? STU is opening its doors to all alumni who are interested in participating in Intramural and Recreational Sports. You can join an intramural team and become a fitness member of the STU Weight Room. Cost for alumni is $25 a semester (fall, spring, and summer) or $50 for the entire academic year. For more information, please contact Laura Courtley Todd or Ira Stanley at (305) 628-6567. Chapel of Saint Anthony Plans have been finalized for the Chapel of Saint Anthony and construction will begin December 2002. Developing Leaders for Life Ads We again request alumni who model the Developing Leaders for Life profile to submit a professional photo to Alumni Coordinator, Guerdy Rejouis, with their bio for the Developing Leaders for Life page on the on-line alumni community and for use in our newspaper ads. Contact Support STU s 2002-2003 Annual Fund Join the growing number of alumni who are supporting their alma mater by contributing to the 2002-2003 Annual Fund. Again, this year, Ervin Gonzalez is the Annual Fund Chairman. Every dollar makes an impact at STU, says Gonzalez. And an alumni gift is doubly important. It shows you continue to be involved with your alma mater and continue to support it, plus it helps make up the difference between the actual cost of providing an education at St. Thomas University and the cost of tuition. Again this year, I ask you to please join me and the many others who are making a difference to Biscayne College/St. Thomas University. This year alumni donors will receive special benefits according to the level of their gift. A heartfelt thank-you to those who have already given this year! Remember, the easiest way to make your gift is on line. Go to www.stu.edu/ alumni, click on On-line giving and complete a secured contribution form. For questions or help when giving on line, e-mail Carla Valeriani at cvaleria@stu.edu. Alumni Join STU Advisory Board In line with our goal of Developing Leaders for Life, many of our alumni have joined the prestigious group of advisors to STU President, Rev. Msgr. Franklyn M. Casale. This year, Eric Davidson, 95, Danielle Lopata, 90, Ramon Oyarzun, 73, and Mario Trueba, 80, were invited to join Shawn Crews, 98, J. C. Planas, 98, Kevin Fine, 97, Jorge Luis Lopez, 83, and John Zarrella, 76, who are already members of the board. Ervin Gonzalez, Class of 82 Their intimate knowledge of the university, together with their professional expertise and leadership qualities, bring a wealth of experience to the Board. Members are required to be an ambassador for STU in the community and introduce others who would be interested in getting involved with the University. Responsibilities also include attendance at three board meetings per year and an annual commitment of $1,000. Page 5
Contact Alumni Association Activities Wish at The Hotel January 9, 2003 6:00-9:00 p.m. Join STU alumni for an elegant gathering on South Beach at the trendy new Wish at The Hotel, located at 801 Collins Avenue. Try the Wish specialty, the electronic martini, and participate in the raffle for a chance to win two tickets to Jamaica on Air Jamaica. This exciting evening has been arranged by Tourism and Hospitality graduate Maria Suarez, Class of 2000, who is now Production Manager for the Goldman Properties. Admission is $10. Complimentary hors d oeuvres and cash bar. Please RSVP to Guerdy Rejouis at grejouis@stu.edu or call her at (305) 628-6796. Alumna Hosts Neighborhood Reception January 24, 2003 6:00-8:30 p.m. On January 24, 2003, Helen Woods, Class of 1980, will open her home in Coconut Grove for the first Neighborhood Alumni Reception for alumni living in the surrounding area. Personal invitations will be sent out to alumni living in those areas. We look forward to working with alumni from all areas, both locally and nationwide, on this type of event. To discuss the possibility of hosting a similar reception, please contact Guerdy Rejouis at (305) 628-6796 or grejouis@stu.edu. STU Alumni Decal An alumni decal is now available for alumni visiting campus. Just place it on the bottom left of your windshield and you can enter campus without checking in at the gatehouse. Contact Guerdy Rejouis at grejouis@stu.edu to receive your decal. Join the STU Community on a Trip to Enchanted Italy May 14-23, 2003 Join St. Thomas University board members, alumni, faculty, and friends on an unforgettable tour of enchanted Italy from May 14-23, 2003. You will visit Rome, Florence, Naples and Pompeii and experience Italian art, history, beautiful geography, exceptional food, and meet the warm, hospitable Italian people. The educational travel specialists WTS/Raptim have put together a program that includes first-class superior accommodations, transportation by private deluxe motor coach, and expertly guided sightseeing of some of Italy s greatest treasures, and fun cultural activities such as wine tasting and delicious Italian meals. In Rome, Mass at St. Peter s Basilica will be followed by a private guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Also in Rome you will visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Catacombs, and St. Paul s Outside the Walls, a large 5th century basilica built over the tomb of the Apostle Paul. Eating in Rome will include lunch at a delightful garden restaurant on the Appian Way and dinner in Trastevere. Prices vary from $3,199.00 to $3,399.00 (includes round trip air transportation, meals, and entrance fees for sightseeing trips). Go online to www.stu.edu/ alumni for a detailed itinerary. To make a reservation, please contact Guerdy Rejouis, alumni coordinator at (305) 628-6796 or grejouis@stu.edu. OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT 16400 N.W. 32nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33054 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 1259 SOUTH FLORIDA FACILITY CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Page 6