USD Magazine Fall 2019

M E E T L U K E G A R R E T T ‘ 2 0

fabulous prizes, including a Golden Experience raffle featur- ing top-notch San Francisco sports and entertainment. “It’s a spirited and memorable evening,” says Quinn. “And what makes it better is we know it’s benefitting such a good cause, our students in need.” As part of their entry fee, everyone receives a number of gaming chips, which can ulti- mately be redeemed for drawing tickets for fabulous prizes. In addition to the raffle and a si- lent auction — which includes opportunities to bid on dinner with a dean, lunch with the president and a reserved campus parking space — attendees can purchase a Mystery Box (valued at $50 or more) or an item from the Kendra Scott jewelry station (valued from $50 to $400), both of which guarantee that every- one who partakes will emerge a winner. All-you-can-eat food stations are also included. But in the end, it’s about benefitting students through the Parent Partnership Fund, especially the university’s at-risk students, which include those who were once in the foster- care system and are homeless or at risk of being homeless. “The Parent Board is a group of parents making a difference in the lives of students,” says Quinn. “Like our students, these parents are Changemakers, and with this fund we help students experienc- ing hardship to succeed and grad- uate from USD. Addressing unex- pected circumstances — such as housing and food insecurity, as well as meeting basic educational needs — is what the Parent Part- nership Fund is all about.” Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. The event is open to the campus community, including parents, alumni and students.

T

ZACHARY BARRON

o paraphrase Walt Whitman, this modern-day Renaissance man contains multitudes. Luke has just two more classes this fall before he earns his undergraduate degree with a somewhat surprising double major: physics and philosophy. From day one, the self- described “super extrovert” dived into campus life with gusto. “I was everywhere during my first year,” he recalls. “Outdoor Adventures, events, University Ministry — all of it was great fun and I met a lot of people.” As a senior, Luke was looking for something to immerse himself in on campus. His girlfriend, a copyeditor for The USD Vista student newspaper, mentioned a news editor opening. “Then the editor-in-chief position opened up, so I went for it, even though I was a bit of a wildcard.” He got the job. “I knew the newspaper could be more than it was, and I wanted to do what I could to get it up there,” he says. As a kid, Luke was exposed to all sorts of interesting experiences. His parents were both report- ers; his father is CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett. When asked whether growing up in Washington, D.C. with folks in the news business led to any interesting encounters, he recalls the time that he and his siblings accompanied their dad to the Oval Office. “President Obama said to me, directly, ‘Hey, Luke, you’re pretty tall!” he recalls with a laugh. “So I put those words as a quote next to my photo in my eighth grade yearbook.” — Julene Snyder

sandiego.edu/luke

sandiego.edu/torerocasinonight19

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Fall 2019