USD Magazine Summer 2008

SAVE T H E D A T E

THE NEXT STEP IPJ founding director Joyce Neu joins U.N. mediation team by Barbara Davenport [ n o r e g r e t s ] work in the world and its contribu- tions to the university. “Our most important audience is the students,”Neu says.“I’ve tried T his spring, Joyce Neu, founding director of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for

May 17 Commencement

Denise Dimon, director of the Ahlers Center for International Business.“We have students and faculty who’ve chosen to come to USD because of the IPJ,”she says. “The IPJ deals with problems and moral issues that our people feel are important, and they want to be at a school that’s addressing them.” Neu sees the institute’s success as a story of generous collabora- tions.“It’s been an amazing honor to create this institute,”she says. “So many people have helped, all over campus. Not only faculty — I.T. and finance and the library, every department has helped us.” School of Peace Studies Dean William Headley summed up the feelings of those who’ve been for- tunate enough to work with Neu: “We will miss your capacity to inspire those of us who worked with you in the cause of peace, and your steadfast commitment to give more than was asked.“

Law School graduates will receive their degrees on Saturday, May 17 at 9 a.m. at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, while the rest of the university’s graduate students march across that stage a week later, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 24. Undergraduate commencement is on Sunday, May 25 at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. For more details, go to www.sandiego.edu/ commencement. June 2-Aug. 10 Sports Camps The university hosts more than a dozen summer sports camps for young athletes ages 6 to 18. All- Sports Camp provides a chance to learn soccer, basketball, baseball, archery, capture the flag and Fris- bee golf. Those with an interest in individual sports can focus on baseball, basketball (boys and girls), football, tennis, soccer (boys and girls), softball, swimming or volleyball, or take a crash course in strength and conditioning. Adults can sign up for masters swim and tennis camp. Alumni receive a 5 percent discount. Call (619) 260- 2999 or go to www.usdcamps.com. June 30-July 1 Creating Safe Schools Sponsored by the SOLES Character Development Center, this summer conference focuses on“character education,”the umbrella term for a variety of programs that address the need for safe school and class- room environments. Subjects to be discussed include peace education, violence prevention, peer media- tion, conflict resolution and anger management. Teachers, principals, counselors, administrators, parents and others are invited to participate by either recommending presenters, attending the conference or pro- moting the event.To learnmore, go to charactermatters.sandiego.edu or call (619) 260-2250.

Peace & Justice, left the organiza- tion she started in 2000 to join the United Nations as head of its newly created Standby Mediation Team. In her newposition, the seasoned international mediator and in-the- field problem solver will lead a team of experts in international and con- stitutional law, human rights, securi- ty and other aspects of conflict reso- lution. The groupwill serve as a rapid-response force that can travel singly or as a group anywhere in the world to consult with U.N. peace envoys, as well as advise govern- ments and other groups working to resolve conflicts. Neu is short and slender, with an intense gaze. Her IPJ office is more workroom than showplace, with only a fewmementos from a life- time of travel. She leans forward when she describes the institute’s

to build programs that would match teaching with action.” That convergence is evident in the IPJ’s peacebuilding projects in Nepal and Uganda, where staff have worked tirelessly to head off violence. Neu’s favorite project, the Women PeaceMakers program, sponsors four women peacemakers fromwar-ravaged countries for an eight-week, on-campus residency each year, where they present their work and have it documented. Men and women from the front lines of international peacemaking come to campus to speak each year at events that are free and open to the San Diego communi- ty. That visibility has led to the IPJ becoming one of the more influ- ential entities at USD. Confirmation comes from

MARSHALL WILLIAMS

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SUMMER 2008