U Magazine, Fall 1988

ALUMNI POTPOURRI

USD's in his blood

he says, "and it's the attitude I'll express when dealing with our alumni. We stil l care." The energetic Trifiletti is a self– described Type A personality who finds himself making lists of the next week's tasks during the weekends he actually stays away from campus. He's unhappy when he's not busy. He loves co travel for relaxation , and says Europe and China, where he cook more than 1,000 photos of children during a 1985 visit, are favorite getaways. As alumni director, Trifiletti intends co reach out co more segments of USO's 20,000-member Alumni Association. "Homecoming is a major event for a certain portion of alumni," he says, "but we need co offer activities co appeal co other alumni groups as well. We have co listen to the needs of these groups and offer the types of activities they wane." On the ocher hand , Trifiletti doesn't shy away from talking about the respon– sibility of alumni to support USO finan– cially. "I truly believe that most of our alumni feel very positive about USO. And I chink chat once people under– stand some of the University's needs , most of our alumni will do what they can co help our." Trifiletti began his long association with USO in 1974, when he enrolled as a freshman. He immersed himself in campus activities while majoring in political science and religious studies, and was honored with the outstanding graduating senior award at commence– ment. He still found time co get involved in typical student predicaments. His most embarrasing moment occurred sopho– more year, when he severely scrapped his hands on Marian Way after the

driver of the car on whose hood he was riding came co an abrupt stop. That only slightly cops the time when, not knowing who she was, Trifiletti asked Marge Hughes what she was doing picking flowers on campus . ".. .you'llfind that same kind of warm, caring, non-judgmental atmosphere throughout campus. That's the approach I've used in deah'ng with students all these years, and it's the attitude I'll express when dealing with our alumni. lfe still care." Trifiletti's post-graduation positions on campus put him in contact with some 4-5,000 students during the 80s. He served as resident director of OeSales Hall and the Mission Valley housing comp lex for six years, then was appointed director of the special events for the University Center in 1986. He also participated in Campus Ministry retreats and served as adviser co numer– ous student groups. "I've always cried co be there for the students, whether it was at 2 a.m. in the morning or 6:30 at night," he says. "And I'll bring chat attitude co the alumni office. Alumni should consider my door always open co them, whether it's during office hours or after." In ocher words, don't be surprised co find John Trifiletti at USO - no matter what time you decide co visit campus. D

Trifiletti assumes top alumni post

John

T,ifile"i '78 migh, oven bleed

Torero blue. That's how deeply Trifiletti's ties run co the Alcala Park institution where he has spent most of his waking hours during the past 13-plus years. So it seemed only natural when Trif - as he is better known co his legions of USO acquaintances - was appointed the University's new director of alumni relations in early September, filling the slot vacated when Joan Murry opted co leave the academic ,vorld. Trifiletti himself readily acknowledges how comfortable he feels stepping into the alumni arena. "When I heard about the job," he recalls, smiling, "I felt it was for me. USO is my life. It is truly a remarkable place co be." The Orange County native traces that remarkableness in part co the nature of the University's Catholic mission, par– ticularly the emphasis placed on respecting the dignity of each individ– ual. "It's a feeling communicated starting at the cop with Art Hughes. And you'll find chat same kind of warm, caring, non-judgmental atmosphere throughout campus. That's the approach I've used in dealing with students all these years,"