USD Magazine Fall 2005

CENTRAL PARK New pedes t r i an ma l l to be ded i cated wi th hoop l a [ a m b l e o v e r ]

USD approved changes to the general education curricu- lum, known now as the core curriculum, in Spring 2005. The changes, which will be reflected in the Undergraduate Bulletin course catalog this semester, will take effect in the 2006-07 academic year. The General Education Review Committee report outlined four changes. The first was changing the name “general education” to “core cur- riculum,” as well as changing the name of categories within cur- riculum. Other changes are as follows: to limit the number of courses applicable to the core [ etc . ] which is part of USD’s master plan and was funded through donations from former USD Trustee Kathryn Colachis and The Theresa & Edward O’Toole Foundation — features land- scaped walkways, an open lawn, a central courtyard surrounded A s if Alcalá Park isn’t pretty enough, this summer the university completed a new pedestrian mall that graces the center of campus, stretching from Colachis Plaza to the east- ern edge of Maher Hall. The mall will be dedicated with a celebra- tion for students and alumni on Oct. 7. Construction on the pedestrian mall, named Plaza de San Diego, began in March and was finished in August, in time for the start of the fall semester. The $1.2 million plaza —

curriculum; move the second language requirement from its current general education cate- gory to the indispensable com- petencies category; and to create a new diversity requirement. Planning for the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies kicks into high gear this fall with the launch of a nationwide search for the founding dean. The school, funded by a $50 million gift from the late philanthropist Joan B. Kroc, will open in January 2007. In the meantime, the new dean will be responsible for hiring fac- ulty and shaping the curriculum. and a $100,000 giveway, with 100 students — 50 men and 50 women — winning $1,000 each. For details, visit www.sandiego. edu/plaza. Alan Lewis ’92 (B.B.A.) is excited to be the incoming presi- dent of the National Alumni Board. He’s been involved with by trees, and seating areas with a fountain in the center. The entrances to Maher Hall, Serra Hall and Warren Hall were renovated in conjunction with the project, and now sport an improved appearance as well as improved access for people with disabilities. The Oct. 7 festivities start with an afternoon dedication ceremony followed by an evening party for students. Evening actitivies include a picnic-style dinner, a costume contest for students and a concert in front of the Hahn University Center. The celebration, funded by an anonymous donor, includes cash prizes for costumes

BARBARA FERGUSON

orientation team, University Ministry and the overnight pro- gram, in which the admissions office brings incoming freshmen to campus for a weekend. USD’s “University Of” com- mercial, the 30-second spot that aired during the 2004 Summer Olympics, won a gold medal in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s 2005 Circle of Excellence Awards. The spot brought national attention to the school, and focused on a traditional university icon, the sweatshirt, and a group of words derived from USD’s core values. Get the inside scoop on Toreros news, schedules, stats and scores at USD’s athletics Web site, www.usdtoreros.com.

Alumni Relations for years, serv- ing as chair of both his 10-year reunion in 2002 and as chair of Homecoming last year. “There’s something about giving back to the university that’s appealing,” he says. “That’s why so many people volunteer their time.” Lewis says that the main focus of his term will be increas- ing the board’s visibility. “We want to improve alumni partici- pation throughout the country. Whether it’s alums attending events, making donations, or serving on the board, the more people, the better.” Senior Jordan Freitas is the incoming Associated Students 2005-06 president. Freitas, last year’s vice president of program- ming, has also been active in the

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FALL 2005