MOAS Simulates International Policy-Making

In November, St. Mary's hosted the 13th Annual Model Organization of American States (MOAS) program. Thanks to former Ambassador Eugene Scassa, St. Mary's International Scholar-in-Residence, the University is the only institution outside of the Washington, D.C. area to host an MOAS Program. The program began as a joint project between the Organization of American States and Georgetown University with a goal of educating American university students about issues related to the Americas.

This year's simulation in international policy-making attracted more than 200 college students from 18 institutions to St. Mary's. The keynote address was delivered by Maj. Gen. Alfred Valenzuela (B.A. '70, M.A. '79), secretary of the St. Mary's Board of Trustees.

Alumni Leaders Teach Business to Students

This year's annual Business Week, hosted by the Bill Greehey School of Business, opened with Alumna Barbara Gentry (B.A. '71), president of The USAA Foundation and senior vice president of Community Affairs at USAA, as the keynote speaker.

Alumni participating as "Professors-for-a-Day" included Rick Aleman (B.B.A. '73), owner of Selrico Services Inc.; Tom Contreras (B.B.A. '88), president of Texas Security General Insurance; Bill Crumlett (B.B.A. '73), director of Human Resources for Southwest Research Institute; Frank Liberto (B.B.A. '55) chairman and CEO of Ricos Products Co. Inc.; Sandra Nannini (M.A. '07), vice president of Strategic Initiatives for Wells Fargo; and Rudy Torres Jr. (B.B.A. '90, J.D. '96), president and CEO of Torres Financial Services Inc.

The 2009 Excellence in Legal Service Award was given to St. Mary's Clinical Professor Lee Terán by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) at their 25th Annual San Antonio Awards Gala in San Antonio.

Terán, recognized as a champion of the poor and marginalized and a leader in the defense of basic human rights, was honored by MALDEF for her impressive work in the area of immigration litigation.

Founded in 1968, MALDEF has celebrated 40 years of advancing Latino civil rights at the organization's birthplace in San Antonio. MALDEF hosts four annual regional awards galas in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and San Antonio.

Soccer Players Honored by the Heartland Conference

The Rattler soccer teams had six players recognized as all-conference by the Heartland Conference for their play during the fall season. Stephen Gamez led five men's soccer players to earn All-Heartland Conference distinction, receiving Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year honors. In addition to Gamez's award, Kyle Farrell and Adam Villanueva were named first team All-Heartland Conference, while Brett Collier and Joseph Diaz earned second team recognition. For the women's team, Kelly Dowd was named all-conference.

Gamez, a freshman from San Antonio, became just the second Rattler to earn Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year. He finished second on the team with three goals and two assists this season. Villanueva, a senior from DeSoto, earned All-Heartland Conference honors for the second straight season. In his two years with the team, he played in 34 games, picking up five goals and four assists. He was also named second team All-Region by Daktronics.

Farrell, a senior from Edmond, Okla., wrapped up a Rattler career that included three all-conference seasons as a defender. In his career, he played in 68 games, scored three goals and assisted on three more. His 68 games played are the second highest for a player in St. Mary's history. Collier, a senior from Schertz, finished up a memorable career as the Rattlers goalkeeper, earning All-Heartland Conference honors for the second time. In 2009, he played every minute of the Rattlers 18 games. He had a 2.34 goals-against average with 74 saves and 4 shutouts. His 74 saves is the fourth most for a single season in school history. In his career, Collier has a school-record 163 saves, 9 shutouts and a 1.92 goals-against average. Diaz, a junior from San Antonio, received All-Heartland Conference recognition for the first time this season.

Dowd, a senior from Plano, received All-Heartland Conference recognition for the first time this season. In her career, Dowd played in 72 games, scoring five goals, while assisting on one other. Her 72 games played ties for the eighth most in school history.

Founders Hall Dedication

The campus community, alumni and friends are invited to the formal dedication and blessing of Founders Hall, the newest facility for residents at St. Mary's University. The hall is filled to capacity with first-time freshman students.

The new 81,000 square foot freshman residence hall opened in fall 2009. This suite-style, co-ed hall will be built for 276 first-year students, making it the largest on campus.

Besides a cyber cafe, a grand courtyard, and meeting and worship spaces, students will enjoy built-in safety features, free laundry, and an Internet "port-per-pillow" rooms wired for cable and wireless internet.

President's Annual Thank You Event

Every fall, St. Mary's University faculty and staff gather with Board Members and friends of the University for the annual President's Dinner. This year a reception was held at the University Center in order to highlight various student and faculty research projects, creative academic programs, artistic accomplishments, community service and outreach, global integration and campus enhancements. The purpose of the "Delivering on Our Promise" reception was to showcase how St. Mary's graduates will possess the superior academic preparation necessary to affect positive advances in their professions and their communities.

Athletics Hall of Fame

This year, St. Mary's University inducted three new members into its Athletics Hall of Fame: Aaron B. Carter, Herman A. "Buddy" Meyer Jr. and Ginger (Grimes) Whisenton. Surrounded by family, friends, students, alumni, faculty and staff, the three former Rattlers were honored in style at a ceremony in the Bill Greehey Arena on Jan. 15. The keynote address was given by none other than Gary Cunningham, Ph.D., former UCLA Bruins player and head basketball coach. Cunningham is also the current President of the United States International Sports Federation.