Summer 2014
Wanted: Educated Workforce
As vice president of education policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Cheryl Oldham (J.D. ’93) influences U.S. education policy on behalf of the nation’s business interests from her office in Washington, D.C.
Methodist Minister, Marianist Twist
As a teenager, Jason Valendy (B.A. ’04) considered pursuing a career in ministry. His only stumbling block was a doozy: He didn’t particularly like “church.”
Beating the Market
It seemed like the odds were against Finance Professors Richard Bauer, Ph.D., and Adrian Cowan, Ph.D. In the fall of 2007, when the University approved a $1-million student-managed investment portfolio, the economy was facing the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, and Wall Street was taking a beating.
Bland and Disinterested
Aesthetics is an area of philosophy that examines the creation and appreciation of art and beauty. But what’s a philosopher to think about a culture that values artistic blandness?
New Technology Unmasks Ancient Scriptural Manuscripts
Professor Todd Hanneken, Ph.D., is the first scholar to combine two existing imaging technologies in order to “see” handwritten text that has been indecipherable to the naked eye for hundreds of years.
Mr. Globetrotter
Charles Merkel’s lifelong fascination — some might call it an obsession — with travel can be traced back to a Christmas gift he received more than 50 years ago.
Politics, Race and Numbers
Let me start by tossing a few numbers at you. In the November 2012 presidential election, 68 percent of eligible black voters cast a ballot, compared to 64 percent of eligible white voters.
St. Mary’s graduates promote ties between the U.S. and Japan
St. Mary’s graduates, Carlie Mathews (B.A. ’14) and Charles Lopez (B.A. ’14) have been accepted to the Japanese Exchange Teaching (JET) Program, which aims at promoting ties between Japan and other countries by hiring native English speakers from all over the world to assist public school teachers in Japan.
Chemicals by Design
Susan Oxley, Ph.D., doesn’t mince words when explaining chemistry’s place in the world. “You can be a doctor and help thousands of people, or you can be a chemist and help millions,” Oxley said, quoting her favorite adage.
Alum Represents America to the World, One Person at a Time
Being a Foreign Service Officer means representing the United States abroad for diplomatic purposes. But Anne Claire Andaya-Nauts (M.A. ’06) knows it’s much more than that.
Alum Wants Community Farming to be About More Than Food
Cristina Dominguez-Eshelman (B.A. ’02) is a foodie, but not the cooking-show-watching, dinner-party-hosting kind of foodie. She’s passionate about food’s role in public health, as well as its impact on social justice issues.
Pack Your Bags: Alumna Spreads Commitment to Travel and Common Good Through Blog
When Christina Ekleberry (B.A. ’11, M.A. ’12) graduated from the International Relations graduate program at St. Mary’s University, she was certain of one thing; “I simply wanted to go into the world,” says Ekleberry.
Other Issues
Read More Stories
Family support propels J.D. student to fulfill childhood dream
Daeja Hall, who will accept her Doctor of Jurisprudence from St. Mary's Law at the Spring 2025 Law Commencement, was propelled by her family to fulfill her childhood dream.
Cybersecurity scholar tackles AI challenges for a safer tomorrow
Laurene Robinson is following her "techie" inclinations at St. Mary’s University, earning a bachelor’s in Computer Science and a master’s in Cybersecurity while playing Rattler Volleyball.
St. Mary’s History alumnus crafts legacy at the Alamo
Since his first trip to the Alamo lit up his eyes about the historic Texas site, Ernesto Rodriguez III (B.A. ’96, M.A. ’04) finds joy in interpreting history in real-world settings. He and other History alumni share their work with the community and enlighten others by contextualizing the region and its journey.