Leaders of the Pack - National University

National University’s
Alumni Magazine
June
2007
Leaders of the Pack
Mark Blackwell of Victory
Motorcycles, one of five National
University alumni to follow
Concierge Services for Students
Taking a cue from the Ritz-Carlton
Contributing to the Community
A salute to the University’s donors
Often, leaders evolve
as a result of a record
of outstanding
performance and
achievement, as well
as the rare ability to
get the most out of
the men and women
around them.
Editor-in-Chief
Maggie Watkins
Editors
David Neville
Hoyt Smith
Art Director
Keith Kanzel
Designer
John Fretz
Printing Manager
Phil Carabet
Photographer
Mark Dastrup
Copy Editors
Lisa Angerame
David Neville
Sarah Weekly
Contributing Writers
Lisa Angerame
David Neville
Hoyt Smith
Vision Magazine
National University’s Alumni Magazine
Issue No. 9
Published by National University
11355 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037-1011
www.nu.edu
With story ideas, please call the Alumni Relations Department at (858) 642-8111.
VISION MAGAZINE
A message from
Chancellor Lee
Leadership is the
key to any institution’s
success. It is a quality
many demand but
few can define.
A good leader possesses courage,
perseverance, passion, innovation and
commitment, but those attributes alone are
not always enough to rally governments,
communities, businesses, school districts,
universities or families to greatness. Many
times there are other elements that place
individuals in front of their peers. Often,
leaders evolve as a result of a record of
outstanding performance and achievement,
as well as the rare ability to get the most
out of the men and women around them.
National University is honored to have
numerous notable leaders among its
administration, faculty and alumni. In the
following pages you will read about
Sycuan Fire Chief Hank Murphy’s aptitude
in building top-notch firefighting outfits;
Gil West’s perseverance in his efforts to
rise to the top of a leading national
transportation company; Mark Blackwell’s
passion for motorcycles; Alan Sitomer’s
innovative approach to teaching literature;
and Georgia Dutro’s commitment to her
family company.
You will also read about two
remarkable women athletes who excelled
in mountaineering and marathon
swimming and have brought their
leadership talents to the National
University Board of Trustees, along
with some remarkable faculty members,
including a pair of Fulbright Scholars.
You will sample the accomplishments of
several other alumni who are making vital
contributions in their communities, and
you will discover who is taking a
leadership role in building the University’s
legacy for generations to come.
By the time you finish this issue of
Vision, I am confident you will have a
renewed sense of pride in your University
and a stronger connection to an institution
that is producing an impressive corps of
leaders for the 21st Century and beyond.
Please enjoy.
Jerry C. Lee
Chancellor, National University System
President, National University
VISION
4
News Briefs
Learn Arabic, produce a documentary, create a
video game and network with alumni online.
National University’s Alumni Magazine
12
Contents
4
June
2007
Learn about two Fulbright Scholars, a jealousy expert, and an award-winning history professor.
10 Leaders of the Pack
Discover three important qualities shared by National University graduates.
22 School of Health and Human Services
Addressing healthcare practitioner shortages while developing leaders for a growing industry.
26 National University International
Ms. Stacy Allison
Professional Speaker, Author
School of
Health and
Human Services
Providing a multi-level
gateway into professions in
the healthcare industry.
Providing online education opportunities to students around the globe.
Mr. Felipe Becerra
Director of Operations/Client Development, CIR Law
Offices; Creditor lustus et Remedium, LLP
Leaders of
the Pack
Mr. John Bucher
President, John Bucher Real Estate Co.
National University
cultivates leadership
in its alumni. Vision
provides five shining
examples.
Mr. Richard Chisholm
Managing Director, Banc of America Securities
Mr. John D. Collins
Partner, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
Ms. Jeanne K. Connelly
President, Connelly Consulting LLC
30 Setting the Standard for Student Service
Mr. Robert Freelen
Vice President for External Affairs,
Dickinson College, Retired
Inspired by Ritz-Carlton, National University offers a concierge service to its students.
32 Thank You for Your Support
National University recognizes its generous donors.
Ms. Kate Grace
President, Kate Grace Physical Therapy
Physical Therapist, Orthopedic Physician Assistant
38 Regional Report
People and programs creating a buzz in National University’s regional campuses.
42 Leaders in Their Fields
Two National University board members are elite competitors in their respective endeavors.
44 The 2006 Commencement
Graduates gather to salute their achievements and celebrate one of life’s great milestones.
Nothing Less
Than Victory
Mark Blackwell is known for
chasing down the competition
with motorcycles and his BBA
from National University.
26
Mr. Gerald Czarnecki, Chair
Chairman and CEO, Deltennium Corporation
Mr. Thomas Topuzes, Secretary
President and CEO, Thomas Topuzes & Associates, LLC
News Briefs
Faculty Updates
Board
of Trustees
Ms. Jacqueline Townsend-Konstanturos, Vice Chair
CEO, Townsend Inc.
Foreign language programs, a video production studio, an online alumni community and more.
8
National University
22
Ms. Cheryl Kendrick
Community, National Volunteer
10
Dr. Donald Kripke
Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, School of
Medicine, University of California San Diego
Dr. Jerry C. Lee (Ex Officio)
Chancellor, National University System;
President, National University
Ms. Jean Leonard
Educational Consultant, JM Leonard & Associates
National University International
NUI was established in 2006 to provide online education
opportunities to students around the globe.
Mr. Herbert Meistrich
President & CEO, TaylorMade Performance Labs;
President & CEO, BumperMedic
Ms. Diana Nyad
Former World Champion Athlete, Sports Journalist
38
Regional Report
National University programs and
people are impacting communities
throughout California and Nevada.
Mr. Carlos A. Rodriguez
Public Affairs and Communications Consultant,
Rodriguez & Company
Mr. Jay Stone
Vice President, Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc.
Ms. Judith Sweet
Senior Vice President for Championships and
Education Services, Retired, National Collegiate
Athletic Association
Ms. Doreen Tyburski
Vice President of Human Resources, Somerset Hills Bank
Mr. Michael Wilkes
CEO, Architects Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker
VISION MAGAZINE
Foreign Language
Programs Offered
News briefs
4
VISION MAGAZINE
With the explosion of the global
economy, at no time in history has the
ability to speak a second language been
more critical. Last year, the federal
government created the National Security
Language Initiative to bridge a growing
communications gap. As a result, the
College of Letters and Sciences has
developed language and cultural education
programs in Arabic, Chinese and Farsi.
The degree programs are being offered by
National University, while the certificate
and seminar formats are being delivered
through a partnership with National
University International.
The degree, certificates and seminars are
designed to meet the diversified needs of
numerous constituencies, including
government, military and businesses. The
degree programs consist of six language
courses and six elective courses. Certificate
programs are comprised of three online
courses which can be completed in 90 days.
The seminars are offered in a self-paced
online learning environment. For more
information regarding National University’s
language programs, contact the College of
Letters and Sciences at [email protected], or call
(858) 642-8450. For more information
about National University International,
please visit www.nui.nusystem.org or call
(800) 986-1036.
Center for Organizational
Excellence Introduced
The new Center for Organizational
Excellence in the School of Business and
Management provides quality consulting
services and executive seminars and offers
access to cutting-edge thinking and
strategies from business and academic
professionals. It is the only organizational
consulting practice in the nation that is
attached to a business school. According to
Kevin Elliott, San Diego Division
President for Roel Construction, “My
company sees long term advantages in
working with the Center to develop the
professional skills of construction
managers.” Partnerships between higher
education and industry represent an
emerging trend as the concept of the
corporate university and onsite learning in
the workplace becomes more popular. If
your organization is considering hiring a
consultant or advisor, or if you would like
more information on the Center for
Organizational Excellence, contact the
School of Business and Management at
[email protected], visit www.nucoe.com or
call (858) 642-8400.
Lights, Cameras and Action
for the Digital Age
National University’s video production
studio in Los Angeles is a digital
storyteller’s playhouse. Equipped with
professional Sony ENG and Canon XL H1
cameras, Avid and Protools editing rooms,
a production stage with a green screen and
teleprompter, and video and audio control
rooms, the state-of-the-art space provides
students with access to tools equal to most
TV studios in use today. “We offer
students the opportunity to work on
authentic, real-world productions,” says
Alyn Warren, assistant professor and lead
faculty for the digital cinema program in
the School of Media and Communication.
His students recently completed ‘Project
Heart Beat,’ a public service
announcement for San Diego’s Emergency
Medical Services. “The project promotes
public access to automated external
defibrillators, a device that has shown to
save lives from cardiac arrest,” he says.
“You can’t get more real than that.”
5
WestMed College provides
career training for licensed
vocational nurses, paramedics,
emergency medical technicians,
nursing assistants and early
childhood educators.
WestMed College Joins
National University System
“National University and the affiliates
of the National University System share a
common mission with WestMed College;
offering a diverse student population
access to quality programs designed to
help them reach their educational and
career goals,” said National University
System Chancellor and National
University President Jerry C. Lee. “The
addition of WestMed College will serve
to diversify the academic programs and
broaden the student population of the
National University System.”
Based in San Jose, WestMed is an
independent institution of higher education
approved by the Bureau for Private
Postsecondary and Vocational Education
and is accredited by the Accrediting
Commission of Career Schools and
Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).
Additionally, WestMed’s paramedic
program is accredited by the Commission
on Accreditation of Allied Health
Education Programs (CAAHEP).
WestMed’s two campuses are in northern
California, including one in San Jose and
a second in Atwater, near Merced.
As a result of the acquisition, the
California Medical Institute, which was an
affiliate of the National University System,
was dissolved and its programs were
absorbed by WestMed.
6
VISION MAGAZINE
Alumni, Students Achieve
Mark of Teaching Excellence
Online Community for
Alumni Launched
The alumni relations department at
National University introduced Alumni
Connections—a new and improved
online community in January. Alumni
Connections provides a home base on the
web for thousands of alumni who would
like to build and enhance business and
social links with former classmates, family
and friends via the Internet. Previously,
alumni formed different clusters on online
social networking communities such as
facebook.com, linkedin.com, myspace.com
and classmates.com, and could also be
found in force as independent communities
among the web’s most popular sites.
“Now, for the first time, we have one
home of our own,” alum John Akapito
says. “It is a lot of fun and is a powerful
tool for staying in touch with thousands of
people at a time.” Alumni Connections is a
free service for National University
alumni. To register, go to
www.alumni.nu.edu.
Thirty-six National University alumni
and three students were among the 291
California teachers who achieved National
Board Certification from the National
Board for Professional Teaching Standards
in 2006, constituting 13 percent of the
statewide total. National Board Certification
is a voluntary process, requiring a rigorous
performance-based assessment that can
take from one to three years to complete.
Once achieved, National Board
Certification is considered a mark of
teaching excellence. National University’s
Master of Arts in Teaching with a
specialization in National Board Certified
Teacher Leadership enables experienced
teachers to earn a master’s degree as they
seek to obtain one of the most widely
recognized and respected teaching
certificates in the country.
National University provides a program
that offers both support and graduate
credit for teachers who engage in the
development of the NBCT portfolio
process. Each course is taught by NBCT
adjunct faculty, who are trained as Certified
Support Providers. For more information
regarding National University’s NBCT
programs, contact the School of Education
at [email protected], or contact Director Ronarae
Adams at (858) 642-8352 or [email protected].
Video Gaming
Goes Academic
When you think of video games, many
people envision children and teenagers
spending their time in front of a personal
computer or home gaming system instead
of doing homework. But how many
people think of cutting-edge courses in
college curricula? The National University
School of Media and Communication
now offers a Bachelor of Arts in Digital
Entertainment and Interactive Arts with
concentrations in video gaming art and
animation as well as production and
design. The University’s School of
Engineering and Technology also offers
courses in game programming which
emphasize algorithms, polygonal models,
texturing and collision detection. What
will graduates do with such knowledge?
They will probably assume a position
in an industry that is likely to see $10
billion in annual sales in the United States
this year. For more information, contact
the School of Media and Communication
at [email protected] or the School of
Engineering and Technology at
[email protected].
7
Faculty Updates
John Bugado, MBA
John Bugado Receives President’s
Distinguished Teaching Award
John Bugado, MBA, professor and
chair of the School of Engineering and
Technology’s department of computer
science and information systems, was
nominated by his peers as the recipient of
the 13th Annual President’s Distinguished
Teaching Award, presented in demonstration
of National University’s commitment to
the highest quality of instruction and to
recognize excellence in teaching among
full-time faculty. “Through the excellence
of his teaching, John Bugado sets a
standard of accomplishment for our entire
faculty and reconfirms our University’s
dedication to teaching as its highest
priority,” said National University System
Chancellor and National University
President Jerry C. Lee, as he presented the
award to Bugado during commencement
ceremonies in San Diego.
8
VISION MAGAZINE
Nancy Saks, DNSc
Nursing Department Chair Named
to State Leadership Post
Nancy Saks, DNSc, professor and chair
of the School of Health and Human
Services’ department of nursing, has been
named President of the California
Association of Colleges of Nursing
(CACN). The association is comprised of
deans, directors, chairpersons and other
leaders of nursing-related programs in
California’s private and public colleges
and universities. It provides leadership and
legislative input on matters pertaining to
professional nursing across the state. One
of Dr. Saks’ leading priorities as CACN
President will be to work with the
governor’s task force to increase funding
to baccalaureate and higher degree nursing
programs within the state.
Gregory White, Ph.D.
Psychology Professor Considered Expert
on Jealousy
Gregory White, Ph.D., an associate
professor who teaches psychology at
National University’s Redding campus, is
listed with the American Psychological
Association as a national expert on the
subject of jealousy. Dr. White, co-author
of a medical book titled Jealousy: Theory,
Research and Clinical Strategies, was
quoted by USA Today in February on the
powerful and often dangerous emotion.
The good news: research suggests that
healthcare professionals can help those
who suffer from profound jealousy, and
hopefully prevent them from committing
criminal acts.
Carl Boggs, Ph.D.
Professor Honored for Life’s Work
The American Political Science
Association (APSA) honored Carl Boggs,
Ph.D., a professor in the National
University College of Letters and Sciences’
department of social sciences, with a
Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual
meeting in Philadelphia. The Association
also invited Dr. Boggs to join a delegation
to China this spring. APSA is the leading
professional organization for the study of
political science, serving more than 15,000
members in over 80 countries. Dr. Boggs is
the author of several books on the subject
of political science, including The End of
Politics: Corporate Power and the Decline
of the Public Sphere and Masters of War:
Militarism and Blowback in the Era of
American Empire.
Gwen Stowers, Ph.D.
Paul Majkut, Ph.D.
Fulbright Scholar Explores Education
in South America
Second Fulbright Scholarship Earns
Trip to Finland for Dr. Paul Majkut
Dr. Gwen Stowers, associate professor
in the School of Education, journeyed to
Bolivia this year as a Fulbright Scholar to
promote democratic education for the
indigenous populations there. She worked
on intercultural and bilingual projects at the
Universidad Mayor de San Simón in
Cochabamba, where students speak seven
different indigenous languages in addition
to Spanish. “The Fulbright connection
gives me a feeling of belonging to
something worthwhile, and not just being
a tourist,” Dr. Stowers said. Fulbright
Scholarships are awarded to approximately
800 U.S. faculty and professionals each
year. The program was established to
increase mutual understanding between
people of the U.S. and other countries
through the exchange of persons,
knowledge and skills.
For the second time, Dr. Paul Majkut,
professor in the department of arts and
humanities in the College of Letters and
Sciences, has received a Fulbright
Scholarship. He was one of 400 people to
be awarded a Senior Fulbright Scholar
Specialist grant this year, allowing him to
travel to Finland to teach advanced courses
on American culture at Jyväskylä
University. Previously, Dr. Majkut taught
in Buenos Aires, Argentina as a Fulbright
Scholar. “Finland has very low levels of
violence, and people there are often
shocked by the violence in the U.S.,” Dr.
Majkut said. “I want to show learners that
we are a diverse nation with a rich history
that is not all about hostility.” As an
“ambassador of culture,” he is looking
forward to sharing Finland’s culture and its
peace-centric policies with his National
University students upon his return.
9
LEADERS
OF THE
PACK
Leaders share three common attributes.
Leaders take initiative. Too often in life, many people are
simply standing still, even sliding backward. Leaders are never
content with remaining where they are; they are always looking
for ways to move forward and to take initiative, a quality shared
by most National University graduates.
Leaders have vision. It’s not enough to move blindly forward
if you are heading straight into a ditch. Good leaders know where
they’re going, and many National University alumni have become
successful by taking a long look at the road ahead.
Leaders are determined. They never give up. Life is full of
surprise detours, but with the right attitude and the proper focus
these obstacles can be successfully navigated. By nature, National
University graduates exhibit strong will and perseverance.
Are you starting to see a pattern? More and more companies
and communities are coming to appreciate the value of education
and the leadership qualities of the men and women who have
earned a degree or credential from National University.
The legendary football coach Vince Lombardi once said,
“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like
anything else, through hard work.” Think about the commitment
involved in managing a full-time job while simultaneously going
to school and taking care of a family. Few tasks in life will require
more initiative, vision and determination. That’s why so many
National University alumni can be found in positions of power.
They chose National University, and in so doing, intuitively
exhibited the characteristics good leaders share.
10
VISION MAGAZINE
11
Nothing Less Than Victory
MARK BLACKWELL
B B A 1 9 8 5
As Vice President for Victory Motorcycles and
International Operations, Blackwell had a great
year in 2006, as retail sales grew by more than
10 times the overall market.
When he was a national
motocross champion,
Mark Blackwell was known
for chasing down and
passing the competition.
Now that he is a
motorcycle company
executive, Blackwell
still enjoys a reputation
for closing fast on the
lead position.
“National worked perfectly for me,”
says the Motorcycle Hall of Famer,
who was still competing professionally
while he attended classes.
12
VISION MAGAZINE
Blackwell grew up in Southern
California at a time when motorcycling was
an emerging sport. As a teenager in the late
1960s and early 70s, he was a leading rider
in motocross, an all-terrain racing format
held on enclosed off-road circuits.
Racing in the Trans-AMA Series, which
pitted the top European riders against
America’s best, Blackwell beat Brad Lackey
by a single point to win the American title.
He also earned a victory in the prestigious
Daytona Motocross, and by 1972 was
competing full-time on the Grand Prix
circuit in Europe. Slowed by an eye injury,
his racing career wound down in the mid
70s and Blackwell began to transition to the
business side of the motorcycle industry. He
developed and taught at a popular motocross
training school for Suzuki and worked in
product development for Goodyear Tires
and Fox Racing.
Realizing that education was the key to
future success, Blackwell covered lost
ground in the classroom by enrolling at
National University and pursuing a Bachelor
of Business Administration degree.
“National worked perfectly for me,” says
Blackwell, who at the time was still juggling
the demanding and unpredictable schedule
of a professional athlete while attempting
to become a coach and businessman.
In 1986, shortly after earning his
BBA, Blackwell was hired by Suzuki as
an advertising manager. The motocross
champion eventually became the
company’s top American employee.
Under his guidance, Suzuki merged its
marine division with the motorcycle and
all-terrain vehicle division and helped to
turn that segment of the business around.
“I would learn something in class and
put it to business use,” Blackwell recalls.
“I remember writing press releases for a
PR class, getting a grade on them, and then
using them at work the next day.”
After more than a decade of impressive
accomplishments as an executive in the
motorsports industry, Blackwell became
general manager of Victory Motorcycles in
2000, the same year that he was inducted
into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. His
primary challenge: to take on the legendary
Harley-Davidson brand and put another
American motorcycle company on the map.
In 2003 Victory Motorcycles introduced
a model called the Vegas. Industry press
described it as “the bike that saved
Victory.” With the awards and positive
press that followed, Victory transformed
from a barely-acknowledged also-ran to
a major player in a highly competitive
market.
Sales of Victory Motorcycles increased
dramatically in 2006. For Blackwell, it
has been a dream opportunity to return
to an industry he knows and loves and
run a successful business, and National
University played a key role in making that
dream a reality.
“I would put my company—and my
alma mater—up against the big boys and
win every time,” Blackwell says.
13
Keeping America Rolling
WAY N E ” G I L ” W E S T
M B A 1 9 9 4
As CEO of Laidlaw Transit, West oversees one of
the most familiar brands in the transportation industry.
West learned valuable lessons at
National University, lauding “the
real world experience of the faculty
and their practical approach.”
14
VISION MAGAZINE
As President and Chief
Executive Officer of
Laidlaw Transit Services,
Gil West sits behind the
wheel of America’s leading
and most-experienced
private provider of
municipal public
transportation and paratransit services. It is the
perfect position for a harddriving professional with
the ability to keep
his company and his
customers moving.
Gil West mastered the fast pace and
rigid deadlines of both the transportation
industry and National University, attending
classes in San Jose while working as a
manager for United Airlines at San
Francisco International Airport in the early
1990s. He learned some important lessons
along the way which contributed to the
continued growth of his career.
“My MBA gave me a new set of
quantitative skills coupled with a greater
understanding of business theory,” West
says. “The real-world experience of the
faculty and their practical approach helped
with my personal application of theory into
the workplace.”
One of West’s most important learning
experiences took place in his capstone
course at National University. Various
teams competed in a simulated business
game in which only the winning team
would earn an A.
“Our IT guy made an input error
resulting in our team finishing in second
place,” West recalls. “There was a real-life
lesson from that experience: details are
critical and you must focus upon them as
well as the big picture.”
With his ambition, master’s degree and
senior management experience at
companies such as Boeing, BF Goodrich
and Northwest Airlines, West became
President and Chief Operating Officer at
TIMCO Aviation Services, one of the
largest independent commercial jet
maintenance, repair, modification,
overhaul and aircraft storage service
providers in the United States. Success
there led to his appointment as Chief
Executive Officer of Intermet, one of the
world’s foremost producers of cast-metal
components for automotive and
commercial-vehicle manufacturers.
Last fall, West became the new
President and CEO of Laidlaw Transit
Services. He is responsible for para-transit
programs which provide vital door-to-door
services for the physically challenged, as
well as fixed-route public transit services
that help meet the vital transportation
needs of municipalities and institutions
across the United States. In an increasingly
mobile society, one of the company’s
greatest challenges is to address economic
and environmental factors while delivering
passengers efficiently and safely from
point A to B.
“Businesses today need people who can
have a sustainable positive impact to the
business and achieve results,” West says.
“As CEO of large companies, I’ve had the
experience of leading many people with
advanced degrees including Ivy League
MBAs. From that experience, I believe
National University differentiates itself
from the pack because it offers both theory
and practice in its curricula.”
15
Setting the Bar for
California’s Educators
A L A N
A Lynwood High School student catches the
rhythm of Hip-Hop High School while learning to
appreciate the fundamentals of classic literature.
Sitomer is the third National University alumnus
to be named California State Teacher of the Year.
16
VISION MAGAZINE
If Californians were asked
to select just one leader
among the state’s educators,
someone who personified
the best qualities of a K-12
teacher and set an example
for his or her peers to follow,
Alan Sitomer (Master of
Education, 2003) would
likely be at the top of the list.
S I T O M E R
M . Ed. 2 0 0 3
Alan Sitomer, an English teacher at
Lynwood High School in Los Angeles, is
the critically acclaimed author of numerous
books which he wrote to engage young
adults in literature, including Hip-Hop
Poetry and The Classics, a text now used
in classrooms across the United States.
The problems that Sitomer faces at
Lynwood represent the same challenges
teachers at many inner-city public high
schools in America face: How do you take
culturally detached curricula and make it
current, relevant and interesting to students?
“We were asking a lot of our students to
read books by dead white guys from the
18th and 19th centuries,” Sitomer says.
“Most of these kids are going to have a
hard time connecting with Nathaniel
Hawthorne or Edgar Allan Poe. The way
it’s typically presented, it just doesn’t
speak to them in their terms.”
So how did Sitomer make the themes of
classic literature palatable to today’s
youth? He created his own texts, like The
Hoopster, a story about a black teenager
who has to confront the very real issues of
street gangs and racism on the streets, or
Hip-Hop High School, the tale of a young
girl who finds strength and self-identity in
contemporary music. Not surprisingly,
both books are published by Disney.
Sitomer has been recognized on
numerous occasions for being among the
first educators to take a modern approach to
classic literature. In 2003, he was honored
as Teacher of the Year by California
Literacy. In 2004, the Southern California
Teachers of English presented him with its
award for Classroom Excellence. Last year,
he was named a Los Angeles County
Teacher of the Year. Subsequently, the
National University alum was named as one
of five California Teachers of the Year for
2007, and has been nominated by State
Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack
O’Connell for consideration as National
Teacher of the Year.
As California’s representative for
National Teacher of the Year, Sitomer
could follow in the footsteps of fellow
National University alum Sandra
McBrayer (Credential, 1988), who took the
country’s top educational honor in 1996.
Additionally, Sitomer is the third National
University alumnus to earn the distinction
of California Teacher of the Year,
following McBrayer and Jan Patrick
Mongoven (MA, Counseling Psychology,
1994), who earned the distinction in 2000.
“Alan Sitomer is a credit to his
profession, and we are proud that he is an
alumnus of National University,” says
Gloria Johnston, Ph.D., Dean of the School
of Education. “Alan reflects the initiative
and leadership that many of our graduates
have demonstrated time and again.”
17
Soaring to New Heights
G E O R G I A D U T R O
M B A 1 9 8 3
Dutro keeps her company’s focus as sharp
as the tools they sell.
“I know how important education
is to business owners. One
of my managers is currently
attending National.”
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Stunt pilot Dollie Dutro
started D&D Tool & Supply
in the boom period of
post World War II San
Diego. Years later, her
granddaughter Georgia
assumed leadership of the
family company and helped
it soar to new heights,
becoming one of the
nation’s most successful
woman-owned businesses.
Though she doesn’t perform aerial
tricks like her fearless grandmother, who
“was never afraid of being a woman in a
man’s world,” Georgia Dutro has
succeeded in her own right, thanks in
large part to the example set by Dollie.
Managing the tool and supplies
business was not always in the plans for
Georgia, the only daughter in a family of
four boys. She helped her father run the
business while his health was failing, and
then decided to pursue other interests,
which included attending National
University. As a working mom, she loved
National’s flexible scheduling and was
impressed by her classmates. “It just raised
the whole caliber of the class to associate
with mature, focused students filled with
practical knowledge,” Dutro says.
She was working in property
management in 1989 when her brothers
asked for her help with D&D, which was
struggling. Using the knowledge and skills
she gained from her business courses at
National, Dutro completed a marketing
study and business plan for the company.
Based on the results of her research, she
realized D&D would have to drastically
change direction for it to become
successful. In the end, she ended up
buying out all but one of her brothers
and turning the company into one of the
nation’s top 100 women-owned businesses
and San Diego County’s sixth-largest
woman-owned business.
Under Dutro’s direction, D&D has
acquired 12 companies in the past 15
years. By expanding its products and
services, building consumer loyalty and
delivering stellar customer service, Dutro
has turned the “small family business”
into a $38 million enterprise with 150
employees and six locations from Tijuana
to Anaheim.
Experiencing first-hand the many
benefits of continuing her education,
Dutro, a former teacher, encourages the
members of her staff to pursue their
educational goals. “I know how important
education is to business owners,” says
Dutro, who earned her MBA from National
University in 1983. “One of my managers
is currently attending National at the
company’s expense.”
Dutro is proud to share with others the
fact that her daughter and four stepsons
are all college graduates. In this way, her
belief in the value of education has spilled
over to both her employees and her adult
children.
There is little doubt that Dollie Dutro
would be proud of not only how her
granddaughter has grown the family
business, but also of the challenges she’s
overcome to bring D&D Tool & Supply to
where it is today.
19
Holding the Line
H A N K M U R P H Y
B B A 1 9 9 9
The Sycuan Fire Department has neighboring
communities feeling secure and well-protected.
“I receive letters from people commending our
academy and our firefighters,” Chief Murphy says.
“They’re impressed by their demeanor, dedication
and the teamwork they show.”
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Starting a small-town
firefighting team from scratch
takes tenacity. But building it
into one of the region’s most
successful firefighting units
takes know-how, leadership
and vision. Meet Chief Henry
“Hank” Murphy who, in his
more than 30-year tenure,
has turned the Sycuan Fire
Department into one of the
most admired firefighting
units in San Diego County.
Recognizing the need for year-round
firefighting and emergency medical
services in his community, Chief Hank
Murphy, who served as a firefighter for
five years with the state of California,
helped establish the Sycuan Fire
Department. At his urging, the nearby
Alpine Fire Protection district agreed to
train six volunteers in fire suppression and
first aid.
From these humble beginnings, the
Sycuan Fire Department of the Kumeyaay
Nation has grown into an extensive fleet of
trucks, engines and ambulances which
serve the Nation and the surrounding
communities. Its Golden Eagles Hotshots,
an elite crew that battles wildfires with
helicopters in San Diego County and across
the western United States, has received
repeated notoriety for its successes.
Murphy attributes the department’s
achievements to the intense preparation at
his Wildlife Training Academy. A sergeant
in the Korean War, he created the academy
to mimic the boot-camp style of the
Marine Corps. Following orders from
drill instructors, the men train for long
hours and endure taxing physical activities.
“A good number of men drop the first
day,” Murphy explains when describing
the demands, both physically and mentally,
of the program. In addition to learning the
basics of firefighting and first aid, the men
learn the value of discipline, teamwork and
leadership.
He believes it’s crucial for firefighters
to follow orders first before they can
become leaders themselves. “The academy
teaches them to work in a team where
every person is valuable and every person
counts,” Murphy says.
“I receive letters from people
commending our academy and our
firefighters. They’re impressed with
the men’s abilities but even more by
their demeanor, dedication and the
teamwork they show. I’m really proud
of that.”
Earning his Bachelor of Business
Administration in 1999 from National
University enabled Murphy to “gain a
global perspective and develop my
leadership abilities. I also learned a lot
about working in teams and was able to
incorporate that into the academy.” Prior
to earning his degree, Murphy had earned
an associate’s degree by taking classes
when he could. National University’s
flexible schedule allowed him to earn
his bachelor’s degree while continuing
to serve as Chief.
Now in his 38th year in the firefighting
business, he talks about how the “excitement
of the job” keeps him motivated.
“Every day is something new; I just love
it,” he says. He no longer participates in the
day-to-day fieldwork, but he enjoys getting
out there and seeing his men in action.
With Murphy at the helm, the people
of the Sycuan tribe and its surrounding
communities can feel secure knowing
they are protected by capable, well-trained
and dedicated firefighters.
21
The School of Health
and Human Services
The national debate about healthcare in the United States
centers on the confusion caused by a complicated
network of medical, insurance and governmental
bureaucracies.
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To manage the network effectively,
modern healthcare providers must master
more than medicine; they must integrate
technology, business, economy and public
policy into a viable solution for individual
and institutional success. This mastery
requires a group of highly educated
practitioners who are equally committed
to the clinic and the classroom.
But where will these leaders come
from, and who will educate them while
they’re simultaneously balancing their
careers? Through its School of Health
and Human Services (SHHS), National
University is in a position to answer
both questions.
SHHS provides a multi-level gateway
into professions in the healthcare industry.
It was designed to attract a broad and
diverse range of people from the associate
to the graduate level into a rapidly growing
and increasingly complex field.
National University System Chancellor
and National Univesity President Jerry C. Lee
23
“We are aware of the sign ificant healthcare needs
that need to be addressed through high-quality,
accessible education prog rams, and we have been
eager to respond.”
originally introduced SHHS in 2005 to
address a series of healthcare practitioner
shortages nationwide. In developing
SHHS, National University incorporated
innovative new programs with the
University’s existing educational assets
and tailored the school’s curricula to
meet specific industry shortages.
“We are aware of the significant
healthcare needs that need to be addressed
through high-quality, accessible education
programs, and we have been eager to
24
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respond,” Chancellor Lee stated. “The
School of Health and Human Services
aims to be instrumental in educating and
preparing innovative, caring and qualified
practitioners who can meet this growing
demand.”
One of the first initiatives at SHHS was
to expand the nursing department to
address a critical statewide shortage. With
less than 550 per 100,000 residents,
California had the second-lowest number
of registered nurses per capita in the United
States. With qualified candidates facing
substantial waiting lists for admission to
almost all of the state’s nursing education
programs, it was time for National to act.
National University’s expanded nursing
department now offers Associate of Science
and Bachelor of Science degrees, and
intends to offer master’s degrees in the
future. SHHS also includes new
departments focusing on community health
and healthcare administration, each of
which will be implementing programs to
meet the evolving demands of today’s
healthcare industry.
“In addition to meeting critical staffing
demands, our goal is to develop leaders
who understand technology, business,
economy and public policy as they related
to the healthcare industry,” says Bart
Chapman, M.D., MBA, associate professor
and chair of the SHHS department of
health sciences.
According to Dr. Chapman,
contemporary healthcare leaders require a
firm grasp of all four of these components
to be successful. With this in mind, SHHS
has created partnerships and synergies with
the School of Business and Management
and the School of Engineering and
Technology at National University to
ensure that all four disciplines will be
available to students in SHHS.
“We want National University alumni to
recognize the important interdisciplinary
connections that will emerge,” Dr. Chapman
adds. “They will be key constituents in
helping us to grow and build a reputation
that will benefit the entire University
community while contributing to the vital
healthcare needs of our communities.”
25
National
University
International
Think about it for a moment:
how many people do you know
who don’t own a computer, don’t
use the Internet or don’t e-mail?
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Chances are, the majority of people you
know use all three of these tools—and
probably more—which 15 years ago were
only a small part of our lives yet today are
increasingly commonplace.
Because of the emergence of technology,
people communicate with each other in
more ways than ever before. As a result, the
world’s economies and cultures are melding
together at a pace unmatched in history. With
the growth of the global economy, tools like
computers, the Internet and e-mail will
continue to play an increasingly important
role in how we live and do business.
To keep pace with this communication
revolution, National University International
(NUI) was established in 2006 to provide
online education opportunities to students in
the United States and abroad. Incorporated
in Nevada, NUI is committed to reducing
communications barriers by offering
learning opportunities to students around
the globe. NUI’s first offerings will include
In-Demand and English Language
Programs as well as Inclusion Seminars.
27
NUI is in a position to meet the emerging needs of
students in the U.S. and abroad.
Clearly, those
fluent in multiple
languages will
have access to a
wider spectrum
of careers and
opportunities,
including many
that have never
existed before.
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In-Demand Language Programs
Having the devices to communicate
with people from other countries and
cultures is one thing. But what if you don’t
speak the same language? Clearly, those
fluent in multiple languages will have
access to a wider spectrum of careers and
opportunities, including many that have
never existed before.
To meet the demand for multilingual
professionals, NUI began offering language
and cultural awareness programs in
conjunction with National University in
2007. The programs—which are available
as degrees, certificates or seminars—are
designed to promote and provide increased
understanding of multiculturalism and
languages.
The programs focus on three highly
sought-after languages: Arabic, Chinese
and Farsi. The Arabic program launched
in May 2007. The Chinese and Farsi
programs are scheduled to launch in 2008.
Designed to fit the schedule of busy
professionals, the programs offer students
the option of taking either seminars or
certificate courses. Using interactive
software to optimize the learning
experience, the programs follow an
accelerated pace, allowing students to
finish more quickly so they can take
advantage of their new skills.
English Language Programs
Proficiency in English equips individuals
with the language skills necessary to be
competitive in the global economy. In an
As the method and means of
how the world communicates
continue to evolve, traditional
forms of education must also
be reexamined.
effort to create greater access to these
professional opportunities, NUI began
offering language programs online in March
2007, providing global access to individuals
interested in learning or improving their
English skills.
NUI’s language programs are taught
by skilled and experienced instructors
with advanced degrees in linguistics and
related fields. Each instructor has traveled
extensively, worked in other countries and
studied a foreign language. Because the
instructors have personally experienced
many of the situations that international
students encounter, they are thoroughly
prepared to help students conquer the
challenges of learning a new language
and culture.
Inclusion Seminars
In its efforts to support teachers, parents
and administrators involved with special
needs students, NUI has developed
educational seminars and courses that
address issues facing educators in inclusion
classrooms. As part of this commitment,
NUI has established a partnership with the
National Association of Special Education
Teachers (NASET) to offer those seminars
and courses to its members, who are
encouraged to continue their education to
better meet the needs of the exceptional
students they serve.
The courses will offer instruction to
administrators, educators and parents who
work with special needs students on how to
create constructive learning environments.
The courses will cover a range of topics,
from creating least restrictive environments,
teaching students with autism or attention
deficit disorder, curriculum adaptations for
children with special needs, behavioral
management strategies for inclusion
classroom teachers and more.
The Evolution of Education
As an affiliate of the National University
System, NUI is in a position to meet the
emerging needs of students both in the
United States and abroad.
As the method and means of how the
world communicates continue to evolve,
traditional forms of education must also be
reexamined. By addressing not only what
students learn but also how they learn,
National University International brings a
truly innovative and decidedly 21st Century
model to higher education.
29
Setting the Standard
for Student Service
James Garrison (second from left) and
the Student Concierge Service staff
aim to provide a one-stop center
that is available seven days a week.
30
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Since 1971, National University has
offered a unique and innovative approach to
quality education, so it should surprise no
one that California’s second-largest, private,
nonprofit institution would be at the
forefront of a remarkably fresh new
approach to student service.
The concept for the approach was
envisioned by Chancellor Jerry C. Lee,
who has been the driving force behind
National’s growth and success during his
18-year tenure as President of National
University and Chancellor of the National
University System. During a stay at one of
Ritz-Carlton’s properties, Chancellor Lee
was struck by a simple yet bold idea: Why
not pattern National’s student services after
the hotel and resort chain’s legendary
customer service?
“The Student Concierge Service will
profoundly impact how we serve our most
important constituency: our students,”
Chancellor Lee says. “It will affect
seamless quality and consistency in the
services we provide our students through
the creation of a centralized call center with
personnel responsible for tracking student
contacts across the University to ensure that
students receive timely, consistent, accurate
and friendly service.”
No, National University won’t be
offering valet parking or a mint on each
desk. However, there will be customer
service representatives who are responsible
for functioning much like a concierge does
at a finer hotel. Often a concierge is asked
to assist guests with various tasks such as
restaurant reservations, show tickets and
one-hour dry cleaning. The concierge is
responsible for meeting the customer’s
Students can access the Student Concierge
Service by telephone, e-mail and chat.
needs, no matter how unusual or
extraordinary. Through the Student
Concierge, National University students
will be treated to a similar level of service.
The Student Concierge Service program
rolled out the red carpet in March with the
goal of providing students with a one-stop
service center that is available seven days a
week, 365 days a year. Ten new service
professionals have been hired to staff the
program, and the goal is to expand to 24hour service in the near future.
In preparation for the program,
Chancellor Lee sent key faculty, staff and
administrators from the University to a
presentation by Ritz-Carlton which
emphasized the hotel’s commitment to
exceptionally high levels of customer
satisfaction and loyalty. Moreover, the
framework for the Student Concierge
Service will be guided by an in-depth
analysis of years of student service surveys.
“We have been attentively listening to
our students and carefully assessing their
feedback,” says James Garrison, director of
Student Concierge Services. “Instead of
piecemeal solutions, we have decided to
respond in a comprehensive and systematic
manner that will result in excellent student
service.”
Part of the solution involves a new
software system that will better track student
services and provide “actionable feedback.”
In the past, students might have rated the
University at four on a scale of one-to-five.
The problem with that approach, Garrison
explains, is that it didn’t provide the
administration with specific data on how to
advance from a four to a five.
“Our new software provides more
specific data, which will be analyzed
monthly,” adds Garrison, who will provide
regular reports to the National University
Board of Trustees so that student service
issues can be addressed at the highest level.
Students can access the Student
Concierge Service by telephone, e-mail and
chat, a popular and growing medium that
has become common on online networks
such as AOL, Yahoo and MSN. Initially,
National’s concierge staff will be available
from 7 a.m. to midnight, providing a onestop shop for a broad array of student
service issues ranging from transcripts
and financial aid to grade appeal and
commencement.
“When people spend hundreds of
dollars per night at a top hotel, they expect
outstanding service,” Garrison says. “Our
students make a substantial commitment
of their time and resources to pursuing
degrees and credentials, and we want to
accord them that same level of satisfaction.
That’s our philosophy and it is already
distinguishing National University from
the rest of the pack.”
31
$50,000 Plus
National University Donors:
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
SUPPORT
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• Bank America Financial
Management Services, Inc.
• Mr. John Bucher
• Mr. Gerald Czarnecki
• Datel Systems Inc.
• Farmers Insurance Group, Inc.
• Fletcher Jones Foundation
• Hinton Group
• Jostens, Inc.
• Dr. Jerry C. Lee
• MBNA America Bank, N.A.
• netLibrary, Inc.
• North County Square
• Ms. Patricia Potter
• Mr. Michael Prairie
• ROEL Construction Company
• Sunroad Enterprises
• Mr. and Mrs. Robert Watkins
• Mr. Michael B. Wilkes
$25,000 Plus
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Mr. Felipe E. Becerra
Mr. Richard Carter
Mr. Kevin Casey
Ms. Jeanne K. Connelly
Dymac, Inc.
Graphic Awards, Inc.
William Randolph Hearst Foundation
Neyenesch Printers
Parron Hall Office Interiors
Peterbuilt Corporation
SDG&E/Savings by Design
Dr. Sharon Smith
State Farm Companies Foundation
Mr. Thomas Topuzes, Esq.
$10,000 Plus
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Big Bang Idea Engineering
Capener, Matthews & Walcher
Champion International Corporation
Mr. Richard W. Chisholm
Mr. Nelson Davis
Nelson Davis Television Productions
Mr. Robert Freelen
Granum Partners
Dr. Susan Harris
Hewlett Packard
Hunter Industries
Ms. Jean Leonard
Mr. John H. L’Estrange
Dr. Thomas MacCalla
Mission Federal Credit Union
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Phillips Ramsey
Mr. Jeff Prinster
Julius G. Raetz
Ronold Reinhardt
San Diego Foundation
SCS Flooring Systems
Dr. Elizabeth Shutler
Dr. Douglas Slawson
University of Redlands
Wells Fargo Foundation
Dr. Mahvash Yadegarpour
Community support
for National University
and its initiatives is an
important barometer to
the institution’s health and
a vital key to the University’s
sustainability and long-term
success. In appreciation of
that support, we would like
to recognize our donors
in the following pages.
$5,000 Plus
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Alliance Healthcare Foundation
Amazon Advertising
Dr. Shahram Azordegan
B&G Consultants
Bank of America Foundation
Dr. William Beers
The Hon. Victor Bianchini
Mr. Herman Boone
Mr. Peter Casey
Charitable Trust Foundation
College Loan Corporation
Mark Dastrup Photography
EBSCO Industries, Inc.
eCollege.com
Educaid
Mr. Dwight Ellis
File-Fax, Inc.
Ms. Edith Glassey
Gregg & Associates, Inc.
Dr. Cathleen Greiner
Dr. Allyson Handley
Dr. Cecil Hannan
Mr. Richard S. Hartley
Ms. Nancy Herbst
Household International, Inc.
Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc.
Mr. Roland Jones
KPMG Peat Markwick LLP
Ms. Jacqueline Townsend-Konstanturos
Dr. Timothy Liang
Dr. Janet Littrell
Ms. Kara Lee Miller
Mr. Richard Nelson
Reno Contracting Inc.
Mr. Carlos Rodriguez
Ms. Nancy Rohland
Ms. Beth Schechter*
SeaWorld
Ms. Anne Marie Secord
Ms. Ann Siemens
Texas Instruments**
Ms. Doreen Tyburski
United Way of San Diego County
Valley Independent Bank
Van Scoyoc Associates
Mr. Richard Vortmann
Dr. Peter Wagschal
Mr. David Waller
Xelan Foundation
Mr. Wayne Yanda
$1,000 Plus
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ABD
Mr. Lawrence Adams*
Ms. Stacy Allison
Alpha-Omega Products
Dr. Jerry Alston
Dr. Lynne Anderson
Mr. Ray Andress*
Dr. Charlene Ashton
AT&T
Mr. Steve Baker
Mr. Stephen Ballas
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Mr. Douglas Barr
Ms. Melissa Bellinger
Ms. Michelle Bello
Ms. Virginia Beneke
Mr. E. Joseph Benoit
Dr. Charlotte Bentley
Dr. Carl Boggs
Mr. James T. Bonner*
Mr. Robert Bragaglia
Mr. Gary Brahm
Mr. Arthur Brandt*
Mr. Richard Brookes
Mr. Rod Browning
Mr. John Bugado
Mr. John Byrne
Mr. Kenneth Cain*
Dr. Darla Calvet
California Candids
California Council for the Humanities
Dr. Sidney Castle
Dr. Jacqueline Caesar
Cedar Enterprise Solutions, Inc.
Mr. Wen Chao*
Ms. Marie Cheek
Ms. Evelyn Cherow
Mr. Jonathon Chillas*
Mr. Larry Christensen*
Ms. Louise Clarke
Mr. John Collins
Mr. Bill Conway
Mr. Murray Cook
Ms. Amy Cooper
Ms. Mericoleman Cooper
Dr. Sue Cooper
Cox Communications
Mr. Dan Crowell
Dr. Joseph Cunha
Dr. Ellen Curtis-Pierce
Ms. Mary Czerwinski
Mr. Brad Damon
DataFlex Southwest Corporation
DBC Constrution Inc.
Mr. Robert Dean*
Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker
Deltennium Group, Inc.
Lawrence Dinenberg, M.D.
Dr. Diane Donaldson
Dr. George Drops
Dr. Jane Duckett
Dr. Susanne Dumbleton
Edison Select
Electronic Output Solutions
Emcor Service
Emlyn Systems, Inc.
Ms. Jennifer Elleson
Mr. David Elliot
Mr. Frederick Emmert*
Dr. Howard Evans
Ms. Laurie Foster
Dr. Gary Frost
Mr. Timothy K. Garfield
Mr. Gregory C. M. Garratt
Ms. Andrea Giambrone
Mr. Dominick Giovanniello
Mr. Paul Gibson
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Ms. Rebecca Gilbert
Gottschalks
Dr. Thomas Green
Green Earth Productions
Ms. Leticia Gumban
Dr. Walter Hale
Mrs. Molly M. Hannan
Dr. Thomas Hahn
Ms. Mildred Harter
Dr. Mary Hazzard
Mr. Allen Hemphill*
Dr. Eileen Heveron
Dr. Gary Hoban
Dr. Byung Hong
Ms. Olivia Horton
Mr. J.C. Interiano
Ila Zammit Engineering
Mr. David Johnson
Mr. Randy Johnson
Dr. Gloria Johnston
Mr. Keith Kanzel
Ms. Patricia Kelley
Ms. Cheryl Kendrick
Dr. Kathleen Klinger
Ms. Susan Klinger
Donald Kripke, M.D.
Dr. Cynthia Larson-Daugherty
Mr. Mathew Levine
Mr. Dale J. Lewis*
Mr. Shawn Lewis*
Mr. Thomas Linton*
Ms. Robin Lockerby
Ms. Robin Long
Ms. Megan Magee
Dr. Iraj Mahdavi
Ms. Joan Majerus
Mr. Patrick Maloy
Dr. Judy Mantle
Mr. Stuart Markey
Mr. Richard E. Marx
Dr. Michael McAnear
Ms. Maheba Merhi
Dr. Jim Merod
Minnesota Western
Montgomery Ward Family Portrait Studio
Mr. Paul Morgan*
Mr. Mark Moses
Dr. Farhang Mossavar-Rahmani
Ms. Deborah Myers
National Education Loan Network, Inc.
Nelnet Foundation
Mr. David Neville
Dr. Mason Niblack
Dr. John Nicoll
Ms. Christina Nowacki
OCM Enterprises
Mr. Thomas O’Toole*
Dr. Jan Parker
Dr. William Pepicello
Dr. Leonid Preiser
Ms. Christine Price
Prentiss Properties
Mr. Troy Roland
Mr. Barry Romich
Mr. Bob Rosendale
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Ms. Valerie Ryan
San Diego Citizen’s Action Foundation
Dr. Nancy Saks
Ms. Jane Sawyer
Dr. Alice Scharper
Ms. Debra Schneiger
Schools Financial Credit Union
Dr. Marie Schrup
Dr. Claudia Sersland
Ms. Mary Sherman
Mr. Rick Shuster
Mr. Hoyt Smith
Mr. Roy Solomon
Ms. Beverly Speidel
Southland Technology, Inc.
Southwest Airlines
Mr. Gary Stephenson
Mr. Kevin P. Sullivan
Ms. Judith Sweet
Dr. Jean Swenk
Dr. Charles B. Tatum
Mr. Walter Tobias
Dr. Sandra Tracy
Mr. Joseph Tranchina
Dr. Raymond Trybus
USA Federal Credit Union
Wachovia Corporation
Mr. Jon Walker
Mr. Robert Walls
Ms. Barbara Walter*
Mr. David S. Wax*
WAXIE Sanitary Supply
WellPoint Health Networks
Westwood One Broadcasting
Ms. Deborah Wulff*
Dr. Forrest Young
Mr. Jerry Zanelli
$500 Plus
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Ms. Brenda Adorador
AETNA, Inc.
Ms. Stephanie Allen
Mr. Max Amrine*
Dr. Maria Armstrong
Ms. Alecia Banton
Barney & Barney
Mr. Robert Bechill
Ms. Rosalind Belcher*
Mr. James T. Bonner
Mr. Kenneth J. Cain
Mr. Julian Carter
Ms. Veronica Carvalho
Dr. Margaret Chang
CIR Law Offices
Mr. James Clevenger
Mr. Floyd Cogdill
Dr. Ramon Corona
Mr. Paul Coyle *
Ms. Cynthia L. Cramer
Ms. Kara Dannenbring
Ms. Calista Davis
Dr. Prem Dean
Mr. Nicholas De Corso*
Mr. Sean Devine
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Mr. Richard Domingo*
Dr. G. Ryan Dominguez
Ms. Patricia Donohue
Doubletree Hotel of Del Mar
Mr. Paul Drnec*
Dyer-Ives Foundation
Dr. Jeremiah M. Eckhaus
Dr. Helen Eckmann
Mr. Thomas Estrada
Dr. Kathryne Favors
Ms. Pamela D. Ferry
Dr. Howard Fisher
Mr. William Flickinger
Dr. Alice Flores
Mr. John Fretz*
Dr. Steven Friedland
Mr. Daniel Garza
Dr. Tom Gatton
GE Foundation
Mr. Dale Genschaw
Glanz Signing & Graphics
Ms. Norma Gonzalez
Ms. Nathalie Gordon*
Dr. Linda Gresik
Ms. Melinda Gumpal-Khindri
Mr. Harry N. Gushikuma*
Mr. LeCostel Hailey
Dr. Joann Hammer
Mr. Onesphore Harelimana
Mr. James Hargrove*
Mr. David Harris*
Mr. Bernell Hirning
Dr. Robert Hoffman*
Mr. David Hokstad
Mr. Donald Hoover
Dr. William Howe
IBM International Foundation
Idyllwild Inn
Ms. Vivan Jenkins-Vanderwerd*
Dr. Paul Johnson
Ms. Robin Jones
Ms. Gloria Kaufman
Mr. John Keith*
Mr. Albert Kercheval
Dr. Russell Kick
Ms. Kacy Kilner
Dr. Paul Kirsch
Dr. Marilyn Koeller
Dr. Marilyn Konish Dunn
Ms. Kristen Kosaka
La Casa del Zorro
Mr. Mark Lakatos
Ms. Cindi Lang
Mr. Robert Larson*
Mr. John Latham
Ms. Kim Leaden
Ms. Ellen Lee*
Ms. Myra Lee
Leadership Alliance
Mr. Rick Lewis*
Ms. Kendra Losee
Mr. Randal Lu
Mr. Max R. Lund
Ms. Divina Lynch
Ms. Karen Lyons
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Ms. Stephanie Marsh
Ms. Sheryl Martinsen
Ms. Sammantha McDonald*
Mr. Daniel McKenzie
Mesa Energy Systems, Inc.
Mr. Gerald Mikas*
Ms. Pam Montroy
Ms. Iris Mozenter
Dr. Ronald Norman
North American Communications Resource, Inc.
Mr. Ivan D. Novick*
Mr. Donald Otsuka*
Ms. Diana Owens*
Mr. Jeffrey Penta *
Mr. Garett Reynolds
Ms. Diane Richards
Mr. Lewis Rick*
Ms. Laura Roach
Mr. Daniel Roberts
San Diego Review
San Diego Unified School District
Dr. Robert Scharf
Mr. Calvin Scheidt*
Mr. Donald Schwartz*
Dr. Peter Serdyukov
Ms. Janice Shaw-McCuley*
Mr. James Sherman
Ms. Linda P. Sherman
Mr. O. Morris Sievert
Dr. John Sikula
Dr. Philip Simon
Ms. Dina Skinner
Dr. David Smith
Mr. Cary Spencer*
Mr. Rick Steddom
Mr. Lewane Stephenson
Mr. William Strand*
Dr. Igor Subbotin
Mr. Ross Talarico
Ms. Margaret Tomka
Union Bank of California Foundation
Dr. Shekar Viswanathan
Dr. Ann White
Ms. Sandra Wilkinson*
Ms. Joan Young
Mr. Loren Zimmerman*
$100 Plus
• ABCOW Staffing Services
• Advanced Strategy Center at Pinnacle
Park/Anne Ainsworth
• Mr. George Allen
• American Solutions for Business
• Mr. Bob Alden
• Mr. Ray Andress
• Mr. David E. Bealer
• Mr. Piero M. Berlonghi
• Mrs. Tawni L. Blamble
• Mr. L.J. Bovet
• Brickman Group, Ltd.
• Mr. John Brockington
• Mr. Gary L. Brown
• Ms. Nancy Bucholtz
• Calpine Corporation
• Cambridge Associates
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Mr. Richard C. Callan
Mr. Steve Cannon
Mr. Steven J. Chidester
Center for Wellness
Mr. Hsiung Cheng
Mr. Bienvenido G. Clanor
Mr. Robert W. Clemens
Mr. Victor E. Cole
Mr. William S. Crankshaw
Mr. Thomas S. Crow
Mr. Bill Daniel
Ms. Jan Darbhamulla
Direct Marketing Resources, Inc.
Diversified Printers Inc.
Driver Alliant Insurance Services
Mr. Paul F. Drnec
Ms. Sharon Elaine
Mr. Gene R. Ervin
E-Storm International Consulting
Mr. Dale T. Fleming
Fluor Foundation
Lt. Col. James A. Gallagher, Jr.
GE Foundation
General Electric Partnership Marketing
Group - Smile Saver
Gifts, Etc.
Mr. Stephen Greene
Ms. Dana M. Goldstein
Mr. Maurice Gray
Mr. Limond E. Grindstaff
Guard-Systems Inc.
Dr. Helen R. Gurley
Mr. Henry Halleland*
Mr. James L. Hargrove
Mr. Tyrone D. Hawes
Mr. Porter K. Henderson
Mr. Andres F. Hernandez
Mr. Richard Hill
Mr. Harry A. Hodges
Mr. William K. Horner, Jr.
Mr. John Hunting
Huntington Marketing & Publishing
Associates
Integrated Planning Service
Mr. Cecil E. Ivey
Ms. Patricia K. Jamroz
Mr. Allan G. Johnson
Ms. Linda M. Johnson
Mr. Wayman Johnson
Mr. Bryce E. Jones
Mr. Richard W. Jones
Mr. John D. Keith
Mr. Ed Langnaid
Mr. Robert A. Larson
Mr. Kenneth J. Legro
Mr. Jeffrey M. Lewis
Mr. Matthew Lincoln
Dr. Robert MacVicar
Mr. William R. Mahoney
Mr. Edward F. Martin
Mr. Jeff L. Mason
Mrs. Belinda L. Mason
Mr. Scott D. McCoy
Mr. Richard S. McCune
Mr. Barry L. McLemore
36
VISION MAGAZINE
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Mr. Robert P. Meinzer
Mesa Energy Systems, Inc.
Mr. Scott D. Miller
Mr. Richard W. Moon
Mr. Paul J. Morgan
National Evaluation Systems, Inc.
NCR Corporation
Ms. Lisa Nelson
Oce-North America, Inc.
Mr. Daniel Ottinger
Mr. Jeffrey G. Penta
Mr. Eric Perkowski
Mr. Larry Porter
Ms. Judith Preuss
Procurement Concepts, Inc.
Mr. Ronald M. Rael, CPA
Ranroy Company
Ms. Arlene Rivas
RJL Insurance Services
San Diego Marriott
San Diego State University Foundation
Mr. Jack R. Sanders
Mr. Dennis Sarina
Dr. Calvin R. Scheidt, Jr.
Ms. Farnaz Sharifrazi
Mrs. Barbara J. Silverstone
Bruce Smith Enterprises Inc.
Ms. Judy L. Smith
Mr. Beverly D. Sorrell, Jr.
Mr. Cary M. Spencer
Ms. Deborah D. Spottsville
Ms. Ophelia Starks
Mr. Preston M. Staten
Mr. Michael Stechel
Mr. Bradley G. Stiving
Mr. Stephen O. Sturtevant
Sullivan & Curtis
Sundstrand Corp. Foundation
Mrs. Rosabla T. Swearingen
University Avenue Dental Group
Mr. Vincent J. Vicari
Mr. Linwood C. Whitman
Mr. Brent M. Wilsey
WLB Associates
Mrs. Judith R. Wolfe
Mrs. Ranka Zivanic
21st Century Club
National University staff and faculty who
participate in the annual employee giving
campaign.
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Ms. Enid Acosta-Tello
Ms. Qiana Adams
Ms. Brenda Adorador
Ms. Stephanie Allen
Dr. Madelon Alpert
Ms. Sheila Anderson
Dr. Charlene Ashton
Dr. Janet Baker
Mr. Stephen Ballas
Ms. Alecia Banton
Mr. Doug Barr
Mr. Oscar Basulto
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Mr. Robert Bechill
Ms. Melissa Bellinger
Ms. Michelle Bello
Ms. Virginia Beneke
Dr. Carl Boggs
Ms. Tiffany Bolling
Mr. John Bugado
Dr. Darla Calvet
Mr. Richard Carter
Ms. Veronica Carvalho
Ms. Lori Cassidy
Ms. Claudia Castaneda
Dr. Sidney Castle
Ms. Marie Cheek
Ms. Evelyn Cherow
Ms. Laura Chigos
Mr. Jonathan Chillas
Ms. Ashley Ciraulo-Stuart
Mr. Floyd Cogdill
Ms. Amy Cooper
Dr. Daniel Cunniff
Ms. Kara Dannenbring
Ms. Joyce Davis
Mr. Rhoel Del Rosario
Ms. Heather Dingman
Ms. Patricia Donohue
Dr. George Drops
Dr. Howard Evans
Ms. Gretchen Fix
Mr. Richard Flickinger
Mr. William Flickinger
Mr. John N. Fretz*
Dr. Gary Frost
Mr. James Garrison
Mr. Daniel Garza
Mr. Dominick Giovanniello
Ms. Jessica Gladney
Ms. Melissa Gold
Dr. Kenneth Goldberg
Ms. Norma Gonzalez
Ms. Anna Grady
Dr. Thomas Green
Ms. Linda Gresik
Dr. Shareen Grogan
Mr. Alan Guerra
Ms. Valerie Guerra
Dr. James Guffey
Ms. Leticia Gumban
Ms. Melinda Gumpal-Khindri
Ms. Melizabeth Guzman-Huerta
Ms. Mildred Harter
Mr. Sean Hartnett
Dr. Mary Hazzard
Ms. Atila Helvaci
Ms. Nancy Herbst
Ms. Jennifer Hernandez
Dr. Eileen Heveron
Mr. Bernell Hirning
Mr. David Hokstad
Ms. Olivia Horton
Dr. Paul Johnson
Dr. Gloria Johnston
Ms. Robin Jones
Mr. Roland Jones
Mr. Brandon Jouganatos
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Mr. Keith Kanzel
Ms. Ann Kelly
Ms. Aslum Khan
Ms. Kacy Kilner
Dr. Marilyn Koeller
Ms. Alison Korhonen
Ms. Edyta Kraszkiewicz
Mr. Mark Lakatos
Dr. Cynthia Larson-Daugherty
Ms. Marilyn Laughridge
Dr. Deborah Le Blanc
Ms. Kimberly Leaden
Mr. Oscar Lopez
Ms. Julie Losa
Ms. Kendra Losee
Ms. Divina Lynch
Ms. Karen Lyons
Dr. Thomas MacCalla
Ms. Michelle Mallory
Mr. Anthony Marandos
Mr. Stuart Markey
Mr. Anthony Marro
Ms. Stephanie Marsh
Ms. Sheryl Martinsen
Ms. Cecilia Matcke
Mr. Michael Mattivi
Mr. Robert McCalndless
Ms. Kaya McAnear
Dr. Michael McAnear
Ms. Tracy McMurry
Dr. Charles Menoher
Dr. Judith Menoher
Ms. Meheba Merhi
Ms. Rosalinda Elena Milla
Ms. Kara Lee Miller
Ms. Tammy Miller
Dr. Marilyn Moore
Mr. Mark Moses
Ms. Iris Mozenter
Ms. Laurel Nelson
Mr. David Neville
Ms. Christina Nowacki
Mr. Philip Oels
Ms. Tiffany O’Leary
Ms. Anne Olivier
Dr. Wayne Padover
Ms. Laura Parker
Mr. Roberto Perez
Ms. Stacy Perr
Ms. Chandara Phann
Mr. Curtis Philipsen
Ms. Patricia Potter
Mr. Elwood Raley
Ms. Patrizia Rallo
Ms. Marysol Ramirez
Mr. Mark Redfern
Mr. Michael Reese
Ms. Lacey Render
Ms. Diane Richards
Ms. Katherine Risk
Ms. Diane Rodriguez
Ms. Nancy Rohland
Mr. Troy Roland
Ms. Andrea Rollins
Ms. Shari Rowsey
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Dr. Clifford Russell
Mr. Shawn Saadati
Dr. Nancy Saks
Mr. Mathew Salisbury
Ms. Jane Sawyer
Ms. Adriana Achaefer
Dr. Robert Scharf
Ms. Beth Schechter
Ms. Debra Schneiger
Mr. Walter Schonhardt
Ms. Dory Schretzmann
Mr. Donald Schwartz
Dr. Stuart Schwartz
Ms. Anne Marie Secord
Dr. Peter Serdyukov
Dr. Natalyia Serdyukova
Mr. James Sherman
Ms. Mary Sherman
Mr. Rick Schuster
Ms. Sharon Simeon
Dr. Douglas Slawson
Mr. Alan Smith
Dr. David Smith
Mr. Hoyt Smith
Dr. Sharon Smith
Ms. Beverly Speidel
Mr. Lewane Stephenson
Dr. Igor Subbotin
Mr. Sabri Sundos
Mr. Anthony Swope
Dr. Charles B. Tatum
Ms. Denise Tolbert
Mr. Joseph Tranchina
Mr. Melekte Truneh
Ms. Stefanie Umscheid
Ms. Heather Vanderpaardt
Mr. Glenn Verrastro
Ms. Roslyn Villalobos
Dr. Shekar Viswanathan
Mr. Jon Walker
Mr. David Waller
Ms. Mary Anne Weegar
Ms. Sarah Weekly
Dr. Mahvash Yadegarpour
Ms. Joan Young
* Alumni
** In Kind Gifts
To recognize the generosity of our donors,
the University maintains a CyberWall of
Donors, which can be accessed by visiting:
http://www.nu.edu/Community/Development/
Cyberwall.html
37
Regional Report
Henderson, Nevada
National University gained full
licensure in November 2006 from the
Nevada Commission on Postsecondary
Education. This allows the University to
approach the state regulatory body that
oversees private education institutions and
requests to add new degree programs in
Nevada. Subsequently, the Commission
has just approved an onsite Bachelor of
Public Administration at National’s
campus in Henderson, which has also been
approved by the Western Association of
Schools and Colleges. Additionally,
the Nevada Office of Veteran Affairs has
authorized National University to
offer education to in-state veterans.
The United States Immigration and
Customs Enforcement branch of the
Department of Homeland Security has
approved National University’s location in
Henderson to be a Student & Exchange
Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
certified campus. This allows National
University to admit international students
for both academic and English Language
Programs in Nevada.
38
VISION MAGAZINE
Los Angeles
Graduates from the Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department are becoming a
common sight at National University’s Los
Angeles campus. In September 2006,
Sheriff Lee Baca presided over ceremonies
to honor the cohorts of regional law
enforcement officials who earned degrees
from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department University. Sheriff Baca
originally helped establish a partnership
with National University in 2002 to make
the Los Angeles Sheriff Department the
nation’s first law enforcement agency with
its own corporate university, offering onsite degree programs at the Sheriff’s
Training Academy.
National’s accelerated one-courseper-month format has been a perfect fit
for the department and various other law
enforcement agencies in the region. To
date, more than 150 deputies, police and
probation officers have earned bachelor’s
degrees in criminal justice and master’s in
public administration by attending evening
classes. They have the strong and
enthusiastic support of Sheriff Baca, who
said, “I am committed to the notion that a
highly educated work force is a necessity
in carrying out the vital responsibilities
entrusted to us by the public.”
Orange County
Future Olympic or Paralympic
champions may owe a debt of gratitude to
Richard Robert (MA, Counseling
Psychology, 1987). He is the Executive
Vice President of the Southern California
Association of USA Track & Field
(USATF), the regional chapter of the
national governing body for track and
field, long distance running and race
walking events. As a Master Certified
USATF Official, Robert has officiated in
several USATF national championships,
including the 2003 World Masters
Championship in Puerto Rico. He has
served as the U.S. Disabled Track and
Field team coach and assistant coach of the
2000 U.S. Paralympic Team that competed
in Sydney, Australia. In recognition of his
service to disabled athletes, Robert has
been invited to the White House as a guest
of the President.
39
San Bernardino
National University presented Suzanne
Thomas, winner of the California League
of Middle Schools Region 10 Educator of
the Year, with a $3,000 scholarship in the
fall of 2006. Region 10 includes school
districts in Inyo, Mono, Riverside and San
Bernardino counties. Thomas is a 6th
grade teacher in language arts at Colonel
Paige Middle School in the Desert Sands
Unified School District, which serves the
communities of Bermuda Dunes, Rancho
Mirage, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, La
Quinta and Indio.
40
VISION MAGAZINE
Camarillo
Franz Potter, Ph.D., an assistant
professor in the College of Letters and
Sciences’ department of arts and
humanities, runs Zittaw Press, an
independent publishing firm that he and
his wife, Serena, founded in Thousand
Oaks, California four years ago. The name
Zittaw comes from a title by the prolific
Gothic author Sarah Wilkinson. The
Potters specialize in reprints and
reproductions of rare 18th and 19th
century gothic fiction. It isn’t unusual to
find them in their spare time hand-stitching
the bindings to their books, which are
printed on cotton rag. Their efforts have
drawn substantial attention to a oncepopular form of literature that has enjoyed
a renaissance in recent years. Professor
Potter teaches creative writing at National
University’s Camarillo campus.
Fresno
Margaret Mims (MPA, 2005) was
elected Fresno County Sheriff in
November 2006, and was sworn into office
on January 8th of this year. A pioneer for
women in San Joaquin Valley law
enforcement, Sheriff Mims is the Fresno
Sheriff Department’s first female chief.
She was also the department’s first female
sergeant to supervise patrol officers, its
first female lieutenant, and its first female
assistant sheriff. She joined the department
in August 1983. Since then, she has served
in numerous capacities, from K-9, sex
crimes and domestic violence units to
crime prevention and analysis and as a
burglary detective.
Sacramento
Stephanie Thal (MA, Counseling
Psychology, 1991) has been appointed to
the State of California’s Mental Health
Planning Council. As a member of the
council, Thal will advise the state
regarding Proposition 63, which was
passed by voters to expand and transform
California’s mental health service systems.
Thal received her appointment from
Stephen Mayberg, State Director of Mental
Health. Thal also is the past president of
the California Association of Marriage and
Family Therapists.
San Jose
John Hagen (Credential, 2006) was a
Silicon Valley software engineer with more
than $5 million in stock options during the
dot-com boom. Following the dot-com
bust, Hagen decided to pursue his passion
for teaching. Now an inner-city math
teacher, he uses Fantasy Football to
overcome one of the most difficult barriers
between his students and a high school
diploma. In order for Hagen’s students to
add up their fantasy points each week,
they have to first master mathematical
formulas. Both ESPN and the San Jose
Mercury News have chronicled Hagen’s
success in the classroom. He is just one
of many alumni making a difference in
school districts throughout Santa Clara
County, thanks to the teacher education
programs offered at National’s San Jose
campus.
Redding
Dr. Judy Menoher, assistant professor
and the lead faculty for the School of
Education at National’s Redding campus,
was selected as the state-wide winner of the
Professor of Education of the Year Award
by the Association of California School
Administrators. Dr. Menoher is an assistant
professor in both the Teacher Education
and Special Education departments. “Using
her expertise as a former school and district
administrator, combined with her skills as a
teacher, Dr. Menoher has built a rigorous
and exemplary program for her students,”
says Dr. Gloria Johnston, Dean of the
School of Education.
Ena Melton-Myers (GMBA, 2003) was
appointed in January to fill a vacant seat
on the Shasta County Board of Education.
She will serve until the term expires in
2008, at which point she will have to
campaign for reelection. Melton-Myers
is in charge of special projects for the
Redding Rancheria, a Native American
reservation in Shasta County. Her husband,
Martin Myers, is President of the Shasta
College Board of Trustees.
41
Leaders in Their Fields
Stacy Allison and Diana Nyad share a common bond.
Not only are they members of the National University
Board of Trustees, but they were both also once among
the world’s elite competitors in their respective endeavors.
For Allison, who has been a board
member since 2004, her specialty was the
incredibly demanding world of mountain
climbing. For Nyad, who joined the board
in 2006, it was in the physically and
mentally challenging sport of long-distance
swimming.
Their shared ability to overcome
enormous obstacles in their chosen
pursuits has made them ideal ambassadors
for a University that prides itself in
offering access to educational opportunities
to those who are ready to take the next
step in their lives.
On September 29, 1988, Allison became
the first American woman to reach the
summit of Mt. Everest. For Allison,
standing on the top of the world’s highest
mountain was the apex of a long journey
which started at the age of 21 when she
climbed Alaska’s 12,240-foot Mt.
Huntington, less than half the height
of the 29,035-foot Everest.
During her quest for Everest, Allison
learned the importance of perseverance.
In fact, her successful summit of Everest
was her second trip to the mountain. Her
first expedition stalled at 23,500 feet after
the “worst storm in 40 years” trapped her
team in a snow cave for five days.
“If you see yourself as trying to beat the
mountain, eventually the mountain will
win,” Allison explained. “You don’t conquer
mountains. You cooperate with them.”
Recognized as a world-class athlete,
Allison has also reached the summit of
earth’s second-highest peak, K2,
considered by professional climbers to be
the world’s most challenging mountain.
Similarly, Nyad also knows the feeling of
the glow of the global spotlight, having set
records as the world’s premier long-distance
swimmer during a career which spanned the
bulk of the 1970s. And like Allison’s,
Nyad’s success came after many years of
commitment and dedication to her sport.
During the 70s, Nyad traveled the world,
competing in races down the Nile, across
Lake Ontario and crossing the Bay of
Naples from Capri to Napoli.
Toward the end of her career, she set a
few solo records. One was the fastest time
for men and women—who compete
directly against each other in marathon
swimming—for circling Manhattan Island.
Without a doubt, Nyad’s most memorable
swim was the one she completed on her
30th birthday, a world-record of 102.5
miles—non-stop—from the island of
Bimini in the Bahamas to the Florida
shore near Jupiter, a record which still
stands today.
Diana Nyad, shown here with Chancellor Lee,
is a member of the International Women’s
Sports Hall of Fame.
42
VISION MAGAZINE
Stacy Allison was the first American woman to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.
“Marathon swimming served as a
particularly poignant metaphor for the
refusal to give up,” Nyad said. “Stroke
after stroke, mile after mile, enduring the
adversities and danger of hypothermia,
sharks, jellyfish, weight loss and sensory
deprivation, you reach deep into the
well of your will and relentlessly press
on until you at last touch that other shore.”
For her accomplishments, Nyad was
inducted into the International Women’s
Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, joining such
notable athletes as Wilma Rudolph, Nadia
Comaneci, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert,
Peggy Fleming, Florence Griffith and
Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
Not surprisingly, both Allison and Nyad
have applied their competitive fire towards
their lives after sports.
Using the valuable insights gained from
her experiences as a climber, Allison has
become a published writer. Her works
include Beyond the Limits: A Woman’s
Triumph on Everest and Many Mountains
to Climb: Reflections on Competence,
Courage and Commitment.
Allison owns and operates Stacy Allison
General Contracting, a residential building
company specializing in the restoration and
remodeling of older homes.
Nyad also is a successful writer, having
authored three books, including Other
Shores, Basic Training and The Keyshawn
Johnson Story. She writes for The New
York Times, Newsweek and other
publications. She enjoys a successful
broadcasting career and is heard by eight
million people each week on National
Public Radio as a columnist for all “All
Things Considered” and a sports business
reporter for the award-winning show
“Marketplace.”
On television, Nyad has appeared on
the prestigious “CBS News Sunday
Morning” program and was the Senior
Correspondent for FOX Sports News from
1996-2001, reporting live from such events
as the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney,
Australia.
“I retired from my sport the day I
turned 30,” Nyad said. “In the 26 years
since that time, my life has been brimming
with wonder—travel, work, love,
friendship, sport, the outdoors—
so much so that I have spent very few
moments harkening back to my
‘glory days.’”
For Stacy Allison and Diana Nyad, who
turned that same competitive drive they
displayed as world-class athletes into
prosperous careers, the glory days may
very well lie ahead.
43
THE
2006
COMMENCEMENT
Commencement is a time of
immense pride and overwhelming
exhilaration. It is a memorable
moment of recognition for
scholarly success, a pinnacle of
personal accomplishment to relish
and celebrate. Following are
a few images from the 2006
graduation ceremonies. Best
wishes from National University
to all of our newest alumni.
44
VISION MAGAZINE
SHOW
YOUR
PRIDE
You’ve worked hard to become a
National University alumnus, why
not show off your efforts? And since
everything you need to display
your pride is just a click away, isn’t
it about time you had a look?
™
The University of Values
To get yours, visit www.nu.edu/Community/AlumniandFriends/Merchandise.html
© National University 2007
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