Blue&Gold

SUMMER 2003

Visit to CubaOpens Eyes and Minds

Life’s Lessonsin the Bottom of a Test Tube

A Clearer PictureAbout Bioengineered

Hip Stems

Full Knowledge Necessaryin War on Terror

Cornyn Relishes Challenges

A Former President’s Legacy

PRESIDENTCharles L. Cotrell, Ph.D.

(B.A. ’62, M.A. ’64)

UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENTVICE PRESIDENTThomas B. Galvin

UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONSEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dianne Pipes

EXECUTIVE EDITORCandace J. Kuebker (B.A. ’78)

ASSOCIATE EDITORSAnastasia Cisneros-Lunsford

(B.A. ’92)Rob Leibold

PUBLICATIONS DIRECTORSteve Weed

PHOTOGRAPHYMelanie Rush Davis

Morris GoenColes Hairston

Tommy HultgrenBob Owen

San Antonio Express-NewsSteve Wertz

CONTRIBUTORSPat Abernathey

University CommunicationsKaren Persyn and

Will Elliott (B.A. ’93)Advancement Services

Gold & Blue is produced for alumniand friends three times a year by theUniversity Communications staff.

Contents © 2003 by St. Mary’sUniversity. All rights reserved.

One Camino Santa MariaSan Antonio, Texas 78228-8575

www.stmarytx.edu

personal attentionPOWERFUL PROGRAMS

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The Spirit of St. Mary’s–Brother Andy and Financial Aidby Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D., President

News from Around the Grove

Up Close and Personal–Visit to Cuba Opens Eyes and Mindsby Bonnie Pfister

Life’s Lessons in the Bottom of a Test Tube:Undergraduates Impacting Research at St. Mary’s

by Timothy Raabe, Ph.D.

No Bones About It—A Clearer Picture About Bioengineered Hip StemsUndergraduate Research in Bioengineering at St. Mary’s

Albert Y.T. Sun, Ph.D.

Full Knowledge Necessary in War on Terror by Leona Pallansch, Ph.D.

Cornyn Relishes Challenges of Senate Legacyby Rob Leibold

Homecoming Weekend Unplugged

A Former President’s Legacyby Anastasia Cisneros-Lunsford and Stacy Maloney

Class Notes

In Closing

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CONTENTS From the Editor

A s stated in Vision 2006: A 21st CenturyEducation at St. Mary’s University,“Academic reputation remains the chiefreason students choose to enroll at St. Mary’s.This reputation derives from a holisticapproach to education that connects a broadliberal arts perspective with professionalinstruction. The strategic plan calls forbuilding a culture of student success and fordevelopment of curricula and programs thatprepare St. Mary’s students for leadership in aknowledge-based society.”

Innovation in education is a strategicinitiative that thrives at St. Mary’s. Witnessthe experiences to which our students areexposed: undergraduates are conductingcutting-edge research and using criticallyemerging technology as seen in thefascinating hip stem replacement researchbeing directed by Albert Sun, Ph.D.; otheryoung student researchers, guided by TimothyRaabe, Ph.D., are in the laboratory exploringways to control or even conquer diabetes; andstill others carry out coursework for theirinternational business class by using Cuba astheir laboratory.

Students with these kinds of experientiallearning opportunities are participating inactivities that lead to the accumulation ofknowledge and development of new skills.Too, their participation adds to the body ofknowledge from which others can benefit.

Continuing to develop innovative “hands-on” programs and experiences for ourstudents will help ensure that, indeed, they arebeing well prepared for the modern globalworkplace.

On the heels of the recent war in Iraq,Middle East politics expert Leona Pallansch,Ph.D., helps us understand what motivatesterrorists in a part of the world that continuesto face turmoil.

Meet law school alum John Cornyn, thefirst U.S. senator from San Antonio, ready tomake his mark on Washington! And, withsadness we say goodbye to the Rev. James A.Young, S.M., St. Mary’s eighth presidentwho left us in December and whose legacylives on.

In April, more than 7,000 alumni, studentsand friends participated in this year’sHomecoming programs. You’ll enjoy aglimpse of them in our photo spread onpage 17.

Summer for many is a time to rest andspend extra time with family and friends.From sizzling San Antonio to wherever youmay be, sit back, relax, and enjoy the peoplewho mean the most to you.

—Candace Kuebker

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On the CoversOn the front cover, Belinda Flores (foreground) explores cell development as

part of an undergraduate research project directed by Associate ProfessorTimothy Raabe, Ph.D., who supervises another student researcher, EsmeraldaLugo, in the biology lab. On the back cover, graduates of the Class of 2003support one another during Baccalaureate Mass.

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Many St. Mary’s students ofthe1950s, ’60s and ’70s wereencouraged to stay in school by facultymembers such as Brother AndyCremer, S.M., and Bill Crane, Ph.D.When a student had exhausted hisinstitutional and personal financialresources, Brother Andy, “Doc” Craneand others would find funds to keepthe student in school.

While those are bygone days, thatspirit of generosity continues atSt. Mary’s. Student financial aid,especially scholarship aid, is vital tostudent access and success today.However, the landscape of studentfinancial aid in Texas and the nation ischanging rapidly. Private donorsupport of scholarship aid is nothingless than the lifeline of qualityeducation for private colleges anduniversities.

More than 80 percent of theundergraduates attending St. Mary’sreceive some form of financial aid, notan unusual statistic for privateuniversities. The sources of aid includefederal and state governments,scholarship aid from the University’sendowment and the institution’s owninvestment in aid. At St. Mary’s,almost 24 percent of the operationalbudget is devoted to student aid.

Scholarship assistance for ourstudents from private sources is key totheir success. For example: hundredsof students receive scholarship aidfrom the Marianist Trust, a fundestablished many years ago by thebrothers and priests who donated theirsalaries to a trust dedicated toscholarships; the Alumni Association’s$6 million scholarship endowment,built from the proceeds of the annualFiesta Oyster Bake, helps some 80students each year; and more recently,the San Antonio Livestock ExpositionInc. has provided 10 St. Mary’sstudents with $100,000 in scholarshipsupport, each receiving a $10,000scholarship over a period of four years.

The law school also has receivedrecently large foundation gifts,including $360,000 over the pastcouple of years from the ElizabethHuth Coates Charitable Trust of 1992,which provides $30,000 a year to astudent from Hidalgo County.

Individual alumni contribute toscholarship support in significant waysas well: the late Robert Rosow (B.S.C.’45), established the $1 million Robertand Freida Rosow Scholarship Fund tosupport students studying business.Many other loyal alumni haveestablished scholarship endowments aswell. Scholarship aid from endowedfunds accounts for 11 percent–almost$1 million–of all student aid forSt. Mary’s undergraduates.

Federal and state aid also is crucialto student access and success.St. Mary’s students who are Texasresidents receive more than $5 millionannually in Tuition Equalization Grant(TEG) funds; 2,109 of our studentsreceived an average TEG of $2,381during the 2002-2003 academic year.This program, established by theLegislature in 1971, is designed toprovide choice among privateuniversities for Texas students, and toencourage private colleges anduniversities to aid in “Closing theGaps” in Texas higher education for arapidly expanding student population.The TEG program is especiallyimportant in this regard for theSt. Mary’s students and for all studentsenrolled in Texas private colleges anduniversities. In addition, 607St. Mary’s students receive an averageaward of $2,797 from the TEXAS

(Toward Excellence, Access andSuccess) Grant program.

With the expected $10 billion Texasbudget shortfall, the Legislature isproposing a minimum 12.5 percentreduction in the TEG program. Ifadopted, St. Mary’s student aidthrough the TEG program alone willbe reduced by at least $600,000annually.

In January 2003, two dozenSt. Mary’s students, faculty membersand administrators drove to Austin toinform legislators of the adverse effectof cuts in the TEG and TEXAS Grantprograms, and we informed them ofthe savings to taxpayers that the TEGprogram provides. (Texas’ 40independent private institutions investsubstantially in faculty, buildings andendowment. Therefore, taxpayers aresaved the amount it would cost toeducate those students currentlyenrolled in private institutions if theywere to attend Texas publicinstitutions. Almost 68 percent of thepublic cost per student is saved byenrollment in private colleges anduniversities.)

Following the long-standingtradition of leadership and civicengagement, this Spring St. Mary’sUniversity student leaders conducted a“send-a-postcard” campaign in supportof federal and state student financialaid. More than 3,000 postcards and700 letters were sent to legislators. AsStudent Government AssociationPresident Michael Kolenc (B.A. ’03)was quoted in the San Antonio press,“One of the most basic barriers togetting into college is money andcurrent proposals threaten to leavethousands of students behind.”

My message should by now beclear: Financial aid, especiallyscholarship aid, is the lifeline forstudent access and success atSt. Mary’s University. Oureffectiveness in recruiting andgraduating students who reflect theeducational excellence and values ofthe St. Mary’s tradition depends onscholarship assistance. TeachersBrother Andy and “Doc” Crane knew50 years ago what is true today.Continued scholarship support of ourstudents from alumni and friends ofSt. Mary’s is much needed—andgreatly appreciated. n

The Spirit of St. Mary’sBrother Andy

and Financial Aidby Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D., President

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Short Subjects

Cotrell Reappointedto Presidency

Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D., hasbeen reappointed to a secondthree-year term as president ofSt. Mary’s, it was announcedApril 17.

Since taking the helm in 2000,Cotrell has implementedinitiatives designed to strengthenSt. Mary’s programs and servicesto meet the educational challengesof a growing urban population.

Cotrell’s top priorities include:recruitment and retention of topstudents; strengthening the school’sCatholic and Marianist tradition;advancing the academic mission,especially ininformationtechnologies and newacademic programs;maintaining a diversestudent body, facultyand administration; andincreasing the generalendowment foressential needs.

BioterrorismSymposiumSets Up Dialogue

“Bioterrorism and the Law:Preserving the Rule of Law in Timesof Crisis,” a seminar which addressedissues facing the world, was held inBill Greehey Arena in April.

Offered in conjunction with theDevelopment Center for OperationalMedicine at Brooks Air Force Base;the Texas Center for Medical Strategy,Training and Readiness; the Universityof Texas Health Science Center at SanAntonio, and others, the seminartackled key topics, including thebalance between civil liberties andpublic safety; quarantine andcompulsory medical screening andtreatment; seizure of property; and therole of the military in a large-scaledomestic response.

Physicist ExplainsElegant Universe

Leading theoretical physicist BrianGreene, Ph.D., introduced St. Mary’sto string theory as part of the Lin GreatSpeakers Series.

A concept that could revolutionizeour understanding of space, time andmatter, Greene contends string theorymay be the key to a unified theory ofthe universe.

A professor of physics andmathematics at Columbia University,Greene is the best-selling author of“The Elegant Universe,” a 2000Pulitzer Prize finalist.

Ambassador: SpainSupport Correct in IraqiConflict

Javier Rupérez,Spanish ambassador tothe United States,discussed Spain’ssupport of the U.S.military campaign todisarm Iraq at St. Mary’s. Rupérez, agraduate of Marianistprimary and secondaryschools in Madrid,presented “Democracyand Terrorism: A

Spanish Perspective.”

Exploring America’sRole in the World

The Spring 2003 President’s PeaceCommission program explored “TheRole of the United States in theWorld” with panel discussions on U.S.foreign policy, the war on terrorism,human rights and weaponsproliferation.

Popular among the discussions was“Trafficking in Persons: News fromthe U.S. State Department,” led byState Department senior adviser LauraLederer, who focused her presentationon the trafficking of women andchildren.

N E W SF R O M A R O U N D T H E G R O V E

Compilationof MarianistBiographiesAvailable

Brother HerbertJanson, S.M., hascompiled the biographiesof the 162 Marianistswho are buried in theMarianist cemetery at

St. Mary’s. The history rich 360-page book,“Marianists In God’s Acre,” is available for$20 from Janson, who can be contacted at(210) 436-3730.

Marianists Honor Velazquez,Kuebker, Student Leaders

Ileana Velazquez (second from right) of theSchool of Law’s Center for Legal and SocialJustice, and Candace Kuebker (second fromleft), director of special events and Gold &Blue editor in the Office of UniversityCommunications, received the 2003 MarianistHeritage Awards. Given by the MarianistForum each year, recipients are recognized fortheir dedication and faithfulness to theMarianist charism and to the Catholic andMarianist education mission and tradition atSt. Mary’s. Marianist Student LeadershipAwards also were presented to third-year lawstudent John Gill, right, and senior LynetteValdez, left, while senior Gus Segura, center,received the Carl Fitzgerald Scholarship.

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Alumni Laud SixDistinguished FacultyMembers

The St. Mary’s University AlumniAssociation honored faculty membersand recognized six professors forexcellence in teaching.

This year’s Distinguished Facultyare: Thomas Madison, Ph.D.,accounting, School of Business andAdministration; Andrea Berndt, Ph.D.,psychology, and Kevin Mongrain,Ph.D., theology, School of Humanitiesand Social Sciences; Mary Wagner-Krankel, Ph.D., mathematics, Schoolof Science, Engineering andTechnology; L. Wayne Scott, Schoolof Law; and Larry Hufford, Ph.D.,international relations, GraduateSchool.

Award-winning CampusCalendar Makes Accessa Breeze

Diamondback Days, the onlinecampus calendar, recently received asilver medal from the Council forAdvancement and Support ofEducation Circle of Excellence

Awards. The up-to-date calendar isavailable online at

www.stmarytx.edu/calendar. It also canbe accessed from the new St. Mary’shome page which debuted in Januarywith a crisp new look. Easier tonavigate, changes to the new Web sitereflect users’ comments receivedduring the past year.

Business and EducationJoin to LaunchCreditSmart Español

St. Mary’s was the host site of anews conference announcing thenational launch of the free consumercredit education campaign,CreditSmart Español. The newbilingual program–the brainchild ofFreddie Mac–targets Hispanicconsumers, the nation’s largest andyoungest population and the nation’sfastest-growing consumer group.

U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marinjoined Hispanic Association ofColleges and Universities PresidentAntonio Flores, St. Mary’s PresidentCharles L. Cotrell, and Freddie MacVice President Jim Park to announcethe program which will offer freeclasses to college students andcommunity members and focus onmaintaining strong consumer credit,with an emphasis on preparing themfor potential homeownership.

Marianists CelebrateJubilees

Ten San Antonio area members ofthe Society of Mary celebrated jubileesof their religious professions andpriestly ordinations in March. Thejubilarians honored for their years ofreligious life by the Marianist Provinceof the United States included: the Rev.Paul Ryan, 70 years; Brother JosephBarrett, 60 years; Brothers CletusBehlmann, Louis Ernst and RichardSchrader, and the Revs. ConradKaczkowski and James Mueller, 50years. Also celebrating their silversacerdotal were: the Revs. GeraldHammel, John Kobuka and EugeneSweeney.

Mock Trial Teams WinNational Regionals

Third-year law students won theregional tournament of the NationalMock Trial Competitions aftercapturing the Lone Star Classic MockTrial tournament last fall.

St. Mary’s students AndieChampagne, Austin Poda and CraigSaucier defeated a team from Baylor toclaim victory in the regionalcompetition, sponsored by theAmerican College of Trial Lawyersand the Texas Young LawyersAssociation at Baylor Law School inFebruary.

Practicing trial lawyers and sittingjudges from Dallas, Austin and CentralTexas judged the competition in whichmore than 80 students from 10 lawschools in Texas and Louisianaparticipated.

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Newsmakers

New Officers, TrusteesNamed to St. Mary’sBoard

Jack Biegler (B.B.A. ’67), presidentof EllisonManagementLLC, has beennamed chairmanof the St. Mary’sUniversity Boardof Trustees.Ruben M.Escobedo(B.B.A. ’60), aSan Antoniocertified publicaccountant, is thenew board vicechairman. Bothassumed theirnew leadershipduties June 1.

Ronald J.Herrmann (B.B.A. ’57, J.D. ’59),chairman of Columbia 300 Inc., waselected to the Board of Trustees in

November to servea two-year term.Other new trustees,whose terms began

Charity CowBrother Cletus Behlmann, S.M., painted what hehopes to be a cash cow for the American Cancer Society. The “Ala-moo Town Cow”was part of the annual Cow Parade, an auction to raise funds for the fight againstcancer. Brother Cletus’ cow featured line drawings of several San Antonio attractions such as the Torch of Friendship, the Alamo, the Bexar County Courthouseand St. Mary’s University.

www.stmarytx.edu/calendar

BIEGLER

ESCOBEDO

St. Mary’s UniversityAlumni Association2003 DistinguishedAlumni (left toright): Robert A.“Bobby” Corbo(B.B.A. ’65),president and ownerof Corbo Electric Co.Inc.; The Hon. AlmaL. Lopez (B.B.A. ’65,J.D. ’68), chiefjustice of the 4thCourt of Appeals;and Robert A.Kiolbassa (CL ’58),president/owner ofKiolbassa ProvisionCo.

June 1, 2003,include: JusticeKaren Angelini(J.D. ’79), theLaw AlumniAssociation’srepresentativeserving a one-year term;Marianistrepresentatives tothe board theRev. TimothyEden, S.M.,Ed.D., assistantprofessor ofeducation andtheology atChaminadeUniversity ofHawaii, andBrother VictorForlani, S.M.,D.B.A., lecturerin management atthe University ofDayton, bothserving two-yearterms; and TimHandren (B.A.’95), senior vicepresident ofenterprisebusinessoperations atUSAA, serving atwo-year term.

CotrellServeson EthicsPanel

President Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D.,recently served as vice chairman of theCommittee on Integrity and Trust inLocal Government, a panel formed bySan Antonio Mayor Ed Garza afterfederal and state indictments wereissued against elected local officialsand lobbyists.

Cotrell also served as chairman ofthe Campaign Finance ReformSubcommittee.

The committee completed its reportin late January and gave the SanAntonio City Council a set ofrecommendations that could changecity government and restore the publictrust.

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Weik Named Directorof University Ministry

The Rev. Terry P. Weik, S.M., hasbeen appointed director of UniversityMinistry. Weikwas interimdirector ofCampusMinistry, nowdesignated asUniversityMinistry toreflect a largerministry to theentire University community.

A native of Philadelphia, Pa.,Weik’s ministerial experience includesparish ministry, youth ministry, highschool teaching, retreats and campusministry.

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Good Deeds

Nine Gifts Close inon $1.8 Million

The generosity during the past yearof individuals, foundations, estates andassociations has netted St. Mary’sclose to $1.8 million in major gifts.

Trustee Charles T. Barrett Jr.(B.B.A. ’62) has made a gift of$350,000 to fund a bell tower oncampus to be named in honor of hismother.

The St. Mary’s University AlumniAssociation presented gifts totaling$271,000 which will benefit studentscholarships and faculty professionaldevelopment, among other programs.

A $200,000 gift from the Albert andMargaret Alkek Foundation will help

fund the SBC Center forInformation Technology,due to open in September.

The San Antonio-basedMinnie Stevens PiperFoundation has given$135,000 for threeprograms: the SBC Centerfor Information Technology($25,000); the LatinaLetters annual conference($5,000); and $110,000 tothe School of Science,Engineering andTechnology for aprototyping anddevelopment laboratory.Similarly, the ZachryFoundation has donated

$105,000 for that laboratory in whichstudents can initiate designs fromconception to implementation.

The Estate of William C. Schell(B.S. ’52) has made a more than$107,000 unrestricted gift that hasbeen earmarked for the University’sbeautification project.

The Houston law firm of Beirne,Maynard & Parsons, LLP, has given$100,000 to the St. Mary’s LawJournal to fund publicizing the AnnualLaw Journal Symposium. MartinBeirne (J.D. ’69) was founding editorof the St. Mary’s Law Journal.

The San Antonio Bar Associationmade a gift of $66,500 to help fund theHippo Garcia Scholarship Fund.

And, finally, the Estate of M.Dorothy Barr has contributed $50,000to scholarships for students majoringin chemistry.

Business School Honors Alumni Edward Speed (B.B.A. ’70, M.A. ’86), second from left,president and CEO of Texas Dow Employees Credit Union, andRobert Boerner (B.B.A. ’49), right, were honored in lateFebruary as recipients of the Paul C. Goelz Award and theGeorge M. Kohnen Award, respectively. The awards recognizebusiness school alumni who distinguish themselves as businessand community leaders and entrepreneurs. President Cotrell andActing School of Business and Administration Dean Suzanne N.Cory, Ph.D., join honorees.

Garcia Scholarship Fund Reaches $100,000Proceeds from the installation dinner of San Antonio Bar AssociationPresident Van Hilley, center, were donated to the H.F. “Hippo” GarciaMemorial Scholarship Fund at the School of Law. Contributions fromGarcia’s family, the Law Alumni Association and individuals havebrought the endowed fund to $100,000. Marking the occasion withHilley are David Rodriguez (J.D. ’90), left, nephew of Garcia, and JoeCasseb (J.D. ’77).

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Alumni AssociationProvides Aidto Neighbors

The St. Mary’s University AlumniAssociation has donated $17,500 tofive West Side institutions andorganizations.

The donations, which will benefitthree neighborhood schools–includingHoly Rosary School adjacent to theUniversity campus–and a newlyformed University Park NeighborhoodAssociation, are a testament to theUniversity’s and Marianists’philosophy of community service.

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Spring Sports Corner

BasketballThe St. Mary’s men’s basketball

team rolled over the HeartlandConference to capture an automatic bidinto the NCAA Division II NationalBasketball Tournament.

The Rattler’s fell in the regionalround of the tournament to TarletonState University in Stephenville.The regional featured one ofthe strongest lineupsin the nation.NortheasternOklahoma StateUniversity won theSouth CentralRegional andeventually went onto win the NCAADivision II nationalcrown.

The Rattler’sfinished with a 17-13 record, in whatCoach Herman“Buddy” Meyer called a “two-partseason.” The boys limped out to a 2-9start, then caught fire and won 15 oftheir last 20 games to take theHeartland Conference Championship.

Coach Paige Clawson and theSt. Mary’s women’s basketball teamscorched most of their opponentsduring the 2002-2003 season. TheLady Rattlers finished with a 22-7record and played in the NCAADivision II National BasketballTournament. The team fell to AngeloState University in the first round ofregional action.

The Lady Rattlers took secondplace in the Heartland Conference.

Championship Pride

Rattler softball coach Donna Fields (front right) and graduate assistant coach Jessica Flores Peoples(front left) and the 2002 NCAA Division II softball champions show off their championship ringswhich they received on Feb. 15 during a special ceremony in Bill Greehey Arena.

Sorenson Family PromotesEducation ScholarshipsThe Sorenson family gathered with Marianistsat the third annual Endowed ScholarshipReception. Chris Sorenson (B.B.A. ’69) wasinstrumental in securing a $500,000 gift toestablish the Ruth W. Blume Scholarship Fundfor undergraduate students majoring insecondary education. Pictured are: (back row,left to right) Marianists Brother PaulMetzger, Brother Charles Cummiskey, the Rev.Norbert Brockman and Brother TerryO’Connor; (front row) Lauren (B.A. ’98),Renee, Chris and Kristen (B.A. ’00) Sorenson.

Oyster Bake Proceeds Benefit University2002 Fiesta Oyster Bake Chairman PatKlasing (B.B.A. ’71), left, and Ray Rodriguez(B.B.A. ’74), past Alumni Associationpresident, present President Charles L.Cotrell, Ph.D., with more than $271,000 forUniversity scholarships and programs. Thecheck was presented in December at the SanAntonio “Expanding Our Horizons” alumnireception held at the University’s originalpermanent site, now La Mansion del Rio Hoteldowntown.

University Promotes Higher Education St. Mary’s junior Kristal Garcia speaks with State Rep. Fred Brown,R-College Station, in Austin where a group of students, faculty andstaff met with various legislators to rally their support of highereducation and funding.

Post Season NATIONAL HONORSNCAA Division II Player of the Year: Kym Kling, softballAll-American First Team: Jillian Wyne, golf; Kym Kling, softballAll-American Second Team: Roni Garcia, softballAll-American Third Team: Jennifer Survant, softball; Ryan Hill, baseballAll-American Honorable Mention: Erin Griffin, basketball; Luke Antonelli, golf

REGIONAL HONORSSouth Central All-Region Second Team andRegion 6 All Region Team: Erin Griffin, basketballAll West Region: Jillian Wyne and Kate Meyer, golfAll West Region Coach of the Year: Cindy Krause, golfAll South Central Region: Luke Antonelli, golfSouth Central Region First Team: Brandon Roznovsky and Ryan Hill, baseball; RoniGarcia, Kym Kling and Jennifer Survant, softballSouth Central Region Second Team: Tiffani Craft and Kirtin Simmons, softballAcademic All-District VI Team: Brandon Roznovsky, baseball; Roni Garcia, softballAll-Regional Tournament Team: Roni, Garcia, Liz Hunt, Kym Kling and JenniferSurvant, softballAll-Regional Tournament Most Valuable Player:Kym Kling, softball

HEARTLAND CONFERENCE HONORSCoach of the Year: Donna Fields, softballPlayer of the Year: Kym Kling, softballFreshman of the Year: Ben McCain, basketball; Ryan Hill, baseball; TiffaniCraft, softballNewcomer of the Year: Neno Anguiano, basketballCo-player of the Year: Brandon Roznovsky, baseballAll-Conference First Team: Billy White, basketball; Erin Griffin and MarthaBrinker, basketball; Luke Antonelli, golfAll-Conference Second Team:

Ben McCain andPedro Brito,basketball; NenoAnguiano andMoesha Nash,basketball; SaareAdams and RyanVillareal, golfAll-Conference

Team: Christopher Westand Sonya Ortiz,tennis; BrandonRoznovsky, RyanHill, Ricky Bonilla,

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BaseballYouth is being served on the

St. Mary’s baseball team. The Rattlersreached a No. 10 ranking in NCAADivision II, and four of the top fivehitters on the team were freshmen andsophomores.

Freshman shortstop Ryan Hill, fromSan Antonio Reagan High School,

finished third in the nation inbatting average by hitting.451 with 15 homers.

The team battled tothe top spot in the

HeartlandConferenceduring theregular season,but fell in theconferencetournament,which washeld at V.J.Keefe Field inMay.

SoftballOnce again, the Rattlers won the

NCAA Division II South CentralRegional Softball Championship toadvance to the national finals.

In the regional, held at St. Mary’searly in May, the Rattlers beat TexasA&M-Kingsville once and AngeloState twice to win the tournament.

The women traveled to the NCAADivision II finals in Salem, Ore., todefend their national title May 15-19.

Although unsuccessful in winning asecond consecutive championship, theRattlers placed fourth in the nation in

NCAA Division II. Look for muchmore about their honors and exploitsin the fall issue of Gold & Blue.

GolfThe women’s golf team

advanced to the NCAADivision II National Golf

Finals May 14-18 in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.

The team earned theright to represent Texasin the national finals by

finishing second to NortheasternOklahoma State in the WestRegional. The Lady Snakes held aseven-stroke lead at the turn, but

couldn’t hold off the Northeasterncharge.

The St. Mary’s men’s golf teamshot 297 in the second round of theDivision II South Central GolfRegional Championship, but that wasonly good enough for a fourth placefinish in the rain-shortened event.

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grapple with underdevelopment. Butbeing poor in Cuba means somethingdifferent, something, well, better.

“I didn’t see poverty as I do inMexico,’” Mendoza said. “I definebeing poor as people begging whodon’t have food to eat every day, (whohave) no house, no job, dirty clothes.In Cuba I saw a better economicsituation. The basic necessities arecovered.

“The shoes: I found that veryinteresting. I didn’t see one personwithout shoes.”

Tourism Cornerstone of Cuba’sEconomic Strategy

Mendoza, 23, a junior internationalbusiness/international relations major,and his classmates spent March 14-23meeting with legislators, health careprofessionals and educators, as well asvisiting a tobacco farm and cigarfactory. They participated in agraduate-level business administrationcourse designed by visiting accountingprofessor Wayne Label.

Waiting to climb aboard a lightlyinsulated 30-seat Beechcraft for theone-hour flight from MiamiInternational Airport, the group wasnot unique. Half a dozen other licensedtour groups milled about near abaggage claim, where an unmarked,walled-off area allowed for inspectionsby U.S. agents, and for the tour agencywhich charted the Continental craft toissue handwritten boarding passes.

Treasury officials say the agencylicensed 25,000 visitors in 2002 –although in late March the agencyrestricted new licenses for non-academic “People To People”educational visas, which have beenfavored by alumni groups. Licenses fordirect programs of accrediteduniversities, such as the three-yearlicense St. Mary’s obtained, are notaffected.

Most individual Cubans strugglemightily to stretch their governmentsalaries and food rations, althoughhealth care, housing and educationremain free. The centralized

Up Closeand Personal:Visit to CubaOpens Eyesand Minds

by Bonnie Pfister

It was the shoes that impressedCarlos Mendoza most — the fact thateverybody had them.

During a recent week-long trip toHavana with 13 fellow students fromSt. Mary’s University, the Mexico Citynative could not help but compare andcontrast Cuba to his home.

Both welcome foreign visitors withfriendly curiosity, especially thosemaking at least attempts to speakSpanish. Both Latin American nations

St. Mary’s University student Candace McCormickspeaks with 4-year-old Yanet Sanchez on the

Malecón in Havana, Cuba.

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government legalized use of theU.S. dollar on the island in 1993,making tourism a cornerstone ofits economic strategy. Low-skilledjobs catering to foreigners havesince tantalized the island’sengineers, teachers and doctorswith the promise of better pay,often in hard currency.

“The U.S. dollar is now notonly the primary measure ofvalue, but also has replaced therevolution as (a) stimulus,” said JohnKavulich, president of the U.S.-CubaTrade and Economic Council in NewYork.

Giant steps have been takenrecently to weaken the 42-year-oldembargo. In 2001, the U.S. TradeSanctions Reform and ExportEnhancement Act allowed directcommercial export, on a cash-onlybasis, of food and agricultural productsto Cuba. Seventy American firms nowhave contracts to sell the island $91million in soybean products, rice, corn,beans and chicken.

While hotels, mining and citrusgroves are being developed in concertwith international investment, sectorssuch as education and the militaryremain off-limits.

Investors Look at Long-Term Gains“They only allow investment with

companies that are willing to playalong,” said Greg Johnson, who’spursuing a master’s degree ineconomics. Joint ventures between thestate and international firms mustemploy a certain number of Cubanworkers who are screened by agovernment agency set up for thispurpose.

The company pays the workers abasic Cuban salary – between $12 and$25 U.S. dollars a month – and keepswhat’s left for the general budget. “Nota bad cut for an employment agency,’’Johnson noted. “Their take cansometimes exceed 70 percent.’’

According to a 1998 academic casestudy, Spanish hotel chain Sol Meliá’s11 Cuban hotels, while only 4 percentof the chain’s international investment,represent 10 percent of the firm’searnings. That percentage has likelydeclined recently with the worldwidedownturn in tourism after 9-11.

But most investors are likelylooking beyond short-term gains,Johnson theorized.

“The fact that they are ‘firstmovers’ puts them in a position to takeadvantage when the Cubans decide toopen their economy or the embargo islifted,” he said.

Starbucks on the MalecónCulture and politics formed the

basis for most of the students’ insights.One morning they heard a briefing onWashington’s policy at the U.S.Interest Section’s bunkered offices,and several were plainly indisagreement. Later that day theysipped strong hot cafecitos around atable with a top official from theCuban foreign ministry.

Several questioned the U.S.official’s explanation of the embargo.

Typically, “every country looks outfor itself,” international relationsgraduate student Orlando Gutierrez,28, said later. “But Cuba is not thatimportant now. The level of rhetoric isout of proportion to any kind of threata realist might see.”

Havana’s functionary was alsopeppered with questions. As the islandembraces tourist-focused development,several students worried thatemblematic American franchises suchMcDonald’s would one day mar theMalecón, the city’s seaside promenade.

The official glided past suggestionsthat eventually development might notbe so centrally controlled. OtherCubans just laughed, recalled SaraCastillo, 21, who graduated May 10with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

“Starbucks on the Malecón; is thatreally a bad thing?” Castillo said. “Atthis point they would just be happywith the option of being able topurchase a cup of coffee fromStarbucks.

Castro Cracking Down“When the doors are open,

Americans are going to swarm to Cubalooking for business opportunities. IfCuba’s government is wise, they will

let its citizens have a chance tobuild before anyone else.”

But a series of reversals —several occurring during thestudents’ stay in Havana — havemade door opening appear moredistant than ever. The Castroregime arrested at least 70dissidents and independentjournalists the week of March 17.Nearly half of them have since

been convicted and sentenced insummary trials with prison terms of upto 27 years. Three Cubans whoattempted to hijack a ferry to Floridawere executed April 11. Others whosuccessfully rerouted two Cubaairliners to Florida in March are beingprosecuted in the United States.

Some observers theorize FidelCastro is cracking down now to avoidany further warming trends in thebilateral relationship. Absent theembargo, Cubans would better be ableto measure how much responsibility

Castro himself bears for the island’seconomic hardships.

Certainly, neither the political northe economic system quite work inCuba, Castillo said.

“Obviously, there must besomething wrong, or mothers wouldnot be sending their young children toask Americans like us for dollars orcandy,” Castillo said. “But it is not asbad as the U.S. media makes it out tobe. I saw people laughing, talking atCopelia (Park), and generally having agood time. I didn't see any peoplestarving. And I was looking.” n

Bonnie Pfister is a business writer for theSan Antonio Express-News, where aversion of this story first appeared.

Student Carlos Mendoza meets a street vendor in Havana.

St. Mary’s business professor Wayne Label, Ph.D., center, andstudent Gina McLeroy, left, speak with a Cuban student who isstudying U.S. geography.

10

Research as Teaching ToolI realized at the time students are

given a wealth of information thatultimately can be memorized for anexam and quickly forgotten, or used asa resource for acquiring moreinformation through research.Undergraduate research forced me toactually practice being a biologist. Inresearch, I was required to askquestions, design experiments, analyzeresults and plan my next course ofaction—not unlike methods we use toexplore and answer challenges andopportunities presented to us ineveryday life.

During my doctorate training I hadthe occasion to interact with a numberof undergraduate students in a role asmentor. It was during that time I beganto understand the importance ofundergraduate research as a learningand a teaching tool.

Not every student will experiencethe powerful impact undergraduateresearch had on my life. However, it isimportant to appreciate the benefitsboth faculty and students reap from theresearch experience, especially at asmall, private university likeSt. Mary’s.

Besides having the opportunity to

perform valuable research, facultymembers benefit from utilizingundergraduate assistants in their work,and are able to stay current in theirown field of study.

Students use material fromtextbooks and lectures and apply thatinformation to real world problems andquestions they help devise.

Undergraduates working in mylaboratory daily draw on informationfrom their biology courses to assistthem with their independent researchprojects. That research can providesufficient data for use in preparingabstracts for presentation at scientificmeetings, in preparing manuscripts forpublication in peer-reviewed scientificjournals, and in applying for new

Life’s Lessonsin the Bottom of a Test Tubeby Timothy Raabe, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

UndergraduatesImpactingResearchat St. Mary’s

ndergraduate research profoundly influenced my own personalcareer development. As an undergraduate biology major, I hadhopes and aspirations of one day becoming a medical doctor.

That all changed during the summer following my sophomore year incollege when I was awarded a research fellowship.

UAssociate Professor Timothy Raabe, Ph.D.,assists student researcher Belinda Floreswhile Esmeralda Lugo (far right) continueswork on cell development.

The growth factor studentresearchers at St. Mary’s arestudying plays an important role inthe life of the oligodendroglia byinfluencing their numbers, survivaland ability to produce myelin. Bybetter understanding the role of thisgrowth factor duringoligodendroglia development, wemay be able to use that informationfor further studies investigating thegrowth factor’s potential use as atherapeutic agent for the treatmentof multiple sclerosis.

Research and Real LifeThis ultimate goal is extremely

exciting for students because theycan provide answers to questionsthat may help to provide atreatment and alleviate the sufferingof individuals afflicted with thisincurable disease.

Student researchers not onlyutilize the information they gain fromtheir courses, but also can actuallycontribute to the body of knowledge byperforming individual research. This isan extremely powerful and motivatingforce that enables students toparticipate in and personalize theireducation at St. Mary’s.

I am hopeful undergraduateresearch will continue to thrive andgrow in other departments atSt. Mary’s so all of our students willhave the opportunity to experiencesome of life’s lessons whether it is atthe end of a questionnaire, in thesolution to a complicated mathematicalmodel, or even in the bottom of a testtube. n

Timothy Raabe, Ph.D., a Brookings, S.D.native, joined the St. Mary’s Universityfaculty in 1997. He earned both hisbachelor of science and master of sciencedegrees in biology from Southwest TexasState University, and his Ph.D. in zoology(physiology) from the University of Texasat Austin (1995). Raabe received theSt. Mary’s Alumni Association 2002Distinguished Faculty Award.

11

sources of external funding fromgranting agencies.

Diabetic Neuropathy Focusof Student Research

In my neurophysiology course,and in many other advanced biologycourses, we discuss the normalfunction of neurons–thecommunicating cells in the nervoussystem–and problems that can arisewhen they stop functioningproperly.

One problem is called peripheralneuropathy, which is a general termused to describe disorders of theperipheral nerves, or nerves outsideof the brain and spinal cord. Thereare many types and causes ofperipheral neuropathies, but themost common form in industrializedcountries like ours is a complicationof diabetes known as diabeticneuropathy. Given thepredisposition to diabetes in theHispanic population, this is especiallyimportant to many of our students whomay have a family member afflictedwith diabetes and diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy ischaracterized by numbness, weakness,tingling, and sometimes pain in thehands, arms, feet and legs. Theunderlying causes for diabeticneuropathy are not well understood,but they may involve a number offactors that contribute to the improperfunctioning–or lack thereof–of theperipheral nerves.

In our research laboratory, we buildon and extend this knowledge byinvestigating one possible factor thatcould contribute to the development ofdiabetic neuropathy. That factor is abreakdown in communication betweenthe neuron and the glial–orSchwann–cell that encompasses it andprovides myelin (insulation) aroundthe neuron.

Student researchers involved in theproject have shown an importantsignaling system between the two celltypes appears to be compromised. Thiscould produce detrimental effects suchas Schwann cell death and subsequentdemyelination–the loss of myelinaround the neuron–which could beresponsible for the onset of diabeticneuropathy.

Communication Between Cellsand Using Growth Factors

The development of the nervoussystem is another topic discussed inmany of our biology courses and alsois an area of research in my ownlaboratory.

For example, how do cells knowwhat they are going to be when theygrow up?

One answer relies oncommunication between cells, whichinvolves signals sent from one cell thatinfluence the development of anothercell. My lab is interested in the role ofone of these signals–a growthfactor–that initiates glial celldevelopment. Currently studentresearchers are analyzing thedevelopmental pattern of this growthfactor. Binding this growth factor to aspecific receptor provides signals to acell, directing it to become a glial cell.

By understanding the normalfunction of these molecules duringdevelopment, it may be possible to usethem to “rejuvenate” the nervoussystem following injury or disease.

For example, multiple sclerosis is ademyelinating disease that affects thebrain and spinal cord. The glial cellthat provides the myelin in the brainand spinal cord is called theoligodendroglia. In multiple sclerosis,those glial cells are destroyed and arenot sufficiently replaced.

By understanding the normal

function of these molecules during

development, it may be possible

to use them to “rejuvenate”

the nervous system following

injury or disease.

12

undergraduate students involved in thenew cross-disciplinary field ofbioengineering at St. Mary’s.

Lab Experience ComplementsClassroom Teaching

I believe teaching and researchshould complement each other. It isessential that I maintain knowledgeand skills related to the latest researchfindings in subjects I teach. It is key,

too, that these results be presented in amanner students can apply.

Since joining St. Mary’s four yearsago, I have led seven undergraduateengineering students in developmentphases of pioneering innovativereplacement hip stem fabrication.

Several years ago, St. Mary’salumnus James St. Ville, M.D.(B.A.’79), secured Department ofDefense (DOD) grants, and, with them,

Hip Stem Implants PresentResearch Challenge

Today, one of the most frequentlyperformed orthopedic surgeries is thereplacement of arthritic hip joints withhip stem implants. Although there havebeen great advances in extending thelife of artificial joints, the averageartificial hip lasts less than 13 years. Insome cases the hip loosens sooner thanthat, especially for younger and moreactive patients. Most implanted jointseventually loosen and require arevision. A loose replacement jointcauses pain, and once that painbecomes unbearable, anotherreplacement is likely required. As withother major surgeries, the potential forcomplications exists.

These and other concerns havemotivated me to pursue replacementhip stem bioengineering research to tryto resolve some of these problems. Thegoal is for patients to require only onereplacement hip stem in their lifetime.My research includes a team of

N O B O N E S A B O U T I T

A Clearer Picture AboutBioengineered Hip StemsUndergraduate Research in Bioengineering at St. Mary’sAlbert Y.T. Sun, Ph.D.,Assistant Professor of Engineering

n elderly man suffers fromchronic hip pain because ofdegenerative arthritis. He

walks only with difficulty and haslost most of his independence. Heturns to an orthopedic surgeon forhelp. A young woman cannot walkwithout intolerable hip pain causedby a high school basketball injury,and is restricted from any form ofathletics. Physical therapy,nonsurgical treatments and surgicalrepairs are unsuccessful. Herorthopedic physician suggests hipstem replacement surgery.

A

Assistant Professor of Engineering Albert Sun, Ph.D., left, explains research techniques to studentsCharles Alicea and Derrick Muschalek, right.

13

started Hawthorne & YorkInternational Ltd. (HYI). He then“subcontracted” severaluniversities–St. Mary’s, Arizona StateUniversity and Old Dominion, amongthem–to conduct research using hispatented Volumetrically ControlledManufacturing (VCM) concept, acritical technology emerging in theUnited States.

As on-site principal investigator(the DOD’s U.S. Army MedicalResearch and MaterielCommand supervises the overallproject), among project-relatedresponsibilities I hire students,purchase equipment, direct allphases of research, reportresearch findings to HYI, andserve as liaison to the DOD.

Our first research challengewas to create a more “user-friendly” artificial hip as there is,as St. Ville affirms, an urgentneed to improve upon those thatexist today. In clinics, eithermechanical failure (such asfracture), or bone cells rehealingor remodeling failure (such assurrounding bone loss), causesloosening of the joint.

Our research team adopted VCM totackle the problems.

Designing Recipesfor Improvement

What we tried to do could beconsidered a recipe. Someone with thebasics of culinary art can preparealmost any meal, given a detailedrecipe. Of course, the outcomes mayvary depending upon the talents of thecook. Cooking is an art and, like otherarts, a little magic “touch” caninfluence the final result.

Our team, then, plays the role of amaster chef who begins without awritten recipe, but must create one. Wemust determine the number ofingredients to put into the dish, at whattemperature to cook it, how long eachstep in the process takes, and just whento stir the mixture. With createdrecipes, we can reproduce elaboratedishes.

Basically, hip stems can be made oftwo kinds of materials: metallic, liketitanium alloy and cobalt chrome, andnonmetallic, such as composites andceramic. Metallic hip stems are sorigid that the body can experienceunphysiologic stresses, causing theadjacent bone to remodel, which leadsto loosening of the joint. Compositehip stems also have a drawback called

delamination phenomena, whereby thestructure may separate, causingmechanical failure of the joint.

Working with the HYI engineers,our team’s role in the successfulapplication of the VCM concept for theDOD, is to determine key parametersin the midst of many factors:

– synthetic materials selection toimprove the biocompatibility of thenew hip stem;

– three dimensional design to

resemble the mechanics of a humanfemur (thighbone); and

– experimental designs involvingthe control of the optimum process thatincludes molding setup andtemperature, pressure, and timecontrols to produce a desired new hipstem.

We successfully prototyped a fiber-reinforced construction to provideroom for the ingrowth of fresh bonetissue which fixes the implant in thebone. The mechanical properties ofthis new design should achieve a betterperformance than traditional hip stems.The success is attributed to the newdesign that has the ability to beplastically deformed withoutmechanical failure.

As a result, we developed severalrecipes for different designs. We flewto the HYI headquarters in Phoenix todemonstrate the fine “touch” on theprocess of fabricating new hip stems. Ithas been evaluated at many levels inthe DOD, and our St. Mary’s team hasmet and exceeded project expectations.

Our second challenge has been tointegrate our VCM work with twoother critical technologies recognizedby the DOD, namely, Smart Materialsand MEMS (micro-electro-mechanicalsystems). Currently, we are focusingon process flow automation as the thirdphase.

Students Contribute to Body ofKnowledge

It has been my pleasure to workwith students on the project. They havecontributed to the body of knowledgenecessary for the research by applyingwhat they have learned from theirengineering courses. I have been ableto incorporate research findings intocourse development, allowing studentsto relate real-world applicationsbeyond textbook information.

With our research, we haveimplemented a cumulative baseof scientific knowledge fromseveral disciplines includingmathematics, engineering,physics, chemistry and biology.Undergraduate research trainsstudents to become disciplinedand mature critical thinkers.

Bioengineering also hasbenefitted the students throughpromising opportunities. CesarCoro (B.S. ’02), was hired byHYI, and Jessica Stack, anindustrial engineering student,

works as a researcher at SouthwestResearch Institute.

Because our bioengineeringresearch has worldwide significance insynthetic material development, it willimpact medicine, and the aerospace,automotive, and military fields, amongothers. Our undergraduate researchers,through this invaluable learningopportunity, can gain a competitiveedge in what is certain to be a globallycompetitive field of research anddiscovery. n

Albert Sun, Ph.D., received his bachelorof science degree in industrialengineering from National TaipeiUniversity of Technology (Taiwan), beforemoving to Ohio where he earned both hismaster’s degree (with concentration onapplied automation), and doctorate (withconcentration on manufacturing systems)in industrial engineering from theUniversity of Cincinnati. James St. Ville,M.D. (B.A. ’79), honored with theSt. Mary’s Distinguished Alumnus Awardin 1999, continues to support theUniversity by providing grant-fundedresearch opportunities to students andfaculty.

Prototype of fiber-reinforced hip stem.

14

I began teaching international relations in 1990, just as the United States wasresponding to Iraq’s attack and occupation of Kuwait. It was an exciting time to beexploring world politics and the students were highly motivated to learn about theinternational arena.

They could see that events outside the borders of the United States could have adirect impact on their lives. The quick and relatively easy defeat of the Iraqi forcesand liberation of Kuwait led to a long period in the 1990s where student interest ininternational affairs dropped, reflecting thegeneral trend in the population at large.

Despite wars in the Balkans, the genocidalviolence in Rwanda and the numerous civil warsthat erupted on the African continent, themajority of people in the United States basked inthe afterglow of the end of the Cold War and thedemise of the Soviet Union.

FullKnowledgeNecessaryin Waron Terror by Leona Pallansch, Ph.D.,Graduate Program Director,Political Science

15

Greater UnderstandingThat changed on Sept. 11, 2001.

One thing I said then, have repeatedoften, and continue to believe, is thatwe cannot understand the terroristattacks of Sept. 11 withoutunderstanding the context for thoseattacks. How can we respond toterrorism and stop terrorists if we donot have full knowledge of whatmotivates them?

Osama bin Laden, the man believedbehind the Sept. 11 attacks, cites threereasons why all devout Muslimsshould declare war against the UnitedStates and its allies: the presence ofU.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, the U.S.-supported sanctions against Iraq, andthe continued U.S. support of Israel.Many people in the United States donot understand why these accusationsarouse such passion and anger.

For the sake of greaterunderstanding, not justification, eachof these issues must be explored.

The United States sent troops toSaudi Arabia in August 1990 tospearhead an international response tothe Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. After thePersian Gulf War, the United Stateskept 5,000 troops in the country tomaintain stability in the region and forthe security of the Saudi regime. BinLaden interpreted our militarypresence there as an affront to Islam,and the Saudi government’sacquiescence to this presence asfurther proof of its corruption and un-Islamic nature. He was expelled fromSaudi Arabia in 1991 and hiscitizenship was revoked in 1994.

Bin Laden’s second charge leveledagainst us relates to the continuedeconomic sanctions against Iraq. WhenIraq invaded Kuwait, the first responseof the United Nations Security Councilwas to pass a resolution barring allfinancial transactions between Iraq andany member country. With Iraq’sdefeat in 1991, the Security Councilpassed Resolution 687, calling for thecontinuation of economic sanctionsuntil Iraq rid itself of all weapons ofmass destruction and ceased allattempts to develop and produce suchweapons.

History of IraqFor nearly 400 years, the country

we call Iraq was part of the OttomanEmpire. It was not governed as a single

entity, but was ruled as three separateprovinces, and even then, control overthe people seldom extended beyond themajor city of each province. Iraq’spresent day borders were establishedthrough a negotiated compromisebetween France and Great Britain afterthe defeat of the Ottomans in WorldWar I.

The sources of political instabilityin Iraq are many. It is a dividedcountry in terms of religion, ethnicityand economics. As a consequence ofmounting political conflicts, themonarchy that was instituted afterWorld War I was overthrown in 1958.Political instability continued until1968 when the Ba’th party took controlof the government. The creation of tworadical Syrians, the Ba’th is a secular,socialist party emphasizing landredistribution and an end to socialinequality. At one time, it also calledfor the unification of all Arab people,but this has been modified as a call forunity of Arab support behind issuesaffecting the Arab people.

Saddam Hussein brought stability toIraq through ruthless repression of alldissent. During the 1980s, while at warwith Iran, he was accused of usingbiological and chemical weaponsagainst the Kurds and the ShiiteMuslims for their opposition to his ruleand supposed support of Iran. It wasduring this time that the U.S. StateDepartment removed Iraq from its listof terrorist countries, thus opening thedoor for arms shipment to Iraq.Remember, Iran was seen as a threat toU.S. interests in the region.

Finally, bin Laden’s third chargeagainst the United States involves oursupport of Israel. Since its creation in1948, Israel has been viewed by manyin the Arab Middle East as a foreignentity and an example of continuedWestern imperialism. These ideas stemfrom the manner in which Israel cameinto existence.

A Complex RegionThe territory of Palestine was

designated as part of the Britishmandate after World War I, again as aresult of negotiated settlementsbetween the French and the British.Two peoples made competing claimsto the land, the Jews and the ArabPalestinians. Unable or unwilling to

resolve the issue, the problem wasturned over to the newly createdUnited Nations after World War II.The General Assembly of the UnitedNations voted to partition the land andcreate two states–one Jewish, onePalestinian. On May 15, 1948, theSoviet Union and the United Statesrecognized the state of Israel.

The Palestinian Arabs and otherArab countries of the Middle East didnot accept that vote. Thus began thefirst of many wars among these people,which have led to displacement of thePalestinian people and expansion ofIsrael’s borders.

After the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991, there was a period of optimismwhen there were attempts to resolvethe Israeli-Palestinian-Arab conflict atMadrid and Oslo. Unfortunately,negotiations broke down and violencereturned in the fall of 2000 in the formof violent protests among thePalestinians, violent military responsefrom Israel, and random terroristattacks against Israeli citizens.

The Middle East is a complexregion that many find difficult tounderstand. However, the terroristattacks of Sept. 11 vividly demonstratethe importance of seeking completeknowledge about the roots of the manyproblems confronting this part of theworld. n

Leona Pallansch, Ph.D.,is an expert in MiddleEast politics andinternational relations.The associate professorof Political Science

arrived at St. Mary’s University in 1998after teaching for several years atAllegheny College in Pennsylvania.Pallansch earned her doctorate in 1995from the University of NorthCarolina–Chapel Hill.

16

One of the first things thatimpressed John Cornyn whenhe moved to the nation’scapital to become the first U.S.

senator from San Antonio was thepolitically charged culture thatpermeates the atmosphere inside theBeltway.

“There is a huge cultural dividefrom Texas to Washington, D.C.,” he

says. “I now understand why peopletalk about what happens inside theBeltway as opposed to the rest of thecountry. It is intensely focused onpolitics and who’s winning and who’slosing.”

Living Up to the LegacyAt the same time, Cornyn, a 1977

graduate of the St. Mary’s UniversitySchool of Law, is inspired to hold thesame seat in the Senate previously heldby such Texas luminaries as SamHouston in 1846, and later Lyndon

Baines Johnson and John Tower.Cornyn joined that esteemed fraternitywhen he beat former Dallas MayorRon Kirk last fall to succeed PhilGramm as one of the two Texassenators.

He relishes the challenge, however,of living up to the legacy of those whoserved before him. “Right after I gothere, one of my colleagues told me that

joining the Senate is like joining agreat university.”

He also takes pleasure inrepresenting San Antonio in thenational arena. “One of the great thingsabout being from San Antonio is that itrepresents the Texas of the future.There is great tradition and history inSan Antonio. It is so tied up withMexico, and the Hispanic cultureseems like a perfect harmoniousmelding of cultures,” he says, addingthat while he no longer has a home in

San Antonio, his mother does “so I stillconsider San Antonio my home.”

Cornyn, 51, credits St. Mary’s andseveral of its law professors withproviding the solid foundation thatenabled him to pursue his career goals.

Professors Influence Career“St. Mary’s had a great reputation

as a lawyer’s law school, where youcould learn what you needed to do toenter the legal marketplace and beprepared from the beginning to useyour degree,” he says. He was namedthe St. Mary’s Distinguished LawSchool Graduate in 1994.

And he used those skills as a statedistrict judge, state Supreme Courtjustice and Texas attorney generalbefore moving to Washington.

Cornyn fondly remembers formerlaw school Dean James Castleberrywho “was a fantastic property law andoil and gas professor” and professorCharles Cantu “who I did someresearch for and is a good friend” asjust a couple of teachers whoinfluenced his career.

The freshman senator is quicklylearning other aspects of life onCapitol Hill.

Learning the Ropes“Being in the Senate is a challenge.

I quickly learned that your schedule isnot your own. There are a lot ofdemands on you that you have nocontrol over.”

Cornyn is on the Senate JudicialCommittee, which he calls one of thetoughest committees in the Senate. Hecites the hearings on potential Court ofAppeals appointments: “The Senate ispretty much divided. It is a real contestto get these decided,” he says.Cornyn also is on the Armed ServicesCommittee, and recently toured 10 ofthe 17 active military installations inTexas in preparation for the next roundof Base Realignment and Closure.

“We visited with some formerPOWs and looked at the contributionsthe bases are making. I wanted to getthe full measure of that before the nextround of BRAC hearings so we canmake sure (closing Texas bases)doesn’t happen.”

While Cornyn deeply appreciatesthe historic significance of the seat henow occupies, he is eagerly learninghow to navigate the intricacies of theSenate and the politics surrounding it

Cornyn Relishes Challengesof Senate Legacyby Rob Leibold

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (J.D. ’77)joins President George W. Bush on

Air Force One.

17

HOMECOMING 2003

April was chock-full of activities focused on alumni, from the Distinguished Alumni

Dinner which made a return to Homecoming Weekend (after being held in the fall for

the past decade), to school reunions, to the ever-popular “Baby Bake.” In all more

than 7,000 members of the St. Mary’s family – young and not-so-young alike –

enjoyed the festivities.

18

he Rev. James A. Young, S.M., Ph.D., who helpedestablish the Marianist Trust which reached $7 million anddonated funds to the University and scholarships to its

students, was St. Mary’s eighth president.Young died Dec. 16, 2002, at the Marianist Residence. He

was 87 and in the 70th year of his religious profession in theSociety of Mary.

His presidencyfrom 1973 to 1981was distinguished bya major campusbuilding program,says the Rev. John A.Leies, S.M.,Theology departmentchairman, who wasYoung’s assistant forseveral years whenthe former presidentwas provincialsuperior.

“He was verysupportive of thebusiness school andentrepreneurship. Hecollaborated with(Brother) Paul Goelzto secure the businessbuilding from AlbertB. Alkek. He alsoworked with thebusiness communityto set upentrepreneurialprograms at theschool,” Leies says.

James AnthonyYoung was bornSept. 10, 1915, inMadison, Wis. Theonly boy in a familywith six sisters,Young becameacquainted with theMarianist vocation recruiter for the St. Louis Province while astudent at Holy Redeemer grade school. In 1929 he became apostulant at Maryhurst in Kirkwood, Mo., where he continuedhis studies and religious formation.

After college studies at Maryhurst and St. Mary’s, he earneda bachelor’s degree in Latin from St. Mary’s in 1936. He thentaught religion, English, Latin, social studies and algebra atseveral high schools, including Central Catholic in San Antonio,and McBride and Coyle (now Vianney) in St. Louis, amongothers. In addition, he coached football, baseball and served asathletic director.

Young began his seminary studies at the Catholic Universityof America in Washington, D.C., and continued at St.Meinrad’s Abbey in Indiana, where he was ordained in 1945.He received his Ph.D. in 1961 from the University of Texas atAustin.

A key assignment came in 1953 when Young was assignedto St. Mary’s to teach in the philosophy department. In 1957 hewas appointed academic vice president-dean of faculty andduring that time, he drafted his “Academic Blueprint,” whichcharted the University’s future growth and development andwould become his legacy.

From 1961 to 1971, Young was the Provincial Superior ofthe St. Louis Provinceand chairman of theSt. Mary’s UniversityBoard of Trustees. Hereturned to St. Mary’sto teach in 1972 andwas appointedpresident of theUniversity in 1973.Following his last termin office, he remainedat the University until1984, when he wasassigned to NolanCatholic High Schoolin Fort Worth.

St. Mary’sUniversity honoredYoung as PresidentEmeritus (1981) andDistinguishedAlumnus (1994)because of hisexceptional dedicationto St. Mary’s.

Leies says Youngalso was dedicated tothe Society of Mary,often saying: “I don’twant to refuse God orthe Society of Maryanything.”

“He acceptedresponsibilities thatentailed worries andanxieties but he did itas part of the overall

design of his life and dedication,” says Leies.Remembered for his shock of white hair, serene smile,

gentility and warmth, Young always enjoyed social interactionwith his brothers, former students, academic colleagues and themany friends he made over the years. “He was always gracious,a gracious host and affable to his colleagues,” says FayBourgeois, director of operations at the Marianist Residence.“He was very socially oriented. He even held that in hisdisease,” she says.

Young suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and retired to theMarianist Residence on the St. Mary’s University campus–hisfavorite home–in 1999. n

A Former President’s Legacy

by Anastasia Cisneros-Lunsford (B.A. ’92), Publications Writer, and Stacy Maloney (M.A. ’93), Director of Media Relations

T

In Closing

Junior Kym Kling,seen here at the NCAA

Division II National

Championships in Salem,

Ore., was named first-

team All-American and NCAA

Division II Softball Player of the Year for

2003. Kling, who hails from San Antonio's

Marshall High School, led the team in

pitching with a 31-3 regular season

record. She also led the team in

hitting during the regular season

with a .407 batting average, eight

homeruns and 53 RBIs. The

Rattlers finished No. 4 in the

country for 2003.

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