Torero Tidbits: USD Events in January; Save-the-Date for Spring Semester

Happy New Year, Toreros, and welcome to a new decade here in 2020. The University of San Diego wishes you all the best in the new year, especially those who resume academic activities — both studying abroad and on campus — during Intersession Jan. 6-24. Best wishes, too, to all School of Law students who begin spring semester classes Jan. 6. The spring semester for undergraduates and most graduate school programs begins Monday, Jan. 27.

Here’s a glimpse of some January events at USD and some save-the-date items for spring semester (and there's many more to come, so do a search and visit the respective school department, center, institute and program websites on sandiego.edu):

San Diego Basketball vs. Gonzaga women (Jan. 4), men (Jan. 9): West Coast Conference play has begun for the Torero men and women’s basketball teams and one of the key opponents year in, year out is Gonzaga. This season’s schedule sees USD host both Gonzaga teams, both nationally ranked, in early January. The women’s game is slated for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4 with USD facing the nation’s No. 17 team. The men’s game, an annual campus community attraction, is Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. Gonzaga, as of this writing, is the nation’s No. 1 ranked team. Both games will be played at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Get tickets for these games and all basketball games.

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday/USD Participation in San Diego’s 40th Martin Luther King Jr. Parade (Sunday, Jan. 19): The nation annually observes a holiday on the third Monday of January to honor Martin Luther King Jr. (his birthday is Jan. 15). There are no classes (law and intersession) that day on the USD campus. On Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 Downtown San Diego is hosting its 40th Martin Luther King Jr. parade which brings out a large local population, including students, athletics teams, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and families who represent USD. To participate in the parade with USD’s group, here is more information.

35th Nathaniel L. Nathanson Memorial Lecture (Jan. 22): The Honorable M. Margaret McKeown will deliver this year’s Nathanson Memorial Lecture in the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theatre beginning at 6 p.m. A reception follows at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but advance registration is required.

16th Annual Nonprofit Governance Symposium (Jan. 23-24): This open-to-the-public event, hosted by The Nonprofit Institute in USD’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences, which starts at 8 a.m. both days, highlights current best practices, lessons learned from the field, and trends in effective nonprofit and philanthropic board leadership, as well as board recruitment and retention. Governing well is essential for strong nonprofits working efficiently and effectively to address critical needs in our communities. Ticket prices vary as there are multiple options: Full Symposium (attending both days, $350), Thursday Only ($250) and Friday Only ($200). Register today!

Human Trafficking Solutions Summit, Jan. 29-30: The Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies and the USD School of Law will host a two-day solutions summit called, “Stopping Traffick: How Can USD Lead the Effort to End Human Trafficking.” Developing a campus-wide initiative to address this issue locally, nationally and globally is the objective. Conference organizers are looking for USD faculty, students, graduate students and alumni who are committed to developing a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding human trafficking. The conference is free to attend and registration is encouraged. For more information or to ask questions, please contact Beth Scott, a faculty support supervisor with the School of Law.

All-Faith Service (Jan. 30, 12:15 p.m., Shiley Theatre): The 27th annual All-Faith Service takes place on the USD campus with a welcoming environment for all to come to see, hear and learn about multiple religions. Representatives from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and indigenous bring and share their faith traditions and connect them to this year’s theme, “Be the Light Amidst Darkness: A Call to Action.”

Save-The-Date Events

Spring Alcalá Bazaar (Feb. 4): The beginning of the semester offers a one-stop space for students to discover many ways in which they can get involved or develop a new passion for something during their time at USD. The event runs 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Paseo de Colachis.

Career Development Center (events throughout spring semester): The Career Development Center hosts or co-hosts a wide range of events, everything from job and internship fairs, Torero Treks, bringing companies to campus for students to learn more about them, to services such as Resumania, Career Café, TEAM program, job skills training and so much more. Visit here for the list of Spring 2020 events.

Encuentro Espiritual (Feb. 14-16): The Encuentro Espiritual is an overnight retreat held at the Youth Center of the San Eugenio Parish in Tijuana Feb. 14-16, with Latinx students from USD and members of Pastoral Juvenil. The retreat is held entirely in Spanish, and include time for reflection and small group conversations about faith and spirituality, as well as a bonfire, mass, and delicious meals.

Lenten Journey 2020 (February 26-April 15): Open to undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff, this is “a five-week odyssey with a spiritual guide to be lived with eyes, hearts and minds wide open to God. Contact Fr. Robert Capone at rcapone@sandiego.edu or call 619-260-7419 for more information. Cost is $10 per person. Registration is due February 19.

Peace Innovators (Feb. 27): At Peace Innovators, six of USD's thought leaders share their stories about the impact they’re witnessing in the field, the insights they're gleaning, and their ideas for bringing us closer to solving the world's most important and difficult problems. View this year’s presenters and register now to reserve your seat at this free event in the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theatre.

Spring Break Week (March 2-6) and Easter Break (April 9-13) — No classes.

Search Retreat (April 17-19): The Search Retreat is an off-campus weekend designed for all who are longing for something more. The retreat is focused on reflecting on and building your relationship with yourself, with others, and with God by exploring various elements of the Christian faith including community, discipleship, forgiveness, prayer, and the body of Christ. Search includes student reflections, opportunities for quiet reflection in a beautiful setting, small group discussions, free time, and a variety of interactive community building activities.

Search Retreat (April 17-19): The Search Retreat is an off-campus weekend designed for all who are longing for something more. The retreat is focused on reflecting on and building your relationship with yourself, with others, and with God by exploring various elements of the Christian faith including community, discipleship, forgiveness, prayer, and the body of Christ. Search includes student reflections, opportunities for quiet reflection in a beautiful setting, small group discussions, free time, and a variety of interactive community building activities. 

Research Week (April 20-24): Research Week is a celebration of the many research activities at the University of San Diego. This multi-faceted showcase will focus on the importance of research at the university, and will include various events, open houses and demonstrations. Events are still developing, but it is a collaborative event hosted by the Office of the Provost and the Office of Sponsored Programs.

Creative Collaborations (April 21): This academic year’s spotlight on undergraduate student and faculty collaborative research takes place from noon to 2 p.m. in the Camino/Founders Patio and Courtyard. It is free for all to attend and the public is welcome to attend. This event is hosted each year by the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Spring Entrepreneurship/Innovation: The Venture Vetting (V2) Pitch Competition is April 23; The Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge USD Student Showcase is April 29 and the FGSIC global final is June 13. These events involve both USD students as well as students from around the country and internationally.

Art Exhibitions: Indigenous Protest Posters from AIM to DAPL (now through May 8, 2020), David W. May Gallery, Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall; Screenings 5: Susan Hiller (Jan. 27-March 20), Humanities Center, Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall. Hiller will be a guest speaker at a reception for her exhibition on Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Humanities Center.

Engineering and Computing Showcase (May 8): The Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering hosts its annual Engineering & Computing Showcase for the campus community and the public at large to visit the Belanich Engineering Center’s first floor to see the latest exciting student projects. Graduating seniors in computer science and electrical, industrial and systems, integrated and mechanical engineering present and demonstrate their final capstone design projects and simulation projects. 

May Commencement Ceremonies: The university’s Class of 2020 will be feted in multiple ceremonies in the month of May at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. School of Law’s graduates kick things off on Saturday, May 16. The first of two graduate school graduations — for those in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences and master’s programs in the Professional and Continuing Education area — is Sunday, May 17. The NROTC Commissioning Ceremony for new Ensigns (Navy) and Second Lieutenants (Marines) takes place on Friday, May 22. The Graduate Schools II graduation is Saturday, May 23; Two undergraduate ceremonies, one in the morning for the College of Arts and Sciences and another in the afternoon for both the USD School of Business and the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, are both on Sunday, May 24. Additional graduation recognition ceremonies take place in May, as well.

For additional upcoming events and happenings on campus, visit the USD website at sandiego.edu. For USD events open to the public, click here.

—Compiled by Ryan T. Blystone