Arizona Alumni Magazine | Arizona Alumni Association

Select Issue

In This Issue Summer 2020

Look for the ‘A’ Around the Globe

The University of Arizona is launching Global Campus locations in 34 countries across five continents, partnering with top universities to provide educational opportunities to international students.

In Vogue Mask-Making

University of Arizona community members have found purpose during the COVID-19 pandemic through making masks to donate and sharing mask-making tips with others.

I Dream in Widescreen: Senior Capstone Goes Digital

Scott Weber is a revered Hollywood sound artist. In March, he got a last-minute assignment he never could have anticipated: He was enlisted to work on the sound for 14 short movies created by senior BFA film majors in the University of Arizona’s School of Theatre, Film & Television.

Tackling the Pandemic

BIO5 researchers representing seven colleges will use seed funding from the Technology and Research Initiative Fund, or TRIF, to understand the life cycle of the novel coronavirus, identify potential treatments and create patient databases to expand understanding of the disease.

Tracking Coronavirus

Researchers at the University of Arizona Water and Energy Sustainable Technology Center are testing wastewater across the country to trace the prevalence of coronavirus in communities and to help public health officials prepare for the future.

Makers Provide Personal Protective Equipment

As the national stockpile of personal protective equipment ran dry and manufacturers strained to fill demand during the pandemic, University of Arizona faculty and staff stepped up to help fill local needs.

Test, Treat and Trace

The University of Arizona began analyzing blood samples from hundreds of thousands of Arizonans in late April to determine who had been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 and developed antibodies against it.

Timely Teamwork

You could say Leslie Wolfe Brown knows a bit about teamwork. Her pitching helped propel the Wildcats to a women’s softball national championship. Later, she played professional ball with the Arizona Heat.

Fueling Wonder 360 Initiative

The 360 Initiative launched in November with a goal to unite the University of Arizona and its supporters in a meaningful vision — to grow a partnership that better meets the needs of today’s students.

10x10: 10 Wildcats Who are Sustaining Wonder

For the 10th summer in a row, we introduce you to 10 alumni who graduated 10 years ago and remain connected to the University of Arizona.

‘Canta y No llores — Sing, Don’t Cry’

In 2018, New York City hired a charismatic new chancellor of schools. Richard Carranza ’91 arrived with a set of mariachi guitars and a plan to disrupt old priorities in a largely segregated system with large Hispanic and black populations.

Helping Students When They Need It Most

When businesses closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many University of Arizona students lost their jobs. Some needed to find alternate housing or faced new child care costs. The Fuel the Response crowdfunding campaign began quickly to help students.

The Power of Thank You

Through the Gratitude Project, an initiative offered by the University of Arizona’s Student Success & Retention Innovation, students, staff and faculty members can send personalized thank-you notes to other members of the university community.

Learning Curve

Brad Butler ’90 ’94 has an insatiable hunger for new experiences and endless learning. And for wounded soldiers, COVID-19 patients and members of the Phoenix community, that’s a very good thing.

Cultivating Compassion

Leslie Langbert, the center’s executive director, also teaches Cognitively Based Compassion Training in classes open to the community.

A Letter from President Robert C. Robbins

Well-Being and a Touch of Empathy

Biking, walking and regular exercise are doctor recommended for maintaining health and wellness, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Fostering Success

The University of Arizona’s Fostering Success program is growing quickly. Since the peer mentoring program launched as a pilot with six students in fall 2017, participation has increased to 71.

Wildcat Connector

It is an honor to celebrate the accomplishments of Melinda Burke ’75 ’81, who served the University of Arizona Alumni Association from 2011 until her retirement in June. As president of the Alumni Association, Burke connected Wildcats around the world and galvanized alumni to come together to support the university.

Celebration of Black Lives

Approximately 3,000 people attended a Celebration of Black Lives, June 6, on the University of Arizona Mall.

OSIRIS-Rex Mission: Asteroid Sample to be Collected in October

After more than a decade of work, the University of Arizona-led OSIRIS-REx mission will swipe a sample from the Nightingale sample site on asteroid Bennu’s rocky surface Oct. 20.

The University of Arizona Earns Strong Marks in International Rankings

The University of Arizona was named one of the top 30 public universities in the U.S. by the Center for World University Rankings and QS World University Rankings.

Alex Reynoso ’74 checked off another bucket list item after touring South Africa. Here, he’s pictured with Nelson Mandela’s image on the former military fort wall after taking an enlightened tour of the famed Constitution Hill Museum in Johannesburg.

Future Wildcat Conor Andrew Nemeth was born in February 2019 to Forever Wildcats Andrew Nemeth ’01 and Ashley Nemeth. Conor resides in South Bend, Indiana, with his brothers, Declan and Sean.

Cami and Sean McDowell ’03 recently welcomed future Wildcat Beckett McDowell to the world. Beckett is the first recipient of the Wildcat for Life gift bag at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson.

Three Arizona Wildcats met at Cortina’s Italian Deli in Anaheim, California. All three graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 1970. From left: Al Manack ’70, Sam Pinterpe ’70 and Al Scorsatto ’70.

Daniel Stephens ’79 was inducted as a member of the National Academy of Engineering. He is recognized internationally for his innovations in vadose zone and groundwater hydrology, which have contributed substantially to scientists’ understanding of the vadose zone and its role in replenishing and protecting our aquifers.

Dimitrios Alexiou ’96 and his three future Wildcats recently took a trip to the Grand Canyon. From left: Zaza, Zoe and George dressed in their favorite Wildcat gear for the trip.

Doug Hoffmann ’82 was recognized as the Minnesota PGA Golf Professional of the Year for 2019 in a ceremony at Target Field in Minneapolis. Doug is a PGA Master Professional and the director of rules and competitions for the Minnesota Golf Association.

Habib Pierce-Byrd ’02 is proud to be a Wildcat. He has been a staff attorney at Four Rivers Indian Legal Services since 2005 representing low income members and residents of the Gila River Indian Community. Here, he is pictured with his wife, Miral Sigurani ’03, also a University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law alumna, and their three children: Ari, Alena and Peja.

Samantha Bernau ’13 recently studied ongoing research projects such as radio tracking, cheetah conservation and ecosystem management as well as the design of school and community programs in Namibia. Samantha, a software engineer at IBM, lives in Tucson and is a graduate student in Miami University’s Global Field Program.

Tyler Mott ’08 and Judy Mott welcomed John Clinton Mott on June 1, 2019. John is well on his way to being a Wildcat fan like the rest of his family!

Photo Spotlight

Sunset over Tucson

Chris Richards photo

Contact the editor Submit a class note Advertising and sponsorship

Test, Treat and Trace

In This Issue Summer 2020

Paw Prints

Photo Spotlight

Sunset over Tucson