The Commons: A gathering place for Seattle University faculty and staff

Congratulations to Wallace Loh, former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, on his appointment as president of the University of Maryland, College Park. Loh is currently serving as executive president and provost at The University of Iowa. During his nine years at SU, the College of Arts and Sciences experienced dramatic growth. He will take the helm at the University of Maryland in November.

Mary Kay McFadden, vice president for University Advancement, spoke with James Martin, S.J., during last month’s Jesuit Advancement Administrators (JAA) Conference at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. Fr. Martin is cultural editor of the national Catholic magazine America, a noted author and a frequent guest commentator on a number of national television and radio programs that run the gamut from "The O'Reilly Factor" to "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer" to "The Colbert Report." His most recent book is The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life (which, by the way, was one of the 40+ books on Father Steve's reading list last year). 

Martin was a featured speaker during the three-day JAA Conference, which drew 300 development and marketing professionals from the nation’s 28 Jesuit colleges and universities. McFadden helped kick off the gathering by participating in an opening panel discussion on “Fundraising in a New Paradigm: A Discussion On Recent Trends in Current-Use, Capital, and Planned Giving.”

"JAA" is an acronym we'll be hearing a bit more of in the coming months, as the university will host next year’s conference (July 10-12).

Seattle University was the site of the Green Innovation in Business Network's Solutions Lab 2010. Representatives from a diversity of industries and organizations participated in a dialogue on sustainable practices. Bon Appétit, Seattle University's food service provider, helped organize the gathering. Watch a video clip of SU Executive Vice President Tim Leary welcoming the group and speaking about the university's commitment to sustainability.

General Peter Chiarelli, '72, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, was interviewed on NPR about soldier suicides and drug abuse. Chiarelli is pictured here with President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., in April when he received the 2010 Alumnus of the Year Award. (Photo by Candace Shankel)