Editor's Blog

Congratulations to the women's basketball team for an outstanding and memorable season that included winning the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) regular season title, a trip to Las Vegas for their second consecutive NCAA post-season berth and a spot in the Women's National Invitation Tournament. 

Read more about the team and their amazing season here. 

Seattle University has selected Professor Jeanette Rodriguez, of theology and religious studies, as the 2013 McGoldrick Fellow. Professor Rodriguez is an accomplished teacher and scholar committed to those living on the margins.

Named for Father James McGoldrick, a legendary Jesuit who was known for his genuine care for students, the fellowship is awarded to faculty members who exemplify the values of Jesuit education and the spirit of Father McGoldrick.

Says President Sundborg, "Jeanette Rodriguez is precisely that kind of professor. She brings a great intellect and passion to her teaching, scholarship and service. Teaching in Arts and Sciences and the School of Theology and Ministry, she inspires her students not only to master the coursework, but to put their knowledge to use in building a more just and humane world."

Read more about Rodriguez and her work in The Commons.

Sue Schmitt, EdD, professor and former dean of Seattle University’s College of Education, has died. She was 66. Dr. Schmitt touched many lives during her remarkable career as an administrator, educator and scholar. A scholarship in her name has been established.

Read more about Dr. Schmitt and her life and legacy.

It’s lights, camera, action for Joanne Hughes-Clark, associate professor of physics (College of Science and Engineering), who recently filmed a commercial for Kayak.com. Check out this video clip of the professor discussing her work on the commercial.

Seattle University names former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan as the Vice President for Communications. McClellan will begin his appointment at the university on September 17, 2012. In his new role McClellan will be responsible for the creation, implementation and oversight of its communications and marketing strategy.  

“Scott is an accomplished media specialist and public affairs strategist who brings a wealth of communications experience to our university community,” says Father Sundborg. “We look forward to the many contributions he will make as we continue to elevate our regional, national and international profile.”                                                          

McClellan, whose family has a long history in higher education, said he recently started exploring leadership positions at universities for the same reason he first went to work in politics: to serve and make a positive difference in the world.  

Read more about McClellan and his new role and watch a video clip taken during a recent trip to campus.

Portia McGee, a member of the 2008 USA Olympic team, is the new head coach of women’s crew. A former USRowing Female Athlete of the Year, McGee is a two-time gold medalist and two-time silver medalist at the NCAA National Championships while at Brown University. Prior to coming to SU she was assistant director of development and alumni relations at Seattle’s Bush School. 


A Seattle native, McGee served as assistant coach of the women’s crew program at Brown from 2004-06.


“Portia is a terrific person to start our women’s rowing program,” said Athletic Director Bill Hogan. “Her Olympic experience in 2008 and long, highly successful rowing career will benefit our student-athletes. The Northwest has many talented rowers and we look forward to Portia building a strong program.”

Read more about Portia McGee here. 

Photo by Ken Johnson

Seattle University graduates of the class of 2012 celebrated their big achievement—graduating—in style.

Didn't make it to commencement? Check out highlights of Commencement weekend, from the brunch and baccalaureate Mass to the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies, in this photo gallery. 

Thanks to SU photographer Chris Joseph Taylor for the shots and to Mike Thee, internal communications editor, for putting it all together.

Graduating MBA students are proving that Seattle University does indeed create leaders for a just and humane world.  


The Campaign for the St. Ignatius School in Rwanda is an effort led by MBA students to support the construction of an elementary and secondary school in Rwanda, founded by Jean Baptiste Ganza, S.J., a Rwandan Jesuit at SU and 2012 graduate of the Albers MBA program. Father Ganza, featured in this video clip, has been an inspiration inside and outside the classroom.

Recently, SU MBA students threw a graduation party to celebrate their academic accomplishment and raise awareness—and dollars—to benefit the project. They exceeded their initial goal to raise $15,000 for the school, which will educate 750 students, including Hutus and Tutsis, learning together under one roof. This is an important achievement considering that more than 75 percent of Rwandans live below the poverty line and children, on average, receive just three years of schooling.

To learn more about the school and Fr. Ganza’s efforts, or to contribute, visit the St. Ignatius School Rwanda Campaign.

(Pictured: Father Ganza clutches photos of his family members, many of whom were killed in the Rwandan genocide)

—Maria Zazycki, ’12, contributed to this blog entry