Back in the mid-1990s, Donna Normandin, BBA ’96, had no idea how a friendly chat with UIW President Dr. Louis Agnese would forever change the course of her professional career.

“At the time I was working at the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Agnese was on our Board of Directors as treasurer,” she recalled. “I was the staff liaison to the Finance Committee and one day I arrived early for one of the meetings. Dr. Agnese started asking me about myself and, of course, the topic of education came up.”

She explained to Agnese how she had finished two years at San Antonio College and yearned to go back to school, but wanted to attend class with working adults. Finances, as well as the possibility of limiting classes to just one per semester, were also of concern to Normandin.

His immediate response to her: “Do we have a new program for you!”

“It was the ADCaP program and as the old saying goes, the rest is history,” Normandin said proAudly.

(L to R) Dr. Louis and Mickey Agnese visit with Donna Normandin and Lisa Schultz, director of alumni relations before a football game.

ADCaP is the Adult Degree Completion Program, offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in San Antonio, as well as a satellite location in Corpus Christi. Accelerated eight-week terms help working adults complete a degree with convenient evening or Saturday classes.

She started the ADCaP program in 1996 and graduated by June of 1997 with a Bachelor of Business Administration.

But she didn’t let her love of UIW end there. By 2006, a friend had contacted her about wanting to re-start the UIW Alumni Association. Normandin, who was now senior vice president of CRA and community development at Frost Bank, had a strong background with boards and foundations. It seemed like a perfect fit.

“Part of what I do in my job is serve and participate on boards, committees and commissions and I’ve been tapped on many occasions to ‘create or fix’ organizations, which is why I was encouraged to send in my resume,” she said. “At the first board meeting, I was voted in as the president (of the Alumni Association) and I currently serve as past president. It was a great experience and working with the office of alumni relations was great.”

Normandin’s service to the community is unparalleled, as she spends much of her time addressing issues that affect underserved populations, including those with limited resources.

“We want to help make people more financially self-sufficient,” she said. “One of the issues that is very prevalent across our nation is credit. Easy access to purchasing power (in terms of credit) has ruined many.”

In her research of the subject, one of the things she found missing in schools today was the instruction of financial/credit topics. The cycle must stop somewhere, Normandin decided, and she was determined to be part of the solution.

“My interest was in trying to find a way to be in the classroom providing financial education to high school seniors in the inner-city, about money and financial pitfalls before they graduate and enter the adult world,” she said.

Ideally, she wanted 17- and 18-year-olds to think hard before accepting their first credit card offer: “’Do I send it in or shred it,’” she wanted them to ask themselves. “We want them to make a long term decision, not a rash decision.”

The Frost Financial Youth Academy has graduated over 400 students since its inception in 2006 and funded eight scholarships to colleges across the state.  The eight-month program starts in October and ends in May of the following year. Each month different bankers teach a module of financial education featuring topics like general banking, checking, savings, economics, investments, credit, careers and college.

“Students are provided incentives for participation and work towards having their name in a scholarship drawing held at the graduation,” said Normandin. “Currently we’re in two schools in San Antonio, as well as schools in Austin, Fort Worth, Houston and McAllen.”

Frost Financial Youth Academy has also visited the UIW campus, completing sessions with the football team during camp in 2010.

(L to R) Rudy Specia, Lisa Schultz, Donna Normandin and Steve Hemphill, assistant director of alumni relations tailgate at a Cardinal Football game.

“We did a one-and-a-half-hour financial education session with the players.  We had fun, as did the team and many were shocked at some of the information provided. I think even the coaches learned something new. It was well received and we hope to do it again someday,” she said.

Normandin has continued her service to UIW as the president of the Quarterback Club, the official booster club program for UIW Cardinals Football.

The countless number of people she’s been able to assist, both through her volunteer work at UIW and her professional career at Frost Bank, owe a debt of gratitude to the ADCaP program and Dr. Agnese’s sage advice.

“Had I not gone back to school and finished my degree, I would not be in the position I am today at the bank,” Normandin reflected. “But, I think the biggest thing it did for me was give me a great sense of pride that I finished my degree and felt so good about myself.  I’m proud to say I have my degree and have it from UIW. In December of this year, I will also be able to say I have my MBA from UIW.”

Normandin credits several people for their assistance during her time in the ADCaP program. She said the assistance and guidance from Chancellor Dr. Denise Doyle was invaluable. Normandin also remains good friends with many of the people she met in the program. Additionally, her mentor (and eventually her boss) at Frost Bank, Group Executive Vice President Bernard Gonzales encouraged her to finish school.

“He was tough, but I learned so much from him and he helped get me where I am today.”

But probably no one influenced her personally more than her mother, who was diagnosed with cancer shortly after she started the ADCaP program.

“She was so supportive and never let me quit. She lived long enough to see me walk the stage and that’s a memory that will be with me forever.”

Alfreda Carnes Poth ’28 IWHS ’37 BA turned 102 on May 24, 2012. She taught in the Poth Independent School District for 42 years and now resides in San An- tonio at the Haven in Stone Oak.

1960s

Lillian Dickinson ’62 BA has been retired for five years and is now serving as the President of the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center.  She will celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary in June.

Mary Cay Murray ’68 BS serves as regional vice president for the Ladies of Charity of the USA, Southern Region.  She recently attended the International Assembly in Madrid Spain, with representation from 22 nations across the globe.  LOC is the oldest Catholic women’s organization in the world, whose mission is to serve the poor with charity, humility and simplicity.

Janice M. Marak ’68 BA retired from Austin Independent School District and now volunteers for Austin Hospice.

Linda Milam ’69 BA has worked as the director of religious education at Sacred Heart Church in Uvalde for 28 years.  This October she will have served in catechetics for 50 years.

1970s

Carol Darling ’71 BA recently completed five years of teaching drawing fundamentals and beginning painting at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center in Kerrville.  She plans to continue painting wildlife for gallery representation. Her website is www.cdarlinganimalart.com  Darling is a signature member of the Society of Animal Artists, Int.  She has also worked as a professional photographer, graphic designer and arts educator.

Peter and Nancy Stichler Reininger ’74

Peter and Nancy Stichler Reininger ’74 BS ’92 MEd will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on August 25.

Cynthia Mozisek Callins ’75 BA published a novel in March by Tate Publishing Company entitled “Under the Windmills.”  It is a modern western fiction, with suspense and romance.  More information can be found at www.CindyMCallins.com.

Justice Phylis J. Speedlin ’75 BSN was recently honored for her work in co-founding the San Antonio Bar Association Community Justice Program which provides free legal services to needy residents and veterans in Bexar County.  Speedlin has been selected by the State Bar of Texas to be the first recipient of the 2012 Judge Merrill Hartman Pro Bono Judge Award recognizing a judge who has provided exemplary pro bono service, including outreach to attorneys to increase the quantity and quality of pro bono representation.

Mirella Garza Kennedy ’76 BA currently serves as the principal of St. Thomas More Catholic School and continues to be an adjunct professor for the UIW ADCaP program.

1980s

Deborah Benavides ’83 BA serves as the senior academic advisor for the College of Architecture at UTSA. In October, she will present “Hitting the High Notes for Success: A Working Guide to Help Students with Asperger’s Syndrome” at the National Academic Advising Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

Nancy M. Cano-Reyes ’87 BSN works at Methodist Hospital as a nurse director. She cheerfully welcomes UIW nursing students every semester.

Sharon Struckhoff Kotzur ’87 BA is completing her 25th year as a secondary art teacher at Pleasanton ISD.  She lives in Floresville, Texas with her 15-year-old son, Jared and her husband Dennis.

1990s

Elise Lopez ’98 BA played the mother of Henry Higgins in San Pedro Theater’s production of “My Fair Lady” and has been chosen to play the starring role in the summer production of “Hello, Dolly.”

Larry G. Appel ’91 BBA recently celebrated his one year wedding anniversary with wife Lucy.  He also began a sales job as senior fire alarm sales representative at MCS Fire & Security.

Joni Luna ’93 BS serves as a women’s athletic coordinator at San Diego High School located in San Diego, Texas.  She has also started South Texas Elite Sports Academy offering camps and clinics.

Muriel Rhoder ’97 MBA serves as the auditing manager for the San Antonio Housing Authority.

Nancy Glass West ’94 MA has a new novel coming out this summer, “Dang Near Dead.” More information on her three novels can be found at www.nancygwest.com

Retired Capt. Gordon Livingston ’95 MBA retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve in June 2011 after 30 years of combined active and reserve service.

Asia Ciaravino ’98 BA

Asia Ciaravino ’98 BA co-founder and executive director of Classic Theatre was named as the president and CEO of San Pedro Playhouse. San Pedro Playhouse begins its 100th anniversary season this fall.

Heather Bonnette Perez ’97 BSN will start her family nurse practitioner master’s degree at Prairie View A&M University in the fall of 2012.

Dr. Noel Archambeault ’96 BM was the featured soprano singer at Gore Recital Hall of the Roselle Center for the Arts on the University of Delaware (UD) campus in Newark.  She teaches applied voice, vocal pedagogy and lyric diction at UD.

Amalia Ortiz ’96 BA was accepted to the creative writing graduate program at The University of Texas-Pan American. She will begin pursuing a master’s degree in creative writing this fall.  She was recently chosen as one of 10 winners of VIA’s 2012 Poetry on the Move contest and was also invited to perform at the Havana International Poetry Festival in Cuba.

2000s

Byrdie Franco-Rocha ’01 BBA

Byrdie Franco-Rocha ’01 BBA recently relocated to San Antonio from Dallas and is serving as the marketing director for LATISM’s 2012 national conference to be held in Houston this October. LATISM or Latinos in Social Media, is the largest, most influential Latino organization engaged in the new multicultural web.  Franco-Rocha also serves as the director of community outreach for Sanford Brown College San Antonio/Austin markets.

Dr. Jacob K. Tingle ’02 MAA was promoted to assistant professor of the practice, business administration.  Additionally, he serves as the director of the sport management program at Trinity University.

Kuei-Yuan Wang ’03 Ph.D. won Taiwan’s National Foreign Affairs Commendation issued by the Foreign Ministry.

Barbara Michelle de Guzman ’05 MSN RN had her research accepted for presentation at the 23rd International Nursing Research Congress in Brisbane Australia.

Salvador Salazar ’05 BAAS received his master’s degree in political science from American Military University in February.

Meghan Oswald ’06 BA is currently serving as vice president of development and communications for Haven for Hope.

Ray Lopez ’07 BBA has joined Omnitrans as the new director of safety and regulatory compliance and will oversee their security, safety and loss prevention operations.

John E. Boyd ’08 BBA opened his State Farm Insurance Agency in New Braunfels in June.

John Gardiner ’08 MAT

John Gardiner ’08 MAT Rio San Antonio Cruises boat driver became Champion of Rio Rodeo, unseating the previous five-time champion.

2010s

Wanita Mercer ’06 BA ’12 MAA started work in the San Antonio Independent School District as a GEAR UP college readiness coach and was accepted into the UIW Doctor of Education program with an emphasis in organizational leadership.

Gabriela Canavati ’10 BA won the prestigious Charles B. Rangel Graduate Fellowship in International Affairs. The Fellowship provides for two years of graduate school with generous stipend, followed by appointment as a Foreign Service Officer of the United States. Canavati is one of only 20 individuals in the U.S. to win the fellowship in 2012.

Antonia Saldana ’10 MAA began working as director of human resources at Gold Spur Trucking LLC.

Sabrina Koll ’11 MBA began her new job as federal bank supervision officer at the Federal Bank of Germany.

Phillip James ’11 BA serves as director of photography & digital effects for a new Mixed Martial Arts reality series, “MMA Cage Quest,” airing weekly on regional station KCWX (Seguin).

George Ybarra ’12 BA serves as the assistant vice president for service delivery for Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio.

Enzo Pellegrino Jr. ’02 BBA, president of the Alumni Association, and his wife, Kristy ’01 BBA, brought their son, Enzo III, to UIW’s first Easter egg hunt.

More than 150 alumni and friends of the university joined the first UIW Community Easter Egg Hunt, which partnered with the Brainpower Connection schools. UIW Alumni Association board member Yvette Reyna ’03 BA, who chaired the event, aimed to create a fun, low-cost family outing to draw alumni back to campus.

Reyna said she is “eager to see the beautiful smiling faces of the children and their parents on the UIW campus for many years to come at this annual event.”
This year, the 2010 reigning Homecoming King Walter Wong and Queen Christine Clark led the children through the activities.

Children under 10 had the opportunity to hunt for Easter eggs as well as participate in activities such as face painting, coloring, making bunny ears and tossing a football. One child in each age category found a golden egg, which contained five family movie passes, courtesy of Frost Bank.

Be sure to check the Cardinal’s Nest for next year’s date!

By Rudy Arispe, ’98 BA

It’s rare that an entrepreneur enjoys overnight success without some degree of sacrifice and sweat, and Veronica Edwards ’92 MBA is no exception.

So as the San Antonio native mentions the coveted contracts her company holds with the Department of Defense, for instance, or that for the past three years in a row InGenesis has been named one of Inc. magazine’s 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States, or that it reported $52 million in consolidated revenues for 2010, you have to hand it to her.

Even so, it’s comical to hear her describe the first corporate “office” she occupied about a decade prior to the suite she now has on the third floor of the Wedgwood Professional Building on Blanco Road.

“I was in my utility room with my washer and dryer at my back with all my notes stuck on the wall,” the cordial president and CEO of InGenesis says with a laugh. “When my little girl was asleep, I would make client calls. So I would do business around my daughter’s nap time.”

Since founding InGenesis in 1998, Edwards has been on a roll, but not without plain, old-fashioned hard work. She’s doing her homework to position the company, which employs 800 people in 27 states, as one of the top medical staffing firms in the nation.

Edwards, who was the recipient of the 2010 UIW Alumni of Distinction Award for Professional Development, has always had a bright head on her shoulders, which she attributes to her parents. Her father is a retired U.S. marshal who was in charge of security for federal judges, and her mother is a successful real estate agent.

“I’m a combination of both,” she says. “My mom is aggressive, very friendly and persistent. My father is very methodical and rational.”

Edwards’ entrepreneurial spirit, however, is all her own.

After graduating with a journalism degree from Texas State University, then known as Southwest Texas State University, Edwards landed a job at Southwestern Bell, selling advertising for the Yellow Pages.

“I decided to work at a large company and start at the bottom and work my way up,” Edwards says. “I did telemarketing. It was hardcore on the phone, trying to sell people thousands of dollars of advertising.”

When the company’s annual report found its way to her desk, the first thing she did was flip to the corporate executive bios “to find out what they had that I didn’t.” That missing piece was an MBA, she discovered, so she enrolled at the University of the Incarnate Word to get her own. Around the same time, she transferred to the wireless division, when she realized that wireless was poised to take off.

“I started studying the infrastructure of wireless as part of my homework case studies,” Edwards says. “My superior gave me access to the organizational infrastructure while mentoring me.”

Because of her solid work ethic, Edwards was promoted to director of strategic marketing by age 24.

“I would write articles for newsletters and brochures, but didn’t get paid extra. I did it to get the experience,” she says. “For three years, I was listed in the annual report at the shareholder’s meeting as one of the top employees.”

Management positions in sales, marketing and public relations in California and Florida for Southwestern Bell later followed, but when Edwards returned to San Antonio, she was laid off.

“I decided to try my luck at entrepreneurship because I always wanted to own my business,” she says. “So I started InGenesis. I gave myself 90 days to succeed, or I was going to go find a job.”

Edwards began as a headhunter for telecommunications clients, but after six years she shifted her focus to the medical industry when her research indicated that telecommunications was about to crash, and the medical field was booming. Figuring she had nothing to lose, she phoned the Mayo Clinic and soon landed an important contract.

“They told me they were looking for four neurosurgeons,” she says. “I realized I didn’t have to do the surgery, but take care of the client while delivering fantastic customer service.”

Today, her clients include the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and the University of Texas Health Science Center, among others. InGenesis is expected to earn $78 million in revenue this year, Edwards says. Still, even with such promising financial figures, the company president doesn’t plan to pop open a bottle of champagne. At least, not right now.

“I never stop to rest on our success because the minute you stop for too long, you lose your edge,” she says. “It’s just another day. You have to continue to build the business and make sure clients are happy because if one of those pieces fails, then the whole operation is weakened.”

Edwards, who is pursuing a Ph.D. at UIW, has been supporting the community through two scholarships she established through the university. The first is a medical scholarship in memory of a former InGenesis employee, Talitha Karstens, who died of cancer; another in honor of her brother, Darrell Musquiz, for students seeking to attend UIW’s H-E-B School of Business and Administration. He died in February.

The company is taking its philanthropic efforts even further through the establishment of the InGenesis Institute, which will assist research scientists and medical device manufacturers to access grant dollars, Edwards explains.

“We’ve hired the staff, and we’re going to get more involved in San Antonio, whether it be through programs, such as diabetes, wounded warriors or traumatic brain injuries. It’s advancing the medicine of the future, so that there’s better patient care,” she says. “We’re also moving forward to create a foundation that will focus on development of new scientific technologies and studies.”

For all the business awards and public accolades that InGenesis has achieved, Edwards insists it’s because of her philosophy of striving to be the biggest and the best.

Or, as she puts it, “Go big or go home.”

Susana Cabrera says she’d move to China permanently, if only she could bring her loved ones with her.

Cabrera, who goes by Susie in Texas and by Sushan in China, accepted a job with an American company right after she graduated from UIW in December. The company, Rooster Products International, needed someone to help establish a representational office in Shenzhen, China, a city about an hour away from Hong Kong.

With a bachelor’s in communication arts and a minor in Chinese, Cabrera was the perfect person for the Asia operations coordinator position. She learned how to communicate effectively, and now she’s learning business sense on the job. Fluent in conversational Chinese, Cabrera gets help from a tutor to learn the industry vocabulary she needs to express herself at work.

“I’ve always liked China, the culture and the people and challenging my language skills,” she said. “My parents have always pushed me to be open to other cultures, which is in large part why I became so interested in the Chinese culture.”

Business and language classes and an internship have taken her in and out of China for four years. She’s a trailblazer in many ways; UIW doesn’t have a sister school in Cabrera’s favorite city, Shanghai, but she worked out a way with the university to study there. She also helped create the minor in Chinese as a foreign language program at Incarnate Word. Now, more students are following her lead.

“I feel that UIW is always encouraging diversity, spirituality and kindness. All these things I can find here in China, and I enjoy encountering them daily,” she said. “I was not so nervous because China feels like a second home for me.

“Here I am, learning a lot about myself and the things I love in life. I am most grateful for the unconditional love from my family, friends and boyfriend. They have made this whole experience much easier.”

Not that leaving San Antonio was easy. She misses her loved ones in Texas, and though she likes Chinese culture, she finds some aspects challenging. Like the time her landlord touted the oven in the apartment she was about to rent, and Cabrera found a bread toaster.

The best part of being in China is “being in the middle of a country that is progressing so quickly and seeing that before my eyes,” she said. She’s amazed at the number of entrepreneurs. “In the U.S., people go to college to learn how to work for someone else. But in China, it’s more about what you can do for yourself.”

June White ’68 BS recently published her first book “Daughters of Isis” with Dorrance Publishing Co. and is writing her second book.

Sr. Eilish Ryan

Sr. Eilish Ryan, CCVI, ’68 BA ’76 MA, UIW professor of religious studies, received the 2011 Called and Gifted award from the Association of Graduate Programs in Ministry. This award recognizes Sr. Eilish’s “integrity, scholarship, and longevity of service to the Church and AGPIM as a ministry educator.”

1980s

Barbara Troutz ’80 BA published her book, “Resurfacing: Climbing out of the pit of grief.”

Dr. Reginald F. Davis ’88 BA published a new book titled “Bible Study for Busy Pastors and Ministers.”

2000s

Dr. Monica Rameriz

Dr. Monica Ramirez ’01 BSN ’03 MSN,of the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions, earned a Ph.D. in nursing from UT-Tyler.

McNair scholar, Selene Hernández (Mena-Fernández) Ruiz ’02 BS successfully defended her dissertation on April 20 and her project is titled “Sorption and Mobility of Pharmaceutical Compounds in Soils Irrigated with Treated Wastewater.” She also has a Master of Science in environmental science from UTSA and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science. She will be the keynote speaker at the South Texas Regional McNair Scholars Research Conference on Sept. 17.

Leo Peters ’02 BA is working on “Death and the Dreamlife of Elephants,” a theatre performance in Wellington, New Zealand.

Karen Feldman ’03 BA, ’06 MAA published “Glorious Wings,” a children’s book, through PublishAmerica.

Ya’Ke Smith ’03 BA was named Alumni of Distinction for Professional Achievement at the May commencement ceremony. His recent film “Katrina’s Son” was screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

Abigail Shaver ’07 BA, ’09 MA has been named president of the Sundt Foundation, one of the country’s largest general contractors, for the upcoming year.

Jessica Garza ’08 BS graduated with a Master of Science in meteorology from the University of Hawaii.

Navid Afshar ’09 BA serves as the stage manager for Heddatron in Chicago for the second annual Garage Rep, an annual program put on by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago.

Guadalupe Flores ’10 BA had her original play, “The Coyote Strategem,” selected from submissions all over the United States to be presented at the 10-minute Play Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in April.

Felix Nguyen ’11 Pharm.D. was hired for the position of executive resident by the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA).

D. Anthony Miles

D. Anthony Miles ’11 Ph.D. published his book “Risk Factors and Business Models.” He also won an award for 2010 Student Recognition for teaching excellence at Texas A&M San Antonio.

Congratulations to Janell Trevino ’03 BA, Margaret Ytuarte ’07 BA, ’10 MBA, Jason Herrera ’08 BBA MS, Eunice Lopez ’00 BBA, and Frenchellen Gilliam ’08 BBA, MA on their recent election to the UIW Alumni Board!

Michael Thomas McVicker ’08 MBA and Meagan Marilyn Scott were married in June.

Hunter Price Forestier BS ’07 married Amanda Marie Gonzales on Feb. 5 in Houston. Forestier is a nuclear medicine technologist and technical territory manager. The couple lives in Houston.

M. Regina Ciarrocchi ’84 IWHS, ’93 BA and Randy Boon announce the birth of their second child, Claire Maria Boon, on Aug. 14.

Tania Kelley ’09 BA and her husband, Chase, welcomed their first child, Brayden Nikhyl Kelley, on March 22.

Enzo Pellegrino ’02 BBA and Kristy Pellegrino ’01 BBA ’02 MBA recently welcomed their second child, Isabella Marie.

Mary Helen “Pinky” Devine Pinner IWHS ’42, IWC ’46 BA held the 59th annual Three Kings Celebration at Brackenridge Villa on Jan. 6. For more about this event, see page 17 in this magazine

1960s

Sr. Kathleen Coughlin, CCVI, ’67 BSN was inducted into the Incarnate Word Academy Hall of Fame at the 2011 ceremony in St. Louis in January. She received the Philanthropic Outreach award. Coughlin was also named to the 2011 San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame in Higher Education. She serves as the vice president for Institutional Advancement at the University of the Incarnate Word.

Andrea (Koelzer) Sullivan ’69 BSN has returned to San Antonio to enjoy retirement after 40 years living in Boston. Her husband, Sam, retired in December. Sullivan is looking forward to renewing old friendships.

Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI, ’68 BA pictured with Ambassador James Creagan, received the Insigne Verbum award during Commencement ceremonies in December. The award recognizes those individuals who have contributed meritorious service to the community and who represent and carry out the Mission of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

Sr. Helena Monahan, CCVI, ’68 BA (with green sash) was named grand marshall of the St. Patrick’s Day parade at the Harp and Shamrocks Society awards banquet held at the Quarry Golf Club. The St. Patrick’s Day parade was March 12 in San Antonio. Pictured with her are Eileen Burke Faught (from left), Mary Jo Quinn, Margaret Burke, Peggy Peters and Joan Moody.

1980s

George Gaytan ’81 BM just finished touring with Amy Grant on her intimate concert series in Texas. Gaytan toured in Houston, Austin and Dallas.

Lt. Col. Yolette M. Davis, MS, BSN ’85, LNFA, RN, BC was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve effective Oct. 1, 2010. She is a member of the 433 AES (Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron), a flying unit at Lackland, Air Force Base, Texas.

Mercedes Foster APRN, CNS ’85 BSN, ’89 MSN was recognized by the Department of Veteran Affairs for 16 years of service and looks forward to enjoying her retirement.

1990s

Sandra Moreno ’91 BA finished the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and Half Marathon and helped UIW take 2nd place in the Extra Large Corporate Division.

Amalia Ortiz ’96 BA premiered her play, “Carmen de la Calle” in a staged reading at the Guadalupe Theater in January. She also was invited to perform her poetry at the Louder than a Bomb festival in Chicago in February and at the Center for Mexican American Studies’ 40th Anniversary Celebration at the University of Texas at Austin in March. When Ortiz is not touring as a performance poet, she is acting, studying and writing in Los Angeles. In December, she shared the stage with legends Amiri Baraka and DJ Disco Wiz at the Voices for the Voiceless poetry concert at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. A chapbook of her work was published by New School Poetics press in February.

E. Yvonne Cantu ’98 BA has been appointed inaugural president of UTSA’s Student Affairs Parent Council.

Asia Ciaravino ’98 BA was named to the 2011 Leadership San Antonio class.

2000s

Kevin Bucheck ’00 BA was prominently featured in the St. Louis Business Journal for his work at E.M. Harris Construction.

Rachel Walsh BA ’09 is finishing her first quarter at DePaul University, where she is working toward a master’s in writing and publishing.

Christopher Alvarado ’10 Pharm.D. has been selected as vice president of the Bexar County Pharmaceutical Association and also joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Carlos Alvarez ’02 BA co-produced a Tejano album that has been nominated for a Grammy.