News and Events

Positive Changes throughout Campus

August 20th, 2008

This academic year we are experiencing many positive changes throughout campus.  We welcome five highly talented and professionally respected new faculty members to our dedicated Holy Names faculty: Dr. Jennifer Sherwood in biology whose expertise is in human physiology, including exercise physiology; Dr. Kate Isaacson, a social psychologist specializing in personality development and human attachment; Dr. Chiho Sawada whose expertise is in the field of historical justice and reconciliation; Dr. Paolo Ricci in business who specializes in decision modeling with an emphasis on environmental issues; and Dr. Julie Henderson in Education, whose area of expertise is systemic bilingual and multicultural reform.  Each of these new additions to our faculty will expand and enhance the total educational experience for all of our students and our HNU community.

Congratulations to our faculty who were awarded promotion and tenure: Dr. Thea Maestre is promoted to full Professor and Dr. Kim Mayfield to Associate Professor.  Dr. Bob Lassalle-Klein and Dr. Kim Mayfield were both awarded tenure.  We cannot thank each of them adequately enough for their dedication, their professional excellence and their commitment to Holy Names.

As you may know, research indicates that students learn more when their classroom lectures are integrated with practical experiences.  Community-based learning programs continue not only to make a difference in the lives of our students, but also in the lives of the people our students assist.  I am pleased to announce that, under the guidance of Sr. Maureen Hester, we recently received a grant through the national organization, Campus Compact.  This grant will enable us to enhance service-learning opportunities, to help build better communities in California, and to open students’ eyes to ways they can make a positive difference for others.

Our campus dining experience is getting an “extreme makeover” that includes renovations in the Dining Hall and Sky Room as well as a new food service, Epicurean.  Our new manager, Dave Evans, is committed to providing the “closest to home cooked” quality meals of any food service in the nation.  We are also creating a new face for Tobin Gymnasium that includes new bleachers and basketball hoops. 

Rosemarie Nassif, SSND, PhD

President