Letters Spring 2018

So Marty told his men, “Nobody touches the kids and nobody touches you. You act accordingly and we won’t have any problems.” They start up the front steps and Marty sees a football player edging into position to trip him. Marty changes the rules of engagement with all network cameras rolling, kicks the kid in the lower leg and puts him down, and they march through the front doors. That probably set the tone for the whole successful operation. Marty was probably thinking, “You people aren’t here to be nice to us or the kids we are escorting, and we aren’t ordered to be particularly nice to you. If we decide to be not nice, here’s a taste of what can happen.”

I can imagine his commanding officer saying, “You weren’t supposed to touch them, Sammon.” “I didn’t touch him, sir. I kicked him.” Like a Bronco.

REMEMBERING ERIC HANSON

Over the past 30 years at the law school, we have taught a number of Eric Hanson’s students. All had nothing but praise for him as a professor—and as a kind, caring person. His family, his friends, and the wider Santa Clara group will miss him. And the women’s soccer team will also miss seeing Eric in his seat in the stadium for every home game.

Patty Rauch
former Associate Clinical Professor of Law, and
Gary Neustadter 
Professor of Law

GENERAL YEE’S LEADERSHIP

It is important to be aware of the extreme racism that Asian Americans have faced in the USA throughout our nation’s history, especially during WWII. Prior to WWII, those of Asian and Pacific Island ancestry like Filipinos, Guamanians, etc. were limited to being cooks, stewards, and similar positions in the U.S. Navy. Congratulations to Major General Garrett Yee ’87 and all other minorities who have risen to the top ranks of their services. We in Guam are proud of the late Brigadier General Ben Blaz, who not only attained that rank on active duty with the Marine Corps, but served as our member of Congress.

LTC Robert Cruz ’71 (retired) 
Barrigada, Guam

RENAISSANCE MAN

As a former student of Professor Christiaan Lievestro, I read with interest Diane Dreher’s graceful appreciation, “A Renaissance Man.” He indeed proudly marched with Martin Luther King Jr. A remembrance could have included his political activities with gay activist Harvey Milk and a mention of Prof. Lievestro’s life partner of 46 years, John Dilks, who died in 2007. I will long remember and appreciate the support he showed me and other gay students during our formative years at SCU!

Charles McDermott ’71
Ventura, California

OOPS … YELLOW CARD ON US

One number off: Our digital exclusives story intro on Julie Johnston Ertz in fall 2017 had the wrong class year listed. She’s a ’14 grad, not a ’10 grad. She has dazzled the world in just a few years of playing pro.

One letter off: Student Scot Tomer, who is leading a team of graduate students doing cool work on ten small test robots, is earning an M.S. (as in science) in engineering, not an M.A. as our story had it. —Ed.

FIRENZE AND US

My wife and I had the fortune of being on a tour led by Christina Mifsud ’93 a few years ago. She was learned and expert, and we received extraordinary insights into the art and life of Michelangelo. She did not ignore the present, and took us to the Florence Central Market for the freshest, most delectable lunch imaginable. She has put her SCU liberal arts education to good use, and I highly recommend contacting her for an unhurried, intimate view of Firenze.

Dave Fitzpatrick J.D. ’82
New Canaan, Connecticut

BEST IN THE BAY (AND THE USA)!

Big news from the Big Apple: In October, Santa Clara Magazine was presented with a pair of OZZIE Awards for design by Folio Magazine, honoring the best in magazine publishing. Winners this year also included The Economist, Harvard Business Review, and Food & Wine. Our honors: best designed university magazine in the country; and best use of photography by any magazine published by an association or nonprofit organization—for “World Refugee Day” by Kristóf Hölvényi. We shared that photography award with Science Magazine.

In November, we were honored in the Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards with 11 awards in writing, design, and overall excellence—including Best Magazine in the San Francisco Bay Area. Presented by the San Francisco Press Club, the awards are judged by journalists from around the country. Further accolades: best cover design—for “Come Together,” featuring a photo of Mother Teresa’s hands by Michael Collopy (Summer 2016); best headlines; awards for photography—for “World Refugee Day” by Kristóf Hölvényi and “Where Are They Taking Us?” by Colleen Sinsky ’10; awards for profile writing—for “Let There Be Light” by Robert Zimmerman and “An American Story” by Steven Boyd Saum; best sports feature— for “Them’s the Rules” by Sam Farmer; second place awards for feature layout design for both “Let There Be Light” and “Dr. Jerome”; and second place for a feature of a serious nature—for “Mission Critical” by Harold Gutmann.