1980s

Francois P. Tomasoa ’87 BA MIS is now living in Jakarta, Indonesia, running a Resort Hotel – Toraja Prince Hotel in Toraja South Sulawesi and owning and operating a Coffee Plantation. Tomasoa graduated with his Master of Theology and doctoral degrees at Apollos Theological School and also is now a dean at his non-profit foundation, a school of theology. He is in the process of establishing a theology school in Bali, Indonesia, as well.

Reginald Davis ’88 released his new book, “A Dangerous Journey.” For more information, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=35I-FQdLhSE

1990s

Eugene Esquivel ’90 BA has been the manager for the Bexar County Community Supervision and Corrections Department for the past 24 years.

Jose Ruben DeLeon ’92 BA directed the play, “The House on Mango Street,” which was sold out and will be presented again in the spring at the Classic Theatre of San Antonio. His second one-man drama was a musical, “St. Francis of Assisi,” performed at the Classic Theatre of San Antonio. He has performed all over the U.S. and has worked in Ireland.

2000s

Dr. Adriana Garcia ’00 BA ’02 MA was recently elected chairwoman of the San Antonio Ethics Review Board. Garcia is an assistant professor in the School of Business and Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake University.

Arnulfo D. Hernandez ’01 BA of Hernandez & Associates, P.C., was named to the Top Latino Lawyers list published in Latino Leaders Magazine. He was one of only two Denver lawyers selected for this national list. To view the list, visit http://www.latinoleaders.com/December-January-2017/Top-Latino-Lawyers-2016/

Marypat Klee ’01 MA has started her own business, Dixie Wreaths By Marypat. Visit: www.Facebook.com/dixiewreathsbymarypat

Michelle Martin ’09 BS lives in Dallas and is a cyber security expert for the FBI. Martin also has her own cyber security company, MicheTechnology Cyber Consultants: www.mtcyberc.com/. She is an advisor and guest speaker for InnoTech Dallas.

2010s

Sonia (Ramirez) Anderson ’10 BA became a licensed attorney in Colorado and works at Husch Blackwell, LLP, practicing corporate management law, including litigation regarding mine health and safety.

Annette Kanko ’11 MS recently published her first novel, “Whence You Came.” She was an adjunct instructor in the UIW Mathematics Department from 2006-2014, teaching a wide variety of courses. She currently is working on a sequel which is expected to be released this fall. For more information, visit www.annettekankobooks.com

Teofilo Reyes, Jr. ’11 BS ’15 MS is currently working as a fitness manager at Gold’s Gym in San Antonio. He is searching for certified personal trainers. As a way to give back to UIW, he is willing to help train, motivate, and mentor individuals that aspire to get into the fitness industry. For information, email: Teofilo.Reyes@goldsgym.com

Santiago Gutierrez IV ’12 BA and his wife, Renee Gutierrez ’07 BBA, just opened Pinot’s Palette in Helotes, Texas. A BYOB studio, where guests come to paint, drink, and have fun.  For more info: www.facebook.com/PinotsPaletteHelotes

April Lynn Newell ’12 BA resides in Boerne, Texas, with her husband and two daughters, Emalyn and Olivia. She has published an online magazine, Emboldenzine Magazine (www.emboldenzine.com), and is working on a series of fiction novels. The first of her trilogy is available now as an eBook or print at any major online retailer. The second book will be published around Spring 2017. For more info, visit
www.newellnovels.wordpress.com

Cameron Tufino ’12 BA MA is a fifth grade English teacher at Losoya Intermediate in San Antonio. Their campus promotes college readiness through a program called AVID. Alumnae Arianna Ingle ’11 BA and Blanca Morales ’11 BA ’12 MA visited Tufino’s classes giving AVID template presentations about college life/experiences and how it prepared them for travel and work.

Nataly Gutierrez Lopez ’14 IED started a new position as the assistant director of campus engagement at UIW in January.

Future Cardinals

Dr. Jeff Martinez ’01 BS and Elizabeth Mora-Martinez ’02 BA announce the birth of their second child Carter Joseph, born April 26, 2016, in Katy, Texas. They also have a daughter, Lilah Elizabeth, age 6.

Christopher Sullaway ’13 BA and Mercedes Esquivel ’16 BA welcomed their baby boy, Luke Christopher, on Dec. 23, 2016.

Weddings and Anniversaries

Robert Balli ’02 BBA (left) recently married Miriam Garza on April 30, 2016.
 
Kelly Alexander ’07 BA ’11 MA (right) married Danny Gallegos on Oct. 10, 2015.

Trisha Cardenas ’11 BA ’12 MBA is engaged to Antonio B. Burgess of Memphis, Tenn. The wedding will take place in Weslaco, Texas, where Cardenas works and lives.

Gabrielle Gonzales-Alvarado ’11 BA ’16 MAA (left) and husband Zachariah Alvarado, were married on Oct. 29, 2016. The ceremony was held at the Gardens at Old Town Helotes where they celebrated with close family and friends.

Trisha Licalzi ’12 BA and Chris Meurin ’13 BBA (right) announced their engagement on Sept. 24, 2016. They met at UIW. The couple plan to wed on Oct. 13, 2017, at St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church.

Amanda Jo Soto ’12 BS (left) and her fiancé, Macedonio (MJ) Martinez, announced their engagement in September 2016. They are planning a destination wedding in the Grand Cayman Islands.

Gloria De La Cerda ’13 BBA ’15 MBA (rigth) is recently engaged to Hugo Zarate. The two will be married in August 2017 in her hometown of Eagle Pass, Texas.  

Angela Williams ’14 MBA (left) is engaged to Richard Mazzara. Their wedding is planned for September 2017.

 


Keyes holds alumni mixer in Dallas

Margo Ramirez Keyes, who graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from what was then Incarnate Word College in 1974, and her husband, Jim, hosted a Dallas Alumni Network mixer at their home on Oct. 27. Nearly 20 guests, mainly alumni, attended the mixer including Sr. Kathleen Coughlin, CCVI, UIW vice president for institutional advancement; Dr. Lisa McNary, dean of alumni and parent relations; and Dr. Robyn Madson, founding dean of the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine. Madson shared about the exciting new developments at the medical school, located at Brooks City Base. Keyes is a highly-respected Dallas civic leader, philanthropist and community volunteer who held a lengthy career in fashion merchandising, retail and wholesale business. She and her husband currently own Key Development, LLC, leasing aviation hangars and office space at Addison Airport.

 


In Memoriam

Sue Embleton Duncan ’45 IWHS
Sara Elizabeth Dyer ’50 BA
Florence Jamail Nakfoor ’50 BA
Naomi Patricia Trigg Schoppe ’50 BA
Mary Wendelyn Waters Laughlin ’53 BSN
Kathryn Joann Conlin-Schoen ’55 BSN
Sr. Ann Carmel Segura, O. Carm., ’56 BM
Shirley Alice Mueller LeBlanc ’57 BSN
Brenda J. Harris ’64 BS
Susan Chandoha ’65 IWHS
Sr. Marianne Kramer, CCVI ’66 BA
Col. Luciana Jarma, USA (Ret.) ’67 BSN
Bridget Ann Schmidt ’69 BS
Linda Mack Haigler ’71 MA
Jennifer Cunningham Martin ’72 BS
Cynthia Sigler Giordano ’73 IWHS
Sr. Mary Brendan Donegan, PBVM ’75 MA
Herminia V. Rosado ’75 BA
Col. Laura V. Alvarado, USAF (Ret.) ’78
BSN, Alumna of Distinction ’05
Lt. Col. Arline B. Casterline, USAF (Ret.)
’78 BSN
Margaret Loudine Clair ’79 BA ’89 MA
Sr. Kathleen Barnes, O.S.U. ’84 MA
Mildred Ethel Swensen Reed ’88 MSN
Judith Ann Bel ’95 MA, former IWHS
administrator
Elizabeth “Betty” Coleman ’02 BA
Tara Kay Harvey Cooper ’03 BA ’06 MA Phyllis Slaton McLee ’12 BS
Emily Denman Thuss, former UIW Boardof Trustees member
Donna Muslin, UIW Development Board Emeriti
Rev. John (Jack) O’Donoghue, former IWC Chaplain, former Development Board member
Dr. Annemarie Walsh, former Director of Fashion Management


Dr. Dick McCracken
1938 – 2016

Dr. Richard “Dick” Joseph McCracken, dean of alumni emeritus who was affectionately known as “Mr. Incarnate Word,” passed away on Dec. 5. A beloved member of the UIW community for over 50 years, McCracken arrived at Incarnate Word in September of 1964 to teach English, at a time when enrollment totaled 600 and consisted of all women. Additionally, he served as director of public relations, where he helped forge Incarnate Word’s use of publicity to attract donors and students. In the mid-1970s, he designed the publicity campaign to raise funds to build the Coates Theatre on campus. He served six presidents, helping some to transition into their new role. McCracken was secretary of the search committee that led to the hiring of Dr. Louis Agnese, president emeritus. Under Sr. Margaret Patrice Slattery, CCVI, president emerita, and Agnese, he served as assistant to the president and continued to teach part time. In 1987, he was named dean of alumni and planned giving until semi-retiring in 2005. McCracken continued to serve as a researcher for UIW’s Division of Institutional Advancement as well as writing and publishing articles part time.

He was the 1996 recipient of the CCVI Spirit Award, which recognized his service to the university and/or the broader community demonstrated in the spirit of the founders, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. The McCracken Alumni Referral Scholarship (MARS) was named in his honor in recognition of his many years of service and loyalty to UIW and its graduates.

The McCracken House, a university office facility, was named in his honor in 2013. In 2015, McCracken was recognized at the university’s annual Heritage Day Ceremony for 50 years of service to Incarnate Word.

A friend to countless former students, faculty, administrators, Sisters, and donors, he stood as a vital connection to the history of Incarnate Word. McCracken’s genius for names and events ever helped to strengthen alumni’s ties to their alma mater. His legacy and commitment to the Mission of the university will forever be cherished.