’Tis the season: As 2024 comes to a close, a look back at stories that highlight the year at Saint Mary’s / Photo by Francis Tatem
Tradition and Momentum: Saint Mary’s Top Stories of 2024
Rugby national champions. Welcoming Roger Thompson as SMC’s 31st president. Gaels making strides in biotech, AI, and law. And much, much more.
In many ways, 2024 was a year where Gaels kept doing what they do best.
Saint Mary's earned places in NCAA tournaments in Softball and Men’s Basketball, and Gaels won big on the rugby pitch, in , and in the World Choir Games. Students immersed themselves in small, discussion-driven courses, expanding their horizons during January Term and gaining hands-on knowledge through summer research and internships. And in May, the Class of 2024—many of whom entered college in the depths of the pandemic—gathered for a rousing, very much in-person Commencement ceremony.
Of course, 2024 had its share of challenges. The nation faced an intense and divisive presidential election. And like colleges and universities across the country, Saint Mary’s dealt with the effects of the Department of Education’s late rollout of the FAFSA. Still, despite these headwinds, it was a year of extraordinary new beginnings for SMC.
In July, Saint Mary’s welcomed its 31st president, Roger Thompson, who quickly set to work engaging alumni and supporters through a statewide tour and launching the the G.R.E.A.T. Program with an aim to enlist Gaels far and wide to boost enrollment. Saint Mary’s also kicked off initiatives like the Forensic Pyschology Department and the New Education of Women’s Leadership Program, efforts that are already broadening the College’s reach and impact.
It was, in short, a year of tradition and momentum, and the SMC NewsCenter has certainly reflected that. Here are stories that highlight Saint Mary’s 2024.
Saint Mary’s Introduces its 31st President, Roger J. Thompson, EdD
For decades, the former University of Oregon senior leader bolstered student enrollment at several institutions. Now he’s bringing his expertise to Moraga, as well as an impeccable record in enhancing the overall student experience.
Gaels Win Rugby National Championship
In an epic battle on May 4 in Houston, Saint Mary’s defeated Navy 26–22, bringing home the Division 1A Trophy. It was a showcase of the Gaels’ expansive, unpredictable style of play, capping a stellar season.
West Coast Conference Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year Are All Gaels
Along with Saint Mary’s clinching the WCC title, five Men’s Basketball players received conference honors, including Augustas Marciulionis ’25, Mitchell Saxen ’24, and Alex Ducas ’24. And Randy Bennett was named Coach of the Year.
Gaels Softball Captures First West Coast Conference Title in Program History
With a dominating win on Senior Day, the Gaels moved on to post-season play for the first time in 14 years. It was perhaps the most thrilling season since 2010, when SMC Softball won its first conference championship.
Meet the Five Gaels Who Are Taking Australia Men’s Basketball to the 2024 Paris Olympics
On the court this summer, the Australian team included a trio of SMC alums—Captain Patty Mills, plus Matthew Dellavedova and Jock Landale—and assistant coaches Adam Caporn and David Patrick. As we cheered them on, we also celebrated nearly a century of Gael Olympians, from synchronized swimmers to the first human to ski over 150 mph.
Student Action Helped Bring the High Potential Program into Being. Fifty Years Later, Student Scholars Are Preserving Its History.
For half a century, High Potential has fostered the success of first-generation and low-income scholars. This year, Gaels past and present told the story of HP, a program born of protest that has come to represent “the best of our students.”
Kiana Paredes ’27 on Her ‘Life-Changing’ Summer in the Courtroom—and How SMC’s Liberal Arts Bridge Program Made It Possible
A first-generation college student, Politics major, and lifelong San Franciscan, Paredes interned in her city’s Superior Courthouse in July. The Liberal Arts Bridge Program provided financial support and, she says, “opened up a whole new world for me.”
Brain Blast: How Spending the Summer Building Machine Learning Programs Put These Students on the Leading Edge of AI Technology
Through SMC’s Summer Research Program, Nate Isaeff and Connor Li modeled artificial neural networks alongside Zahra Sajedinia, assistant professor of Data Science and Computer Science. Now, their research could inform the future of this growing field.
Making Family History: Gabriela Canedo ’27 on Navigating her Latine Identity and ‘Creating Spaces of Healing’ Through the Intercultural Center
Thanks in part to the High Potential Program, Canedo has connected with her heritage in new ways. Now, as a Social Justice Advocate in the IC, she’s striving to offer opportunities for Gaels to engage in “self-understanding and self-work.”
Making Meaning as Veterans and Writers
Kindra Stewart MFA ’24 and Ryan Harper MFA ’24 earned their graduate degrees in Creative Writing in May. Their military backgrounds sparked new ways of sharing and storytelling in the SMC community.
In Their Own Words: For Jian Bumatay ’21, PSM ’24, Saint Mary’s New Master’s in Biotechnology was ‘A Leap of Faith.’ It’s Already Paying Off.
The child of two nurses, Bumatay long thought med school was his future. Through SMC’s program, he realized, biotechnology was another way to make a difference. Today, he works at Genentech.
Army Veteran, Wife, Mother, Teacher, and Student: Natalie Cantu MA ’24
The former staff sergeant has explored different cultures, enhanced her leadership skills, and embraced her Saint Mary’s experience. With a new Master’s in Teaching, Cantu has embarked on a dual-language teaching career.
Meritorious Service Award: Holly and Nishant Joshi
Holly Joshi MA ’16, EdD ’22 has enacted deep and expanding service to the Bay Area, particularly in the areas of criminal justice and building equity. This year, Saint Mary’s awarded her and her husband, Alameda Police Chief Nishant Joshi MA ’16, a Meritorious Service Award.
‘The Very Best of Us—And What We Aspire to Be’: José Feito is SMC’s Professor of the Year
This beloved psychology teacher and scholar reflects on a journey that began—and remains—right here at Saint Mary’s. That’s been a very good thing for a generation of Gaels, especially those in the College’s renowned Collegiate Seminar program.
Scholar at Work: Grant Rozeboom on Business Ethics and ‘Working as Equals’
In his recent book, Rozeboom brought together scholars from around the world to look at the importance of treating one another as moral equals in the workplace. That matters for sustaining democracy, too.
In Their Own Words: Father Kwame Assenyoh on ‘Restoring Humanity's Inherent Diversity’—in Ghana, Louisiana, and Here and Now
Originally from Ghana, his first experience as a pastor was overseeing Black Catholic parishes in the American South. Now he’s the new Chaplain at SMC, encouraging students to embrace the Lasallian principle of “respect for all persons.”
Scientist at Work: Amy Chu on Green Chemistry, National Support for Groundbreaking Research with SMC Students, and ‘Thinking Cyclically’
Chu joined SMC’s faculty in 2022 and was recently awarded a $188,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. Working together with her student researchers, she will use the grant to explore capturing—and possibly recycling—phosphates in waterways.
Games Wide Open: Meet the Gael Directing Engagement for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris
Romain Lachens ’03 played a key role in bringing the games to Paris. With SMC grads also competing as players and coaches, here’s how the Games reached communities across France—and around the world.
In Their Own Words: Alex Chester-Iwata ’21 on Life Onstage and Off—and How SMC Provided Just the LEAP She Wanted
From child model to teen pop artist to Broadway actor, Chester-Iwata has had her share of the spotlight. Now, as Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Mixed Asian Media, she’s showcasing the experiences of multiracial performers like herself.
How to Get a Job Right Out of College: Graduates from the Class of 2024 Share Their Advice
After graduating in May, these Gaels have gone on to work in fields like marketing and education and joined companies like Wells Fargo and BlackRock. Their recommendations: take advantage of job fairs, professor office hours, and the SMC Career Center.
Storti Family Ruggers—An SMC Legacy
The Storti family has etched their mark on the Gael Rugby Nation. And for this year’s Rugby National Championship match, brothers Erich Storti ’23, MBA ’24 and Mario Storti ’25 were center stage.
Hayden Royster is Staff Writer at the Office of Marketing and Communications for Saint Mary's College. Write him.
