News & Ideas

After 12 years leading the International School of San Francisco, I will be moving to Honolulu in July, where I will serve as Head at ‘Iolani School. I am thrilled and honored to join the ‘Iolani ohana!”

I graduated from Santa Clara in 1985 with a B.S. in EECS, which I have applied to a successful 40-year career that is still going. I have worked for six different companies in Silicon Valley, allowing me to stay close to Santa Clara. During the past six months, I have been working with two student project teams in the EECS department on their senior design projects. So I am flourishing by giving back to Santa Clara with my time and knowledge to inspire future engineers. Go Broncos!”

I’ve found that what helps me flourish is the study of philosophy, which was my major at Santa Clara. Some important people who have inspired me to flourish in my life include my family, my former philosophy Professor Christopher Kulp, my percussion teacher, and my cousin, and this is because they’ve shown me love and encouragement along my way. Personally, I define flourishing as a state of robust well-being, and I have found such happiness in my life through reading and writing about philosophy. Philosophy is the art of living well, and were it not for my time at Santa Clara studying the subject, I’d have never found arguably the greatest passion of my life. For this, I am always indebted to my alma mater, and hence why whenever I pursue my favorite occupation I always think back to my times at Santa Clara.”

Philosophy, faith, and spirituality have always been at the heart of who I am and how I have come to fully appreciate the role of service in my life. Having been blessed with remarkable parents, exceptional siblings ( five), and a firm foundation in the Catholic faith, the lessons of sharing and support were reinforced from early childhood. From early exposure to service activities to participation in youth, high school, and college athletics, I was able to grow in the understanding that success and flourishing are closely linked to finding fulfillment through serving, assisting, and working with others. Success through service is my ideal of flourishing. The inspiration and credit for this conclusion belongs to my faith, my family, and outstanding teachers and mentors like Austin Fagothey, S.J. and William Rewak, S.J. at Santa Clara.”