alumni news
April 24, 2008Jim Wood ’70 Pinch-Hits for the President
Jim Wood ’70 served as student body president
his senior year at Saint Mary’s. On April 23, he tried his hand as president of the
entire College — for a day.
“Brother Ron has a vision for the college that I share and want to help achieve in any way I can,” Wood said.
“Jim has made a significant donation to Filippi Academic Hall, in honor of his father, Donald Wood ’46,” said Brother President Ronald Gallagher, who will hand the reins of the College over to Wood.
Wood, who helped to establish the College’s $100,000 Brother Mel Anderson Endowed Scholarship, was honored at the 2007 Alumni Awards Ceremony in November. He won his bid for the College’s one-day presidency at the President’s Club Auction last fall.
In order to assume the 24-hour presidency of his alma mater, Wood took a one-day sabbatical from his work as a product liabilities litigator at the Oakland offices of international law firm Reed Smith.
As the 1969–70 student body president, the Integral major was active in the Students for Progressive Action Now (SPAN) movement that led to the admission of women to the College. He also joined faculty and other students in Vietnam War protests.
“During that time I formed some very close friendships that continue today,” Wood said.
During his one-day tenure as president pro tempore, Wood attended a Collegiate Seminar class, met with student leaders, attended the President's Cabinet meeting and went to Mass with the Brothers.
--John Grennan Office of College Communications
