A Thin Line

Bread shows up in many places in the Bible in reference to both famine and feast. It is the minimum needed for survival — God rains down manna from heaven for Israelites suffering famine in the desert. Jesus teaches his disciples the Lord's Prayer, which includes the petition for "our daily bread," which can be interpreted as referring to food or spiritual nourishment.

This year's award winners were honored at a reception and introduced to the McKeon Pavilion crowd during Gaelfest on Jan. 17.

Alumnus of the Year

Making History

Dear Editors,

What a great issue (fall 2008). The Saint Mary’s magazine is not only a class act, it is informative and a wonderful way to keep in touch with the College. I especially enjoyed the phone booth story since I was one of the 22 who stuffed the booth in 1959.

The annual dinner supporting the East Bay Scholarship Fund will be held on May 6 at 6 p.m. at the Claremont Country Club in Oakland.

The fund was founded more than 50 years ago, as Brother President Thomas Levi was nearing the end of a tumultuous term. He had already guided the College through the difficult Korean War days and the demise of football, but another problem had cropped up.

By John Grennan
Photography by Gabrielle Diaz ’11 and Gorbachev Lingad ’10

Brother Jerome Gallegos FSC '61

Br. Jerome Gallegos '61.

Brother Jerome Gallegos ‘61, a Christian Brother for more than 50 years who held leadership positions at several Brothers' high schools in California, died at Mont La Salle on Oct. 17, 2008, following an extended illness.

Ever since Saint Mary’s opened its Moraga campus in 1928, Oliver Hall has nourished the College’s community of hungry scholars.

Aspiring physicians and poets have all broken bread together at Oliver’s rectangular red oak tables during the last eight decades. At alumni reunions, best friends and even spouses reverentially return to the table where they met.

By John Grennan
Illustration by Chris Buzelli

Saint Mary’s professors teach economics and business during a financial crisis

With Wall Street wizards and Washington policymakers struggling throughout the fall to comprehend the most challenging economic paradoxes to emerge since the Great Depression, professors in the School of Business and Economic Administration (SEBA) would have been forgiven for canceling classes.

Photography by Gorbachev Lingad '10

The Honors Program is now in its second year at Saint Mary’s, with about 30 sophomores and 60 freshmen who will study and, in many cases, live in the same residence halls throughout their undergraduate years.

Honors students have opportunities to receive scholarships, earn honors course credit, contribute to scholarly research and creative projects under faculty direction and develop leadership skills.

Honors students also have positive interaction with other students, says chemistry professor Jeff Sigman.

By Erin Hallissy
Photography by Ben Ailes and Gabrielle Diaz ’11

Award-winning author Michael Pollan shares a meal — and his thoughts on food — with SMC students

Michael Pollan talks with SMC students.