Five hundred career wins! Men’s Basketball Head Coach Randy Bennett celebrates with the team in February 2023 / Photo by Tod Fierner
Saint Mary’s in the News: Highlights from 2023
National headlines—and the power of the Gael community: a month-by-month look at some of the news stories from 2023 that capture milestones and moments of delight at SMC.
The year 2023 got off to a roaring start for the Saint Mary’s community: with the Men’s Basketball team ranked nationally, Coach Randy Bennett racking up his 500th win, and the team returning to do battle in the NCAA Tournament in March. Before the year was out, SMC was recognized for the first time as a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institute Leader, with College faculty also securing landmark grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support their teaching and research.
SMC Students earned national headlines and a feature spot on ABC’s “Good Morning America” for their support of Be the Match, a national program for blood marrow donors. You could catch television feature stories on students who beat the odds to attend college—and who caught the attention of the world with a lawsuit with ambitions to save the planet.
The Saint Mary’s Museum of Art made news hosting exhibits by Lisa Congdon ’90 and Corita Kent. Alumni earned recognition in the NBA and women’s basketball in Australia, Major League Baseball and football, documentary film and journalism, education and police work—and so much more.
From “Students as Superheroes” to new tools for NASA, basketball victories to a Latin GRAMMY nomination, here’s how various media sources told Saint Mary’s stories month-by-month. This story is the second of a three-part series. Be sure to check out the first installment, the top stories from Saint Mary’s NewsCenter. And explore a full list of SMC in the News here.
January
Saint Mary's Men's Basketball Ranked No. 18 in AP, USA Today Coaches Polls
Saint Mary's continues to lead the West Coast Conference. They’re the only unbeaten team left in conference play. Take a look at rankings based on metrics of performance on the court and the Gaels are in the Top 10 in the nation.
Remembering Sculptor Bruce Wolfe, Whose First Major Commission Was at Saint Mary’s
The bronze sculpture of Saint John Baptist de la Salle has long held a commanding presence at the heart of the Saint Mary’s campus. That sculpture was created by artist Bruce Wolfe, who died in December 2022 at the age of 81. This heartwarming tribute in the San Francisco Chronicle by writer Sam Whiting traces Wolfe’s life and career: from the striking bronze figure for Saint Mary’s to sculptures of Clint Eastwood, Secretary of State George Shultz, singer Tony Bennett, and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
February
SMC Partnership with Be the Match Featured By ABC7 and ‘Good Morning America’
“Students as Superheroes” is the headline used by ABC as the network reported from Saint Mary's on a partnership between the College and Be the Match. The Saint Mary's community has been working to add volunteers to the National Bone Marrow Registry. It's one simple way we can help save lives. Read more and watch the story shared on local news and rebroadcast nationally on Good Morning America.
Randy Bennett, on Brink of 500 Wins, Has Built Saint Mary's From the Ground Up
On the eve of a milestone moment with Saint Mary’s Men’s Basketball, Coach Randy Bennett has turned Gaels into a West Coast Conference contender via player relationships and Australia pipeline, writes The Mercury News. With an eye on some of the players leading the team, the San Francisco Chronicle features “Saint Mary’s ‘3 brothers’—Kyle Bowen, Alex Ducas, and Logan Johnson—set for Senior Night.”
March
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament: Saxen, Ducas lead Saint Mary’s past VCU in March Madness
The Gaels journey to Albany, New York, and best Virginia Commonwealth University in the first round.
KRON-TV also takes a look at how “Saint Mary’s punches ticket to NCAA Tournament.” Also check out “How Logan Johnson’s devotion to his family was a boon for Saint Mary’s” in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Shot creator: Patty Mills launched full-scale league for Indigenous Australians in middle of NBA career
The Athletic tells the story of how, in 2021, the SMC star and NBA veteran launched a basketball league to bring the game to those who couldn’t easily access it. His goal: a focus on education, and nurturing a sense of history and identity.
April
NEH Announces $35.63 Million for 258 Humanities Projects Nationwide
SMC is one of few institutions to receive multiple grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Together, the grants will bolster interdisciplinary partnerships and benefit underserved student populations.
Gael Force: Oakland A’s Waldichuk latest pitching star to come out of tiny Saint Mary’s College
Ken Waldichuk, the franchise’s top pitching prospect, got his start on the mound in Moraga.
May
New Presidential Responsibilities for Angélica Garcia ’98 — in California and for the White House
She began serving as president of Santa Rosa Junior College in July. And President Biden announced he would name her to the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.
Tony has landed. He's happy at Saint Mary's.
The podcast Autism Goes to College follows the path of Tony, a student who navigated his way to the right college when he landed at Saint Mary’s. Things were going so well that he wanted to bring Julie Scaff, Director of Student Disability Services, on the podcast with him to talk about the peer student success mentors, internship opportunities and other support the school offers to students on the spectrum, and others with learning differences.
June
Brother Camillus Chavez, a fixture at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, dies at 93
For nearly 50 years, two traditions could be counted on at Saint Mary’s: the church bells ringing on the hour and Brother Camillus Chavez greeting students with a smile wider than the Spanish-style arcades that fold the campus into the hills of Moraga. A remembrance by Sam Whiting for the San Francisco Chronicle.
Eric Valenzuela Returns to Saint Mary’s as Head Baseball Coach
Valenzuela was SMC’s head baseball coach for six seasons before leaving for Long Beach State. His winning percentage is the highest of any coach in program history, and he led the Gaels to their lone NCAA postseason appearance in 2016. Meanwhile MLB.com offered a rundown of “Each team's best Draft pick of the past 10 years.” For the Milwaukee Brewers, that's SMC Gaels pitcher and Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes.
Jason Murray ’01 Named Next Sports Editor of The Washington Post
The Post announces that Murray takes on the role bringing “a record of running award-winning coverage and a deep understanding of the changing world of sports journalism…He brings a keen appreciation for the power of sports coverage to connect with readers and for the lens it offers into broader issues in our world such as health, equity, race and gender.”
Young People in Historic Climate Trial Rest Their Case
Kian Tanner, one of the young people who successfully sued the state of Montana to take action on climate change, plans to come to Saint Mary’s in the fall. The Scientific American tells the story of the successful suit.
July
Stephen Curry Touts His 'UNderrated' Mindset In New Documentary Produced by Ryan Coogler
The PBS NewsHour talks with Coogler, whose directing credits include Black Panther and Fruitvale Station, and whose journey to filmmaking began at SMC. Also check out Variety’s dive into the project.
World’s first mariachi opera to make its Bay Area premiere at West Edge Opera Festival
Multiple news outlets covered the Bay Area premiere of this groundbreaking work in July 2023, featuring the San Jose-based Mariachi Azteca led by Sixto Montesinos, who heads instrumental studies at Saint Mary’s.
How eight countries beat the odds to make their first women’s World Cup
The Washington Post reports on how Maya Alcantara ’22 joined the team for the Philippines as they were on their way to their first appearance in the World Cup. Meanwhile in rugby, the World Rugby U20 competition kicked off—with four Gaels part of the US team, including Captain Dominic Besag.
The Aussie college pipeline standing the test of time. Saint Mary's College has become an incredible development pathway for Australians plying their trade in college.
The Australian National Basketball League looks at the connections SMC has with hoops play. Also check out this feature on women’s basketball player Lauren Nicholson ’16.
SMC President Richard Plumb steps down; interim president named
After two years serving as President of Saint Mary’s, Richard Plumb announced in March 2023 that he would step down at the end of June 2023. Brother Thomas Jones, FSC, was named as Interim President and stepped into that role in July 2023 while Saint Mary’s began a search.
August
Astronauts Can Use Student-Built Tool on the Moon, Mars, and Beyond
The NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute features work by Jared Ralleta ’24, making sure that a national audience knows about his work—reads the profile written by SMC Staff Writer Hayden Royster.
Saint Mary’s, Hawaii to play men’s hoops exhibition to benefit Maui
In the wake of devastating wildfires on Maui, the Men’s Basketball team plays an exhibition game for charity in Hawaii. The San Francisco Chronicle, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, KHON Television, and other media outlets spread the word.
San Jose Earthquakes II team makes premier appearance at Saint Mary's
Pro soccer comes to the SMC Stadium when the Earthquakes II host Austin. Big news comes before the year is out: that The Town FC will play a series of pro soccer games at Saint Mary’s beginning in 2024.
September
SMC Professor Emerita Brenda Hillman Honored with Fred Cody Award for Lifetime Achievement & Service at Northern California Book Awards
At Saint Mary’s, the renowned poet was recognized as Professor of the Year. Her most recent collection earns accolades from Alta Journal, as does the latest from SMC poet Matthew Zapruder. Read Hillman’s remarks from the Book Awards event here.
Mayra Jiménez, farmworkers' daughter, beats the odds to attend college, hoping to give parents a better life
CBS News Bay Area traces the journey of student Mayra Jiménez, from her arrival in the US to learning English, from working in the fields to studying at Saint Mary’s.
SMC’s Sam Reider Nominated for Latin Grammy: ‘Brooklyn-Cumaná,’ with musician Jorge Glem, up for Best Instrumental Album
The unique instrumental combo gets a nod in the prestigious awards competition, with the ceremony hosted in Spain for the first time.
Annalouisa Gonzalez-Ortega Named a Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year
A first-generation Mexican American who was raised by parents who always emphasized the importance of education, Annalouisa Gonzalez-Ortega ’96 was a translator for her family at an early age and learned to become her own advocate early in her educational journey. She’s also the first person in her family to apply, be accepted, attend, and graduate (with two bachelor’s degrees) from Saint Mary’s.
Report: Kings Sign Summer League Standout Jordan Ford ’20 for Training Camp
Sports Illustrated reports that Sacramento's hometown hero—and a Gael standout on the basketball court—is getting the opportunity to make the Kings roster.
October
Opening Celebration for Fall Museum Exhibitions — featuring work by Corita Kent + Lisa Congdon
Local media including SF/Arts and Diablo Magazine, as well as national magazines draw attention to the exhibits “Hold It Lightly” by Lisa Congdon and “heroes and sheroes” by Corita Kent at the Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art. Consider them among “pop culture musts for fall.”
New Saint Mary’s women’s coach determined to build ‘high-level’ mid-major team
The San Francisco Chronicle profiles new Women’s Basketball Head Coach Jeff Cammon—who has big ambitions for the team.
Top 20 college basketball guards for 2023–24: “Aidan Mahaney is about as tough a shot-maker as you’ll find in college basketball.”
The Athletic and NCAA.com shine a spotlight on the Gaels basketball player. The San Francisco Chronicle takes a look at how “Saint Mary’s Augustas Marciulionis steps out of father’s shadow to lead Gaels.” And CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, and others make their predictions for the 2023–24 season.
Pope Francis Calls Attention to Climate Crisis; SMC Makes Strides Through its Inaugural Climate Action Plan and Strategic Plan
Pope Francis released a new Apostolic Exhortation, Laudate Deum, calling urgent attention to the climate crisis and highlighting his “heartfelt concerns about the care of our common home.” Here’s what that means for SMC.
For 25 years, slam poets have bared their souls — and sometimes teeth — at Berkeley’s Starry Plough
The Berkeley Poetry Slam showcases poets who compete weekly for cash prizes in the longest-running poetry slam on the West Coast, Joanne Furio MFA ’16 writes for Berkeleyside. The winner of the slam on the featured night: Mallory Asis ’27, a first-year student at Saint Mary's.
November
U.S. Department of State Recognizes 46 Hispanic-Serving Institutions as Fulbright HSI Leaders
Along with receiving recognition from the U.S. State Department as a Top Fulbright Scholar Producer, Saint Mary’s is for the first time named a Fulbright leader among Hispanic-serving institutions.
WCC Announces 2023 Women's Cross Country Major Awards: Marty Kinsey ’01 is Coach of the Year
Marty Kinsey guided the Gaels to their highest WCC Championship finish (3rd) and team score (89) in 32 years. For the first time since 1990, Saint Mary's had three women finish in the top 13.
Oakland’s Department of Violence Prevention Will be Led by an Expert on Gender-Based Violence
Recognized earlier in 2023 as a “Social Justice Change Leader,” Holly Joshi MA ’16, PhD ’22 takes on a new role with Oakland. Before studying at SMC, she served with the Oakland Police Department.
December
Marciulionis scores 18, Jefferson gets 16, help Saint Mary's upset No. 13 Colorado State, 64-61
The Associated Press reports on the Gaels’ upset victory over the nationally-ranked Rams on their home court. WCC Sports takes a deep dive into what this means for Saint Mary’s, especially on the heels of the SMC victory over Cleveland State the same week.
CU Women’s Basketball Has Returned to National Prominence, but JR Payne and the Buffs Still Have Boxes Left to Check
The Denver Post serves up a big feature on University of Colorado women’s basketball Head Coach JR Payne ’99 and Toriano Towns ’98, whose careers have been intertwined since they first met as student-athletes at Saint Mary’s. They have used their tried-and-true blueprint to accomplish a major turnaround for the Buffaloes.
Moraga Mayor Kicks Off 50th Anniversary at State of the Town Lunch
Saint Mary’s hosts the Mayor of Moraga for a community update. And it’s official: The Town FC will partner with Saint Mary’s to play pro soccer at the SMC Stadium.
Saint Mary's Sociology Professor Robert Bulman studies the representation of teens and high schools in film and wights in on the discussion in The New York Times.
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