Seattle University Magazine Winter 2025 cover

Seattle University Magazine

Volume 49, Issue #1

Winter 2025

President Eduardo Penalver seated in a leather chair

From the President

Seattle University is on the move! Powered by influential and inspiring alumni and energized by exciting new initiatives, we are making waves in Seattle and beyond.


Feature

38th Annual Alumni Awards

Celebrating Excellence: Seattle University Honors Outstanding Alumni

From trailblazing professionals to community champions and athletic legends, this year’s Alumni Award recipients embody the spirit of Seattle University’s Jesuit mission.


Faculty Spotlight


Athletics

On Campus

Stage Set for Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University

Major milestone as SU elevates and enhances arts education in Seattle.

Large format of exterior featuring photos

Coming Full Circle

Alumna Tammy Herdener, ’94, returns to SU in a leadership role, finding an environment of belonging and inclusivity reminiscent of the time when she was a student.

Tammy Herdener

Answering the Pope’s Call to Action

Seattle University is marking a decade of environmental and social justice initiatives as outlined in Laudato Si’.

Hands holding compost with greenery in the background

Career Outcomes

From Freshman Struggles to Championship Whistles

Through mentorship and support Bryan Brunette, ’86, found a community and himself.

Referee Bryan Brunette in basketball game

In Memoriam

Bill Eisiminger The Seattle University community remembers William “Bill” Eisiminger, ’67, ’73, a philanthropic champion of Catholic education, who passed away October 19, 2024.  

Eisiminger’s support of Catholic education came from firsthand experience as a student and teacher. After graduating from Seattle University with a BA in Education in 1967, he spent several years teaching at Holy Rosary School in West Seattle and returned to SU to earn his Master’s in Education in Administration and Supervision. He then served eight years as principal of Holy Family Parish School before transitioning to real estate investment as president and owner of Barcelona Enterprises Inc.  

At Seattle University, he served on the College of Arts and Sciences Leadership Council, the Athletics campaign task force and the Board of Regents. In 2002, Eisiminger was honored with the Seattle University Service Award for his commitment to the school’s mission. 

Eisiminger loved Redhawk basketball and was a fixture in his courtside seat at games. Students are sure to recognize Eisiminger’s name, as he provided the naming gift for the William F. Eisiminger Fitness Center. He also partnered with Elgin Baylor to establish the Elgin and Elaine Baylor and Bill Eisiminger Men's Basketball Endowed Scholarship to support student athletes. 

“Bill Eisiminger’s love for Seattle University and particularly for Seattle University Athletics will be felt for generations through his personal and philanthropic impact,” says Shaney Fink, Vice President for Athletics. 

Read more about Bill’s life and legacy.

John MeisenbachThe university remembers John Meisenbach, a visionary leader and philanthropist whose contributions will resonate for generations. Meisenbach, ’60, a Trustee Emeritus who passed away on October 7, 2024, surrounded by his family. 

Two years after graduating in 1960, he founded Meisenbach Capital Management (MCM), a financial services company where he served as chairman for the rest of his life. 

Throughout his successful career, Meisenbach continued to stay involved with Seattle University. He served as Regent Emeritus and Trustee Emeritus on the Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2011. Additionally, he was on the Alumni Board of Governors, the Albers Business Advisory Committee, the Gala Scholarship Event Committee, the Albers Dean's Advisory Board and a mentor for the Albers MBA Mentorship program. In 2006, Meisenbach was honored as the university’s Alumnus of the Year, the highest recognition awarded to alumni.  

“John was exceptional on so many levels,” says Pete Fewing, former head coach of SU Men’s Soccer. “He was genuine, generous, kind, humble, had a great sense of humor and always looked for ways to help without being noticed. John was a force of nature in the best way possible.”  

Read more about John’s life and legacy.

1949 

Madge Hume (September 21, 2024) 

1950 

Burton Goodman (December 14, 2024) 

1951

Louise Segota Niemi (February 13, 2024) 

Jeanne O'Brien (December 13, 2024) 

Frances Terry (October 6, 2024) 

1952

Clint Hattrup (April 15, 2024) 

1953 

Beverlee Lasswell (October 2024) 

1954

John Hevly (October 11, 2024) 

Ruth O’Brien (Septembe 8, 2024) 

James Lyons (October 16, 2024) 

1955 

John Cain (August 20, 2024) 

Bruce Laing (November 25, 2024) 

1956 

Keith Johnson (August 16, 2024) 

1957 

Stephen LaRiviere (December 22, 2024) 

1958 

Neil Arntz (December 28, 2024) 

Carol McGrath (September 13, 2024) 

Thomas Pogreba (December 21, 2024) 

1959 

Kathleen McOmber (November 21, 2024) 

1960 

Patricia Dederer (November 13, 2024) 

John Meisenbach (October 7, 2024) 

1961 

Virginia Johnson (August 28, 2024)

Clyde Lynn (December 25, 2024) 

1962 

Richard Finnie (August 26, 2024) 

1963 

Susan Campbell (September 3, 2024) 

1964 

Louis Marzano (October 30, 2024)

Mary Miller (August 18, 2024) 

Elinor Moschetto (November 30, 2024)

Brian Plowden (November 24, 2024) 

1965 

William Reichow (October 25, 2024) 

1967 

William Eisiminger (October 19, 2024) 

Gerard Rohrbach (September 13, 2024) 

1968 

Lynne Berry (September 16, 2024) 

1969 

Charles Butler (September 18, 2024) 

1970 

Leroy Bolton (November 18, 2024) 

Judith Ann Cochrane (October 4, 2024)  

1972 

Raymond McManaman (October 30, 2024) 

1973 

Marilyn Flax (September 10, 2024) 

1975 

Robert Nieves (October 4, 2024) 

1976 

Gloria Reichmann (August 18, 2024) 

1978 

Reginald Green (December 1, 2024) 

1983

Helen Nelson (October 29, 2024) 

1984 

Douglas Pittelko (December 23, 2024) 

1986 

Wanda Akers (November 24, 2024) 

Janice Harwell (September 1, 2024) 

1988 

Karen Collins (September 23, 2024) 

1989 

Shirley Fair (September 23, 2024) 

1991 

Christopher Muller (December 9, 2024) 

1992 

Mary Holland (September 29, 2024) 

1995 

Maryann Wright (October 10, 2024) 

1996 

Kathleen McCann (August 23, 2024) 

1998 

James McGuire (November 20, 2024) 

1999 

P.B. Schlotfeldt (November 24, 2024) 

2001 

Gail Williams (November 2, 2024) 

2004 

David Carroll (November 2, 2024) 

2005 

Verne Gibbs (August 25, 2024) 

2009 

Bruce Chittick (November 7, 2024) 

Xia Hua (November 14, 2024)

Faculty/Staff 

Leticia Guardiola-Saenz (January 8, 2025) 
(faculty/theology & religious studies)

The Last Word

Past Issues

Spring & Summer 2024 Magazine cover includes an art collage with the text "Seattle University Magazine"

Groundbreaking Art Gift

Spring 2024
In a truly transformative gift, philanthropist Richard Hedreen donates $300M art collection to Seattle University, along with seed money to fund a Museum of Art.

Past Issues

Fall 2023

Inclusive Excellence in Action

Fall 2023
Seattle University, through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, is doubling down on its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity.

Spring 2023

Going Above and Beyond

Spring 2023
Celebrating the professional, personal and profound accomplishments of Seattle University’s Alumni Award winners.

Contact the Magazine team

Tina Potterf

Assistant Director, Communications & Publications; Editor, Seattle University Magazine