Welcome to the YCSD
Since 1964, the Yale Club of San Diego has been an all-volunteer group of Yale affiliated alumni that gives of their time to build and grow the Yale community. Our goals are to promote social camaraderie, intellectual pursuit, and community service. Whether connected to Yale College, the Yale Graduate and Professional Schools, or you are a parent or spouse of a Yalie, all are welcome and encouraged to make us the Finest Alumni in America’s Finest City.
The Yale Club of San Diego is always looking for volunteers and ideas to make the Club a more rewarding experience for you. Please let us know at yaleclubofsandiego@gmail.com
Jason P. Luján ’89
YCSD President
Please join your fellow Yale Alumni and guests as we restart a wonderful tradition: The Annual Brunch. It’s sure to be a fresh start to renew relationships both old and new after a dreadful annus horibilis. To add an even more “interesting” twist, our previous speaker Ted Marmor had to back out unexpectedly. But have no fear, we Yalies are resourceful and are pleased to offer you another great speaker. Marc Brackett, Ph.D., is the Founder and Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a Professor in the Child Study Center of Yale University. He is the lead developer of RULER, an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning that has been adopted by nearly 2,000 pre-K through high schools across the United States and in other countries. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). As a researcher for over 20 years, Brackett has focused on the role of emotions and emotional intelligence in learning, decision making, creativity, relationships, health, and performance. He has published 125 scholarly articles and received numerous awards and accolades for his work in this area. He also consults regularly with corporations, such as Facebook, Microsoft, and Google on integrating the principles of emotional intelligence into employee training and product design. Most recently, he co-founded Oji Life Lab, a corporate learning firm that develops innovative digital learning systems on emotional intelligence. Brackett’s mission is to educate the world about the value of emotions and the skills associated with using them wisely. “I want everyone to become an emotion scientist”, he says. “We need to be curious explorers of our own and others’ emotions so they can help us achieve our goals and improve our lives.” Registration may be found here: Save the date! Venue TBD.
Volunteer for the YCSD Board of Directors
Local Alumni,
The YCSD Board of Directors is in need of your time and talent to help continue making this the Finest Collegiate Club in America’s Finest City. The following Director positions are open for the upcoming 2020-2021 term:
- Annual Brunch Chair
- Inter-Collegiate Liaison
As an all-volunteer organization, the YCSD can not function without your support. Interested applicants wanting to know more details on the position as well as time commitments may contact the YCSD President at yaleclubofsandiego@gmail.com.
Introducing Handsome Dan XIX
In dogged pursuit of greater joy for the members of its community, Yale University announced on 18 March 2021 the latest bulldog to serve as Yale’s famed live mascot.
Full press release HERE.
In Memoriam
Sara Liz-Anne Jones ’91
Sara Liz-Anne Jones ’91 passed away peacefully in her home this morning, January 28th. Thanks to the generosity of friends, her final days were filled with the sounds of a crackling fire and the sight and smell of daffodils. She was overwhelmed with gratitude for all the support she received throughout her last few months.
Sara was a beloved daughter, sister, and friend. She is survived by her father Graham Jones, her brother CJ Read-Jones, her sisters Jackie Valerio (Will Valerio), Jenny Jones (Kimberleigh Jones), Debbie Norris, and by her niece and nephews Ashley Valerio, Tyler Valerio, Trey Norris, and JJ Norris.
Sara led a life of service. She was a long-time volunteer with the American Red Cross, the Amateur Radio Club, the Sheriff’s search and rescue patrol, and the Yale Club of San Diego. She was a tireless advocate for sexual harassment survivors. She never missed an opportunity to connect people who might help one another.
A consummate educator, Sara loved helping people get from where they were to where they wanted to be. This passion took many forms, from middle school teacher to disaster consultant to special education aid to leadership coach. She always informed and inspired when she taught, and always with great preparation. In her spare time, she read, gardened, baked, and trained for triathlons. She held a black belt in ninjutsu. She was a modern day renaissance woman.
In lieu of flowers, Sara has requested donations be made to either the San Diego Chapter of the Red Cross or St. Peter’s Church in Del Mar. She would also like you to remember that the fifth is for flowers.
On a more personal note, I am indebted to Sara as the one who encouraged me to re-engage with Yale after a more than 25 year absence. I found her friendship and counsel to be invaluable through the subsequent years. She will be missed. I can only hope that I may lead by her example for the benefit of Yale Alumni. — Jason P. Luján ’89. YCSD President
Yale Book Awards 2020
The Yale Book Awards are offered each year to outstanding junior high school students from around San Diego County. Each participating school selected a junior student using the following criteria: The student is in the top 2-3 % of the class; has leadership skills; is an “All-American;” and demonstrates outstanding personal character and intellectual promise.
The following students listed in alphabetical order received the Yale Book Award. Their respective high schools and counselor-liaison (in parentheses) are also included:
- Elianna Amador. The Preuss School at UCSD (Ms. Erin Patrick)
- Dillon Terrence Broderick. Patrick Henry HS (Ms. Claudia Gonzalez)
- Andrew Diep-Tran. Mission Hills HS (Mr. Randy Amos)
- Jordyn Duby. Point Loma HS (Mr. Brian Compagnone)
- Sarah Lesmeister. San Dieguito Academy (Mr. Duncan Brown)
- Samantha Lorr. Coronado HS (Ms. Lindsay Goldman)
- Aubteen Maroufi. High Tech High (Ms. Nicholle Wyatt)
- Boston Moreland. La Jolla Country Day School (Mr. Damien Fatongia)
- Isabella Nazur. SD School of Creative & Performing Arts (Ms. Kim Abagat)
- Kaitlin Ordonio. Academy of Our Lady of Peace (Ms. Anita Heveron)
- Eric Pan. The Bishop’s School (Mr. Andrew Jezierski)
- Stephanie Rios. Barrio Logan College Institute (Ms. Karla Zuniga)
- Jerome Christian Santiago. St. Augustine HS (Dr. Jerry Rey)
- Andrew Schmidt. Santa Fe Christian Schools (Mr. Steve Strimple)
- Jacob R. Todd. Del Norte HS (Ms. Kathleen Marron)
- Diana Flores Valdivia. Chula Vista HS (Ms. Karen Saiki)
- Luis Velediaz. University City HS (Ms. Kelsey Bradshaw)
- Christian Yoon. Scripps Ranch HS (Ms. Justina Estrada)
Regrettably, this year’s reception at the La Jolla Riford Library had to be cancelled due to COVID-19. A packet was mailed to each student instead including: a Yale Book Award certificate; an award book with Yale bookplate; a Yale prospectus entitled Embrace the spirit of And; a letter directing students and parents to Yale.edu to learn about academic programs, financial aid, and virtual campus tours; and a YouTube link for the enjoyable and informative Yale student musical: That’s why I chose Yale.
This year’s award books by category were:
- History: The heart of the Declaration; Paris 1919: Six months that changed the world.
- Biography: Henry Clay: The essential American.
- Literature: Immortal words: History’s most memorable quotations and the stories behind them.
- Contemporary issues: Collusion: How Central Bankers rigged the world; American Breakdown: The Trump years and how they befell us.
- Science: She has her mother’s laugh: The powers, perversions, and potential of heredity.
Congratulations again to all the recipients of the 2020 Yale Book Award.
—Giovanni Chimienti, Acting Chairman for the 2020 Yale Book Awards
Become a Contributing Member of the Yale Club of San Diego
Your tax-deductible dollars help support programs such as the YCSD Book Award, Yale Day of Service, and Alumni Schools Committee (ASC), in addition to offsetting the costs of social and professional events offered throughout the year.
For God, For Country, and for Yale!
and for San Diego!
The Yale Club of San Diego (EIN: 33-0001712) is a participant in the AmazonSmile Foundation. What this means for Yale Alumni is that you can designate the Yale Club of San Diego as a beneficiary whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. Proceeds from your donation help the Club promote social camaraderie, intellectual pursuit, and community service.
Register now at smile.amazon.com and select “Yale Club of San Diego”.
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