Author Archives: Bill McDonald '68

Brunch in Del Mar

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The Chapter held its first women’s brunch of 2023 on Sunday, March 5, at the Viewpoint Brewing Co. in Del Mar. This group of 12 lady Eagles enjoyed taking in the view of the San Dieguito Lagoon while connecting and sharing stories of their time at BC.

Around the table, starting at front, left: Michelle Duquette-Huber ’97, Mary-Lou Kiley MSW’77, Jennifer Mustard ’07, Lani Frankville ’14, Julie Croce ’93, Teressa Tangredi ’91, Maria DeSantis ’75, Zeynep Barakat ’99, Shereen Attisha ’92 P’24, Erin Carpenter ’02, Michaela Gačnik ’19, and Macy Peabody ’19.

We hope to schedule these on a quarterly basis – stay tuned for more info.

Softball in San Diego

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San Diego Eagles joined parents and friends of members of the Boston College softball team yesterday at the final game of a three-game series against UC San Diego at Triton Softball Field.

BC softball and San Diego Eagles. And kids.

BC swept the series, winning 5-0 and 6-1 in the Friday and Saturday games and hanging on to win 3-2 yesterday. Sophomore pitcher Abby Dunning came in to pitch in relief and struck out the final Triton batter with two Tritons on base for the save.

Sophomore Hannah Slike of Chula Vista had three hits in the series, scoring one run and batting in another.

Following the game, alumni met and chatted with BC players and coaches, who seemed unanimous in appreciating the turnout of local grads. Special thanks to head coach Amy Kvilhuag and director of softball operations Michael Demarin for their assistance.

Among local alumni attending were Rebecca ’89 P’23 and Pat Wade P’23, Joe ’74 P’11 and Lori Mahler P’11, Bill McDonald ’68, Don McGrath ’80, Tekae Malandris ’04, Tim Speros ’07 and his two daughters, and Brian Tsu ’00.

UPDATE: The Eagles finished their SoCal swing with a 5-3 victory today over UC Riverside, finishing 4-0 on the trip.

Wreaths Across America 2022

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San Diego Eagles gathered again yesterday for the annual “Wreaths Across America” activity at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

In addition to recognizing and honoring all of those buried there, the Chapter particularly recognized Dorothy Cerro ’59, a veteran of the Korean War.

While information is incomplete, Cerro is listed by the University as among three BC graduates buried or inurned at Fort Rosecrans. (The Chapter had recognized LT John Kelleher ’58 and TSGT Edward Merikle ’51 in previous years.) Cerro is identified as a member of the Class of 1959, but she was likely in the graduate nursing program. Elsewhere identified as a nurse in an army MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) unit, she was a First Lieutenant, which implies she had completed college elsewhere. She would have been in her late 20s, early 30s at BC.

She died in 2012 and is inurned with the remains of her husband, Robert, who had also served in Korea. Records indicate the couple spent their last years as residents of San Diego County.

Chapter members offer a prayer at the columbarium.

Wreaths Across America sponsors and organizes events such as this at national cemeteries throughout the US. The Boston College Veterans Alumni Network has sponsored  the event for several years at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Mass., on Cape Cod. Alumni chapters have also begun to participate at Arlington National Cemetery and elsewhere.

L-R: Lissa Tsu ’00, Margot Tsu, Brian Tsu ’00, Bill McDonald ’68, Joe Mahler ’74 P’11, Mary-Lou Kiley MSW’77, Ray Berube ’78, Julie Croce ’93, Mike Croce (behind), LT Nguyet Nguyen Allbaugh ’07 (front), Lori Mahler P’11, and Caitlin Mahler ’11, CGSOM’17.