June 2019
Congrats to the Class of 2019, Our Newest Alumni

Former faculty member Tom Tyler received the Cor Unum award at O’Dowd’s 65th Commencement Exercises held at the Paramount Theatre of the Arts in June. Tom spoke passionately about O'Dowd's long-standing commitment to the environment and challenged students to commit to creating a more just and sustainable world for all of its people and creatures. Other commencement speakers included Valedictorian Pearl Li , who is headed to MIT, and Alden O'Rafferty , who will be attending Stanford University.
Grand Reunion a Smash Hit

A record number of alumni, excited at the prospect of visiting with retired and current faculty members, returned to campus on May 18 for the Grand Reunion: Party of the Quad. “Having a Grand Reunion was an awesome thing to do, bringing students back together and honoring them for attending O’Dowd. It was wonderful to see all the faces after 50 years and to see the school - it has grown and it is awesome. I am proud to have graduated from O’Dowd,” Nyla Backster Bowers ’69 said.
Rhonda Morris '83 Recognized as one of the Bay Area's Most Influential Women in Business

Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Chevron Corp., Rhonda Morris ‘83 is among 124 women business leaders on the San Francisco Business Times’ 2019 list of the Most Influential Women in Business. She cited O’Dowd Algebra teacher Mrs. Volpi as her inspirational mentor, saying “She taught me that being comfortable asking for help makes you better and stronger.”
Award-Winning Graphic Novelist and Former Faculty Member Gene Yang Given Honorary Doctorate

Gene Yang, who was the fifth National Ambassador for Young People's Literature for the Library of Congress and was chosen for a 2016 Mac Arthur Foundation "genius" grant, was given an honorary doctorate at Cal State East Bay's commencement ceremony on May 19 . Gene served at O'Dowd from 1998-2015, teaching computer science and serving as director of information services, and will be a presenter at the sophomore retreat being held in January 2020.

Softball Team Captures NCS Title in Thriller

Trailing 2-1 in the top of the seventh inning, the softball team scored seven runs to secure a come-from-behind 8-2 win over Antioch to win the North Coast Section Division ll title on May 25.
Sarah Lillevand '86 Selected as Piedmont's Next City Administrator

After an extensive recruitment process, which resulted in forty three applicants, the City Council has selected Sara Lillevand '86 to serve as Piedmont’s next City Administrator.

Campus News

  • O'Dowd named Best Faith-Based High School by readers of Parents' Press
  • End of Year Mass celebrated - Read more
  • O'Dowd swimmers named 2019 Academic All-Americans - Read more
  • Lucy Barretto '21 wins second place in Population Education contest - Read more
  • Student-Athletes ready to play sports in college - Read more
  • Gabby Goss '22 pens award-winning sonnet - Read more
Upcoming Events

  • Alumni Beer Garden - October 18, 2019
  • Transforming Lives Dinner - November 7, 2019
  • Grand Reunion: Party on the Quad - May 16, 2020
Alumni News & Notes

  • Nishara Lewis '10 goes from Bay to Broadway - Read more
  • Latrell Powell '15 recognized as the Most Outstanding Graduating Senior for the entire SDSU College of Arts and Letters - Read more
  • David Schwoegler '61 writes monthly column for Oakland Magazine - Read more