In 2024, the University of San Diego was proud to commemorate its 75th anniversary with a yearlong celebration that honored its past and looked toward a bright future.
True to the words of its founders, Bishop Charles Francis Buddy and Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill, RSCJ, USD acknowledged the many ways its community serves the world by fearlessly pursuing beauty goodness and truth. As a contemporary Catholic university intrinsically linked to the San Diego region, USD also connected with the community by pursuing its mission to create a more hopeful, inclusive and sustainable world.
To kick off the year, USD hosted a first-of-its-kind conference for Catholic universities from around the world to discuss the future of higher education. Alumni and friends traveled to some of the most sacred places in Italy during Holy Week and walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain during the summer. In the fall, USD was named by The Wall Street Journal among the top-50 universities in the country. The Princeton Review ranks USD among the top-20 Best Run Colleges, #3 Best Quality of Life and #1 Most Beautiful Campus in the nation.
Locally, USD served its community through a special project with the Monarch School, which serves thousands of unhoused youth and families in San Diego, and joined forces with the San Diego Padres through the Padres Pedal the Cause event. As the title sponsor and grand marshal of the Linda Vista Multicultural Fair and Parade, USD’s students, athletes, faculty, staff and alumni shared their Torero spirit with the neighborhood they call home. The university also welcomed visitors to campus for hundreds of lectures, exhibits, symposia and community events.
This month, USD is especially excited to “Shine Bright on the Diamond” at Petco Park, during the Founders Gala. This signature event was first presented in 2009 during USD’s 60th anniversary and the six galas held since then have netted more than $6 million for student scholarships.
Year-end Christmas traditions will include a tree lighting ceremony and a Mass to observe the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. In January 2025, the university will celebrate the opening of its 80,000 square-foot Palomar Health Student Wellness Center.
As the University of San Diego looks toward the next 75 years, its students and graduates will continue fostering peace, working for justice, leading with love and Lighting the Way Forward.
To learn more about the University of San Diego, visit sandiego.edu/BecomeATorero.
