Changemakers

London Breed, raised in San Francisco’s Western Addition and USF MPA alum, made history as the city’s first female African American mayor. Serving from 2018–2025, she championed housing, public health, and equity, embodying USF’s values of service and justice in public leadership.

Bill Cartwright, USF’s all-time leading basketball scorer and 3-time All-American, won 3 NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls and coached internationally. A familiar presence on campus, Cartwright leads University Initiatives and serves on the McCarthy Center board, exemplifying cura apostolica, care of the institution.

A Northern Arapaho leader, Jordan Dresser has worked to reclaim sacred objects and protect cultural heritage. A former tribal chairman and museum professional, he champions Indigenous sovereignty and ensures traditions are preserved for future generations.

Dorothy M. Ehrlich, History grad and longtime ACLU leader, retired after decades of advocacy. As Deputy Executive Director and former head of ACLU Northern California, she championed justice, racial equity, and LGBTQ+ rights, embodying Jesuit values through visionary leadership.

Heather Fong, a trailblazing investigator and leader, was the first woman and Asian American woman to lead a major U.S. city police force as San Francisco’s Chief. She continues driving justice and reform nationally through leadership roles at the Department of Homeland Security.

Kathileen Gallagher helped shape USF’s co-ed transition in 1968, founding women’s athletics and arts programs. She launched a dance major, led community outreach, and helped create the Performing Arts and Social Justice program. Her legacy blends art, service, and social change.

Gordon Getty, USF ’56, is a celebrated composer, philanthropist, and civic leader. His $30M in gifts helped launch the J. Paul Getty Honors College and Ann Getty Institute of Art & Design. Honored as USF’s 2015 Alumnus of the Year, he exemplifies Jesuit values through art, education, and service.

Elizabeth Greenwood, a History graduate and acclaimed author of Playing Dead and Love Lockdown, blends investigative journalism with bold storytelling. Featured at USF’s 2025 Book Fair, she uplifts hidden voices, teaches writing, and reflects Jesuit values through curiosity, empathy, and cultural insight.

Tom Hewitt has dedicated his life to child welfare in South Africa, founding Surfers not Street Children and co-founding Umthombo Street Children. Awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire and the Ralph Lane Peace & Justice Award, he’s a tireless advocate for vulnerable youth.

Ralph Lane taught Sociology, established community-based learning, and infused all his work with a commitment to justice and peace. As such, he established the Lane Center for Catholic Thought. He was known as a thinking man, who confronted fearlessly what it means to be human in a complex and conflicted world.

Katherine de Léon "uses her USF education every single day." A U.S. Marine, she became a Philosophy major and went on to co-found a music streaming company. De Léon has been a female pioneer in the male-dominated gaming industry and now serves as Senior Director of Product Management for YouTube.

Fr. Thomas Lucas, S.J. shaped USF’s artistic identity as the founder of both the current department of Art + Architecture and the Thacher Gallery. His creative vision and Jesuit-inspired design lives on in public art across campus, including the Armillary Sphere installed in his honor.

Department Chair of Natural Sciences, Joseph Neri was the first person to demonstrate electric light to the city of San Francisco in 1871. Embodying Jesuit principles of spreading knowledge, Neri believed “there was not, and could not be, any conflict between true science and true religion.”

Vicky Nguyen, NBC News investigative reporter and USF valedictorian, tells impactful stories rooted in justice and truth. A refugee and author of Boat Baby, she uplifts marginalized voices and mentors USF students, exemplifying Jesuit values through journalism, empathy, and public service.

Sociology Professor Esther Madriz was passionate about social justice issues, including women's fear of crime, hate crimes, domestic violence, gay and lesbian rights, and human rights abuses against Latinos. At USF, she led the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women and co-founded the Center for Latino Studies in the Americas.

USF professor and administrative leader Gerardo Marín shaped the university through programs like the Martín-Baró Scholars and international initiatives, with a postdoctoral fellowship honoring his legacy. Author of 150+ works on Latine culture, he gained global recognition and advanced equity in education and research.

McCarthy served as California’s Lt. Governor and Speaker of the State Assembly. As an elected official, McCarthy championed public transportation, stewardship of the land, and transparency in government. His belief in educating for a just society led to the creation of USF’s Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good.

Joan McGrath, Trustee Emerita, is a builder and nurturer advancing Jesuit education through visionary support. With her husband, she champions Catholic Educational Leadership, funds graduate scholarships, launched the McGrath Institute, and supports global immersion for students, transforming lives through faith, service, and leadership.

Carlos Menchaca was the first Mexican American to serve on the New York City Council and the first openly gay New York City Council member from Brooklyn. The POV documentary Emergent City highlights how Menchaca championed dialogue and collective action instead of standard politics and power.

Kevin Mullin represents California’s 15th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. A former California Assemblymember and Speaker pro Tempore, he champions democracy, climate action, healthcare access, and economic opportunity for all.

Professor Robert J. Seiwald, a USF chemistry professor (1957–1989) and WWII veteran, co-invented groundbreaking antibody labeling agents. His work revolutionized disease diagnostics and earned him a place in the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He turns 100 during the College of Arts & Sciences centennial.

Melvin Swig sponsored USF’s Judaic Studies Chair and Program, the first ever at a Catholic University. A respected developer and philanthropist, he served as Chairman of USF Board of Trustees. Swig received the first Unity Medal (Union of American Hebrew Congregations) in recognition of his life-long contributions to racial and religious harmony.

Jennifer Turpin (pictured right), a sociologist and transformative leader, served USF for 34 years. She founded the Women’s Studies program and became the university’s first female provost and CAS dean, advancing equity and shaping academic life through 17 years in senior leadership.