Graduates succeed in all areas of life
By JENNIFER KANNE
Santa Clara graduate (1972) Mary Ann Peters was nominated by President Clinton to be the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh.
Peters joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1975, and subsequently worked in Germany and the former Soviet Union. Peters speaks seven languages and serves as deputy chief of a mission in Canada. Her nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.
"It's an honor when a Santa Clara graduate receives such distinguished recognition," University Spokesperson Barry Holtzclaw said.
Peters is only the latest Santa Clara graduate to reach great heights. There are recognizable Bronco names who have made it big outside the Santa Clara bubble.
Dee Dee Myers, '83, put her political science degree to work in Washington DC. She is currently the Washington editor of Vanity Fair magazine, where she writes political commentary. Formerly Clinton's Press Secretary, Myers was the first female as well as the youngest individual to hold the position of Presidential Press Secretary. She also made a cameo appearance in the 1997 science fiction movie Contact.
Andy Ackerman, '78, produced and directed "Seinfeld," for which he won three Emmy Awards. He has also worked on the television shows "Wings," "Fraiser," "Cheers" and "WKRP in Cincinnati."The business world also enjoys contributions from Santa Clara alumni.
Thomas Fanoe, '68, is the current President of Levi Stauss Company.
John Fry, '78, and his brothers William, '82 and David, '83, are the owners of Fry's Electronics.
Entrepreneur Michonne R. Ascuaga, '83, is president of a hotel and casino bearing his name in Reno, Nevada. The 1,600-room hotel has been in operation since 1955.
Some heavyweights in the local wine industry gained business and marketing savvy in the halls of Kenna.
Michael Mondavi, '66, is the chief executive of Robert Mondavi winery in Napa. He co-founded the corporation the year of his graduation from Santa Clara with his father and was named "Industry Executive of the Year" in 1998 by a group of beer and wine industry insiders. The Robert Mondavi Corporation operates out of a complex that closely resembles a California mission from the outside and now generates sales of $340 million annually.
Sam Sabastiani, '62, is also a winemaker. He works for Viana Winery in Sonoma County.
Santa Clara graduates have made their mark in professional sports as well.
Women's soccer star Brandi Chastain, '91, is still on the Santa Clara coaching staff after winning a World Cup Championship.
"She's a big emotional influence, her being a former player of this program helps and on the field she helps us more than we can appreciate or understand," sophomore Alice Gleason said.
Chastain and men's basketball celebrity Steve Nash, '96, are not the only ones to succeed professionally after their final seasons in Bronco jerseys.
Brent Jones, '85, played tight end for the San Francisco 49ers and is now a CBS sports commentator. He considered running for Congress after his NFL retirement, but opted for a career in broadcast journalism.
Kurt Rambis, '80, played professional basketball for the Lakers, Hornets and Suns. Known for his hard-working attitude on and off the court, Rambis played forward on four Lakers NBA championship teams.
Stephen Schott, '60, owns the Oakland Athletics baseball franchise.
Notable Santa Clara graduates are not all sports and entertainment figures or business moguls. Marty Sammon, '56, escorted the first group of African American students to Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957 while serving in the U.S. Army.