University of San Francisco

05/29/2026

USF students are “most likely to” become innovators, leaders, and changemakers. They arrive with ambition, curiosity, and big dreams — and with the support of the USF community, those dreams can take shape in powerful ways.

Before May 31, you can help open doors for what comes next. Support a USF student as they grow into who they’re meant to be » https://bit.ly/4nWklWx

05/27/2026

Bill Russell’s legacy continues to make a difference at USF.

The Bill Russell Emergency Relief Fund, which was renamed in his honor in 2025, provides a crucial safety net that uplifts students and ensures that, despite hardship, they persist at USF.

One USF student said, “Emergency funding supported me during a time where I had to choose between my bills getting paid or my tuition. Thanks to the Bill Russell fund, I didn’t have to choose one or the other, and I’ve been able to get back on my feet and continue my education!”

28 students have benefitted from the fund in the spring semester of 2026, and 1,129 students have received emergency relief support since 2016.

Discover how the fund is building a better future for Dons in times of need » https://bit.ly/4fLz70d

05/26/2026

“It is with great sadness that we at the University of San Francisco mark the passing of Clarence B. Jones, a great friend and speechwriter to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and co-founder of USF’s Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice. Our prayers and heartfelt condolences are with Clarence’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.

“Clarence Jones brought to USF not only his extraordinary experience as a civil rights leader but also a lifelong commitment to justice, human dignity, and nonviolent social change. Through his teaching, he inspired a new generation of students to engage deeply with Dr. King’s legacy and the enduring power of peaceful protest. A man who stood at the center of history, Clarence generously shared his wisdom, courage, and moral vision with our university community. We are deeply grateful for his remarkable contributions to USF and for the lasting impact he had on our community and our mission.”

Salvador D. Aceves ‘83, EdD ‘95
President

More at USF News.

Clarence B. Jones, a friend, lawyer, and speechwriter to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. passed away May 22. He was 95.

05/25/2026

Today, we honor those who gave their lives in service to the United States. One of those individuals is Jennifer Moreno ‘06, a USF nursing alumna who was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2013. Moreno, who grew up in San Diego, was killed while helping soldiers in her unit who were injured by an IED.

She was attached to the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment as part of the Cultural Support Team program in Afghanistan. Moreno was 25 when she died. After her death, she was promoted to captain and awarded the Bronze Star with valor.

The VA medical center in San Diego is now called the Jennifer Moreno VA Medical Center after a special renaming ceremony in 2022.

A clinic at Fort Sam Houston Army base in San Antonio has been named the Captain Jennifer M. Moreno Primary Care Clinic in her honor. 🇺🇸

05/23/2026

Spring commencement on the Hilltop! 🎓🌼

Congrats to the 2,016 graduates of USF’s Class of 2026! You join an alumni network across the world that is more than 125,000 strong.

In the words of St. Ignatius, go forth and set the world on fire!

05/21/2026

USF's 167th Commencement Ceremonies will be livestreamed on the USF website, starting with today's Commencement Mass at 3 p.m.

Spring Commencement:

Celebrate the 167th Commencement Ceremonies at St. Ignatius Church on May 21-23. Can't make it in person? All ceremonies will be streamed here, and on YouTube.

05/21/2026

More than 100 alumni, parents, and friends gathered at Bazán Cellars for the university’s Taste of the North Bay event.

Guests enjoyed a tasting of four wines, including the winery’s signature cabernet sauvignon.

The Bazán family — including alumna Daniela Bazán ’06, MA ’18, winery owner Mario Bazán, and his wife Gloria — made the afternoon especially meaningful through their warmth and hospitality.

Read how leaving Napa Valley for USF marked the start of Daniela’s journey » https://bit.ly/3PQKfOU

05/18/2026

Congratulations to University of San Francisco Baseball! The Dons earned the No. 3 seed in the WCC tournament, which starts May 20. Go Dons ⚾️

𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩: 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐞 👏

Following last night’s results, and for the first time in back-to-back seasons in program history, we have officially punched our ticket to the West Coast Conference Championship!

05/15/2026

Commencement weekend begins May 21 with a Mass for graduates and families, and the celebration continues through May 23 as students in each of USF’s five schools graduate this spring.

A total of 2,016 students will receive degrees, including 1,034 undergraduates, 920 graduate students, and 62 doctoral students.

USF is awarding honorary degrees to actress Rita Moreno and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas. Moreno will give the commencement address at the College of Arts and Sciences ceremony for undergraduates in the arts and social sciences at noon on May 23.

Moreno, 94, has used her award-winning performances to focus on cultural representation in the performing arts. In 1962, she became the first Latina woman to win an Oscar for her performance as Anita in West Side Story. In 1977, she became the first Latina EGOT winner—Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

Vargas will give the commencement address at 3 p.m. May 23 to the College of Arts and Sciences graduate students. In 2011, he published “My Life as an Undocumented” in The New York Times Magazine. He revealed his status as an undocumented immigrant to spark dialogue about the nation’s broken immigration system and to advocate for the DREAM Act.

05/14/2026

This spring, USF Advertising Program achieved its strongest performance to date in the American Advertising Awards SF Bay Area, winning three Gold ADDYs, five Silver ADDYs, and 12 finalist placements out of hundreds of entries.

The wins were highlighted by the AAF Mosaic Award, given for exceptional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and rarely awarded at the local level, which went to USF student El Wright.

The AAF Amplify Awards recognize students who use creativity to uplift underserved communities. Two of the three 2026 awards went to USF students Ember Young and Eve Capin.

USF also continued its streak of recognition in the AAF Most Promising Multicultural Student category. A USF Ad Program student has been recognized in this category every year since 2018.