Menlo Athletics Donates Over 550 Toys to Good Tidings Foundation Posted on December 11, 2024May 30, 2025 by Tess Rewick Menlo Athletics Department Donates Over 550 Toys to Good Tidings Foundation’s Winter Wonderland Program By: Ally Salzwedel, Menlo Athletics Department Atherton, California, December, 2024 – Despite a busy month filled with sports seasons and final exams, Menlo College student-athletes, coaches, and staff dedicated time to embrace the holiday spirit by giving back to their community. Continuing an annual tradition, Menlo Athletics partnered with the Good Tidings Foundation to support their Winter Wonderland program, an initiative focused on providing gifts to children in underserved communities all across the Bay Area. The Winter Wonderland program, which began five years ago, collects toys through local drives to benefit non-profit partners, schools, and communities in need. Menlo Athletics has been a proud supporter of this initiative, and this year’s contributions exemplify their commitment to making a difference. In 2023, Menlo donated about 500 toys to the program. This year, the Oaks surpassed that benchmark by donating close to an impressive 550 toys, contributing to the overall success of the Winter Wonderland effort. Last Holiday season, the program served over 1,955 children and distributed 5,800 toys, bringing joy to countless families. “Life in athletics is demanding,” said Athletic Director Keith Spataro. “Training, recruiting, traveling, academics, and competition require undivided attention. Yet, our athletes, coaches, and staff prioritize giving back to the community, especially during this season of giving. We are proud to bring smiles to local children and spread holiday cheer.” Media Inquiries: For media inquiries, please contact: pr@menlo.edu About Menlo College Menlo College is a small private, nonprofit college founded in 1927 with a mission to “ignite potential and educate students to make meaningful contributions in the innovation economy.” A residential college in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College offers undergraduate degrees in business and psychology, and masters degrees in sport and performance psychology and information systems.
Olympian Oak Gulomjon Abdullaev Claims Bronze Medal at 2024 Paris Olympics Posted on August 9, 2024April 8, 2025 by Tess Rewick By: Ally Salzwedel, Director of Sports Marketing and Communications PARIS, FRANCE – In a thrilling conclusion to his Olympic journey, Uzbekistan’s Gulomjon Abdullaev has secured a Bronze medal in Wrestling at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday. Abdullaev showcased his remarkable skills and resilience, defeating Bekzat Almaz Uulu from Kyrgyzstan with a score of 4-1 in the Bronze medal match. Gulomjon’s path to the podium was marked by impressive victories, beginning with a commanding performance in the Round of 16, where he faced Aliabbas Rzazade of Azerbaijan. Abdullaev set the tone for the rest of his Olympic campaign as he outscored his opponent 11-4. In the quarterfinals, Abdullaev faced off against Arsen Harutyunyan of Armenia. Displaying a dominant performance, he controlled the match and earned his spot in the semifinals. However, the road to Gold was interrupted in the semifinals when Abdullaev faced off against Spence Lee of the United States. Despite a fierce battle, Abdullaev fell by technical fall, sending him to the Bronze medal match. In the pivotal Bronze match against Almaz Uulu, Abdullaev’s experience and determination shone through. He executed a well-crafted game plan which resulted in a 4-1 decision victory to officially title himself a Bronze medal Olympian. Menlo College’s Vice President and Director of Athletics, Keith Spataro, and Head Coach Joey Martinez, are elated by the news of Gulomjon. Martinez mentions, “We are incredibly proud of Gulomjon Abullaev for his remarkable achievement in bringing home the Bronze medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics. His dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship exemplify the spirit of our program and inspire us all at Menlo College. This victory is a testament to his hard work and the unwavering support of our coaching staff and community” Before making his Menlo debut in 2022, Abdullaev built an impressive resume, including a remarkable 7th place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Known for his resilience and competitive spirit, he also achieved 7th place at the World Championships on two separate occasions, proving his ability to consistently perform at the highest level. Gulom would go on to secure his status of National Champion by winning the NAIA National Championship Title with an undefeated record, further cementing his reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the wrestling community. Gulomjon Abdullaev’s remarkable performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics not only highlights his dedication and hard work but also elevates the profile of Uzbek wrestling on the international stage. As the Olympics come to a close, Abdullaev’s achievement will undoubtedly inspire future Oak athletes. To Read More from Menlo Athletics: Click Here Contact Information Press Contact: pr@menlo.edu About Menlo College Menlo College is a small private, nonprofit college founded in 1927 with a mission to “ignite potential and educate students to make meaningful contributions in the innovation economy.” Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College offers undergraduate degrees in business and psychology, as well as two graduate degrees: a Master of Science in Information Systems, and a Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology. Athletics plays a prominent role at Menlo College, with over 50% of students participating as varsity athletes, and many more engaged in club, intramural, and recreational sports. As a member of the NCAA DII PacWest Conference, the Department of Athletics complements the Menlo College experience by developing future leaders through its intercollegiate athletics program.
Menlo College Joins Niche Direct Admissions Program for 2024 Posted on January 5, 2024January 27, 2025 by menlocollege Menlo College is excited to announce a partnership with Niche and its Direct Admissions program as an innovative way to provide real-time acceptance and scholarship offers to students. Based on the information in their Niche Profile, high school seniors who meet the criteria for enrolling at Menlo College will immediately be notified that Menlo College wants them to join its incoming class. “Partnering with Niche is a game-changer for us,” says Keith Spataro, Menlo College’s VP of Enrollment and Athletics. “This initiative resonates with our commitment to streamline admissions and connect with exceptional students. It marks an exciting step towards further expanding our reach, allowing students to discover the unique opportunities Menlo College provides from the outset. It’s about making higher education accessible and tailored to individual aspirations from the start.” Direct admissions programs are rapidly expanding across the country and increasing in popularity as more forward-thinking colleges like Menlo College look to provide students and families with a simplified process and to encourage more high school students to pursue higher education. Every year, one in two college-bound seniors creates a profile on Niche, and over 50 million people annually rely on Niche to research and choose their best-fit college. Through their personalized Niche dashboard, Niche users who meet predetermined criteria can instantly see that they’ve been accepted into Menlo College, along with detailed information about the institution and the option to initiate the enrollment process. “Niche is changing how colleges connect with students and build their future classes,” says Luke Skurman, Founder and CEO of Niche. “By leveraging Niche Direct Admissions, admissions teams are equipped with an efficient, user-friendly way to meet students where they are, providing a modern experience that drives meaningful, measurable results.” For students interested in learning more about Niche Direct Admissions, visit: niche.com/about/direct-admissions/. Apply to Menlo! Envision your future at Menlo College and read more: Choose your major at Menlo College! Student Success at Menlo College All of Menlo College’s Rankings and Reviews About Menlo College Menlo College is a small private, nonprofit college founded in 1927 with a mission to “ignite potential and educate students to make meaningful contributions in the innovation economy.” A residential college in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College offers undergraduate degrees in business and psychology and masters degrees in sport and performance psychology and information systems. Menlo is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander-Serving (AANAPISI) Institution. About Niche Niche is changing how colleges connect with students and build their future classes. As the trusted partner to hundreds of colleges, Niche is helping higher education institutions across the country streamline operations, forge genuine connections with students and achieve their enrollment targets. Our nationally recognized Niche Direct Admissions program enables colleges to proactively accept qualified students based on their Niche Profile alone. Through real-time acceptance and scholarship opportunities, Niche Direct Admissions offers a modern experience for today’s students, resulting in more enrollments for college admissions teams. Learn more about how nearly 100 institutions are already leveraging Niche Direct Admissions.
Menlo College Earns NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Award for 2022-23 Posted on August 21, 2023January 27, 2025 by Tess Rewick By: Drew Barton & Ally Salzwedel As they do every year at this time, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) just announced the 2022-23 schools that earned their Champions of Character designation. For the 15th consecutive year, Menlo College was awarded the Champions of Character Five-Star Award. NAIA’s Champions of Character program is designed to instill an understanding of character values in sport and provide practical tools for student-athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators to use in modeling exemplary character traits. The program has established five core values that stretch well beyond the playing field to include: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. These character values help young people – and those associated with their development – make good choices in all aspects of their life and reflect the true spirit of competition. In response to this announcement, Menlo College President Steven Weiner said that “Menlo College is proud of our sustained commitment to the core values that are promoted through NAIA’s Champions of Character program. To be able to earn this recognition for 15 straight years speaks to the quality of the leadership provided by the Menlo Athletics team, and the qualities they look for when recruiting student-athletes to our program.” Menlo Athletics is coming off one of its most successful seasons in school history. Six teams would qualify for national tournaments, 19 athletes were named All-Americans and two athletes were named national champions. The department also produced the most wins ever with 149 and also saw a record 75 athletes named to conference All-Academic teams. Receiving the NAIA’s Champions of Character Five-Star distinction is just another outstanding benchmark on a great 2022-2023 athletics season. When asked what this accomplishment means for the department Vice President & Director of Athletics Keith Spataro said: “I am thankful for all our coaches, staff and student-athletes do to be recognized for the distinction. It truly has become who we are and speaks volumes about the type of character our coaches and students-athletes represent.” After such a successful year, the staff, players and fans of Menlo Athletics should be looking forward to another great season of athletics! Read more from Menlo Athletics by clicking here. About Menlo CollegeMenlo College was established in 1927. It is a small, private, non-profit, undergraduate and graduate, accredited, residential college located in Atherton, California, designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American, Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), a dual designation achieved by only 1% of all colleges and universities. Menlo College’s location in Silicon Valley, one of the world’s most entrepreneurial and innovative geographical areas, has enabled the College to create a valuable market niche for its students locally — as well as globally. Menlo College cultivates in its students the skills, integrity, and passion to make meaningful contributions in an innovation economy.
Menlo College Menʻs Wrestling Earns Cascade Collegiate Conference Title Posted on February 21, 2023January 27, 2025 by Kauahoa Hermosura Menlo College Men’s Wrestling claimed the Cascade Collegiate Conference title for the third time in five years on Saturday, February 18, 2023! In 2020, Menlo College Men’s Wrestling won the Cascade Collegiate Conference title by a 10-point margin. This year, the Oaks won with 153.0 points, beating the next best team, Southern Oregon (108.5 points), by 45 points. Menlo placed 11 wrestlers, with two champions, three second-place wrestlers, three third-place wrestlers, and many more qualifying for Nationals. Other Accolades: Coach of the Year: Joey Martinez in his 14th year as head coachMost Outstanding Wrestler: Gulomjon Abdullaev, 133 125 – Riley Siason – 3rd place Senior Riley Siason had to battle back on Day 2 to place third at 125. He went 5-1 on the tournament and defeated Matthew Terrenced (Vanguard) by decision (11-4) to book his ticket to Nationals. 125 – Cristian Vasquez – 6th place Vasquez went 1-3 on the weekend with a first-round bye. In the quarterfinals, Cristian pinned James Maheras (Arizona Christian) in the second period with only 15 seconds left. Vasquez is being patient on his potential run at Nationals as Menlo waits for wild card spots to drop this week. 133 – Gulomjon Abdullaev – Champion The Olympian Gulomjon Abdullaev went 4-0 on the weekend en route to winning the 133-pound title. In the semifinals match, Abdullaev won by tech fall (16-0) against Braden Carson (Eastern Oregon) to make it to the championship match. Gulomjon also earned the title of Most Outstanding Wrestler, which is voted by head coaches of the tournament, and will be heading to Nationals. 133 – Jovan Garcia – 2nd place Junior Jovan Garcia also earned his spot at Nationals after going 3-1 on the weekend. It will be his first appearance at Nationals as an Oak. 149 – Christopher Gaxiola – 4th place Chris went 3-2 to secure his fourth-place spot at 149. In the consolation semifinals, he faced off against Vanguard’s Bryant Avila and won by tech fall (19-4). Gaxiola now awaits his potential wild card bid for Nationals. 157 – Abraham Del Toro – Champion Senior Abraham Del Toro earned the 157-pound title this weekend by going 4-0. In the championship match, he faced off against University of Providence’s Aden Graves. It was 1-1 most of the match and went into sudden victory, but Del Toro was able to get the take down to win the championship. Del Toro will be returning to Nationals for the Oaks. 165 – Rysan Leong – 3rd place Rysan went 3-1 on the weekend to place third and earn his spot on the Nationals roster. In the consolation semifinals, he defeated Montana Northern’s Devin Crawford by decision (5-4). 174 – Maximus Zamora – 4th place Zamora joined the Nationals crew by placing fourth at 174, going 3-2 on the weekend. Max also had to battle back after going 0-1 with a bye on Day 1. 184 – Isaiah Morales – 3rd place Isaiah took third place as a freshman to make his first appearance at Nationals as an Oak. He went 4-1 on the weekend, winning in sudden victory in the consolation finals against Arizona Christian’s Kaden Martin after getting a takedown to win 5-3. 197 – Afton Silvis – 2nd place Senior Afton Silvis earned second place at 197 after going 3-1 on the weekend. 285 – Antonio Dacosta – 2nd place Antonio was the final Oak to punch his ticket to Nationals after going 2-1 on the weekend and placing second. Up Next…. Without factoring in wild card spots, nine wrestlers qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in Park City, Kansas on March 3-4, 2023. Read more from Menlo Athletics by clicking here.
Menlo College Exploring NCAA Division II Membership Posted on November 1, 2022 by Chieri Abe ATHERTON, Calif. – Menlo College has begun the process of applying for membership to the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II, as announced by Vice President for Athletics Keith Spataro. Citing the need for more regionally-aligned scheduling partners in Northern California, Menlo College leadership recently engaged a consulting firm to perform a feasibility study, and has already completed a variety of internal assessments. The Oaks are exploring membership in the PacWest conference, which currently consists of 11 members, including four in Northern California, four in Southern California, and three in Hawaii. “Our top priority in all this is the health and welfare of our student-athletes,” noted Spataro. “The senior leadership looked at the ever-changing landscape both within our current conference and college athletics as a whole. With this review it became clear that we needed to strategically align ourselves to more regional competition to decrease travel and missed class time, while also providing the best competitive environment for our entire community. We believe association with the NCAA and the PacWest checks all of those boxes.” Menlo College is a current member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and has competed in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) since 2015. The GSAC is currently a 10-member conference with six members in Southern California, two in the Bay Area and two in Arizona. “While the GSAC has been a great home for us, the travel, time, and financial demands of an Arizona and Southern California-based conference schedule contributed to our decision to explore a more regional opportunity at the NCAA Division II level,” said Spataro. In addition to a more regionally-aligned conference schedule, a move to NCAA Division II also improves Menlo’s out-of-conference scheduling opportunities, as the neighboring NCAA Division II California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) boasts seven Northern California members, four of which are in the greater Bay Area. Currently, Menlo College and its NCAA transition team are preparing all supporting documents with the intention to submit an application to the PacWest Conference in early November. If accepted, the next stage will be to submit an application for NCAA membership by February 2023. Even if accepted by the NCAA, Menlo College would continue competition in the GSAC through the 2023-24 season before moving to the PacWest at the start of the 2024-25 season. For further inquiry, please click here to see the FAQs or please contact ncaa@menlo.edu. More exciting news: From Menlo Athletics: Menlo College Honored as an NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star InstitutionHonoring Outstanding Oaks at 3,000+ In-Person OAKtoberFest 2022Students Move into New John Arrillaga Residence Hall at Menlo CollegeNot Your Average Rankings: Job Placement and Personal Growth Lead to Newest Top College Rankings” About Menlo College Menlo College was established in 1927. It is a small, private, non-profit, four-year, accredited, residential college located in Atherton, California. Menlo College’s location in Silicon Valley, one of the world’s most entrepreneurial and innovative geographical areas, has enabled the college to create a valuable market niche for its students locally — as well as globally. Menlo College cultivates in its students the skills, integrity, and passion to make meaningful contributions in an innovation economy.
A Message from President Steven Weiner: Launching the 2022-23 Academic Year Posted on September 2, 2022January 27, 2025 by Kauahoa Hermosura Our mission: At Menlo College, we ignite potential and educate students to make meaningful contributions in the innovation economy. I am very pleased to extend my welcome to all members of the Menlo College community as we start the 2022-23 academic year at Menlo College. Over the course of these last few days, I have been touched by the joy and enthusiasm of incoming and returning students alike. It promises to be a great year, and I write to share some of the reasons I’m convinced it will be so. Students As our pandemic recovery continues, we’re also celebrating one of the largest entering classes we’ve ever had at Menlo College. Our students come from far and wide, representing 36 countries and 26 states. And our campus continues its trend towards reflecting even more examples of diversity. In addition to geographic diversity, our community includes students of many different racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, gender, and economic backgrounds, as well as students with disabilities. More than one-third of our students are the first in their family to attend college. I recognize that some of our students are overcoming significant obstacles to pursue their college education at Menlo. Our community is committed to every student’s success. With this in mind, I encourage everyone to remember that our diversity is one of the great strengths of Menlo College. In a time when it seems the world is increasingly running toward polar opposites, Menlo gives us all the opportunity to learn the facts, engage in productive debate across diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, and most importantly, be considerate of one another. Each of us has an important role to play in our community. If you ever are in need of assistance, reach out to a trusted friend or colleague — we are all here to connect to, and support one another. Academics We’re continuing to refine our academic programs as a part of the ongoing implementation of our strategic plan. Our exploration of the addition of graduate program offerings in Information Systems and Sports Psychology also continues. Our faculty will continue to produce academic scholarship of note, and students will once again have opportunities to engage with faculty on their own independent research projects. In our classes, students will gain a broad worldview and learn practical skills, all while considering immediate and lasting implications. Students will learn how to give voice to their unique perspectives and make important differences on campus and beyond. The campus will once again have students lead the charge to promote innovation here at Menlo, as participants in a program in which they serve as University Innovation Fellows (UIF) and collaborate with UIFs at colleges and universities around the world. Students will also apply their learnings and use their skills as they intern at marquee billion-dollar companies and at fledgling new ventures; they will launch start-ups of their own and secure jobs — and many will obtain those job offers well before graduation. Menlo education in hand, our eventual graduates are guaranteed to impact both more established and emerging ecosystems, as well as those around them. Athletics In Menlo Athletics, men’s and women’s tennis has launched as our newest varsity teams, bringing us to a total of 18 varsity teams. Given the caliber of our student-athletes and our coaching staff, I’m confident that the Oaks will be represented at nationals once again this academic year. Our entire campus will benefit from the character and team-building work our Athletics staff imbue in our student-athletes. Campus Events Amid the day-to-day of classes, club activities, and competitions, other campus events to anticipate this year include: The third annual Silicon Valley Sculpture exhibit, our OAKtoberFest celebration, the return of our annual lūʻau, and entrepreneurial programs such as TEDxMenloCollege and Techstars Startup Weekend. Please plan to participate. Summary Over the course of the last few days, we’ve been welcoming new students, new faculty, and new staff. We’re also launching new programs, and (very soon) a new building. I expect the fencing that surrounds the John Arrillaga Sr. Residence Hall to come down in the next few weeks, and all indications are that we’ll be granted our occupancy permit and students will be able to move in sometime in September. The Menlo College community can look back on 95 years of ever-improving success, exemplified by the stand-out achievements of our alumni and the continued investments from those who believe in the Menlo College education. I look forward to the many ways in which all of you will contribute to making 2022-23 even better than those that came before. Together, we make Menlo the best educational experience and we all commit to this every day — today, tomorrow, and in the years to come. As we start the year I have already seen many new faces on campus. I encourage each of you to engage, connect, and make your presence known. Be proud to be part of the Menlo community – a place to gain experiences and connections that will be invaluable to you as you carve out your path in life. Thank you for being an Oak. My best wishes to all of you for the coming year. Now and evermore: Go Oaks! Steven WeinerPresidentMenlo College
From Menlo Athletics: Menlo College Honored as an NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Posted on August 9, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege As recently announced by the NAIA, Menlo College is one of the 157 NAIA schools honored as a Five-Star Champions of Character institution, and was one of just 67 schools given the Gold Level distinction. This marks the 11th time Menlo has earned the Five Star Distinction since 2010 and the fourth time that Menlo has earned the Gold Level Distinction. Institutions are measured on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earn points in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition and character promotion. Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by having minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year. Menlo, alongside all nine other members of the Golden State Athletic Conference, were honored with the Five Star Champions of Character distinction, and the GSAC itself was named a Five Star Champions of Character Conference. Joining Menlo with Gold Level Distinction are Arizona Christian, Hope International, OUAZ, San Diego Christian, Vanguard, Westmont, and William Jessup. Read More About the 2021-2022 Academic Year: Focused on Student Success: Menlo College Earns Three New 2022 Top College RankingsCelebrating Volunteers at Menlo CollegeMenlo College Students Explore International Business in Inaugural Academic Global Immersion ProgramMenlo College’s Dean of Arts and Sciences Expands on Commitment to Engaging Student Voters ahead of 2022 ElectionsMenlo College Offers Two New In-Demand Degree Programs with Business Analytics Major and Political Science Minor
Menlo College Celebrates Class of 2022 at Commencement Posted on June 23, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege On May 21, 2022, Menlo College gathered for Commencement to celebrate the Class of 2022. Commencement marked the final day of an academic year that saw a full reopening of campus in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a return to in-person classes and an in-person Career Connect Day, the inaugural Academic Global Immersion trip to the United Arab Emirates, and numerous academic competitions throughout each semester. In athletics, Menlo competed in 271 games and tournaments, won two conference championships, and saw a women’s wrestler – Alleida Martinez ‘22 – win a national title. “We’ve been through a lot together since we first heard about COVID-19 — way, way back at the end of 2019,” said Menlo College President Steven Weiner. “For much of 2020 and 2021, the pandemic was front and center. But this year, we managed to allow it to recede just enough so that this, your senior year, could be that special year that you deserved.” More than 150 Oaks came together for an in-person ceremony on the Quad, accompanied by friends, family, and various members of the Menlo community. Away from the Quad, thousands were able to celebrate the new graduates in a virtual setting, with more than 40,000 video views on social media and more than 1,000 views of the livestream of the ceremony. “I wanted these years at Menlo College to be the best of your life so far, but my hope now is that even better times are ahead for each of you. You deserve it,” President Weiner told the Class of 2022. “Thank you for choosing Menlo College and for including our school in your life’s journey. As you go forward, wear that ‘M’ proudly – always.” Class of 2022 Perseveres through COVID-19 Pandemic Back on August 20, 2018, the Class of 2022’s journey at Menlo officially began. Less than two years later, their experience was greatly impacted by the start of the COVID-19 pandemic during their sophomore year in March of 2020. These Oaks got accustomed to the idea of change early on in their college experience, and didn’t let the effects of a global pandemic derail their time at Menlo. That theme was evident throughout this year’s Commencement, specifically during Class of 2022 Valedictorian Rufus Pappy’s speech. “Change is the one thing in the world which is constant,” Pappy said. “And in our college journey, we have seen so many big changes. COVID came, we persevered, and right now, we’re sitting here looking back on all of our accomplishments and celebrating them with all of our family members, friends, and everyone.” Pappy urged his classmates to keep that experience with change in mind as they moved on to the next chapters in their lives as Menlo College alumni. “As we enter the working world and hold leadership positions, and as we gain the power to drive change, we must take the steps to fill the needs that we see in this world,” Pappy said. “Little by little, with the power of love, compassion, and determination, we can change the world in a big way.” Student Government Association President Rasmia Shuman ‘22 encouraged her classmates to “remain curious, ignite potential, serve the community, and continue to grow” as they prepared to enter a world post-Menlo, reminding those in attendance that every interaction with someone is an opportunity to make change. “The past four years have been pivotal in every single way,” Shuman said. “But we are now ready to branch out, explore beyond the roots that are so strong, and always remember that, no matter where we go, we are and always will be Oaks.” Commencement Speaker Mark Speckman Inspires Class of 2022 During a celebration of students who endured the COVID-19 pandemic during the majority of their college experience, Mark Speckman ‘74 motivated this year’s graduates with stories of his own resiliency as the Class of 2022’s Commencement Speaker. With an impressive, 40-year coaching career in professional, college, and high school football, Speckman has excelled throughout with a major physical disability: being born without hands. Overcoming the challenge, Speckman is recognized nationally for his football expertise. In 2008, Speckman was a finalist for the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year and he was named American Football Coaches Association West Region Coach of the Year. In all, he has been named a conference Coach of the Year 12 times. Speckman has also been inducted into four Athletic Hall of Fames as a player or coach, including the Menlo College Athletics Hall of Fame. Speckman went on to build a lifelong career in football, coaching at Menlo College, Willamette University, the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes, Lawrence University, and presently with UC Davis. His experiences playing and coaching football with a physical disability also paved the way for Speckman’s accomplished motivational speaking career and his own book: Figure it Out: How I Learned to Live in a Digital World Without Digits. “My generation’s done a lot of cool stuff. A lot of these people here, we’ve done a lot of great things, but there’s still problems out there,” Speckman told the Class of 2022. “Now you guys have to figure out, how are you going to make it better? How are you guys going to figure out how to save the children? How are you going to make it happen? But you know, you can do it. We’ve done it, you’ve done it, your kids are going to do it. We have this ability to figure it out.” “It’s great to be an Oak,” Speckman continued. “Congratulations, and thank you for this opportunity.” Read More About the 2021-2022 Academic Year: Focused on Student Success: Menlo College Earns Three New 2022 Top College RankingsCelebrating Volunteers at Menlo CollegeMenlo College Students Explore International Business in Inaugural Academic Global Immersion ProgramMenlo College’s Dean of Arts and Sciences Expands on Commitment to Engaging Student Voters ahead of 2022 ElectionsMenlo College Offers Two New In-Demand Degree Programs with Business Analytics Major and Political Science Minor About Menlo College Menlo College was established in 1927. It is a small, private, non-profit, four-year, accredited, residential college located in Atherton, California. Menlo College’s location in Silicon Valley, one of the world’s most entrepreneurial and innovative geographical areas, has enabled the college to create a valuable market niche for its students locally — as well as globally. Menlo College cultivates in its students the skills, integrity, and passion to make meaningful contributions in an innovation economy.
Celebrating Volunteers at Menlo College Posted on April 28, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege Volunteerism and service are at the heart of the Menlo College community. Academic Achievers Give Back to the Community This academic year, led by Accounting Professor Ruixue Du, Menlo relaunched its participation in the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. One of Menlo’s standout Accounting students, Moncerrat Barriga Villalobos ’22 undertook five training sessions followed by a VITA exam. After passing her exam, Moncerrat subsequently volunteered five Saturdays in a row to help prepare tax filings for low-income residents in San Mateo County. “Participating in VITA was a wonderful experience and it was an honor to put my skills to use. I appreciated the opportunity to help these residents complete their tax filings while also honing my accounting skills,” said Moncerrat. What’s more, Menlo College also relaunched its Alpha Chi program this year. The program is reserved for Menlo students who have secured a spot among the top 10% of academic performers in the College. After earning their place in the program, Alpha Chi participants then hosted students from local Sequoia High School to share the benefits of a college education with prospective students. “This program helps high school students develop critical social skills and encourages their academic achievement,” Dean of the School of Business and Professor of Business Analytics Mouwafac Sidaoui related. “It helps them discover their sense of belonging in a college community and broadens their perspectives for future career and academic opportunities. Menlo College students have an important role to play in helping high school students envision themselves on their way to success.” Supporting One Another on Campus In addition to volunteerism with the local community through academics, Menlo formally launched its Community Refrigerator and Food Pantry in the 2021-22 academic year. Since then, in addition to the support from seed funding from the Menlo Park Rotary Foundation, the Basic Needs Task Force raises funds from those on campus as well as secures volunteers to go food shopping, to keep the provisions plenished. “Our goal on the Basic Needs Task Force is to ensure that no one goes to class hungry,” said Student Government Association President and Basic Needs Task Force Chair Rasmia Shuman ’22. “Thanks to an amazing team of volunteers, the refrigerator and pantry are constantly replenished, keeping our community fed and strong. The team has plans to expand into other areas of identified need, like health and hygiene supplies, and professional clothing, too.” Service to others is also reflected in alumni involvement on campus. For example, at the most recent Career Connect Day, a record number of more than 20 alumni volunteered to share their insights and wisdom into achieving professional success with current students. “I was a full-tuition room and board scholarship student. I would never have had the opportunity for a successful career without the education, skills, knowledge I gained at Menlo. I never would’ve had this beautiful network of Menlo friends to get jobs from and give jobs to. I owe my career to Menlo College, and so what I owe, I pay back. … Being involved at Menlo post-graduation has enriched me in a million ways,” Frances Mann-Craik ’76 said. Menlo Athletics Consistently Earn National Recognition in Volunteerism The Menlo Athletics program is another area of the College that excels in volunteerism. For more than 10 years (with a pandemic interruption), Menlo Athletics was named a “Champions of Character” institution by the NAIA. Part of the recognition is due to the program’s dedication to service. For example, the Athletics Department runs a drive every year for a local organization to provide gifts for underserved youth in the San Francisco Bay Area. A complete list of recent activities by team is available on the Menlo Athletics website. “Service is very important to Menlo Athletics. It is our aim that our student-athletes become leaders, and part of learning to be a leader is to be in service to others. It’s a cornerstone of athletic programming that reinforces the role athletics can play in molding the leaders of tomorrow,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management and Athletics Keith Spataro. A History of Service at Menlo College Beyond the volunteer programming embedded in the Menlo curricula, Menlo also serves as a physical host for various civic and cultural events. During election time, Menlo transforms into a community polling station. The College also co-hosts the annual sculpture show, bringing larger-than-life art from around the world to campus for the Bay Area to enjoy. “Menlo’s mission is for its graduates to make meaningful contributions to the innovation economy. The students of today are interested in doing so, as well as creating a more just, equitable, and harmonious world. Their passion is reflected in the time and dedication they – and our whole community – put into serving those around them,” said Menlo College President Steven Weiner. Read more: Applying to Menlo CollegeOpening with Artistry: Menlo College Reopens Campus with a New Sculpture DonationMenlo College Named NAIA Five Star Champions of Character Institution for 10th Consecutive Year About Menlo College Menlo College was established in 1927. It is a small, private, non-profit, four-year, accredited, residential college located in Atherton, California. Menlo College’s location in Silicon Valley, one of the world’s most entrepreneurial and innovative geographical areas, has enabled the college to create a valuable market niche for its students locally — as well as globally. Menlo College cultivates in its students the skills, integrity, and passion to make meaningful contributions in an innovation economy.
