July 16, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif.- - Santa Clara University President, Paul Locatelli, S.J. announced the appointment of Kathryn Kale, as the executive director of alumni relations and the alumni association at Santa Clara University.
Kale, an alumna '86, will succeed Jerry Kerr, who stepped down from his post on July 1, after 27 years. She will begin her new position on August 25. Kale is currently executive director, sponsorship and marketing for the San Jose CyberRays. Kale has been with the CyberRays since their inception in 2000 and has played a major role in establishing the team's business plan, organizational structure, launch, marketing and sponsorship efforts.
In announcing Kale's appointment, President Paul Locatelli, S.J. said: "Kathy inherits a strong alumni relations program, thanks to the leadership of Jerry Kerr and his team over the years. With her vision and energy, she will build on this foundation and forge even stronger connections with our 65,000 graduate and undergraduate alumni. I will continue to enjoy visiting with alumni, and working with the alumni office staff, the Alumni Association Board and Kathy in the coming years."
Prior to the CyberRays, Kale spent more than 14 years in the computer and Internet industry working on business development, partner management, marketing, and public relations. She has held management positions at Apple Computer, Eclipse Group and Sunnyvale-based Verity Inc. Like her fellow alumna Brandi Chastain, Kathy played for SCU's women's soccer team. A four-year starter, she became the Broncos first-ever women's soccer academic all-American. Kale has an MBA from San Jose State University and a BS in marketing from Santa Clara. Kale will be the first female alumni director at SCU.
"I'm looking forward to being part of the campus community and to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on a place I love," Kale said. "It's a great feeling to know that I am not just visiting."
Kale sees the Alumni Association as playing a critical role in the growth of the university: "We have a strong foundation and my goal is to build on it and forge even stronger connections with our 65,000 graduate and undergraduate alumni. Our main goal should be to hear from the people the alumni office serves about what they want and how we can continue to meet their needs. One message I would like to send all our alumni is that we are a family whose bonds were forged at Santa Clara. By working together, we can continue to make this university a special and unique place for generations past, present, and future."
