Page 1 - January 2026 Insider

INSIDER January 2026

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE…
B efore you bid farewell to year-end retrospectives,

I hope you’ll pause with a cup of tea and savor

the following pages, which highlight the final
months of ARCS San Diego’s activities in 2025.

No moss grew under the feet of this membership!
Thanks to the hard work of our outstanding Board of
Directors and Committee Members, we truly engaged—
with Scholars, Members, and Educational Partners alike.
Leslie Bruce We also connected with corporations interested in
supporting science at the La Jolla Playhouse Innovation Night, with the hope that
one or more will choose to sponsor our 2026 Scientist of the Year Celebration.
Together, these efforts strengthened our commitment to our chapter and, most
importantly, to the Scholars we serve.

Scholar engagement began at the Fall General Meeting, where 18 new Scholars
introduced themselves and their research. They joined members at luncheon
tables, allowing for meaningful, personal connections. All Scholars were also
invited to our annual — and always fabulous — Scholar picnic at Catie Madani’s
home, where they had the opportunity to mingle further with one another and
with many Members.

Members delighted in each other’s company on several other occasions as well,
including the Fall General Meeting, the Frozen Zoo Field Trip, and the Holiday Tea
& Bubbly Party hosted at Barbara McColl’s incredible home. We were also
thrilled to welcome two new members into our family of smart women—please
join me in welcoming Sheryl Nespor and Meera Venkatesh!

Our engagement with Educational Partners was equally rewarding. We met with
Presidents, Deans, and Department Heads, as well as Scholars, during three check

presentation ceremonies. In addition, chapter representatives were honored on
behalf of ARCS San Diego at SDSU Philanthropy Night.
When you add these engagement opportunities to the generous financial
contributions of our Members and supporters, it’s clear 2025 concluded
spectacularly. By year’s end, we netted $60,678 in Member Giving – almost

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