A bold UST-Houston alumna and her equally intrepid husband — who together once completed a 1,500-mile motorcycle trip across Alaska and up to the Arctic circle — are contributing to the energy and excitement of this year’s Nov. 10 Two Saints and a Taco Tasting event as honorary co-chairs. Vice Chair of the UST Board of Directors and CFO of the Texas Medical Center, Denise Castillo-Rhodes, MBA ’92, and her husband, Deputy General Counsel for Quarternorth Energy, Robert Sergesketter, can’t wait for the party.

“Our University hosts some of the best fundraisers and parties in Houston, all of which raise money for crucial student scholarships,” Castillo-Rhodes said. “My husband and I love them all. But what makes Two Saints and a Taco Tasting so much fun is that we get to spend lots of time talking with fellow alumni, faculty and the school’s leaders. We each have our unique reasons for loving this school so much, and it’s fun to share our stories with each other.”

President of the UST Alumni Association Board of Directors Ahmed AlRawi ’12, MCTM ’20, had high praise for his fellow alumna, saying, “Denise Castillo-Rhodes has been selected as the 2023 TSTT Honorary Chair as a result of the involvement and impact she has upon the University of St. Thomas community and for the dedication she exhibits in her role as CFO for the Texas Medical Center and Houston’s burgeoning healthcare system. She is someone who prioritizes making time for others and the important causes that move our local community forward.”

A Taco Party Is the Creative Means — Scholarships are the Dream-making Ends

One of Castillo-Rhodes’ favorite things about UST is its heart for first-generation college students.

“As a first-generation college student myself, I want to help these individuals attend and succeed at our school. Many of these students and their families make tremendous sacrifices to afford college. Some could never attend St. Thomas if not for scholarships that ease the financial burden. The annual Two Saints and a Taco Tasting is one of many creative ways the University raises scholarship funds and makes dreams come true.”

Castillo-Rhodes’ Mom Makes the Best Tacos

Beer sponsor Saint Arnold Brewing Company boasts a new executive chef and plans to enter their taco for the highly popular contest. Their taco will be going up against other participating restaurants: Velvet Taco, Chuy’s, Escalantes, Kingwood Taco Shop and Gordo Ninos.  Castillo-Rhodes can’t wait to taste them all, but this alumna warns that her taco standards are pretty high.

She said, “My goal this year is to see if any of these extraordinary chefs can beat the tacos my mother makes for me when I go visit my parents in El Paso. I know the tacos will all be great, but I doubt that any can beat my mother’s world-famous tacos! And yes, I’m biased!”

An Engaged Alumni Like No Other

Behind the annual phenomenal success of this scholarship fundraiser is a host of engaged alumni who contribute to the ethos of flourishing at UST.

“A real strength of UST is the hands-on engagement of so many of our alumni with our school and our student body,” Castillo-Rhodes said. “Our alumni readily offer much wisdom and support to our students, and with such a small student body, we can engage with all of them on a personal level. This close relationship between alumni and students forges bonds that last a lifetime. These bonds are strong and rooted in shared values.”

Be Part of the Party of the Year

This year’s much-loved Two Saints and a Taco takes place on Friday, Nov. 10, during Homecoming Week on the beautiful University of St. Thomas-Houston campus. The official event co-chairs, Lauren VerBerkmoes ’07 and Jacob Dilworth ’18, are hard at work making sure the event lives up to its reputation as a unique and unbeatable alumni tradition:

-       Live music — check

-       Scrumptious taco contest — check

-       Host of perfect Saint Arnold beers to pair with tacos — check

-       Lively and beautiful setting — check

-       More activities than you can shake a stick at — check

-       Best alumni on the planet — check

Learn more about the event at stthom.edu/two saints. Tickets are on sale now.

Only one question remains: Will the adventurous Castillo-Rhodes and Sergesketter make a roaring arrival at the event on those motorcycles that traversed Alaska?