ScholarWorks @ SeattleU (Seattle University)

Maxwell, Denyva

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound 
Projects College of Nursing 
6-1-2025 
Detection of a Type II Endoleak in a Post-EVAR AAA Patient: A 
Vascular Ultrasound Case Report 
Denyva Maxwell 
Seattle University 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/dius-projects 
Recommended Citation 
Maxwell, Denyva, "Detection of a Type II Endoleak in a Post-EVAR AAA Patient: A Vascular Ultrasound 
Case Report" (2025). Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound Projects. 15. 
https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/dius-projects/15 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Nursing at ScholarWorks @ SeattleU. It 
has been accepted for inclusion in Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound Projects by an authorized 
administrator of ScholarWorks @ SeattleU. 
 1 
Detection of a Type II Endoleak in a Post-EVAR AAA 
Patient: A Vascular Ultrasound Case Report  
 
Denyva Maxwell, BSN, RVT  
 
Abstract 
This case study explores the diagnostic process for evaluating abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and the post-
operative monitoring following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Emphasis is placed on assessing 
aneurysmal sac regression and identifying complications such as endoleaks through ultrasound imaging. The 
subject of this study is an 87-year-old Ethiopian male undergoing follow-up after EVAR. 
 
Keywords  
Abdominal Aorta Aneurysm; Abdominal Iliac Duplex Ultrasound; Endovascular Repair; Type II Endoleak; Health 
Disparities  
 
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), particularly 
those located in the infrarenal segment (below the 
renal arteries), are potentially life-threatening 
vascular pathologies characterized by abnormal 
dilation of the abdominal aorta, typically in the 
distal region. If left untreated, the risk of rupture 
increases significantly with aneurysm size, posing 
a major cause of morbidity and mortality, 
especially among elderly populations, with 
prevalence rates ranging from 1.3% to 12.5% in 
males and up to 5.2% in females1. Endovascular 
aneurysm repair (EVAR) has emerged as a 
minimally invasive and effective therapeutic 
strategy to prevent rupture by reinforcing the 
arterial wall with an endograft, promoting laminar 
flow within the stent while minimizing 
aneurysmal sac pressurization. However, one of 
the most common complications following EVAR 
is the development of endoleaks, with type II 
endoleaks being particularly prevalent. In fact, 
patients who undergo endovascular repair using 
polyester (PE) endografts face a reported risk of 
type II endoleak ranging from 8.8% to 28%2. 
     This report will review the diagnostic imaging 
protocol used for post-EVAR monitoring, 
including key sonographic criteria for evaluating 
aneurysm dimensions, graft integrity, and potential 
complications such as endoleak formation. The 
goal is to emphasize the critical  
 role of ultrasound in the longitudinal care of AAA 
patients following endovascular intervention, 
particularly in those with limited access to consistent 
primary care. 
 
Case Report  
This case study focuses on an 87-year-old male patient 
from Ethiopia who presented to the vascular clinic for 
routine post-EVAR surveillance. The patient initially 
sought care on April 4, 2023, for a palpable, pulsatile 
abdominal mass that had been gradually enlarging 
over the past year. As a visitor to the United States 
without an established primary care provider, he 
underwent initial diagnostic imaging, which included a 
duplex ultrasound on April 6, 2023. This exam 
revealed a significantly enlarged infrarenal abdominal 
aortic aneurysm measuring nearly 9 cm in maximum 
diameter, with questionable perfusion of the right iliac 
artery. To further characterize the aneurysm and 
evaluate possible iliac involvement, a stat computed 
tomography angiography (CTA) was performed on 
April 7, 2023. The CTA demonstrated an infrarenal 
aneurysm beginning approximately 4 cm distal to the 
renal arteries, with extension into the right common 
iliac artery. 
     Given the size and extent of the aneurysm, the 
patient was deemed at high risk for rupture and 
underwent an urgent EVAR procedure on April 12, 
2023. A follow-up CTA performed on May 15, 2023, 
confirmed stability of the aneurysmal sac with no 
 2 
evidence of endoleak, and further surveillance 
with abdominal aortoiliac duplex ultrasonography 
was planned to monitor graft patency and sac 
regression over time. 
     Following the patient's endovascular aneurysm 
repair (EVAR) for a large infrarenal abdominal 
aortic aneurysm (AAA), standard post-procedural 
surveillance was initiated in accordance with 
institutional protocol. The imaging strategy 
involved serial abdominal aortoiliac duplex 
ultrasound examinations to monitor graft patency, 
assess for aneurysmal sac regression, and identify 
potential post-operative complications such as 
endoleaks. 
     The protocol entailed evaluation from the level 
of the celiac axis to the distal external iliac 
arteries3. Key sonographic goals included accurate 
measurement of the aneurysmal sac dimensions 
and detailed assessment of the graft for patency 
and structural integrity. Color and spectral 
Doppler techniques were performed to detect 
abnormal flow within or around the graft. A 
reduction or stabilization in sac size was the 
primary positive indicator of successful 
intervention, whereas increasing sac size or the 
presence of abnormal flow raised suspicion for 
endoleak. In the distal abdominal aorta, a diameter 
≥3.0 cm is considered aneurysmal4; however, in 
post-EVAR cases, residual sac enlargement is 
expected. In this patient, post-repair measurements 
were anticipated to remain above 5.0 cm, with the 
clinical goal of gradual regression over time. 
 
      The patient’s first post-operative ultrasound was 
performed on June 2, 2023, approximately two weeks 
following the most recent CT angiogram. This 
ultrasound revealed a sac measuring 8.2 x 8.2 cm, as 
seen in Figure 1, demonstrating a slight decrease in 
size compared to the prior CT measurement of 8.7 cm. 
No signs of graft malfunction or endoleak were 
observed, and the graft was patent throughout its 
length. Given these findings, and in the absence of 
clinical symptoms, the vascular team recommended 
continued surveillance with a repeat ultrasound in one 
year. 
     Due to the patient’s international travel status—
spending extended periods in both Ethiopia and 
Seattle—follow-up imaging was delayed until October 
8, 2024. At that time, repeat duplex ultrasound 
demonstrated further sac regression, now measuring 
approximately 7.4 x 7.8 cm (see Figure 2). The 
decrease in size over time indicated a continued 
positive response to the EVAR treatment.  
 
     Color Doppler imaging was again performed to 
evaluate for endoleak. During this examination, a 
small area of retrograde flow was observed entering 
the aneurysmal sac from a branch vessel (see Figures 3 
and 4). The flow pattern was consistent with a type II 
endoleak, a common finding in post-EVAR patients, 
characterized by persistent flow into the aneurysm sac 
via collateral arteries such as lumbar or inferior 
mesenteric branches5. The endoleak appeared  
 
 
Figure 1 First post-operative ultrasound done on June 6, 
2023 after EVAR placement, showing maximum diameter 
of 8.2 x 8.2 cm 
 
 
Figure 2 Second post-operative ultrasound done on 
October 8, 2024, showing maximum diameter of the 
residual aneurysm sac at approximately 7.4 x 7.8 cm; a 
significant decrease in size from prior ultrasound done 16 
months earlier showing a maximum diameter of 8.2 x 8.2 
cm (see Figure 1). 
 3 
hemodynamically insignificant and was associated 
with continued sac regression—suggesting low 
clinical concern at the time of imaging. 
     Given the absence of symptoms, graft patency, 
and continued decrease in aneurysm size, the 
clinical team opted for conservative management. 
The patient was advised to continue with routine 
annual duplex ultrasound surveillance. He reported 
no clinical complaints at the time of the visit and 
was planning to return to Ethiopia. Future follow-up 
and communication will be facilitated through 
MyChart, with instructions to report any symptoms 
or concerns that may arise while abroad. 
 
 
Discussion  
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) represent a 
critical vascular pathology characterized by 
abnormal dilatation of the aortic wall, most 
commonly affecting the distal abdominal aorta. 
According to the criteria of this specific lab, a 
diameter of less than 3.0 cm on sonographic 
evaluation is considered within normal limits, while 
 aneurysmal changes are typically defined as a 
measurement ≥3.0 cm or aortic segment diameters 
50% or at least 1.5 times larger than the previous 
healthy segment. In this case, the patient presented  
with a maximal aneurysm sac diameter of 8.7 cm, far 
exceeding the threshold for intervention and 
classifying the aneurysm as critically large3.  
     AAA can manifest clinically in a variety of ways, 
with many patients showing no symptoms until an 
eventual rupture. However, when symptomatic, 
patients may report a palpable, pulsatile abdominal 
mass or non-specific abdominal and back pain. The 
underlying pathophysiology of aneurysm formation 
involves a progressive weakening of the aortic wall, 
primarily due to degeneration of structural proteins 
such as collagen and elastin. Systemic risk factors 
including smoking, atherosclerosis, persistent 
hypertension, and connective tissue diseases can all 
expedite this process. As the aortic wall loses tensile 
strength, intraluminal pressure contributes to 
progressive dilatation and increased rupture risk. 
     Treatment options for AAA depend on a 
combination of aneurysm size, growth rate, 
symptomatology, and patient comorbidities. At this 
lab, surgical repair is generally recommended when 
the aneurysm diameter exceeds 5.5 cm in men, 5.0 cm 
in women, or if rapid expansion or symptomatic 
changes occur. In this case, the patient underwent an 
endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using a stent 
graft to exclude the aneurysm from systemic blood 
flow. EVAR is increasingly favored due to its less 
invasive nature, reduced perioperative morbidity, and 
shorter recovery times compared to open repair. 
However, it is associated with unique complications 
such as endoleaks, which warrant ongoing post-
operative surveillance. 
     The sonographic evaluation of aneurysm 
progression and post-EVAR status is critical. Duplex 
ultrasonography allows for non-invasive monitoring 
of sac size, stent graft integrity, and the detection of 
complications such as endoleaks. In contrast to 
sonography, computed tomography angiography 
(CTA) offers superior spatial resolution and detailed 
vascular mapping, making it the imaging modality of 
choice for preoperative planning and complex 
postoperative assessment. Nevertheless, ultrasound 
remains a cost-effective, widely available, and  
intervention. The patient's reliance on transnational 
travel from Ethiopia to receive specialized care in 
 
Figure 3 Longitudinal view of endoleak, seen in blue, 
superficial to the red aortic flow. A vessel can be seen 
showing flow outside of the aneurysmal sac, as well as 
inside of the sac itself.  
 
Figure 4 Transverse view of the endoleak; showing flow 
within the limbs of the EVAR, as well as flow within a 
portion of the residual aneurysmal sac. 
 4 
radiation-free tool, making it highly suitable for 
long-term follow-up. 
     In this patient, repeat sonographic evaluations 
revealed a gradual reduction in aneurysm sac size 
from 8.2 cm to 7.4 cm over the course of 
approximately 15 months, indicating a favorable 
post-EVAR response. However, Doppler 
interrogation identified a small type II endoleak, a 
common complication resulting from retrograde 
flow into the aneurysm sac via collateral branches 
such as lumbar or inferior mesenteric arteries5. 
While type II endoleaks are generally considered 
benign and may resolve spontaneously, continued 
surveillance is essential to ensure they do not 
contribute to aneurysm expansion or compromise 
graft integrity.  
     Overall, this case emphasizes how crucial it is to 
treat AAA by combining clinical vigilance with the 
right imaging modalities, particularly in the post-
EVAR scenario. It also highlights the value of 
sonography in routine surveillance, particularly in 
patients who may face barriers to more expensive or 
less accessible imaging techniques such as CTA. 
 
Conclusion 
This case demonstrates the crucial role of early 
detection and routine surveillance in improving 
outcomes, particularly for individuals at increased 
risk due to social determinants of health. Although 
many patients with AAA remain asymptomatic 
until advanced stages or rupture, this patient's 
critically enlarged aneurysm was fortunately 
identified prior to such a catastrophic event. This 
case underscores the essential role of early 
detection and routine surveillance in improving 
outcomes, especially in individuals at high risk due 
to social determinants of health. 
     The patient in this case faces multiple 
intersecting barriers to care, including non-
residency status, lack of insurance, and limited 
English proficiency. These disparities have 
significant implications for the continuity and 
quality of healthcare delivery. Research has shown 
that patients who travel longer distances for care are 
less likely to complete treatment and more likely to 
experience interruptions in follow-up6, posing 
serious risks for conditions that require timely 
intervention. The patient’s reliance on transnational 
travel from Ethiopia to receive specialized care in  
Washington—financed and coordinated by his 
daughter—places additional emotional and financial 
strain on the family, further complicating adherence to 
follow-up protocols. 
     Lack of health insurance also poses critical barriers 
to equitable care. Studies have demonstrated that 
uninsured patients are less likely to receive aggressive 
medical management, are often underdiagnosed, and 
have higher mortality rates, particularly in acute care 
settings7. This suggests an urgent need for healthcare 
professionals to be trained in identifying and 
promoting insurance assistance programs in a 
culturally sensitive and non-stigmatizing manner. 
     Language barriers further compromise the quality 
and safety of care. Miscommunication can lead to 
misdiagnoses, medication errors, and reduced patient 
satisfaction8. Although technological solutions such as 
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) systems are 
increasingly available and useful—especially for 
patients speaking less common languages—systemic 
changes should also incentivize multilingual 
certification among healthcare workers. Promoting 
language learning early in medical education could 
serve as a long-term strategy to reduce linguistic 
inequities in patient care. 
     Additional research is needed to identify subtle 
clinical or imaging indicators in asymptomatic 
patients that may suggest the presence of AAA or 
complications such as endoleaks. Further 
investigation into stent graft materials with lower leak 
rates could also improve long-term outcomes for post-
endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) patients.       
     From a systems-level perspective, several 
improvements could enhance the delivery of care for 
underserved populations: 
• Virtual Care Models: Regularly scheduled 
telehealth visits, regardless of symptom 
status, may allow earlier recognition of 
changes in patient condition, improve 
continuity of care, and facilitate family 
involvement—especially for patients who 
live abroad. 
• Insurance Navigation Training: Formal 
educational initiatives should be 
implemented in health professional curricula 
to increase awareness of insurance options 
and assistance programs, thereby 
empowering providers to better support  
 5 
 
uninsured patients. 
• Language Access Infrastructure: Wider 
deployment of VRI systems, alongside 
financial incentives for bilingual providers, 
can help overcome communication barriers 
and foster safer, more effective patient-
provider interactions. 
     This case not only demonstrates the clinical 
importance of sonographic surveillance in AAA 
management but also emphasizes the critical need to 
address health disparities that affect timely 
diagnosis, follow-up, and overall outcomes. Holistic, 
equity-centered approaches are imperative in 
improving care for patients with complex social and 
medical needs. 
 
Declaration of Conflicting Interests  
The author states that there are no conflicts of 
interest pertaining to the article's publication, 
authorship, or research. 
 
Funding  
The author did not receive any funding for this 
article's research, writing, or publishing. 
 
Ethics Approval  
Because this study did not impact patient care, 
ethical approval was not requested. 
 
Informed Consent 
The current study did not need informed consent 
because all case data was de-identified, aggregated, 
and/or compliant with IRB or ethics committee 
regulations. 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
References  
1. Żelezik MP, Michalska A, Kapturska K, et al. Abdominal aorta aneurysm screening program in 
Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship: early results. Acta Angiol. 2019;25(3):140-144. doi:10.5603/AA.2019.0012 
2. Kuijpers M, Holewijn S, Blankensteijn JD, Reijnen MMPJ. Prevalence of type II endoleak after elective 
endovascular aneurysm repair with polytetrafluoroethylene- or polyester-based endografts. J Vasc Surg. 
2024;79(1):24-33. doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2023.09.019 
3. Society for Vascular Ultrasound. Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Updated 2019. 
Accessed May 29, 2025. https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/SVUNET/c9a8d83b-2044-4a4e-
b3ec-
cd4b2f542939/UploadedImages/PPG_Docs/15__Screening_for_Abdominal_Aortic_Aneurysms__AAA__
_Updated_2019_.pdf 
4. Society for Vascular Surgery. Care of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Published February 
2022. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://vascular.org/sites/files/2022-02/SVS_Guideline_AAA_Slides_0.pdf 
5. Pellerito JS, Polak JF. Introduction to Vascular Ultrasonography. 6th ed. Elsevier Saunders; 2012:467. 
Table 28.1. 
6. Beardsley K, Wish ED, Fitzelle DB, O’Grady K, Arria AM. Distance traveled to outpatient drug treatment 
and client retention. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2003;25(4):279-285. doi:10.1016/S0740-5472(03)00188-0 
7. Chen Z, Min J, Bian J, Wang M, Zhou L, Prosperi M. Risk of health morbidity for the uninsured: 10-year 
evidence from a large hospital center in Boston, Massachusetts. Int J Qual Health Care. 2019;31(5):325-
330. doi:10.1093/intqhc/mzy175 
8. Al Shamsi H, Almutairi AG, Al Mashrafi S, Al Kalbani T. Implications of language barriers for healthcare: 
a systematic review. Oman Med J. 2020;35(2):e122. doi:10.5001/omj.2020.40 


Detection of a Type II Endoleak in a Post-EVAR AAA
Patient: A Vascular Ultrasound Case Report

Truog, Daniel

Dumlao, Diego

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
6-4-2025 
2025-06-04 Hello, West Coast Conference 
Daniel Truog 
Seattle University 
Diego Dumlao 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
Recommended Citation 
Truog, Daniel and Dumlao, Diego, "2025-06-04 Hello, West Coast Conference" (2025). The Spectator 
Online. 1544. 
https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online/1544 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Newspapers at ScholarWorks @ SeattleU. It has been 
accepted for inclusion in The Spectator Online by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ SeattleU. 
The Spectator • June 4, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/06/04/hello-west-coast-conference/
Hello, West Coast Conference
Daniel Truog and Diego Dumlao
Let’s be real. That Western Athletic Conference? Old news.
Everybody’s talking about the brand new West Coast
Conference. And boy, do they have a lot to say.
Andy Fee, the newly minted deputy athletic director of
Seattle U, is already on California time. Actually, everyone
is on California time (it’s the same time zone as Seattle U).
“Travel will be much easier. One thing is we just get to stay
in the same time zone, which may not sound like a lot, but it
is. And also distances, obviously, San Diego is down the
coast, but it’s an easy direct flight. We’re not going to have
any weird bus rides, longer bus rides to get from the airport
to some of these schools in Texas,” Fee said.
No more crossing over into Texas time zones has student
athletes excited. Another point of excitement is evident to anyone who’s ever been in a large class where people share where
they’re from and heard seven “I’m from the Bay”s in a row.
“We recruit nationally and internationally, but a lot of our student athletes are up and down the West Coast. So their familiarity
with the West Coast conference teams, Pepperdine, Santa Clara, USF, San Diego, Gonzaga, they’re very familiar with those, and
they have a lot of friends that go to those schools. So they’re excited to compete on an ongoing basis,” Fee said.
Myah Polzin, a second-year kinesiology major and forward on the women’s soccer team, hails from Oakland and is one of those
excited students.
“Having come from the Bay, having lived there for like five years, it’s super exciting to go back to California to compete against some
of the teams like Pepperdine, LMU, St. Mary’s, USF,” Polzin said.
The bevy of new competitors in the WCC is not quite the same as it was when the conference change was initially announced.
Grand Canyon University will not be joining and Oregon State will be departing alongside Washington State after Seattle U’s first
year. Fee is not concerned about realignment ripples rocking the Redhawk raft.
“The WCC is a league that schools want to be a part of,” Fee said. “There are other schools up and down the West Coast which have
quietly expressed interest in joining the league, which obviously isn’t a Seattle U decision, but we, the Royal We, I think feel very
confident about the future of the West Coast Conference.”
Not only are Seattle U’s athletes confident about the conference’s future, but they’re confident that the school’s teams are ready
for the level of athletic prowess on the WCC stage.
For John Christofilis, a fourth-year communication and media major and redshirt junior guard on the men’s basketball team, the
Annabelle DeGuzman-Carino
WCC will be the third NCAA conference he’s played in. The WCC follows time spent at Creighton in the Big East and his three years
of WAC competition.
“We’re more than prepared for the West Coast Conference, and I’m excited to see what we can do this year,” Christofilis said.
“We’ve been working our tails off all season… There might be some nerves coming out initially, but, I mean, those will go away pretty
quick.”
Conversations around the challenges ahead are taking place on the basketball court and the soccer field. Women’s soccer is
squarely focused on staying healthy as they face new foes.
“Honestly, we had a conversation with our team today about this, and we don’t expect such a big change in at least competition
level,” Polzin said. “We’re just preparing ourselves even more health-wise mentality going into the WAC and seeing those teams no
different than we would prepare ourselves for competing against anyone in [the] WAC.”
The athletes are ready. Representatives of Seattle U Athletics are headed to California to participate in the school’s first meeting as
a full voting member since voluntarily departing in 1980. There’s just one more group that needs to get ready for the fall return of
Redhawk sports—the fans.
“To the Redhawk fans, Redhawk Nation, come out and support. Like, we’re playing some awesome names,” Christofilis said. “We are
going to put on a show. We are going to represent this university in the right way.”
Students, get out your sunglasses and Rudy paraphernalia. We’ve got a new conference to take on.


2025-06-04 Hello, West Coast Conference

Ruiz, Kevin

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
2-5-2025 
2025-02-05 Seattle Communities Get Ready To Shine At World 
Cup 
Kevin Ruiz 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
The Spectator • February 5, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/02/05/seattle-communities-get-
ready-to-shine-at-world-cup/
Seattle Communities Get Ready
To Shine At World Cup
Kevin Ruiz, Volunteer Reporter
The FIFA World Cup is less than 500 days away. The 2026
World Cup will be the biggest in its 126-year history, with
48 teams taking part in games and festivities across three
different countries. The United States, Mexico and Canada
will host matches in 16 different cities. For the first time,
Seattle will be hosting six matches, four group stage
matches and two knockout phase matches, all taking place
at Lumen Field. 
According to VisitSeattle, the six matches are expected to
bring in $929 million in economic impact to King County.
Over $100 million is coming from direct state and local tax
revenue and the creation of over 20,000 full-time and part-
time jobs are expected. 
Local communities like SODO, Chinatown International
District (CID), and Pioneer Square will be at the forefront of
the event. With their proximity to the stadium district, these communities are set to receive an influx of visitors. Yet, the question of
how these communities will be supported for a large-scale event like the World Cup is at the forefront of organizers’ minds. 
The Seattle FIFA World Cup 26TM Local Organizing Committee (LOC), the main committee that drove the push for getting the
World Cup to Seattle, recently announced the Small Business Initiative, an initiative that will help businesses connect to resources
such as a small business playbook, business training and community assistance that will connect visitors to businesses in these
areas.
In 2023, Seattle saw a small taste of what it was like hosting a major sporting event, with the MLB All-Star game coming to town.
The event was expected to bring in over $50 million in economic impact to Seattle, though businesses in the Chinatown and Pioneer
Square neighborhoods say they didn’t benefit from visitors. 
Erin Goodman, executive director at the SODO Business Improvement Area (BIA), believes the LOC is beginning to address the
specific needs of each community. 
“They’ve [LOC] been really good about listening to the fact that each community wants to do it a little differently, still meeting their
own needs, but that the neighborhoods might have slightly different needs,” Goodman said.
The SODO district has far fewer restaurant businesses than the CID and Pioneer Square, so much of the BIA’s focus will be on how
they can support their large supply distributors while the World Cup is occurring. 
Matthew Mai
“That’s why these conversations are starting early, it’s like they don’t know the blocks as well as we do, and we know the businesses
and their needs,” Goodman said. 
The LOC is also working directly with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and its President and CEO Rachel Smith to
ensure businesses are well-equipped.
“Investments in field infrastructure, practice facilities, and security will be necessary and create local opportunities for businesses
and employees, alongside increased demand for hotels, restaurants and transportation,” Smith said. “The Chamber’s Community
Business Connector program will share training sessions and opportunities for small business assistance, with plans to expand
services statewide, particularly aiding minority business enterprises and BIPOC-owned businesses.”
Another feature on deck for the World Cup is the creation of an app. Alissa Bolla, business strategy manager at the Alliance for
Pioneer Square, says the app is currently in beta testing.
“It’s like a Pokemon Go style, where you would go along and collect things to be entered to win merchandise,” Bolla said. “People are
going to be driven to businesses to collect rewards.”
Bolla hopes the excitement around the World Cup will drive people back to Seattle, specifically the Pioneer Square neighborhood.
“There’s an opportunity to build something out of this, where people will come for years, to be able to have that touch point of the
amount of history that’s taking place here is special,” Bolla said.
Like Bolla, many see this as an opportunity that goes beyond the event itself. With the projection of over $100 million in tax
revenue, Visit Seattle’s SVP & Chief Sales Officer Kelly Saling sees far-reaching benefits for residents.
“Events such as the World Cup generate tax revenue that funds programs that benefit residents in the form of funding for
improvements in education, transportation, environmental protection, economic development, and many other sectors,” Saling said.
Other concerns with such a large event have to do with the implementation of sweeps across the city for homeless people. 
“Care providers down here are looking at what this is going to look like, so that it doesn’t appear that it’s being done just for [the
World Cup], but that we are doing it now because it needs to be done, people need to be housed, not because there’s an event, but
because that’s what is humane, is to get people into housing,” Goodman said.
In 2023 during the All-Star game, questions arose surrounding the city’s intentions behind the sweeps around the stadium area for
homeless people. Both the SODO BIA and Pioneer Square representatives believe that more resources are becoming available for
members of these communities but work must be done with real care. 
“They are our neighbors, we’re familiar with a lot of them. We live with them every day,” Bolla said. 
Seattle’s passion for the sport of soccer has brought the World Cup to the Emerald City, and with many questions still surrounding
the summer of 2026 and beyond, the World Cup is expected to be a once-in-a-lifetime event that will be celebrated for decades to
come. Fans can get a preview of the upcoming event with this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. The Seattle Sounders will host three
games at Lumen Field against top clubs like Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.  


2025-02-05 Seattle Communities Get Ready To Shine At World Cup

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Damjanac, Milan

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
5-14-2025 
2025-05-14 The Propitious Performers of Pike Place 
Milan Damjanac 
Seattle University 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
Recommended Citation 
Damjanac, Milan, "2025-05-14 The Propitious Performers of Pike Place" (2025). The Spectator Online. 
1511. 
https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online/1511 
This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Newspapers at ScholarWorks @ SeattleU. It 
has been accepted for inclusion in The Spectator Online by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ 
SeattleU. 
The Spectator • May 14, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/05/14/the-propitious-performers-
of-pike-place/
The Propitious Performers of
Pike Place
Milan Damjanac, Staff Reporter
Recently, thirst trap edits of the fish-throwing employees at
Pike Place Market have been going viral on social media.
Pike is not only known for hot fishmongers, though, and the
market continues to be one of Seattle’s historic landmarks,
busiest tourist spots and bustling economic centers. In
addition to a huge number of shops, stalls, vendors and
attractions, the various buskers situated around the market
are integral to Pike’s identity.
Busking, or the act of performing publicly and soliciting
money, can take on many forms, but is often done through
playing an instrument in various walkways and common
areas. At Pike Place, there is an established scene of
notable performers, including the Accordion and Violin
Cats, a piano man with near-constant attendance, a
Hammered Dulcimer player and a variety of other
instrumentalists and performers.
The market sanctions buskers and has an established system to regulate them and their performances. Buskers must apply for a
license, which costs $35 a year, and are subject to a variety of rules to ensure a positive market environment. For example, to keep
noise levels manageable, horns, percussion instruments and amplification are not allowed.
These licenses aren’t only restrictive, through vetting, managing and regulating the scene, Pike Place Market also establishes
protections that help the buskers succeed. They have buskers operate on a schedule, which nearly eliminates competition between
performers, and they can use their security systems to protect buskers from threats, like harassment or theft.
Bob Goldstick, a frequent busker, plays the Hammer Dulcimer, which is a unique instrument with roots in India and the Middle East.
To him, the structured and regulated busking system is a huge positive, especially compared to busking in other venues or on the
street.
“Here, you’re protected. You have security, and it’s legitimate, and you sign up for your spot. It’s replaced to play. All the buskers
kind of know all the rules, and they pretty much get along,” Goldstick said.
Goldstick, a lifetime musician who spent many years playing in bars and nursing homes, among other gigs, shared that one of the
highlights of busking at the market is seeing audience members particularly connect with the music he is playing, totally
coincidentally.
Nicole Baltimore
Musician Johnny Hahn plays the piano for a crowd at Pike Place
Market.
“You don’t get that playing in another place, to see somebody just light up like that. It’s because it’s random… they don’t expect to
hear the music. I call it spontaneous joy,” Goldstick said.
Busking can provide an opportunity to make some extra money for
career musicians, and can also be an avenue into performance for
people who aren’t satisfied with the conventional career route.
Evan, the man behind Accordion Cat, has been busking full-time
since 2009. He performs both solo and with Violin Cat as a duo act.
The premise is simple. He wears a cat mask and plays accordion,
and his constant presence at the market has become endearing and
iconic to many.
After graduating from Seattle University in 2006, Evan was
unsatisfied with corporate life, and a coincidental chain of events
caused him to realize that busking was a possibility for a full-time
career.
“I was going through a breakup, and I was wanting to do something
to fill the time… I was borrowing [my friend’s accordion] and fell in
love with playing it. I brought it downtown one day and almost
immediately came up with around 50 bucks. I was like, ‘okay, this
seems like a nicer way to make money than working for Starbucks
or T-Mobile or whatever,’” Evan said.
While busking, especially when done consistently, can make good money, performers note that there are certain factors that
influence how much money might come in on a given day. Because buskers often rely on a large tourist presence for their audience,
earnings can be twice as much in the summers as compared to the winters, and weekends bring in much more than weekdays. Most
of all, though, the cash flow on any particular day can be totally random.
“If you start counting the money while you’re playing, it’ll make you nuts. I’ve had sets here and made five dollars, and I’ve had sets
here and made $100. I’m playing the same stuff! There’s no rhyme or reason, so you just got to let it go,” Goldstick advised.
Zach Hochstein, a third-year interdisciplinary arts major, regularly plays guitar and sings at Pike Place. He shared that, while playing
is fun and a great way to get better, buskers have to balance playing songs that they enjoy with popular songs that will elicit
responses from the crowd, and in turn make the most money.
“[Earnings] depend on the day, very much. I know the cruise ship schedule by heart. I know when the tourists are going to be there,”
Hochstein said. “You don’t have to, but it’s good to play what people want to hear. I think I’ve sung ‘Blowin’ in the Wind,’ maybe a
thousand times.”
While they may sometimes seem relegated to the background of the busy market, buskers are important to Pike Place history and
everyday culture, and they work hard to entertain and captivate visitors. While they might not be as viral as the hunks at the fish
stalls, it is important to remember and acknowledge these talented performers. Next time you are at the market, consider slowing
down, taking a listen and perhaps even tipping them—they’d love to have you!
A young girl plays violin at Pike Place Market.


2025-05-14 The Propitious Performers of Pike Place

Jeff Plum and Iona Robinson, “An Insight into Archeological Practices and Ethical Considerations in the UK,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Ng
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Seattle University

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Ahmed, Hadia Noor

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
5-14-2025 
2025-05-14 Multicultural Garden Takes Root in Front of Pigott 
Pavilion 
Hadia Noor Ahmed 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
The Spectator • May 14, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/05/14/multicultural-garden-takes-
root-in-front-of-pigott-pavilion/
Multicultural Garden Takes Root
in Front of Pigott Pavilion
Hadia Noor Ahmed, Staff Reporter
In front of Seattle University’s Pigott Pavilion, one may
notice a new patch of earth. With Japanese paper plants
and Canadian sword ferns growing, these newly planted
roots encompass a story that expands beyond campus lines.
This latest garden project by Seattle U’s dedicated team of
gardeners, working under Seattle U’s grounds community,
was designed with the intention to honor international
students’ home countries and bring global biodiversity to
the university’s landscape, fostering a space that celebrates
both culture and nature.
Samuel Guccione was the head gardener for this specific
project. He explained that the idea came from the simple
problem of needing to get rid of some weeds, but it quickly
became a bigger project once Guccione realized the space had the potential to become more impactful and lasting.
“Since the International Student Center and MOSAIC Center are right there, I saw an opportunity to create something that reflects
our international student body,” Guccione said.
8% of Seattle U undergraduate students are international, with 78 countries being represented in the student body. With the hope
of representing specific countries with particular plants, Guccione contacted the International Student and Scholar Center (ISSC)
for demographic data. He was given a list from Dale Watanabe, director of ISSC, containing information for the top countries
represented at Seattle U, which includes India, Vietnam, Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia. 
With this list, Guccione went out looking for plants from these countries that would be able to grow and thrive in Seattle’s climate.
This entailed carefully reviewing planting guides, sourcing rare seeds and planning how each species would interact with the others
in a shared space.
“Some of those plants need pretty specific areas,” Guccione said. “Some of it’s going to fail. But the goal was to represent each
country, and we have backup options if anything doesn’t take.”
Guccione described some of his favorite species growing in the garden, which include a ground cover called wild ginger from China.
But he also put in a wild ginger native to the PNW area, and so both of them are growing side by side. 
Helping him in the process of creating the garden was Helen Manny, who is also part of the main campus gardening team at Seattle
U. She worked with Guccione on co-sourcing plants and creating a layout.
Rowan Stark
“Sometimes we just need something to go into a space so that weeds aren’t going to grow or so that people aren’t going to make a
path through a bed and so we’ll just pull something that we have from our nursery, and sometimes we will plan more than that, but
this was different,” Manny said.
Due to initial limitations of knowledge, Manny noted how it was challenging for her and Guccione to find plants from international
countries. They had to look harder for the plants than they usually did and went from nursery to nursery looking for exactly what
they needed. 
The International Garden, taking its roots, was made possible by student workers like Third-year Civil and Environmental
Engineering Major Mira Martin. She explained that it was a hands-on experience. Prepping soil, digging up roots and bringing in
mulch were all parts Martin was involved in, all while learning more about sustainability in action.
“I think it’s a really good experience, especially for students like me who are studying something in the environmental field. I am able
to relate my coursework to the hands-on work I do with the gardeners,” Martin said.
Having opportunities to work directly and closely with the different gardens and green areas around campus has been an invaluable
experience for Martin, who hopes to pursue a career in sustainability that involves plants and restoration work. She is potentially
interested in urban designs for rooftop gardens and other green design projects.
She also shared how special this project was among others.
“We don’t usually get to see this level of intentionality. With this garden, it’s not just about planting what looks nice, there’s a reason
for every choice,” Martin said.
Manny shared that the level of interaction with students, faculty and other passersby was full of excitement and curiosity, and it
made her feel like she was part of something bigger. The conversations sparked by the space have helped turn gardening into a form
of community dialogue.
Seattle U’s campus is a unique piece of land in the middle of Capitol Hill, which the gardeners have transformed into a green
sanctuary. The purpose of this particular garden in front of the Pavilion, with the flags of each plant’s nation waving in the wind, is to
offer comfort and recognition to the international students. It’s a symbol of the dedication Seattle U and its faculty have to the
student body, to inclusion and to the stories that bloom in shared soil.


English

2025-05-14 Multicultural Garden Takes Root in Front of Pigott Pavilion

Editors of SUURJ

SUURJ: Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal 
Volume 9 Article 6 
2025 
Core and University Honors Writing 
Editors of SUURJ 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/suurj 
Recommended Citation 
Editors of SUURJ (2025) "Core and University Honors Writing," SUURJ: Seattle University Undergraduate 
Research Journal: Vol. 9, Article 6. 
Available at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/suurj/vol9/iss1/6 
This Core and University Honors Writing is brought to you for free and open access by the Seattle University 
Journals at ScholarWorks @ SeattleU. It has been accepted for inclusion in SUURJ: Seattle University 
Undergraduate Research Journal by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks @ SeattleU. 
9
Core and 
University Honors Writing
The Seattle University Core curriculum emphasizes seminar-style classes, research-based 
inquiry, and revision-based writing practices. Core courses are often interdisciplinary and 
engage in assignments that are less traditionally contoured than research projects in the 
majors. This Core curriculum, rooted in the principles and traditions of Jesuit education, sets 
Seattle University apart from other institutions of higher learning. Our University Honors 
program is an interdisciplinary set of academically rigorous courses that places a strong 
emphasis on writing as a process, as students peer review and edit to produce scholarly work. 
Both programs begin in the first year, so including Core and University Honors writing in 
SUURJ allows us to celebrate writing at all stages of students’ undergraduate careers.


Core and University Honors Writing

SUURJ: Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal 
Volume 9 Article 20 
2025 
Acknowledgements 
Editors of SUURJ 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/suurj 
Recommended Citation 
Editors of SUURJ (2025) "Acknowledgements," SUURJ: Seattle University Undergraduate Research 
Journal: Vol. 9, Article 20. 
Available at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/suurj/vol9/iss1/20 
This Acknowledgments is brought to you for free and open access by the Seattle University Journals at 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU. It has been accepted for inclusion in SUURJ: Seattle University Undergraduate Research 
Journal by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks @ SeattleU. 
198
Acknowledgements
199
The editors of SUURJ would like to thank the many, many people without whom our work 
would not be possible. SU alums and dynamic duo Caleb Hou and Jane Kidder (Jane is a 
founding SUURJ student editor!) make our journal beautiful every year, despite having 
design careers that have placed them miles out of our league—we can’t thank you enough for 
coming back year after year! Thank you to Yen Tran for doing the tedious work of uploading 
our journal to ScholarWorks so it can be read and downloaded across the globe. Dr. Christina 
Roberts helped us shape our first land acknowledgement in Volume 6 and inspires us to 
continue revising and shaping it as we learn and grow as a journal. Thank you to Abbie White 
for providing invaluable mentorship and support to our marketing team to help boost our 
social media presence. This year’s cover photo was taken by SU student Hunter Tang—thank 
you for graciously sharing your work with us! Our work would not be possible without the 
support of English department chair Kate Koppelman, who makes sure we have what we need 
to continue offering this academic and professional development experience to our students. 
Thank you to English department senior administrative assistant Bridget Hrybiniak, who can 
solve any problem we throw at her. Thank you to the following professors for speaking with 
our editorial team during Fall quarter copyediting boot camp: Hidy Basta, Brett Kaiser, Marc 
McLeod, Michael Spinetta, and Mo Sin. A special thank you to SUURJ alums Keagen Brooks-
Torres, Emma Renn, and Allison Wasley for speaking to our Fall quarter class about their 
experiences as student editors last year. We received generous financial support this year from 
the College of Arts and Sciences, the English Department, the University Core, and the Office 
of Undergraduate Research. Their support is not only crucial for funding our operations, but it 
also demonstrates a university-wide commitment to interdisciplinary student research. SUURJ 
is truly a team effort, and we are only able to keep publishing because faculty mentors help 
guide the initial writing of student papers and encourage submission, Faculty Advisory Board 
members help us select papers to publish, faculty content editors lend their expertise to the 
content revision of the accepted papers, student editors copyedit the selected papers and help 
run all journal operations, and student authors trust us with their brilliant work. 


Acknowledgements

Berman, Dylan

The Spectator • March 12, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/03/12/breaking-news-on-break-
seattle-u-considers-academic-schedule-change/
Breaking News on Break: Seattle
U Considers Academic Schedule
Change
Dylan Berman, News Editor
Seattle University is currently in the process of
reconsidering its academic schedule for the 2026-2027
academic year. During fall quarter, Provost Shane Martin
organized a committee with a variety of voices across
campus to discuss potential issues with the current
academic calendar, and explore potential changes. 
Tamara Herdener, senior vice provost for academic and
student affairs, who is chairing the committee, said that
they hope an official decision will be reached by early
spring quarter. The committee is not exploring the
possibility of switching to a semester system, but instead
exploring ways the quarter system could be improved to
benefit students. 
“One challenge, for example, is that there’s a really short
amount of time between when students come back after Thanksgiving break and when they leave for winter break,” Herdener said.
“That’s a burden on students financially with airline tickets, it’s a burden in terms of it’s harmful to the environment and part of our
mission is to be doing what we can to preserve our planet, and then also students come back sick, because they’re traveling and
they’re exposed to a lot during travel.”
The committee identified several issues within Seattle U’s current academic schedule, including the gap between fall and winter
break. The committee also noted the difficulties for both faculty and students with the quick turnaround between winter and spring
quarter, as well as how quickly classes begin after students return from winter break. 
Another issue noted by the committee is the fact that many internships begin in May, before students’ summer break begins. The
committee has also discussed the fact that because many other schools competing with Seattle U athletically are on the semester
system, there are Seattle U games held in August and September before classes begin, meaning little to no audience for Seattle U
student athletes. 
“We actually have a nice amount of students, first-time students or transfers, that start winter quarter, and there’s very little time
for staff and our student orientation leaders to orient those students before classes begin,” Herdener said, speaking to the short
time between returning from winter break and the start of winter quarter classes. 
Zam Ortega
The committee has examined a variety of possible alternative schedules. One large potential change would see the fall quarter
begin a week earlier, and end at Thanksgiving break, with Thanksgiving and winter break combined into one longer break between
fall and winter quarter. 
This change would also see the school year end a week earlier in June. Along with this, the committee has considered the idea of a
December intersession, where students could take a class for credit during winter break. 
Other potential changes include lengthening spring break. 
Ashwath Srinivasan, a third-year computer science major, expressed support for the idea of one larger break after the fall quarter. 
“If I think about my friends, like East Coast, or really just not on the West Coast, a lot of those guys start in August and we start in
the middle of September, so I am anyways having two weeks at home where none of my friends are there and I’m not really doing
much, so I do think it could be cool both to start earlier and then have this super long break where you could really do something
with that time,” Srinivasan said. 
Herdener explained that Seattle U has a requirement to meet a certain number of instructional days in an academic year, explaining
that with the proposed changes, quarters could be up to five days shorter. To meet the required instructional time, classes would
have to be made longer, although Herdener said the increased length would likely only be around five minutes. 
A decision has not yet been reached on what changes to the schedule will be implemented, or whether there will be any changes at
all. The committee has been in the process of consulting a variety of voices representing different groups on campus who would be
affected by these changes. 
“We’re just getting input right now from different groups. We’ve gone to staff council, we’ve gone to SGSU, we’ve presented to GSC,
we’ve presented to the academic assembly, faculty, the deans council, lots of different groups on campus. I think we’ve actually gone
to every entity on campus to talk about this,” Herderner said. 
According to Herderner, students responded very positively to the idea of being released earlier in June, specifically because it will
open up more internships and other career opportunities, as well as responding positively to the idea of a combined Thanksgiving
and winter break. 
The main concern comes from shortening the academic quarter. Many students and professors already feel the quarter passes by
quickly, with a large amount of content to cover in a short time. 
“I don’t feel like my classes are too dense for the most part. There are definitely some [computer science] courses that feel a little bit
dense where that could be a tight squeeze,” Srinivasan said. 
Although he understands this concern, Srinivasan did overall express support for shorter academic quarters. 
Mark Jordan, an associate professor of biology, discussed the ways he would have to adjust his class structure to fit a shorter
quarter. 
“Let me put it this way. I can make it work, but I would like to have more information about what problem we’re solving with this
change before I felt comfortable with the change,” Jordan said. 
Although clarifying that he hasn’t followed the details of the committee’s decision-making process, Jordan is unsure if the tradeoff
of fewer instructional days is worth it. He explained he hadn’t noticed the gap between Thanksgiving and winter break having a
large effect on his students.
Although no actual changes are yet to be confirmed, Herdener has seen benefits to the committee process itself. 
“It’s been a good exercise though, because even if it doesn’t get approved, it’s really helped students, faculty and staff understand
from a student perspective where the challenges lie with the quarter system and how we might be able to do some things to be
more supportive of students and staff and faculty,” Herdener said. 
Next fall, the schedule will remain as it is posted on the school’s website. There’s still time for students, faculty and administration to
contemplate the merits of a change to the quarter structure. Regardless of what the committee decides, the campus community’s
concerns over the current schedule will linger as fall quarter 2025 gets underway. 



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