James J. O’Connor to speak at Saint Xavier University Winter Commencement

Retired chairman and chief executive officer of Unicom to receive
Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa

Chicago (Dec. 19, 2007) James J. O’Connor will speak at the Saint Xavier University Winter Commencement on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 in the Shannon Center. During the ceremony, O’Connor will receive a Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa, in recognition of his extraordinary record of service.

Shannon Center doors will open at 1:30 p.m. with the procession beginning at 2:10 p.m. The Commencement ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m.

O’Connor is the retired chairman and chief executive officer of Unicom Corporation and its subsidiary, Commonwealth Edison Company. He is currently director of the following companies: Armstrong World Industries Inc., Corning Incorporated (Lead Director), Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (Lead Director). He previously served as director of Bell and Howell, Borg-Warner, Esmark, Everen Securities, First Chicago Corporation, Tribune Company and Trizec Properties.

A native Chicagoan, O’Connor continues to provide leadership to numerous civic and nonprofit organizations. His extraordinary service includes: past president of Catholic Charities; life trustee and past chairman of the board of The Field Museum of Natural History; a director and past chairman of the Chicago Urban League; former chairman of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce; a trustee of The Adler Planetarium, the Chicago Symphony and the Lyric Opera and the Museum of Science and Industry; and Northwestern University.

O’Connor was elected to the Chicago Business Hall of Fame in 1987, named Lincoln Laureate in 1993, and received the Daniel Burnham Award from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce in 1994. He is a recipient of three honorary degrees and more than 65 local and national awards, including the Shield of Saint Xavier. A chair of Decision and Game Sciences at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University was established in his name in 2001.

O’Connor earned his bachelor of science in economics in 1958 from Holy Cross College and his master’s in business administration from Harvard University in 1960. He spent the next three years in active duty with the United States Air Force, assigned to the Office of Special Investigations in Washington, D.C. He attended Georgetown Law and earned his juris doctor in 1963.

O’Connor served on the Board of Trustees for Saint Xavier University from 1979 to 1995. His distinguished service to and generous support of Saint Xavier University are exemplary. The SXU Board of Trustees elected him a life trustee in 2005.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

NLN designation for Saint Xavier School of Nursing appears in Advance for Nurses

The professional magazine Advance for Nurses noted the Saint Xavier School of Nursing's recent designation as a Center for Excellence by the National League for Nursing. The story included a photo of SXU nursing student Marta Druzbacka (above).

Saint Xavier University professor suggests environmental causes as worthy holiday donations

Read SXU biology professor Christopher Appelt’s Southtownstar Dec. 17 column about giving to environmental causes during the holiday season.

SXU’s Merwick Academy begins spring registration Jan. 14

Chicago– Registration for elementary and high school tutoring sessions at Saint Xavier University’s Merwick Academy will be Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. from Jan. 14 to Jan. 28.

The one-hour classes meet one day a week for 12 weeks Monday through Thursday or on Saturdays. Sessions run Jan. 28 through April 14, with no classes on Thursday, March 20 and Saturday, March 22 due to the Easter holiday. Those dates will be made up on April 24 and 26.

Registration will be from Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 14 through Jan. 28 at the Merwick Academy, located in The United Methodist Church of Mount
Greenwood, 11000 S. St. Louis Ave., Chicago.

Elementary classes focus on reading, math, language arts and writing, study skills, introductory Spanish, and Catholic high school test preparation. High school classes focus on history, literature, Spanish, biology, chemistry, geometry, algebra I and II and study skills. Classes are $250 per student with a $50 nonrefundable deposit required at time of registration.

Founded 51 years ago, the Merwick Academy allows students of different cultures, ethnic backgrounds and abilities to interact in the learning process. The academy works with parents, teachers, counselors and administrators to meet the needs of individual students.

For more information, please contact The Merwick Academy at (773) 298-3181.

SXU announces Public Administration concentration at Orland Park Campus

Offered by the School for Continuing and Professional Studies

Chicago – Saint Xavier University has approved the addition of the Public Administration concentration to the Professional Studies major, which is offered by the School for Continuing and Professional Studies exclusively at the Orland Park Campus for adult transfer students.

The program will be offered beginning fall 2008 and is designed for candidates who have earned an Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Science (A.S.) or the equivalent. This is an accelerated program allowing students to complete their area of concentration and six hours in the general education curriculum in as little as 18 months.

Highlights of the program include technology-enhanced instruction, an 18-month accelerated schedule (including breaks), eight-week class sessions (two days per week), instructional material and syllabi provided at the start of the program, academic advising/educational program planning, career counseling workshops/seminars and practical and user friendly assessment with a web portfolio.

“This program is designed to meet the needs of busy professionals who prefer flexible learning options,” said Leslie M. Petty, Ed.D., dean of Saint Xavier University’s School for Continuing and Professional Studies and chief campus officer of the Orland Park campus.
For more information about the program, please call (708) 802-6200.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

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Saint Xavier University and Saint Margaret of Scotland School partner for progress

Chicago (Dec. 13, 2007) – Saint Xavier University and Saint Margaret of Scotland School enjoy a special relationship. Under the direction of SXU’s Catholic Elementary School Initiative funded by Richard H. Driehaus, faculty, staff, and administration of both schools collaborate in a program dedicated to enriching the educational experience.

The initiative includes an expansive list of interactions. Faculty from SXU’s Graham School of Business are working with administrators at St. Margaret to review budget and fiscal procedures and to establish strategic plans for marketing and development. Faculty from the SXU’s School of Education have been working with St. Margaret of Scotland faculty in a comprehensive program of professional development.

On Nov. 30, 67 St. Margaret fourth and fifth graders enjoyed a field trip focused on health and fitness sponsored by the SXU School of Nursing and the University’s athletic facility, the Shannon Center. The students enjoyed working with nursing students and listening to the heartbeat of the electronic mannequin used for simulated practice.

At the Shannon Center, where the games stressed the connection between fitness, healthy eating and the fun of participating in physical activities, SXU students responded to questions. The field trip also included a tour of the campus so that students saw first hand the excitement and diversity of campus life. Fifth grade teacher Mrs. Leyden said, “Our partnership has opened many doors for our students. The interaction with our students will not be forgotten.”
That evening, 200 St. Margaret students and parents attended a family reading night at the school.

One parent commented: “It was great for the family to come together and spend time learning new activities to do at home.”

Research shows that students who formulate goals for college and careers by junior high school are more successful because they avoid decisions in high school that can complicate furthering their education. The field trips are designed to promote college as a goal and establish relationships between students of both schools.

“A true partnership involves respect for the contributions of both partners,” said SXU School of Education Dean Beverly Gulley. “The partnership between Saint Xavier University and St. Margaret of Scotland School recognizes that meaningful improvement in education combines the foundation of research and theory with the wisdom of practice. Lessons learned through the initiative can be applied to other schools and direct pedagogical research. But perhaps the most significant effects of the partnership will be seen in years to come as the faculty and students from both schools use their experiences to chart better lives for themselves and their communities.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION:Contact Joe Moore773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

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SXU Graham School of Management professor teaches bioterrorism preparedness from across country

James Hagen, Ph.D., webcasts to Idaho, New Jersey and around Illinois



Chicago (Dec. 13, 2007) –James Hagen, Ph.D., fights on the front lines of the global war on terror—and sometimes he does it while working from home.

The Saint Xavier University professor recently delivered a lecture from his home office via webcast on “Leadership in Long Term Care Communities During Bioterrorism or Other Emergency/Disaster Situations” to participants across several states.

Attendees in New Jersey, Idaho and Illinois learned how to organize a command structure in the long term care environment and how leadership qualities must differ from those needed during calmer times. Hagen presented strategies for fostering leadership, as well as an examination of the vital role communication plays in disaster management.

Using a leading provider of live Web-conferencing and eLearning, Hagen directly interacted with students, manipulated Power Point slides, and used video resources when needed.
“This is such a good example of the powerful new technologies becoming more readily available to academic communities around the country,” Hagen said. “As threats become more global, so will our solutions.”

Hagen is the architect and director of the SXU Graham School of Management Disaster Preparedness and Management Certificate Program currently offered on Saint Xavier’s main campus and at its Loop location at the Chicago Bar Association.

His lecture was part of a collaborative effort between the Idaho Bioterrorism Awareness and Preparedness Program (IBAPP - http://www.isu.edu/irh/IBAPP/), Idaho State University Institute of Rural Health, and Mather Lifeways Corporation of Illinois. The web-based system provided a dynamic, speaker-controlled interface to conduct an interactive session using face-to-face communications. Hagen was able to manipulate and draw on Power Point slides, be seen by participants, be made aware of agreement or disagreement with points made, use video resources and directly interact with participants, just as if he were in the classroom.

IBAPP was launched to provide bioterrorism and emergency preparedness training to Idaho's healthcare workforce, employing cutting-edge distance-learning methodologies. Trainings include recognition and management of bioterrorist, all hazards and natural disaster emergency events.

For more information about the Saint Xavier University Disaster Preparedness and Management Certificate Program please visit http://www.sxu.edu/gsm/grcert_dpm.asp or call (773) 298-3050.


FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

"Doctor is in the House" visits SXU School of Nursing

On his WVON 1690 AM weekly radio show, The Doctor is in the House, Director of Chicago Public Health Dr. Terry Mason thanked School of Nursing Interim Dean Kay Thurn, Psy.D., R.N. for his recent visit to the Saint Xavier University campus to discuss enhancing the collaborative agreement between the SXU School of Nursing and the City of Chicago, as well as providing educational opportunities for continuing education for nurses.

Among the School of Nursing’s many initiatives, it operates the Saint Xavier University Health Center, a nurse practitioner-staffed primary care facility, which accommodated 5,860 patient visits last year. More than 60 percent of patients were members from the surrounding community.

Below is the transcript of Dr. Mason’s remarks:

I want to say a word of thanks to Kay Thurn, who is the Interim Dean of Nursing at Saint Xavier University.

About a week ago, Dean Thurn was my gracious host out at Saint Xavier, over near 103rd and Pulaski.

As you may know, Saint Xavier has a very long and proud history of educating nurses in Chicago.

And as you might imagine, with a Health Department as large as ours, we’re always looking for nurses with lots of energy and expertise.

So hopefully, as we move forward, we can strengthen our relationship and collaborate to help make our city a healthier place.

And if you’re a young person (man or woman) considering a career in nursing----or in other areas of study---I encourage you to check out Saint Xavier University by going online to www.sxu.edu. That’s www.sxu.edu.

Saint Xavier Graham School of Management Disaster Preparedness Program approved for Homeland Security Defense Education Consortium

Chicago--The Homeland Security Defense Education Consortium (HSDEC) has granted membership to the SXU Graham School of Management Disaster Preparedness and Management (DPM) Certificate Program.

The HSDEC is a network of teaching and research institutions focused on promoting education, research and cooperation supporting the homeland security/defense mission.

“We look forward to the exciting opportunities offered by this new affiliation. Recent events, such as Katrina, 9/11, the increasing number and severity of natural disasters, and the rising threat of terrorism, have emphasized the need for greater and more cohesive relationships between sectors of government in order for an optimal response to occur,” said program architect and director James Hagen, Ph.D. “The Graham School of Management’s coordinated sequence of graduate courses provides both breadth and depth to prepare for management of growing threats and newly evolving hazards.”

Hagen, creator and coordinator of the DPM Certificate Program, attended the recent HSDEC conference, titled “Threats at Our Threshold,” held at the United States Army War College (USAWC) in Carlisle, Penn. An international group of speakers presented topics such as Domestic Radicalization, Renewed Concerns for Nuclear and Biological Attacks, and Homeland Defense and Security in the Americas. The meeting was hosted by the USAWC’s Center for Strategic Leadership, George Washington’s Homeland Security Policy Institute, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the Heritage Foundation.

For more information about Saint Xavier’s Disaster Preparedness certificate program, please visit: http://www.sxu.edu/gsm/grcert_dpm.asp or call (773) 298-3050.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu


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Founders’ Day celebrates service, liberal arts at Saint Xavier University

Photos: Judith A. Dwyer with Founders' Day individuals honored for service: Michael Flahive, Ph.D. (upper left); Margaret Lepore(lower right); Joanna Beituni (lower left).

Chicago (Dec. 4, 2007)--Saint Xavier University celebrated its founders, the Sisters of Mercy, during its annual Founders’ Day ceremonies on Monday, Dec. 3, 2007. A special feature of this year’s observance was a presentation in McDonough Chapel by Sister Mary Aquin O’Neill, R.S.M., Ph.D. on “Mercy: The Fifth Cardinal Virtue.”

Assistant Professor of Biology Christopher Appelt gave a presentation titled “Geckos and Glass Ceilings” in which he discussed the burgeoning field of bio-mimicry and the vast, untapped technologies to be developed from studying nature.

Saint Xavier Choir Director Jan E. Bickel, D.M.A., discussed and then led the University Chamber singers through W.A. Mozart’s Dixit Dominus, K. 193, vocalized in Latin.

Founders’ Day is a celebration that highlights Mother Frances Xavier Warde, R.S.M., for whom the University is named. It spotlights service by outstanding members of the University community and the University’s commitment to the liberal arts and sciences. Saint Xavier honored three individuals Monday for exemplary service: Communications major Joanna Beituni, senior, of Oak Lawn, received the Mother Paulita Morris, R.S.M., Service Award for Students. Margaret Lepore, of Crestwood, office manager in the School of Nursing, received the Sister Isidore Perrigo, R.S.M., Service Award for Staff. Michael Flahive, Ph.D., of Valparaiso, Ind., professor of communication disorders and graduate program director in the College of Arts and Sciences received the Saint Xavier University Award for Faculty.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:Contact Joe Moore773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

Saint Xavier University School of Education holds retreat

Chicago (Dec. 4, 2007) –On Friday Nov. 9, 2007, the faculty, staff and administration of the Saint Xavier University School of Education attended their annual fall retreat, held at the Orland Park campus. The retreat was organized by a committee led by School of Education Dean Beverly Gully.

Keynote speakers, pictured above from left to right, were Barbara Eason-Watkins, chief education officer for the Chicago Public Schools, SXU School of Education Dean Beverly Gulley and Clara Jennings, dean of the School of Education at DePaul University.

The theme of the retreat and other School of Education activities was “The Professionalism of Teaching, Administration and Counseling.” The retreat examined how to prepare teachers, administrators and counselors for the environments in which they will be working and how the preparation can be grounded in tradition, theory and best practice. Speakers addressed how education programs contribute to the success of graduates.

“The day combined listening to gifted practitioners and collaborating in strategic planning for the School of Education,” Dean Gully said. “To see the commitment to students and to the profession of education of our speakers and our retreat participants was inspiring.”

An outstanding group of speakers provided context for discussion and data-driven decision making. The panel of educators, pictured from left to right, included: Kay Dugan, curriculum and technology director, District 109; Jason Edgecombe assistant superintendent for human resources, Oak Park and River Forest High School; Kathleen Gordon Davis, Art Dept. chair, Mother McAuley High School; Richard Stamm, teacher, Community Youth Development Institute, Chicago; Erik Tenglin, teacher, Union Elementary School, Harwood Heights; and Ardeen Hoke (not pictured), principal, Northeast School, Evergreen Park.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

SXU Guitar Ensemble at Butler Reception Room Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Chicago (Dec. 4, 2007) – Join the Saint Xavier University Guitar Ensemble for a concert at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8 in the Butler Reception Room of the Warde Academic Center at 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago, Ill. 60655.

Under the direction of SXU Assistant Professor Frederick Miller, M.M., the ensemble will perform works by John Dowland, J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, Claude Debussy and Andrew York.

The concert is open to the public. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for seniors and visiting students. Admission is free for all SXU students, faculty and staff with a valid University ID. For more information, please contact the Saint Xavier University music department at (773) 298-3421.

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Saint Xavier University signs Teacher Education Transfer Articulation Agreement with Joliet Junior College

Saint Xavier University President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. (Right) and Joliet Junior College President Eugenia Proulx, Ph.D. (Left)

Chicago (Nov. 30, 2007) –The presidents of Saint Xavier University and Joliet Junior College signed an agreement yesterday that allows education majors from JJC to more easily transfer to Saint Xavier to earn an undergraduate degree and teacher certification.

In a ceremony at Saint Xavier’s Orland Park Campus, Saint Xavier University President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D., and Joliet Junior College President Eugenia Proulx, Ph.D., signed the new 2+2 Teacher Education Articulation Agreement, which will enhance transfers of early childhood and elementary education majors.

“This cooperative relationship will enhance service for our constituents, support a smooth transfer experience, minimize duplication of instruction and build on community college and university learning experiences,” said Saint Xavier President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. “We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with Joliet Junior College.”

Under the agreement, any student who completes a prescribed block of 64 credits at Joliet Junior College with a GPA of 2.5 or better can transfer to the Saint Xavier University School of Education where they can complete 57 credits to earn a degree and teacher certification in elementary education or 56 hours for early childhood education.

“We look forward to enhancing our already excellent relationship with Joliet Junior College,” said School of Education Dean Beverly Gulley. “This new articulation agreement will greatly improve students’ ability to complete their baccalaureate degree education in four years.”

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

SXU Concert Band performs Dec. 4 at Beverly Arts Center

Join the Saint Xavier Concert Band for a winter concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago.

The Concert Band will delight attendees with a night of American music capped off with the holiday classic, “Sleigh Ride,” by composer Leroy Anderson.

The concert is open to the public. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and visiting students. Admission is free for all SXU students, faculty and staff with a valid University ID. For more information, please contact the Saint Xavier University music department at (773) 298-3421.

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Founders’ Day celebrates service, liberal arts at Saint Xavier University

Festivities feature guest theologian Sr. Mary Aquin O’Neill, R.S.M., Ph.D.

Chicago (Nov. 26, 2007)--Saint Xavier University will celebrate its founders, the Sisters of Mercy, during its annual Founders’ Day ceremonies on Monday, Dec. 3, 2007. A special feature of this year’s observance will be a presentation by Sister Mary Aquin O’Neill, R.S.M., Ph.D. on “Mercy: The Fifth Cardinal Virtue.” Her lecture will take place at 3 p.m. in McDonough Chapel.

“Founders’ Day is a three-part celebration that highlights Mother Frances Xavier Warde, R.S.M., for whom the University is named. It spotlights service by outstanding members of our University community and the University’s commitment to the liberal arts and sciences,” said Sister Susan Sander, R.S.M., Ph.D., vice president for University Mission and Heritage, which coordinates the celebration. “Sister Aquin’s broad experience in Catholic higher education will certainly enrich this year’s festivities.”

Sister O’Neill’s address is theologically focused and part of the University’s 2007-2008 Catholic Colloquium Lecture Series and will be part of the day’s celebration of the liberal arts and sciences. Other presentations will feature Saint Xavier faculty, staff and students and will celebrate the arts of poetry and music and the science of biology. The 3 p.m. ceremony in McDonough Chapel is free and open to the public.

Specializing in theological anthropology, feminist theory, and interreligious dialogue, Sister O’Neill has published articles in scholarly journals and books, and frequently presents at academic institutions across the country. She is the founding director of the Mount Saint Agnes Theological Center for Women in Baltimore. She has held faculty positions at Vanderbilt University, Salve Regina University, and the University of Notre Dame, where she was also the undergraduate program director for the Notre Dame Jerusalem Program at Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.

Sister O’Neill serves on the board of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education, the organization through which the Sisters of Mercy sponsor 16 colleges and universities in the United States. Saint Xavier University is the oldest and one of the largest of the Mercy-founded higher education institutions.

O’Neill earned her bachelor of arts, summa cum laude from Mount Saint Agnes College, studied sacred scripture and dogmatics at the University of San Francisco, and earned her doctorate in religion from Vanderbilt University.

Other events on the Founders’ Day roster include celebration of the Eucharist in McDonough Chapel at 11:30 a.m. and an awards ceremony in the Warde Academic Center at 2 p.m. Chosen for their outstanding service to the University and the community, this year’s awardees are student Joanna Beituni, a senior from Oak Lawn; staff member Margaret Lepore, of Crestwood; and faculty member Michael Flahive, Ph.D., of Valparaiso, Ind.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

SXU Chapter of international nursing honor society inducts 62 new members

left to right: SXU nursing students Anna Walkosz, Janet Kilroy, Eileen Muldoon, Abigail Morrow, Eileen Aye, Tadeusz Lisowski, Sharlene Rodriquez were among 62 new inductees to the SXU Alpha Omicron chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

Chicago (Nov. 19, 2007) –The Saint Xavier University Alpha Omicron chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, welcomed 62 new members in a ceremony in McGuire Hall on Sunday, Nov. 11.

The Honor Society is one of the largest international nursing organizations. It works to nurture and network nursing scholars and leaders worldwide to improve health care. The Honor Society promotes nursing excellence through its initiatives in research, leadership, an electronic library, programming and publications, and develops and distributes nursing knowledge for use in practice.

Membership to the Honor Society is by invitation to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate exceptional achievement in nursing. To be invited to join, undergraduate students must have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, be in the upper 35 percent of his/her graduating class, and have completed at least one half of the nursing curriculum to qualify for membership.

“You are among a distinguished group of nursing students and professionals who have met or exceeded rigorous standards and have demonstrated the ideal qualities of a leader and scholar. You truly deserve our congratulations,” said Chapter President Lynda Bartlett, MBA, MS, RN, during the induction ceremony. “As you are welcomed into this community, I applaud the current and future roles you now play and will play as clinicians, administrators, researchers, educators and health policy analysts.”

Inductees included:

UNDERGRADUATE
Racquel Magundayao Almazan - Midlothian
Maria Verchelle Baron Arceo - Wheeling
Dokota Lashon Brown-Kizer - Chicago
Ernestina Diaz - Oak Lawn
Laura Dykstra – Evergreen Park
Kanisha Janee Fleming – Tinley Park
Emyli Floyd - Oak Forest
Michelle Garcia – Oak Lawn
Amber Garrett - Oak Lawn
Sheila Gaza - Worth
Molly J. Flaherty – Chicago Ridge
Anne Flowers – Tinley Park
Rachel Lynn Frenzel – Tinley Park
Jacinta Theresa Holston-Paige - Chicago
Visethary In – Arlington Heights
Lauren Lynne Kasmar - Chicago
Janet Kilroy - Chicago
Robin Lea Kramer – Joshua Tree, CA
Deborah Koncel - Chicago
Joanna Kowalczyk – Tinley Park
Sarah Lee – Oak Lawn
Jennifer Lynn Lewis - Homewood
Tadeusz Lisowski - Chicago
Maria Marta Lozano – Miami FL
Irene Valerie Mulvey - Chicago
Isabella Diane Ngala - Chicago
Angela Onyeokoro - Chicago
Robert Pemberton Jr. - Chicago
Thea Pingue - Chicago
Anastasia Quintero - Chicago
Suzanna Ramirez - Chicago
Sharlene Rodriguez – Tinley Park
Diana Lynn Simmons - Homewood
Monique Renae Vance - Waukegan
Tiffany Varghese – Duncanville, TX
Anna M. Walkosz - Burbank
Angela Willmot – New Lenox

GRADUATE
Eileen M.Aye - Chicago
David William Brady - Hammond, IN
Kristine Funck - Schaumburg
Tajuana Johnson - Bolingbrook
Mary V. Kane - Elg Grove
Therese Melaniphy - Oak Lawn
Abigail Morrow - Frankfort
Eileen Muldoon - Chicago
Monika Angelika Nowak - Chicago
Patrick L. O’Brien - Lansing
Sheila Maria Phelan - Oak Lawn
Patricia Boylan – Hickory Hills
Coleen Carney – Orland Park
Rosa Colella – Carol Stream
Jennifer Lyn Fitzer - Manhattan
Kathleen Henry – Orland Park
Kimberly Hill – St. John. IN
Wanda Enid Martinez - Cary
Richae Muro - Hometown
Tina Murphy – Tinley Park
Jeanine Reilly - Chicago
Catherine Smith - Countryside
Kimberly Souder – New Lenox
Cary Villanueva - Brookfield

COMMUNITY NURSE LEADERS
Mary Patricia Fedor – Homer Glen
Janice Frederick – Hickory Hills


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Saint Xavier University unveils LEED Gold plaque for Arthur Rubloff Hall

SXU President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. and Vice President for Student Affairs John Pelrine stand in Arthur Rubloff Hall with newly unveiled plaque certifying the building’s LEED Gold designation by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Chicago – Saint Xavier University unveiled a plaque last night from the U.S. Green Building Council signifying Arthur Rubloff Hall as the first university building in the state to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold designation for green building practices.

“The LEED Gold Designation for Arthur Rubloff Hall highlights Saint Xavier University as a leader, a pioneer, among private institutions in its commitment to the green building approach,” said SXU President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. “Likewise, this award confirms our commitment to providing cutting edge technologies and facilities for our students while demonstrating an environmental consciousness that improves our world, our world for today, our world for tomorrow.”

To receive the prestigious LEED Gold designation, the University incorporated an exceptional number of “green” strategies to protect the Earth’s natural resources into the building’s construction.

“When Arthur Rubloff Hall opened last fall, it was the first university residence hall built in the greater Chicago area to use the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design “green building” approach as set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council, the nation’s foremost coalition of building leaders striving for environmental excellence,” said Vice President for Student Affairs John Pelrine. “Today we celebrate as Rubloff Hall is the first university building in the state of Illinois to receive the prestigious LEED Gold designation, one of the highest levels awarded.”

Dedicated in October, the energy-efficient 88-bed residence hall increases student awareness of environmental issues and encourages a collective mindset to make the preservation of our planet a greater priority. Amenities include carpeting made of recycled plastics, a roof with 1,000 square feet of low-maintenance plants for heating and cooling retention, and water conservation plumbing.

Saint Xavier University recently broke ground on another new residence hall to be located on the northeast quadrant of its Chicago campus and built to the same environmental standards as Rubloff Hall.

University officials anticipate the 108-bed facility, approved by the SXU Board of Trustees at its Oct. 10 meeting, will be finished by August 2008. The new facility is in keeping with the University’s Strategic Plan, which calls for a minimum of 1000 students to be living on its Chicago campus. Currently, approximately 700 live on campus and another 140 in off campus housing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

Sandra Burkhardt selected to receive 2008 Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award

Chicago (Nov. 13, 2007) –Saint Xavier University is pleased to announce that Sandra Burkhardt, Ph.D., ABPP, professor of psychology, was selected to receive the 2008 Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award.

Burkhardt will be honored at the Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Center’s Crystal Heart Ball to be held Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 at the Field Museum.

The Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award recognizes individuals whose personal and professional accomplishments embody the ideals, vision and mission of the Venerable Mary Potter, founder of the Little Company of Mary Sisters. These ideals include making "a visible and positive difference" in the community by providing services for the needy.

Burkhardt’s award recognizes her support of families of children with autism spectrum disorders. Her work involves research, clinical services and community outreach. She founded Project Respect, an educational and recreational program supported by the Community Outreach Program of the Psychology Department of Saint Xavier University. Project Respect aims at heightening community awareness of autism spectrum disorders and their impact on families.

Burkhardt is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood disorders. She is the first woman in Illinois to achieve specialty board certification in clinical child and adolescent psychology. She is a fellow of the Academy of Clinical Psychology and the Illinois Psychological Association. She is a past recipient of the Saint Xavier Award.

Other distinguished recipients of the Mary Potter Humanitarian Award who have close ties to the University include Sister Rosemary Connelly, R.S.M., (1992), Matt and Rose Lamb (1995), Richard H. Driehaus (1999) and James Tyree (2005).

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Saint Xavier University announces Founders’ Day honorees

Chicago (Nov. 09, 2007) – Saint Xavier University will honor three individuals for exemplary service at its Founders’ Day ceremonies on Monday, Dec. 3, 2007.

Founders’ Day celebrates the Sisters of Mercy who, led by Mother Frances Xavier Warde, founded Saint Francis Xavier Academy for Females in 1846 in downtown Chicago, the forerunner of Saint Xavier University.

Communications major Joanna Beituni, senior, of Oak Lawn, will receive the Mother Paulita Morris, R.S.M., Service Award for Students. Margaret Lepore, of Crestwood, office manager in the School of Nursing, will receive the Sister Isidore Perrigo, R.S.M., Service Award for Staff. Michael Flahive, Ph.D., of Valparaiso, Ind., professor of communication disorders and graduate program director in the College of Arts and Sciences will receive the Saint Xavier University Award for Faculty.

“These outstanding individuals serve as visible reminders of the remarkable women who founded Saint Xavier more than 160 years ago,” said Sister Susan Sanders, R.S.M., Ph.D., vice president for University Mission and Heritage. “Each awardee is a living example of the University’s commitment to its core value of service.”

All University community members are invited to attend the Dec. 3 Founders’ Day celebrations, which will begin with a Eucharistic Liturgy at 11:30 a.m. in McDonough Chapel. The University then hosts the Founders’ Day Awards Ceremony in the Butler Reception Room at 2 p.m. A celebration of the University’s commitment to the liberal arts and tradition of service to others follows at 3 p.m. in McDonough Chapel. A reception follows in the Butler Reception Room.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

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Saint Xavier University breaks ground on new green residence hall

From left to right: 19th Ward Alderman Virginia Rugai; Mike McDermott of Environmental Systems Design, Inc.; SXU Board of Trustees Chair Thomas E. Chomicz; SXU President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D.; William Callaghan of Henry Bros. Co., Kyle Kim of Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Associates, and SXU Student Alyson Kelley.

Chicago (Nov. 9, 2007) – Saint Xavier University broke ground in a ceremony Thursday for a new residence hall to be located on the northeast quadrant of its Chicago campus.

University officials anticipate the 108-bed facility, approved by the SXU Board of Trustees at its Oct. 10 meeting, will be finished by August 2008. The new facility is in keeping with the University’s Strategic Plan, which calls for a minimum of 1000 students to be living on its Chicago campus. Currently, approximately 700 live on campus and another 140 in off campus housing.

“This new residence hall represents Saint Xavier’s continued growth and strength as a leading comprehensive Catholic university,” said SXU President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D.

Saint Xavier will build the new residence hall to LEED Silver environmental standards as set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council. SXU’s Arthur Rubloff Hall, which opened fall 2006, became the first university building in the state of Illinois to receive the coveted LEED Gold designation.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a continuing commitment by Saint Xavier to go green,” said SXU Board of Trustees Chairman Thomas E. Chomicz. “It is a commitment to the construction of an energy efficient building. It represents a way to make the world a better place.”

Also taking part in the ceremony were 19th Ward Alderman Virginia Rugai; Mike McDermott of Environmental Systems Design, Inc.; William Callaghan of Henry Bros. Co., Kyle Kim of Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Associates, and SXU student Alyson Kelley of Aurora.

The 36,664 square-foot residence hall will have both natural and mechanical ventilation and a 50-foot high circular glass stair tower. It will use passive solar and wind energy for summer night pre-cooling and winter heating to improve building energy efficiency and occupant comfort with natural ventilation.

The building will use 100 percent Green Power from a wind farm to carbon offset all electrical energy consumed in the residence. The roof will have 40 solar panels for solar thermal water heating and a rain garden to collect roof water runoff.

The indoor air quality in the student rooms will be significantly above American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Inc. (ASHRAE) standards. All student rooms will have windows that can be opened to promote natural ventilation air patterns, harvest natural daylight and allow beautiful views of the Saint Xavier campus, providing all students with a closer connection to nature.

The architectural firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Associates provided designs for the building. The firm designed three previous residence halls for Saint Xavier, including Rubloff. The construction management firm will be Henry Bros. Co. Civil engineering will be conducted by Terra Civil Engineering.

Environmental Systems Design, Inc. will provide mechanical engineering. Last spring, ASHRAE presented Saint Xavier University and Environmental Systems Design, Inc. with Chapter and Regional Engineering Technology Awards for Rubloff Hall. The awards recognized achievements in the design of new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and retrofits.

A leader in green practices, Saint Xavier is a member of the Illinois Sustainable University Compact, which has pledged to accomplish multiple environmentally sound goals by Dec. 31, 2010. These goals include energy purchases from renewable sources, reduced carbon emissions, and requiring green building practices for all new construction. More recently, SXU became the first Chicago university to sign the Presidents Climate Commitment, joining 415 other schools nationwide in a pledge to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

-SXU-

SXU University Relations takes nine MarCom Awards

Chicago (Nov. 6, 2007) – SXU University Relations won nine 2007 MarCom Awards this month for its alumni magazine, publishing, publicity and media relations campaigns.

The MarCom Awards is an international creative competition recognizing outstanding achievement by marketing and communication professionals. The competition, which has grown to perhaps the largest of its kind, is administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

“I am deeply proud of our University Relations staff,” said Vice President for University Relations Bob Tenczar. “This is continued recognition of the excellent public relations team we are building here at Saint Xavier University.”

The awards were: “Bess Friedheim,” Media Relations/Publicity Campaign, Gold; “Monk Parakeets,” Media Relations/Publicity Campaign, Platinum; “Saint Xavier Magazine: A Centered Life,” Magazine/Educational Institution, Platinum; “Saint Xavier Magazine: A Centered Life,” Design/Magazine, Gold; “Saint Xavier Magazine: Dynamic, Vibrant A Legacy of Leading,” Design/Magazine, honorable mention; “Saint Xavier Magazine: Dynamic, Vibrant A Legacy of Leading,” Annual Report/Non-Profit, Platinum; “Saint Xavier Magazine: Striving for Insight,” Magazine/Educational Institution, Gold; “Saint Xavier University News Blog” (www.sxuinthenews.blogspot.com/), E-Commerce Storefront, Honorable Mention.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore (773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

-SXU-

National Survey of Student Engagement Benchmarks available for Saint Xavier

Chicago– Saint Xavier University has either met or exceeded national benchmarks in nearly every category of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).

In a partnership with USA Today, the National Survey of Student Engagement this morning released its benchmark findings of 255 of the 610 schools that participated nationally in its annual study. The benchmarks measure student opinions of academic challenge, student-faculty interaction, active collaborative learning, supportive campus environment, and enriching educational experiences.

Saint Xavier University is one of only three Chicago schools to have made its findings available to the public. Saint Xavier is also one of only 32 schools across the country to have participated in the survey since its inception in 2000.

“We are proud to share our 2007 National Survey of Student Engagement benchmarks,” said Saint Xavier President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. “They show Saint Xavier students feel actively engaged in challenging academic activities with guidance from accessible faculty and professional staff and a supportive campus environment that helps them attain personal and professional goals.”

To view Saint Xavier University’s NSSE results, please visit the following Web site: http://www.sxu.edu/learning/.

NSSE is an important point of reference for all SXU planning and assessment. Benchmark reports from early years prompted faculty leaders and administrators to launch a number of initiatives to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning at the University. These include enhancement of the writing activities across the curriculum, expanded opportunities for student-faculty interactions on research projects, and eventually a sweeping new General Education Program, scheduled for full implementation in fall 2009.

“The relatively strong benchmarks for 2007 represent some of the fruits of these efforts,” said Saint Xavier University Vice President for Research, Planning and Assessment Kathleen Carlson. “The University will continue to work with NSSE Benchmarks in the coming years as it strives to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning in a culture of continuous improvement.”

To arrange for an interview with Vice President Carlson, please contact Director of Media Relations Joe Moore at (773) 298-3937.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

Expert comment available for National Survey of Student Engagement Benchmarks

Chicago– Saint Xavier University Vice President for Research, Planning and Assessment Kathleen Carlson is available for expert comment on the significance of the National Survey of Student Engagement.

This morning NSSE released its benchmark findings of 255 of the 610 schools that participated nationally. Saint Xavier University is one of only three Chicago schools to have made its findings available to the public. Saint Xavier is also one of only 32 schools across the country to have participated in the survey since its inception.

To arrange for an interview with Vice President Carlson, please contact Director of Media Relations Joe Moore at 773 298 3937.

To view Saint Xavier University’s NSSE results, please visit the following Web site: http://www.sxu.edu/learning/.


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Rev. Robert Barry featured in Daily Southtown

The Friday, Nov. 2 Daily Southtown front page featured SXU’s Rev. Robert Barry, OP, Ph.D., exploring spiritual healing of the wounded for the Theology South lecture series.

In a lecture titled “Healing the Wounded Warrior: the Three Battlefields,” Barry discussed his care for wounded soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors being treated at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. Barry is a Lt. Colonel and chaplain in the Illinois Air National Guard.
Please view the story here.

Saint Xavier University to break ground on new residence hall Nov. 8, 2007

Chicago– Saint Xavier University will break ground at 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007 for a new residence hall to be located on the northeast quadrant of its Chicago campus.

University officials anticipate the 108-bed facility, approved by the SXU Board of Trustees at its Oct. 10 meeting, will be finished by August 2008. The new facility is in keeping with the University’s Strategic Plan, which calls for a minimum of 1000 students to be living on its Chicago campus. Currently, approximately 700 live on campus and another 140 in off campus housing.

Saint Xavier will build the new residence hall to LEED Silver environmental standards as set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council. SXU’s Arthur Rubloff Hall, which opened fall 2006, became the first university building in the state of Illinois to receive the coveted LEED Gold designation.

“Saint Xavier University is proud to be at the forefront of green building practices,” said SXU President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. “The environment is one of the central challenges of the 21st century, and our universities and colleges must lead by example.”

The 36,664 square-foot residence hall will have both natural and mechanical ventilation and a 50-foot high circular glass stair tower. It will use passive solar and wind energy for summer night pre-cooling and winter heating to improve building energy efficiency and occupant comfort with natural ventilation.

The building will use 100 percent Green Power from a wind farm to carbon offset all electrical energy consumed in the residence. The roof will have 40 solar panels for solar thermal water heating and a rain garden to collect roof water runoff.

The indoor air quality in the student rooms will be significantly above American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Inc. (ASHRAE) standards. All student rooms will have windows that can be opened to promote natural ventilation air patterns, harvest natural daylight and allow beautiful views of the Saint Xavier campus, providing all students with a closer connection to nature.

The architectural firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Associates provided designs for the building. The firm designed three previous residence halls for Saint Xavier, including Rubloff. The construction management firm will be Henry Bros. Co. Civil engineering will be conducted by Terra Civil Engineering.

Environmental Solutions will provide mechanical engineering. Last spring, ASHRAE presented Saint Xavier University and Environmental Design Systems with Chapter and Regional Engineering Technology Awards for Rubloff Hall. The awards recognized achievements in the design of new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and retrofits.

A leader in green practices, Saint Xavier is a member of the Illinois Sustainable University Compact, which has pledged to accomplish multiple environmentally sound goals by Dec. 31, 2010. These goals include energy purchases from renewable sources, reduced carbon emissions, and requiring green building practices for all new construction. More recently, SXU became the first Chicago university to sign the Presidents Climate Commitment, joining 415 other schools nationwide in a pledge to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

-SXU-

The Honorable William M. Daley to receive Shield of Saint Xavier; Honor to be presented at President’s Scholarship Ball, April 12, 2008

Chicago (Oct. 29, 2007) – Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley will receive the Shield of Saint Xavier at the 23rd Annual President’s Scholarship Ball on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at the Hilton Chicago.

“The Shield of Saint Xavier is the University’s highest distinction. It is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment and service to the greater Chicago community, especially to the city’s Catholic institutions,” wrote SXU President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D., in her letter of invitation to Daley. “We believe that your leadership and service to our nation and to this city, your life and achievements exemplify the ideals of Saint Francis Xavier, Mother Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy.”

Daley became the head of JPMorgan Chase’s Office of Corporate Social Responsibility in June 2007, overseeing and coordinating the firm’s global strategy and efforts in government affairs, public policy, charitable giving, and environmental and community affairs. He also continues his roles as the firm's Vice Chairman, Chairman of the Midwest Region and as Chairman of JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

Daley joined JPMorgan Chase in May 2004 after serving as President of SBC Communications for three years. In 2000, he coordinated the effort for permanent Normal Trade Relations with China and chaired Vice President Al Gore's presidential campaign.

Daley served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Clinton from 1997 to 2000, overseeing a department of more than 40,000 people. As Special Counsel to President Clinton in 1993, Daley coordinated the successful campaign to pass the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

He serves on the Boards of Directors of Abbott Laboratories and The Boeing Company. He also serves on the boards of The Art Institute of Chicago, the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Loyola University, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern University. He also is the Chair of the Economic Club of Chicago and serves on the boards of Council on Foreign Relations and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. He earned an LL.B. from John Marshall Law School and a

B.A. from Loyola University in Chicago.

Past Shield of Saint Xavier honorees include Edward M. Burke (2007), Richard H. Driehaus (2006), Joanne and Arthur Velasquez (2005), James and Ellen O’Connor (2004), and Sister Rosemary Connelly, R.S.M. (1999). Four of Daley’s family members have been Shield recipients, including his father, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley (1989), his brother and sister-in-law, Mayor Richard M. and Maggie Daley (1990), and his sister, Patricia Daley Martino (1995).

The President’s Scholarship Ball has raised millions of dollars for the President’s Scholarship Program, which provides financial support to Saint Xavier’s most deserving students.

The black-tie event is open to the public. For information or reservations please contact (773) 298-3311 or specialevents@sxu.edu with “President’s Scholarship Ball” in the subject line.
For media inquiries, please contact Joe Moore, director of media relations, at (773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

-SXU-

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn speaks at SXU Squeaky Weal lecture series

Chicago (Oct. 25, 2007) – Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn will speak at Saint Xavier University’s 2007–08 Squeaky Weal lecture series at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, at Saint Xavier’s Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St.

His lecture, “Civic Responsibilities in Turbulent Times,” is free and open to the public and will be held in McGuire Hall, located in the Warde Academic Center. After the lecture, Quinn will answer questions from the audience.

In theory and practice, Quinn believes that elected officials are public servants. As lieutenant governor of Illinois, he advances the cause of taxpayers and consumers and advocates environmental stewardship, support for members of the armed services and their families, and decent health care for all. His office provides a wide range of services to military families, soldiers on active duty and veterans, and maintains one of the nation’s most informative Web sites on supporting our troops.

Quinn holds degrees from Northwestern University School of Law and Georgetown University. In additional, his aunt, Sister Mary Lorita Quinn, R.S.M., was a Sister of Mercy and faculty member at Saint Xavier University for many years.

“We are delighted to have Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn join us for our Squeaky Weal lecture series,” said Sister Susan Sanders, R.S.M., Ph.D., vice president for University Mission and Heritage and director of the Center for Religion and Public Discourse. “This timely and relevant discussion of our civic responsibilities, as well as Quinn’s own Catholic background, will certainly make for a memorable evening in what has already been an exceptional lecture season at Saint Xavier.”

Saint Xavier’s Squeaky Weal lecture series explores the role of religion in civic life and the importance of being involved in civic and political issues. The series is sponsored by the Center for Religion and Public Discourse.

For more information about the lecture, please contact Kathy Mareska at (773) 298-3981 or mareska@sxu.edu, or visit http://www.sxu.edu/.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

WXAV holds special year end Chicago Fire Show

Chicago (Oct. 23, 2007) – Saint Xavier University’s student radio station WXAV 88.3 FM will hold a special one-hour show of Chicago Fire Soccer Weekly Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 6 p.m., celebrating a full season of covering the Chicago Fire soccer club.

The show will feature interviews with Chicago Fire goalie Matt Pickens and striker John Thorrington, a chat with other soccer media, and excerpts from the Fire's awards ceremony banquet.

The show will preview the playoff match between Chicago and DC United. The Fire qualified for the playoffs by beating David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 on Sunday.
WXAV and the Chicago Fire began their weekly radio partnership in May.

“This partnership with the Chicago Fire has been an incredible opportunity for our students to maintain a working relationship with a world class professional sports club,” said WXAV program director Angelo Bonadonna.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

Contemporary Mosaics on display in SXU Gallery; Exhibit opens Oct. 31 at Saint Xavier University

Chicago (Oct. 19, 2007) – Saint Xavier University will showcase the mosaics of artist Chris Zonta in “Beyond the Surface: Contemporary Mosaics,” which opens Wednesday, Oct. 31, in the SXU Gallery at Saint Xavier University, 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago.

The exhibit, which runs through Nov. 20, will display Zonta’s handcrafted mosaics. Incorporating materials such as glass, beads, rocks and other found objects, she compares the design process to the childhood emotion of wonder.

“Although the glimmer, glaze, rich bold colors and positive aura have been the message of my work in the past, my subject matter is reflecting more personal and spiritual issues, and expressing those ideas is as compelling as it is challenging,” Zonta said. “My art and life continue to merge in deeply gratifying ways.”

Zonta earned her bachelor’s in applied behavioral science/social work from George Williams College in Downers Grove. She teaches the process of mosaic making to children and adults throughout the Chicagoland area. She designed the Mosaic Art Program that teaches elementary school students about the history, materials, tools and techniques used while creating a permanent mosaic mural for their school environment.

An opening reception and lecture by Zonta will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 31, in the SXU Gallery in the Warde Academic Center. Both the lecture and exhibit are free and open to the public.

The exhibit is partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. The SXU Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, please contact the Saint Xavier University art department at (773) 298-3081.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

Saint Xavier University wins 3rd place in 2007 Mayor’s Landscape Awards program

Chicago (Oct. 19, 2007) – Saint Xavier University won 3rd place in the Specialized Gardens category of the 2007 Mayor’s Landscape Awards program for Mary’s Circle, located on the west side of the Warde Academic Center.

The 51st Annual Mayor’s Landscape Awards Program is the city’s way of acknowledging the individuals, businesses, community groups, schools and other public institutions who contribute their time and energy to making Chicago the greenest in the nation.

Chicago’s motto, “Urbs in Horto,” translates into City in a Garden. Throughout Chicago’s 170-year history, its people have treasured the many green spaces that enrich people’s lives, help soften urban edges, reduce noise and stress, create quiet places for reflection, provide opportunities for positive social interaction and increase property values.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

Angelo Bonadonna SXU Student Laureate of Lincoln Academy of Illinois

Chicago (Oct. 19, 2007)–Saint Xavier University has selected senior Angelo Bonadonna to receive the 2007 Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate Award. The award is granted each fall to an outstanding senior from each four-year, degree-granting institution of higher learning in Illinois.

Bonadonna, of Berwyn, was chosen for overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities. Currently enrolled in a rigorous honors program, he maintains a 3.54 grade point average and majors in psychology and communication. One senior faculty member identifies Angelo as "clearly one of our strongest communication majors."
Bonadonna participates in numerous co-curricular activities including WXAV 88.3 FM, student government, new student orientation and peer mentoring.

Bonadonna began his radio career as a volunteer producer and has since moved into management. He serves as program director and has been instrumental in developing WXAV sports programming—including live broadcasts of home football and basketball games. The Illinois Broadcast Association recently awarded Bonadonna first place for best sports broadcast in statewide competition that included Division I schools.

Bonadonna has served the university as freshman orientation leader, warmly welcoming students and parents to the university community. He has also served as a peer mentor to newly arrived students.

In summer 2007, Bonadonna took a leave of absence from WXAV to volunteer with the Global Service Corps in Tanzania, Africa. While there, he served as HIV/AIDS awareness/prevention educator. Traveling to a different village each week, he taught audiences about the dangers of the disease and how to avoid contracting it.

"Angelo Bonadonna exhibits the core values of Saint Xavier University, especially his service in support of human dignity and compassion for those in need," said Barbara Costello, assistant vice president for Student Affairs. "Along with academic and co-curricular excellence, he clearly demonstrates the qualities of the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award."

Bonadonna will be recognized at an October 27 award ceremony in the Hall of Representatives of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

SXU’s Gerald Giovannelli earns LEED AP certification

Strengthens Saint Xavier University’s practice of environmental stewardship

Chicago (Oct. 18, 2007) – Saint Xavier University is pleased to announce that Plant Operations and Maintenance Manager Gerald Giovannelli has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Giovannelli passed the LEED AP examination on the first attempt, scoring higher than 90 percent. This achievement places him among the elite, nationwide, who pass the exam on their first try. A Chicago native, Giovannelli has served as plant operations manager at Saint Xavier for more than two years. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois and is completing his master's degree in project management at the SXU Graham School of Management.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED professional accreditation distinguishes individuals with detailed knowledge of LEED project certification requirements and processes and a command of integrated design principles. LEED accreditation is awarded to building industry practitioners who successfully demonstrate these proficiencies on a comprehensive exam.

The accreditation is one of the many steps Saint Xavier University is taking to practice environmental stewardship, meet The College and University Presidents Climate Commitment requirements, and enact Illinois Sustainable University Compact standards.

A leader in green practices, Saint Xavier recently became Illinois’ first university to receive the LEED Gold designation from the U.S. Green Building Council for its newest residence hall, Arthur Rubloff Hall.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

“Forensic Radiology-Dead Men Do Tell Tales”

John T. Farrell Sr. Fall 2007 Forum slated for Oct. 30

Chicago (Oct. 15, 2007) – John J. Fitzpatrick, M.D., will discuss forensic radiology from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, in Saint Xavier University’s Butler Reception Room, 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago.

The lecture, titled “Forensic Radiology-Dead Men Do Tell Tales,” is part of the Fall 2007 John T. Farrell Sr. Forum of Saint Xavier’s Renaissance Academy. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Forensic radiology is a specialized area of medical imaging using radiological techniques that assist physicians and pathologists in matters pertaining to legal procedure. Please note: A slideshow with very graphic pictures will accompany Fitzpatrick’s lecture.

Fitzpatrick holds degrees from the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine and is currently a volunteer physician at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County. He has worked on the cases of Josef Mengele, the Six Jesuits in El Salvador, the Oklahoma bombings and the John Wayne Gacy case.

Questions will be taken following the presentation. For more information, please contact the Renaissance Academy at (773) 298-3149.

The Renaissance Academy is a collegial association of retired and semi-retired men and women who share learning experiences and intellectual growth in a friendly, relaxed academic setting. Enrollment is open to all who believe in the importance of pursuing lifelong learning opportunities. Classes are peer-facilitated and include topics like philosophy, history, literature, current events, poetry and computer technology. The Renaissance Academy is affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute, which is devoted to lifelong learning and intellectual stimulation for senior citizens.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

Ceremony held Friday Oct. 5 for Academic Distinguished Alumni Awards; Saint Xavier University recognizes alumni and awards student scholarship

College of Arts and Sciences Dean Kathy Alaimo, SXU Provost Dominick J. Hart; School of Education Dean Beverly Gulley; Student Alyson Kelley ‘08, David Hollander ’89; Hope L. Flack ’78; SXU President Judith A. Dwyer; Judith E. Hicks ’69; Interim School of Nursing Dean Kay Thurn; John Benish, Jr. ’98; Graham School of Management Dean James D. Brodzinsky.

Chicago (Oct. 9, 2007) – Saint Xavier University recognized four alumni for their professional and personal accomplishments and their support of the University’s core values during a ceremony Friday evening at its Chicago campus. A student also received the School of Education’s McGuire Award scholarship during the ceremony.

Judith Hicks ’69, of Wilmette, received the Distinguished Nursing Alumni Award whose recipients demonstrate outstanding commitment to patients/clients, utilize innovative approaches to health care, and enhance the image and future of nursing through research and scholarship. Hicks is the founder and former president of Focused Health Solutions, a Deerfield-based national provider of customized health services dedicated to reducing employer healthcare costs, improving the lives of employees and their families and creating a healthier, productive workforce. Hicks was also recognized for her dedicated work as a nurse and manager at Mercy, Northwestern and Children’s Memorial hospitals. She and her husband, Laurence, recently donated $100,000 to fund a scholarship for nursing students at Saint Xavier University.

Hope L. Flack ’78, of Morgan Park, received the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award. Recipients of this award demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and critical inquiry, responsible citizenship and conscientious practice in professional or community endeavors. Flack is vice president for Legal Compliance at Grosvenor Capital Management L.P., a privately held financial services firm with more than $13 billion in assets. She is also a member of the Illinois Bar Association. She has served on the Saint Xavier University President’s Advisory Council and is currently Chair of the College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Council. Flack is dedicated to many other civic, cultural and charitable organizations, including the St. Francis Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Salvation Army, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Rocky Mountain Nature Association, the Beverly Arts Center and Amnesty International.

David Hollander ’89, of Naperville, received the School of Education’s George K. McGuire Award. This award celebrates the characteristics of former Education Center Director George K. McGuire, who was known as a caring and humane person, a thoughtful speaker, a focused listener and a generous teacher. Since 1991, Hollander has taught at Kennedy Junior High School in Lisle, Ill. The Golden Apple Foundation recognized his outstanding achievements as an educator when he was named a Golden Apple Award Winner in 2005. Hollander is known for his enthusiasm for service as a coach, Cub master, and active volunteer in church, civic and community activities.

John Benish, Jr. ’98, of Downers Grove, received the Graham School of Management Distinguished Alumni Award, honoring the success of an alumnus in the business world, as well as dedication and commitment to the Graham School of Management and its student body. He is the chief operating officer of Cook-Illinois Corporation, the largest family-owned school bus company in Illinois. It is the parent corporation for 14 subsidiary companies that operate buses in Chicago and its suburbs. John is an active volunteer at Saint Xavier and serves as an adjunct faculty member for the Graham School at the Orland Park Campus as well.

SXU undergraduate student Alyson Kelley ’08 of Aurora was named the Student Scholarship recipient of the School of Education’s McGuire Award. Kelley is in the SXU elementary education program, where her nominators and professors praise her as a conscientious student who asks thoughtful questions, is considerate of the instructional needs of all students, and demonstrates leadership among her classmates and those whom she works with in field experiences.

For more information about the award winners, please contact Alumni and Parent Relations at (773) 298-3316.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

Saint Xavier University presents Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards;Faculty member honored with Faculty Recognition Award

From left to right: SXU Communications Dept. Chair James Walker; Sr. Sheila Lyne, R.S.M. ’60,’65; SXU President Judith A. Dwyer; Alumni Association Board Member Laura Shallow ’78, ’86, ’03; Mary Lou Piazza ’96; Maurice E. Snell ’06.

Chicago– Saint Xavier University honored three alumni at its Chicago campus on Sunday with the annual Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards. A faculty member received the Faculty Recognition Award during the ceremony.

Sister Sheila Lyne, R.S.M. ’60, ’65, of Chicago, received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Established in 1986, the award is presented to an alumna/us who exhibits the values of service, leadership, life-long learning and spirituality. Appointed in 1991 as commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, Lyne was the first woman to hold the position as well as the first non-physician. As current president and chief executive officer of Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Lyne’s personal and professional achievements reflect the ideals of Saint Xavier.

Mary Lou Piazza ’96, of Oak Forest, received the Sister Dorothy Marie Peschon Award for serving as an exemplary volunteer and supporter of the University’s endeavors. For 11 years, Piazza has been the principal of Saint Phillip Neri Catholic School. She has been an active member of the Elementary Education Advisory Committee of the School of Education for many years. She welcomes SOE students into her school for field experience and clinical practice, assists in preparations for the NCATE accreditation visit, and serves as a key member of the external Advisory Committee of the Bishop John R. Gorman Institute for Leadership in Catholic Education.

Maurice E. Snell ’06, of Chicago, received the Faith in the Future Award honoring a student who graduated within the past 10 years and has achieved outstanding personal, professional or social accomplishments that reflect the ideals of Saint Xavier’s core values of service, leadership, lifelong learning and spirituality. Snell was named the Easter Seals national adult representative for overcoming difficulties with autism and becoming a Saint Xavier graduate. As an Easter Seals employee, he mentors many autistic children, coaching them based on his life experiences.

Eugenia McAvoy, assistant professor of communication, of Palos Hills, received the Faculty Recognition Award. Recipients embody the ideals of Saint Xavier University and exhibit the values of service, leadership, spirituality and a strong commitment to student welfare. In the spirit of public service, she has campaigned for both state and township offices, participating as a speechwriter, fundraiser and public relations strategist for several elected officials. She has served as a trainer/consultant to numerous organizations including Ameritech, R&S Industries, Wilson Learning Corporation, Communication Management Associates, and TOASTMASTERS: Evergreen Park Chapter.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

More than 600 runners turn out for Annual Cougar 5K

Chicago (Oct. 9, 2007) – The 7th annual Cougar 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 6 was a huge success this year with more than 600 taking part.

The race started and finished at Saint Xavier’s Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St., and traveled through the heart of Evergreen Park. All participants received a long-sleeved T-shirt and a free ticket to the homecoming football game against Ohio Dominican College.

The top woman runner was Pam Blair with a time of 19.59 minutes. The top male runner was Richard Guitierrez with a time of 16:13 minutes, a new course record. To view all the race results, log onto http://www.cararuns.org/.

“We are very proud of the tremendous participation in this year’s Cougar 5k,” said Jennifer Kjos, facility manager of Saint Xavier’s Shannon Center. “In just a few years, this has become a south side tradition on Homecoming Weekend.”

Complimentary refreshments were provided before and after the race for all participants by Chartwells Dining Services, Cold Stone Creamery and Aquafina. Race participants also enjoyed free services such as chair massages, blood pressure checks and stretching.

Sponsors of the Run/Walk included Gilhooley’s Grande Saloon, Chartwells, Coldstone Creamery, OccuSport, Pepsi, Greenwood Chiropractic, SXU Alumni Association, Running for Kicks, Village of Evergreen Park, Gallagher Investments, Core Fitness and Physical Therapy, Foot and Ankle Clinics of America, GO Promotions, Jimmy Johns, Machon and Machon, Shannon Center members, and South Division Credit Union.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu


-SXU-