Local legislators work to expand scholarships for nurse educators; Scholarships put experienced nurses back in classroom

Photo: State Representative Jim Brosnahan, D-36, recently sponsored a bill in the Illinois House of Representatives that would give much needed incentives to nursing educators in Illinois. From left to right: Saint Xavier University President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D., State Representative Jim Brosnahan, D-36, SXU School of Nursing Interim Dean Kay Thurn, Psy.D., R.N.

Chicago (June 30, 2008) State Representative Jim Brosnahan, D-36, recently sponsored a bill in the Illinois House of Representatives that would give much needed incentives to nursing educators in Illinois.

“The care local residents receive in our hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other facilities depends on the state’s ability to offer opportunities and incentives for nurse educators,” Brosnahan said. “We are facing nurse shortages across Illinois, and we must take steps to train and retain quality nurse educators to increase the pool of highly skilled nurses employed in Illinois.”

House Bill 5059 would allocate $2 million to provide scholarships to experienced Illinois nurses through the Illinois Department of Public Health. The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Kevin Joyce, D-35 and Sen. Ed Maloney, D-18.

Saint Xavier University President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D., thanked Brosnahan, Joyce and Maloney for their efforts to focus on the nursing shortage.

“This important legislation demonstrates the commitment of Representatives Brosnahan and Joyce and Senator Maloney to improving access to quality health care in every community of our state,” President Dwyer said.

SXU School of Nursing Interim Dean Kay Thurn, Psy.D., R.N., said the legislation helps highlight a “critical shortage of nursing faculty” in nursing education.

“Patients of all health care facilities in the Chicago area and around the state benefit from the care and leadership of Saint Xavier University’s nursing graduates,” Thurn said. “This legislation will enhance our ability to bring highly skilled practitioners into the classroom as educators.”

Founded in 1935, the Saint Xavier University School of Nursing offered the first baccalaureate-nursing program to receive accreditation in Illinois. Today, the school offers baccalaureate and master’s degrees in nursing. Both degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In September 2007, the National League for Nursing awarded the School of Nursing designation as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education for “creating an environment that enhances student learning and professional development.” SXU is one of only 11 schools in the nation to receive this distinction.


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Rev. Francis S. Tebbe, O.F.M., D.Min., joins Catholic Theological Union's Board of Trustees

Appointed by Franciscan Province of Saint John the Baptist

Chicago (June 23, 2008) Rev. Francis S. Tebbe, O.F.M., D.Min., vice president, office of the president, and secretary of the corporation at Saint Xavier University, was appointed a member of the Catholic Theological Union’s Board of Trustees by the Franciscan Province of Saint John the Baptist, a corporate member of CTU.

The Board of Trustees governs the fiscal, educational and administrative affairs of CTU, the largest Roman Catholic school of theology and ministry in North America. The Chicago-based school’s Board of Trustees is composed of 25 corporate members from the religious communities sponsoring CTU and 21 at-large trustees who hold leadership roles in business, education and civic life.

Prior to coming to Saint Xavier in January 2004 as executive assistant to the president and secretary of the corporation, Father Tebbe served as a special assistant for mission and planning in the Office of the Provost and associate professor of theology in the College of Arts and Sciences at Lewis University in Romeoville. He also previously served as vice president for enrollment management at Lewis University (1999-2002); vice president for planning and mission effectiveness at Madonna University in Livonia, Mich. (1993-1999); associate director of the Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame (1990-1993); assistant professor of religious education and first director of continuing education at Catholic Theological Union (1985-1990); and the first director of adult education for the Archdiocese of Boston (1980-1985).

Father Tebbe served parishes and schools in Michigan, Illinois and New Mexico from 1975-1980. He was a missionary in Leyte, Philippines, from 1974-1975.

Father Tebbe received a Papal title investing him as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in 2007. Since 1996, Father Tebbe has served as president and chair of the Governing Board of the national Catholic Coalition on Preaching, a national association of 26 organizations, institutes, theological schools and lay and religious congregations dedicated to promoting quality Catholic preaching. He has been a member and served in a variety of other national leadership roles, including the president of the National Organization of Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy (NOCERCC) from 1992 and 2001. Between 1992 and 2001, he also served as a priest-consultant for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Priestly Life and Ministry. From 1987 to 2005, he was the Director of Ongoing Formation for his Franciscan province and the founding chair (1991-2005) of the International Ongoing Formation Council of the English-Speaking Conference of the Order of Friars Minor.

Father Tebbe earned a B.A. from Duns Scotus College in Southfield, Mich; an M.Div. from Saint Leonard School of Theology in Centerville, Ohio; an M.Ed. from Boston College and a Doctor of Ministry from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Center (Boston), Mass. He did postgraduate study at Marygrove College in Detroit, Mich., and at Providence College. He has also received certifications in adult education and theological field education supervision. Father Tebbe is an ordained Presbyter in the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) of the Province of Saint John the Baptist.

Father Tebbe was the recipient of a 1998 “Finalist” Telly Award, executive producer and general editor of Priestly Relationships: Freedom through Boundaries, the1997 NOCERCC print and video resource. He was editor of three books and has authored multiple reviews and articles. In May 2007, the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Mo., awarded Father Tebbe the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.

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For More Information:

Contact: Rick Ducat

ducat@sxu.edu or (773)298-3325

SXU students and faculty visit Croatia

Exploring educational and health care systems in Croatia

(left) Students and faculty from SXU and University of Split spend the day sharing information about their education and health care systems

Chicago (June 23, 2008) Twenty St. Xavier School of Nursing students and faculty members recently returned from a 10-day trip to Croatia that included a stop in Bosnia. The students studied the countries’ educational and health care systems.

The group toured Zagreb, Trogir, Split, and Dubrovnik in Croatia and Medugorje in Bosnia. While in Croatia, they toured various nursing schools, an orphanage, and historical and religious sites.

While in Zagreb, students and faculty took a technical visit to the High School and College of Nursing at Zagreb as well as the regional hospital.

“Croatian students start their nursing education in high school. They then become licensed nurses and earn advanced degrees from one of five nursing schools in the country,” said trip organizer and SXU nursing professor Charlene Bermele, MSN, RN.

SXU students presented lectures on the United States health care and educational systems while at the high school. English-speaking Croatian students then discussed the Croatian systems.

“After touring the hospitals in Croatia, students appreciate what they have in the United States,” said Bermele. “Croatian nurses are very task-oriented which allows for less individualized care, and there are usually four patients to a single room in Croatian hospitals.”

There was also a service element to the trip. SXU students were asked to create an art project to bring to the orphanage Maestral in Split. The children could not speak English, so the students communicated with them with a limited Croatian vocabulary coupled with non-verbal cues.

(above)

SXU students and faculty visit Krka National Park, a nature preserve, in the county of Sibnik-Knin along the Krka River in Croatia.

(above)

SXU students look on as Croatian children play at the Maestral Orphanage in Split, Croatia.

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For More Information:

Contact: Rick Ducat

ducat@sxu.edu or (773)298-3325

SXU Nursing students and faculty visit Turkey

Trip was part of School of Nursing curriculum
(from left to right) Lisa Grisafe, Jade Jones, Lydia Rous, Carrie Clott and Hannah Zughayer at Ephesus

Chicago (June 18, 2008) Twenty-one Saint Xavier University School of Nursing faculty and students recently toured Turkey during a ten-day trip to study health policies in other countries as part of the SXU nursing curriculum.

The group toured Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Kusadasi, and Ephesus and visited several nursing facilities and historical exhibits.

“Nursing in Turkey is very similar to nursing here in the United States,” said SXU nursing professor and trip organizer Evelyn Norton. “The facilities are very modernized.”

One highlight was a visit to the Florence Nightingale Museum in Istanbul, named for the famed 19th century English nursing pioneer and activist.

“Florence Nightingale started the fundamentals of nursing with the Sisters of Mercy,” Norton said. “She invented modern nursing there including a stress on cleanliness, environmentally sound care, and the use of clean bandages to dress wounds.”

While in Ankara, the group visited the GATA School of Nursing on a military base and attended a presentation by Turkey’s Ministry of Health. Afterwards, students teamed with English-speaking Turkish students to discuss pediatrics and obstetrics.

Students took a day trip to Greece and also visited a Turkish orphanage and various ancient ruins. The group returned to Chicago on May 25.

(above from left to right)

Ugonwa Adugba, Professor Norton, Professor Samawi, Elizabeth Villagomez, and Candice Zielinski at the home of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ephesus(above from left to right)

Chimere Clark, Deidra Sanford, Elizabeth Villagomez, Ugonwa Afugba, and Ugur a tour guide at Ephesus

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Chicago Tonight features Saint Xavier's Rubloff Hall

Watch WTTW's Chicago Tonight feature Saint Xavier University's Rubloff Hall, the first university building in the state of Illinois to receive the LEED Gold designation from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Saint Xavier's Rubloff Hall to be featured on Chicago Tonight, 7 p.m., Tuesday June 17

WTTW's Chicago Tonight will feature Saint Xavier University's Rubloff Hall in a story about green building on university campuses tonight at 7 p.m. The 88-bed residence hall has several cutting edge green design elements including a 1000-foot roof garden. It is the first university building in the state of Illinois to receive the coveted LEED Gold Designation for green building practices from the U.S. Green Building Council.

SXU students work with children in Belize; First SXU international Mercy service-learning trip; Watch Belize video by SXU Junior Mark Piper

Chicago (May 17, 2008) Six Saint Xavier students traveled to Central America to perform a week of service, which included working at ministry locations in Belize and visiting several cultural sites.

The group was led by Sister Susan Sanders, R.S.M., Ph.D., Sister Joy Clough, R.S.M., and Professor David Arenas, Ph.D. They were hosted by Hand-in-Hand Ministries (HHM), an international human services organization that seeks to make Christ present in the world through service to the poor, especially abandoned or disabled children. Students worked at two HHM-related sites, a pre-school in one of Belize City’s poorer areas and an outreach center for children with HIV/AIDS.

SXU Senior Sara Koncel, of Shorewood, Ill., had the unique experience of substitute teaching at St. Martin's Childcare Center in Belize City when the regular teacher became ill.

“Those kids learn and think and react exactly the same way they do here in the States,” Koncel said. “They have the same needs, the same desires, not necessarily the same dreams and aspirations, but they still have dreams and aspirations. Half way around the world, three-year-olds are all the same.”

The group also took advantage of the Sisters of Mercy presence in Belize by serving at Mercy Clinic, which provides health services, including home visits and a daily meal program for senior citizens.

“This was an opportunity of a life time for our students to take part in the long-standing tradition of Mercy service,” said Sister Sanders. “The experiences on this trip speak to the very core of the values we hope to instill at Saint Xavier University, the first Sisters of Mercy institution of higher learning in the United States.”

Koncel said she would definitely be searching for ways to take more service trips. “You can sign me up now. It’s just so fulfilling to go on a service trip. You take ten days out of your life and you make such an impact on a child.”

Below, find a video of the Belize trip shot and edited by SXU Junior Mark Piper followed by a photo gallery.

Above: Mark Piper and a teacher at St. Martin's Childcare Center attached to St. Martin's School in Belize City.

Above and below from left to right: Sarah Koncel, Regina Byrnes and Matt Stevenson look at the wood carvings of Frank Panton.

Above from left to right: At Mercy Clinic, a local volunteer with Mark Piper and Regina Byrnes take a break to try coconut milk.

Above from left to right: Belizean Sister of Mercy Carolee Chanona and Sister Joy Clough, R.S.M.

Above from left to right: Sister Mercy Cervantes, R.S.M., Saint Xavier Vice President for Mission and Heritage Sister Susan Sanders, Ph.D., R.S.M., and Sister Leonor Franco, R.S.M.

Above and below: Regina Byrnes (above) and Edina Halilic (below) inscribe books they have brought to present to the school and daycare center where they volunteered.

Above from left to right: At Muffles College, Edina Halilic, two Muffles students, Regina Byrnes, Sr. Joy Clough, R.S.M., Mark Piper.

Above from left to right: Four Muffles students, Muffles College Principal Bernardino Pech, Sr. Joy Clough, R.S.M.

Above: Muffles Principal Bernardino Pech is presented with a framed copy of the Sisters of Mercy stained glass window on exhibit at Saint Xavier University.

Muffles College had several Mercy Symbols on the exterior walls. Alligator sighting on the river tour to the Mayan ruins at Lamanai!

Sister Joy Clough, R.S.M. at Lamanai.

Walking tour to the Mayan ruins.

Lamanai was one of the most prominent Mayan Ruin sites in Belize. This was the tallest of the three temples visited by the students. A hearty few made the climb.

Edina in a Belizean neighborhood.

Above: Garifuna dancers, part of a Belizean cultural subset, visited and danced. Edina was game.

The day before leaving, everyone went to Caye Caulker, an offshore island for swimming and snorkeling. Above, SXU Professor David Arenas.
Homeward bound.

Saint Xavier University annual Summer Concert June 22; Features performance by the Bradley Young Orchestra

Chicago (June 12, 2008) – Saint Xavier University invites the community to its annual free outdoor Summer Concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 22, on the front lawn of the Chicago campus at 3700 W. 103rd St.

The Bradley Young Orchestra will perform crowd-pleasing favorites for listening and dancing. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display and patriotic finale at approximately 9:45 p.m. This program is partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council and Target.

The concert is free and open to the public, and picnickers are welcome. Refreshments will be available for purchase from the Original Rainbow Cone, Tastee Freez, Gilhooley’s Grande Saloon, SXU’s Cougar Pause, and the Saint Xavier Alumni Board.

A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, June 29. For more information, please contact Saint Xavier University’s Office of Special Events at (773) 298-3311 or specialevents@sxu.edu.

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

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Two SXU students receive $2,500 internship stipends

Students to work at nonprofit organizations

Chicago (June 10, 2008) Two Saint Xavier University students received $2,500 stipends from the TCF Bank Community Internship program for working at nonprofit organizations this summer.

Jennifer Betcher, a junior elementary education major from Homer Glen, will be a summer camp counselor at Bremen Youth Services in Tinley Park.

Tarliece Chavers, a senior psychology major from South Holland, will be a sexual assault/crisis intervention advocate at Pillars Community Services in Hickory Hills.

In line with its mission to promote service, SXU’s Counseling and Career Services and the Office of Foundation and Government Relations partnered with TCF to encourage interest in careers in the nonprofit sector. The program provides individualized career exploration and counseling, placement in a challenging internship in a service organization and a stipend to finance the otherwise unpaid internships.

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For More Information:
Contact Rick Ducat
773-298-3325 or ducat@sxu.edu

SXU teacher wins Driehaus Foundation artist award

Jason Lazarus claims annual award for Chicago artists

Chicago (June 6, 2008) Saint Xavier University art professor Jason Lazarus recently won a 2008 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Individual Artist Award in the “Emerging Artist” category.

Lazarus, a Chicago resident who teaches photography, received $15,000 to use however he wishes in appreciation of his past works, talent, commitment to the field, and promise.

Lazarus’ work has been featured at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art. He also participated in group shows in New York, Paris, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.

The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1983, supports the performing and visual arts. Richard H. Driehaus, a philanthropist and businessman, has donated generously to Saint Xavier on many occasions.

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For More Information:
Contact: Rick Ducat
773-298-3325 or ducat@sxu.edu

Former SXU kicker Shane Longest practices with Chicago Bears

Chicago (June 5, 2008) Former SXU kicker and Chicago Bears free agent Shane Longest alternated 48-yard field goals with veteran place-kicker Robbie Gould during special team drills last week.

http://boards.chicagobears.com/forums/thread/1029107.aspx

SXU welcomes new Board of Trustees members

Four new trustees begin terms

Chicago (June 3, 2008) Saint Xavier University welcomes John Benish, Jr., John T. Costello, Michael K. Forde and Edmund F. Opler to its Board of Trustees.

Benish is chief operating officer of the Cook-Illinois Corporation. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in advertising from Purdue University and a master’s degree in management from Saint Xavier University. He is director of the Illinois School Transportation Association, a member of the National Student Transportation Association and a former member of the Rotary Club of Oak Forest.

Costello is senior vice president of Operational Governance and Quality Assurance at Exelon. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in business administration from DePaul University. He serves on the board of directors of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and is a former chairman of Leadership Greater Chicago (formerly known as the Greater State Street Council). He is a member of the DePaul University College of Commerce Advisory Council, and represents the company at Chicago United, an organization devoted to racial unity. Additionally, he is a director of the Chicago Central Area Committee and Chicago Central Area Research and Study Committee, and is a fellow of the Leadership Greater Chicago Program.

Forde is a partner at Mayer Brown LLP, a global law firm. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center. He was listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” for commercial litigation in 2007 and 2008. He is a member of the Chicago Economic Club, chairman of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School’s Leadership Advisory Council and a member of St. Ignatius College Prep’s Development Committee.

Opler is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of World’s Finest Chocolate. He is a graduate of Middlebury College and the University of Chicago Graduate School Of Business. He is a trustee of the National Confectioner’s Association and Vice Chairman of the Chocolate Manufacturer’s Association. He also serves of the Boards of Trustees for the Chicago Zoological Society and the Chicago Board of Directors for Junior Achievement and is a member of the Union League Club and the Merit Club.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Rick Ducat:
773-298-3325 or ducat@sxu.edu

Appelt comments on Chicago Tonight

See SXU Biology Professor Christopher Appelt give comment on the viability of bio-fuels on WTTW Chicago Tonight’s Chicago Matters series: "Growing Forward with Christian Farr.”

SXU Kicker Shane Longest Featured in ESPN The Magazine

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3403626