Francis Eugene Cardinal George, O.M.I., to receive Shield of Saint Xavier at 24th Annual President’s Scholarship Ball

Chicago (Oct. 6, 2008) – Francis Eugene Cardinal George, O.M.I., will receive the Shield of Saint Xavier at the 24th Annual President’s Scholarship Ball on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the Hilton Chicago.

“The Shield of Saint Xavier is our University’s highest honor. It is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment and service to the greater Chicago community, particularly to the city’s Catholic institutions,” said SXU President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. “We believe that Cardinal George’s leadership and service to the Archdiocese of Chicago exemplify the ideals of Saint Francis Xavier.”

His Eminence Francis Eugene Cardinal George, O.M.I., eighth Archbishop of Chicago, was born in Chicago to Francis J. and Julia R. McCarthy George on Jan. 16, 1937. He is the first native Chicagoan to serve as Archbishop of Chicago.

After attending St. Pascal Grade School on Chicago’s northwest side and St. Henry Preparatory Seminary in Belleville, Ill., he entered the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on Aug. 14, 1957. He studied theology at the University of Ottawa, Canada, and was ordained a priest by Most Rev. Raymond Hillinger on Dec. 21, 1963, at St. Pascal Church.

Cardinal George earned a master’s degree in philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 1965 and a doctorate in American philosophy at Tulane University, New Orleans, La., in 1970. In 1971, he received a master’s degree in theology from the University of Ottawa in Canada.

Cardinal George went on to hold several prominent posts during his career before being installed on May 27, 1996, as the ninth Archbishop of Portland. Less than a year later, on April 8, 1997, Pope John Paul II named him the eighth Archbishop of Chicago, to the See left vacant by the death of His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Bernardin on Nov. 14, 1996. His installation by Agostino Cardinal Cacciavillan, then Archbishop and Apostolic Pro-Nuncio for the United States, took place at Holy Name Cathedral on May 7, 1997. On Jan. 18, 1998, Pope John Paul II announced Archbishop George’s elevation to the Sacred College of Cardinals. For Cardinal George’s complete biography, please visit: http://www.archchicago.org/.

SXU Trustees Mary MacLaren and Brian Shannon, Jr. will serve as Ball co-chairs.

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