Annual Cougar 5K Run/Walk kicks off Homecoming weekend

Homecoming football game against Quincy University (IL)

Chicago (Aug. 26, 2009) Help kick off Saint Xavier University’s Homecoming weekend with the 9th annual Cougar 5K Run/Walk at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26.

The race begins and ends at Saint Xavier’s Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St., and travels through the heart of Evergreen Park. All participants receive a long-sleeved T-shirt and a free ticket upon request to the homecoming football game against Quincy University (IL).

Please click here to register online.

Individual registration fees are $20 for runners/walkers and $15 for Saint Xavier students, with a $2.50 discount for all current Chicago Area Runners Association members. Day-of-race registration costs $25 for the general public and $20 for University students, and will be held from 7: 30 a.m. to 8: 30 a.m. at Saint Xavier’s Shannon Center. Purchase a pair of running or walking shoes at Running for Kicks from August 1 to September 23 and receive $10 off the registration fee. For more information, call Running for Kicks at (708) 448-9200.

More than 1,000 participants are expected at this year’s Cougar 5k, said Jennifer Kjos Quinlan, Shannon Center Facility Manager.

“Since the inaugural race in 2001, this event has not only been a part of Saint Xavier’s Homecoming Weekend but also become a community tradition,” Kjos Quinlan said.

Complimentary refreshments, including bagels, muffins, fruit, cookies, coffee and water, and free services such as chair massages, blood pressure checks and stretching will be available for all participants. After the race, participants may show their race bibs to enjoy a discounted brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gilhooley's Grande Saloon for only $5.95 per person.

Cougar 5k sponsors include Gilhooley's Grande Saloon, Gallagher Investment Services, Jimmy Johns, Core Fitness and Physical Therapy, Go Promotions, Greenwood Chiropractic, OccuSport, Running for Kicks, Chartwells Dining Services, Aquafina, Saint Xavier Alumni and Parent Relations, Village of Evergreen Park, SouthtownStar, Southwest Observer, The Mix 101.9FM, Shannon Center members, Machon and Machon and Pizza Man.

For more information about the Cougar 5k, please visit www.sxu.edu, keyword: athletics or call the race hotline at (773) 298-3592.

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jay Foot
Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or foot@sxu.edu

Saint Xavier University receives new, higher ranking – best in seven years

Among top five private master’s universities in IL

Chicago (Aug. 24, 2009) Saint Xavier University ranks 34 among 146 institutions in U.S. News & World Report’s 2010 ranking of Best Colleges in the Midwest offering undergraduate and master’s degrees.

The annual ranking puts Saint Xavier University in its best position of the past seven years and places it in the top 23 percent of the field. It is among the top five private master’s universities in Illinois. U.S. News bases its rankings on academic reputation, financial resources, graduation and retention, student selectivity, faculty resources, and alumni giving.

Additionally, Saint Xavier placed sixth for racial diversity in the Midwest and moved up to seventh place in terms of economic diversity, which reflects the number of students from low-income families receiving Pell grants.

“I am very pleased to see that we are advancing and continuing to see growth in the rankings, emphasizing what Saint Xavier University stands for which is ‘success with purpose,’” said University President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. “The rankings are further proof of the Saint Xavier community’s commitment to academic excellence and continued growth as a leading comprehensive Catholic university in the greater Midwest.”

Saint Xavier’s overall rank has advanced 12 places since Dwyer became president in October of 2003.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jay Foot
Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937or foot@sxu.edu

SXU welcomes new students with poignant annual induction ceremony

Chicago (Aug. 21, 2009) Saint Xavier University welcomed first-year, transfer and graduate students into the University community at the annual New Student Induction ceremony on Friday, Aug. 21 at the Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St.

The procession traveled across campus and passed under the Saint Xavier’s new 49th Street Gateway Arch, a replica of the one that welcomed people to the University’s historic early 20th century campus at 49th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. Students received University Seal medallions and University Prayer Books, followed with a reception.

The New Student Induction procession passes under Saint Xavier’s new 49th Street Gateway Arch, a replica of the original 49th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue campus’ archway.

Saint Xavier President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D (center) looks on as the University’s new students travel through campus.

Saint Xavier’s First Year Orientation Centered On University Services (FOCUS) group in the New Student Induction procession.

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jay Foot
Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or foot@sxu.edu

SXU appoints Executive Director of Media Relations

Jay Foot begins Aug. 17

Chicago (August 20, 2009) Saint Xavier University announces the appointment of Jay Foot as Executive Director of Media Relations effective Aug. 17.

Foot, who was selected after a national search, will direct and develop Saint Xavier’s comprehensive media relations effort, serve as a university spokesperson and be the primary point of contact for all media queries and requests for information. He will report to Vice President for University Relations Robert Tenczar.

“Mr. Foot’s years of experience in the media business and his wide network of contacts will be a valuable asset to Saint Xavier, and help bring us greater recognition as a leading comprehensive Catholic university,” Tenczar said.

Foot has many years of industry-recognized experience in media, this past year as Managing Editor of Chicago’s 2016 Olympic games bid coverage at Bader TV News supplying video to worldwide news organizations. For more than 20 years prior Foot held key positions, including Executive Producer, at Chicago television stations CBS-2 and ABC-7, where he was involved in strategic planning, advertising and promotion plus local news and program production. He brings a unique understanding of media relations to Saint Xavier.

“I am very pleased to be directing the media relations effort at Saint Xavier,” said Foot. “I look forward to spreading the word about the excellent efforts and activities of the Saint Xavier community, and to building strong relationships with the media.”

Foot has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri – Columbia.

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jay Foot
Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937or foot@sxu.edu

Warde Academic Center reopens after fire

Fall semester classes will begin as scheduled on Aug. 24

Chicago (Aug. 19, 2009) Saint Xavier University ’s Warde Academic Center has reopened as of Wednesday, Aug. 19 for normal business after closing yesterday due to a basement electrical fire. Fall semester classes will begin as scheduled on Aug. 24.

“I’d like to commend the cooperation, good spirit and generosity of the Saint Xavier community,” said University President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. “Safety is our first priority, and the situation was well-managed and everyone stayed exceptionally level-headed."

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jay Foot

Executive Director of Media Relations

(773) 298-3937or foot@sxu.edu

SXU alumnae meet for 25th Annual 49ers Luncheon

Graduates from old campus will visit SXU’s new 49^th Street Gateway Arch

Chicago (Aug. 14, 2009) Alumnae from Saint Xavier University’s former 49^th Street campus will meet for the 25^th Annual 49ers Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Ridge Country Club in Chicago.

The event, which began as a casual gathering of four classmates who were wintering in Florida, attracts more than 70 alumnae each year. Attendees at this year’s luncheon represent class years from 1938 through 1960.

After the luncheon, the alumnae will board a shuttle to Saint Xavier’s Chicago campus to see the new 49^th Street Gateway Arch, a replica of the one that welcomed people to the University’s old campus at 49^th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue.

Joan Guilfoyle ’39 has hosted this event since its inception.

“Walking through the Saint Xavier arch at 49^th and Cottage gave me a feeling of being a very special person in a very special place,” Guilfoyle said. “When the arch honors old Saint Xavier, it honors all of us.”

In 2007, The University dedicated a grove of trees at the Chicago campus as “The 49ers Forest” in honor of the alumnae.

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Rick Ducat

Asst. Dir. of Media Relations

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

SXU’s 13th Annual Golf Classic raises more than $120,000 for student scholarships

Participants golfed with former Chicago Bears and retired NFL players

From left to right: Cyril Pinder, Tim Tyrrell, Bruce Herron, Harold Blackmon, John Janata, Levar Fisher, Robin Earl, Saint Xavier President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D., Brian Glasgow, Les Shy, Saint Xavier Vice President for University Advancement Steven Murphy, Ed.D., and Otis Wilson at Saint Xavier University’s 13th Annual Golf Classic.

Chicago (Aug. 13, 2009) Saint Xavier alumni, benefactors and friends were joined by a group of former Chicago Bears and retired NFL players at Saint Xavier University’s 13th Annual Golf Classic on Aug. 4 at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park. The golf outing and dinner drew more than 180 participants and raised more than $120,000, with proceeds going to student scholarships.

Former Bears player and Superbowl champion Otis Wilson attended the event with other ex-Bears including Bruce Herron, Robin Earl, Brian Glasgow, John Janata and Cyril Pender. Harold Blackmon of the Seattle Seahawks attended the outing, as well as former NFL players Les Shy of the New York Giants, Tim Tyrrell of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Levar Fisher of the Arizona Cardinals.

The event also featured a series of raffle drawings. Prizes included: Southwest Airlines tickets, a Nintendo Wii, an HP-Netbook PC, an iPod Nano, a Garmin GPS system, a Canon Digital Camera, Bushnell Laser Rangefinder glasses, a Nike golf bag with Bag Boy cart and a variety of golf items.
“We are delighted to see continued growth and support of the SXU Golf Classic,” said SXU Vice President for University Advancement Steven Murphy. “Our thanks go out to the many generous sponsors, students, alumni and friends who participated in this worthy event.”

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Rick Ducat
Asst. Dir. of Media Relations
(773) 298-3325 or ducat@sxu.edu

SXU’s Kathleen Carlson discusses state funding for colleges on “Chicago Tonight”

Chicago (Aug. 11, 2009) Saint Xavier University Vice President for Student Enrollment and Recruiting Kathleen Carlson, Ph.D, appeared on the July 31 episode of WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight.”

Carlson discussed the effects of the Illinois legislature’s cuts to the MAP grant program, which provides scholarship money for needy students.

SXU professor receives SABR Baseball Research Award

James R. Walker, Ph.D., co-wrote “Center Field Shot: A History of Baseball on Television”

Chicago (Aug. 5, 2009) Saint Xavier University Professor James R. Walker, Ph.D., received a Society for American Baseball Research award for his recent book “Center Field Shot: A History of Baseball on Television.”

Walker, a communication professor, and his co-author Robert Bellamy, Jr. received the Sporting News-SABR Baseball Research award on Aug. 1 in Washington, D.C. The book has been featured in Variety, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal.

Walker’s book traces and analyzes the profound impact television had on the evolution of baseball in the United States. Beginning with the first televised game in 1939 and continuing into the era of Internet broadcasts, Center Field Shot, explores the connections among baseball, popular culture, business and mass communication.

For more information about Center Field Shot, please click here.

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Rick Ducat
Asst. Dir. of Media Relations
(773) 298-3325 or ducat@sxu.edu