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