Former "Poetry" magazine editor Joseph Parisi to receive honorary doctorate at SXU's 2012 Winter Commencement

Saint Xavier University is pleased to announce that former editor of “Poetry” magazine and noted author, editor, critic, and public speaker Joseph Parisi, Ph.D., will receive an honorary doctorate at the University’s Winter Commencement on Sat., Dec. 15. Parisi also will deliver the commencement address to more than 500 graduates. The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. in the Shannon Center at the University’s Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St.

For 20 years, Parisi was editor-in-chief of "Poetry" magazine, the world's premier poetry publication, currently celebrating its 100^th anniversary. As editor with a tenure second only to founding editor Harriet Monroe, Parisi is credited with discovering many influential poets, including former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins and Pulitzer Prize winners Mary Oliver, W.S. Merwin, and Lisel Mueller. While at “Poetry,” Parisi also was executive director of the Modern Poetry Association (now the Poetry Foundation) and worked to establish the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize and Ruth Lilly Fellowships, two of poetry’s most prestigious prizes.

Parisi has published nine books, and his articles, critical essays, and reviews have appeared in diverse popular periodicals and literary journals. He is now completing work on an extensive study titled "Venice Now & Then," which describes the city’s perilous present-day life and uncertain future against its rich, indeed unparalleled, artistic and economic history.

Parisi holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Chicago, where he received a three-year fellowship and a traveling scholarship to Europe. Among other awards, he has held a Fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation (2000-01) and was elected a By-Fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge (2004). His last regular academic appointment was at the University of Illinois-Chicago (1978-1987).

Over the last decade, he has given two public lectures at Saint Xavier and has served on the Library Advisory Committee. He has been a guest speaker and visiting scholar at several other institutions, including the Universities of Michigan, Wisconsin, Virginia, Indiana, Delaware, Texas, Georgia, Vermont, Florida, Chicago, Basel (Switzerland), and at King’s College, Cambridge, as well as many colleges. He continues to give well-attended presentations – on literary history, modern poetry, and popular culture – across the United States and abroad. He has also participated in numerous local and national radio and television broadcasts, particularly on PBS and NPR.

For more information about SXU's 2012 Winter Commencement, please visit www.sxu.edu, keyword: commencement or contact commencement@sxu.edu.

How will changing demographics shape America? Read Prof. Reza Varjavand’s SouthtownStar column to learn more

America has experienced large changes to its demographics, as evidenced by the recent presidential election. Graham School of Management Professor Reza Varjavand examines this issue in his recent SouthtownStar column. Read the Nov. 16 article online here.

SXU receives $100,000 grant to create Center for the Study of Financial Markets and Derivatives

Saint Xavier University recently received a $100,000 grant from the CME Group Foundation to institute a Center for the Study of Financial Markets and Derivatives (CSFMD) at the Graham School of Management.

Using real-world applications and innovative teaching techniques, the Center will provide students with an in-depth education about trading, risk-management, and other financial concepts, and will provide collaborative research opportunities for students and faculty members. The Center, which is expected to be operational for the Spring 2013 semester, will be equipped with portable equipment for in-class lectures and demonstrations, and a hands-on laboratory where students can work on projects such as simulated financial portfolios. Ultimately, students will manage a real-time investment portfolio for the Graham School of Management. 

The CSFMD also will strengthen SXU's ties with the community by enhancing the Graham School’s existing opportunities to consult with local businesses. In addition, plans are underway to partner with local high schools so that high school students can learn basic financial concepts.

"We are grateful to the CME Group Foundation for their advocacy on behalf of Saint Xavier University," said SXU President Christine M. Wiseman, J.D. "We appreciate the Foundation’s efforts to increase student and community understanding about finance and financial markets, and are pleased to have their support in developing this exciting new Center."

The CME Group Foundation enhances economic opportunity by supporting academic initiatives and activities in the Chicago region, including those that promote research, teaching, and learning in financial markets, futures, and derivatives. It also promotes the education of disadvantaged children and youth. In partnership with the Big Shoulders Fund, Saint Xavier University is already engaged in a project to improve and support teaching of early mathematics in urban Catholic elementary schools.

For more information about the Graham School of Management, please contact (773) 298-3600.

SXU to screen “Surviving Picasso” as part of its 2012-13 Film Series

Saint Xavier University will screen the 1996 film “Surviving Picasso” on Mon., Dec. 3 as part of its 2012-13 Film Series, “Hollywood Paints.” All screenings in the film series are free and open to the public, and will take place at 7 p.m. in McGuire Hall in the Warde Academic Center at SXU’s Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St.

Directed by James Ivory, “Surviving Picasso” is about the complicated personal life of famed painter Pablo Picasso (Anthony Hopkins) seen through the eyes of his lover, a young artist named Francoise Gilot (Natascha McElhone). While living as Picasso's mistress for ten years, Francoise sees that he is a womanizer and often cares little for other peoples' feelings. Francoise slowly learns about the many other women (including Julianne Moore as Dora Maar) who have been part of Picasso's life, each of whom seems deeply scarred by their time with him.

This year’s film series offers a selection of films featuring portrayals of some of the world’s greatest artists by famous actors. Other films in the series include:

·         “Frida” with Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo – Mon., Feb. 4

·         “Pollock” with Ed Harris as Jackson Pollock – Mon., March 4

·         “Basquiat” with David Bowie as Andy Warhol and Jeffrey Wright as Jean Michel Basquiat – Mon., April 1

For more information about the “Hollywood Paints” film series, please contact (773) 298-3081.

SXU’s Darryl Brown named Lincoln Academy Student Laureate

Saint Xavier University student Darryl Brown, Jr., recently received a Student Laureate Award from the Lincoln Academy of Illinois in honor of his extraordinary curricular and extracurricular achievements.

Brown, a senior triple majoring in biology, chemistry, and Spanish who hails from Matteson, Ill., was honored at the annual Student Laureate Convocation on Sat., Nov. 3 at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site in Springfield.

"I really appreciate everything that Saint Xavier has done for me and I am honored to represent Saint Xavier as this year’s Lincoln Laureate," Brown said. "The ceremony at the state capitol taught me a lot more about Abraham Lincoln. While I feel familiar with some of his accomplishments, some of his failures were highlighted. I think that this helped illustrate that most successful people are not born; rather they push through the struggles to achieve their goals."

Student Laureate Awards are presented for excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities to seniors from each of the four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities in Illinois. At the Student Laureate Convocation, each honoree received a Student Laureate Medallion, along with an honorarium check and certificate of achievement. This marked the 38th year that students have been honored by the Academy.

Brown maintains an excellent GPA and serves as a laboratory assistant in the Chemistry Department and as a Supplemental Instruction Leader for Organic Chemistry. He also is involved with undergraduate research in biochemistry and has presented locally and regionally.

Brown has been heavily involved in the Student Government Association for five years, serves as a Resident Assistant, and is a member of the National Biology Honor Society Beta Beta Beta and the American Chemical Society. Additionally, he volunteers with LaRabida Children’s Hospital, serves as an intern at Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center and Health Center, and attended a 2010 service trip to volunteer at Global Medical Brigades in Honduras.

"As a staff person who has worked with Darryl for four years as a Resident Assistant, I was incredibly proud of all that he has accomplished," SXU Assistant Director of Residence Education for Residence Life Rae Joyce Baguilat said. "I have seen him set and reach his goals in life and at Saint Xavier. I have seen him not only overcome obstacles but help others to learn from his mistakes and help them overcome their obstacles. He has been a great role model to many of his residents and fellow coworkers."

Brown plans to attend medical school next fall. Though he is unsure what specialty he would ultimately like to pursue, he knows he would like to work in an urban setting – hopefully at an academic medical center where he can incorporate clinical medicine and research.

SXU to host the work of Chicago artist Debra Kayes

Saint Xavier University will host an art exhibit featuring the work of Debra Kayes from now through Fri., Nov. 30 in the SXU Gallery, located in the Warde Academic Center at the Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103^rd St.

This solo exhibition features numerous mixed media programs, which incorporate collections of parts congregating toward a larger scale. Kayes pushes the boundaries between painting and sculpture, using simple organic forms to investigate patterning techniques like emergence, gang mentality, and swarm theory.

Kayes teaches art and design at Columbia College. She also is an art editor for the art and literary journal MUZZLE Magazine, and runs Pattern+Source, an online archive of multi-media surface design. She holds a master of fine arts degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The SXU Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Gallery will be closed for Thanksgiving from Wed., Nov. 21 to Sun., Nov. 25. For more information, please contact the Gallery at (773) 298-3081.