SXU instructor/alumnus receives Presidential Math and Science Teachers Award

Jason J. Crean of Woodridge to be honored at White House ceremony, received $10,000 grant

Chicago (June 18, 2010) President Barack Obama recently named Saint Xavier University Adjunct Lecturer of Biology Jason J. Crean a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

The annual award honors the best pre-college-level science and mathematics teachers across the country. Crean will receive his award at a Washington, D.C. ceremony later this year, which includes several days of educational and celebratory events and visit with members of Congress and science agency leaders. The award also includes a $10,000 grant to be used.

Crean, a Woodridge resident, received both his bachelor’s degree in biology (1996) and his master’s degree in education (2001) from SXU. He is a biology teacher at Lyons Township High School and does research/service work for the Brookfield Zoo Conservation Biology Department’s Genetics Lab.

Crean won the National Association of Biology Teachers’ 2009 Ecology/Environmental Science Teaching Award and the 2009 Dug, Chemical, and Associated Technologies Association “Making a Difference” Award sponsored by the National Science Teachers Association.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jay Foot, Executive Director of Media Relations
O: (773) 298-3937
C: (773) 617-3632
foot@sxu.edu

SXU Alum appointed FEMA Regional Administrator

Andrew Velasquez III cites his Graham School of Management MBA

Chicago May 13, 2010) Saint Xavier University alumnus Andrew Velasquez III was appointed regional administrator of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency on May 10 by President Barack Obama.

Velasquez, who graduated from Saint Xavier University’s Graham School of Management with an MBA in 2002, will oversee a six-state region including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

“I had a great learning experience at SXU,” said Velasquez. "The flexibility of the MBA program offered through the Chicago Police Department's training academy enabled me to meet the challenges of a demanding work schedule while receiving a quality education.”

Read the FEMA release.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jay Foot, Executive Director of Media Relations
O: (773) 298-3937
C: (773) 617-3632
foot@sxu.edu

SXU to receive $1.25 million in federal funding to upgrade campus library, develop STEM education center

Funding comes from spending bill signed by President Obama

Chicago (Dec. 28, 2009) President Barack Obama signed an omnibus spending bill containing $1.25 million for Saint Xavier University to upgrade its Chicago campus library and develop a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education center at its Orland Park campus.

Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) and Senator Dick Durbin worked together to secure funding for Saint Xavier’s library improvements and other local projects. Congresswoman Judy Biggert (IL-13) procured funding for the STEM center.

The University will receive $750,000 to update the Robert and Mary Rita Murphy Stump Library. Funds will be used to develop digital literacy programs, mobile computer labs and online communications systems providing live web casts, on-demand materials, and lecture and distance learning programs.

The University also will receive $500,000 to support STEM collaboration and partnerships with schools in Chicago’s south suburbs. The STEM Education Center will feature a state-of-the-art methods lab that will be used to provide hands-on science, math and technology programs designed to increase teachers’ knowledge and skills in these areas. Saint Xavier University School of Education staff will conduct site visits to schools in order to assess current and future progress and needs, and provide support and programming to teachers and administrators throughout the region.

“The Saint Xavier community is grateful to President Obama, Senator Durbin, Congressman Lipinski and Congresswoman Biggert or their dynamic leadership and commitment to higher education, as demonstrated by their efforts to secure federal funding for important renovation and development projects at our university,” said Angela Durante, Ph.D., Interim President and Provost of Saint Xavier. “The state-of-the-art technological improvements to the Stump Library at the Chicago Campus, and the development of a new STEM Education Center at our Orland Park Campus, all made possible by this funding, will result in great benefits to Saint Xavier students and be valuable resources to those wider communities as well.”

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jay Foot, Executive Director of Media Relations
O: (773) 298-3937
C: (773) 617-3632
foot@sxu.edu

Saint Xavier University Students interviewed from Inauguration; Listen to WBBM 780 AM Chicago interviews here

Nine Saint Xavier University students stayed the last week and a half in Washington D.C. in anticipation of the Presidential Inauguration. The students spent the days leading up to the ceremony attending public affairs seminars at the Washington Center and touring the nation’s capital.

Listen here to two WBBM 780 AM Chicago interviews conducted from Washington.

Barack and Back Again

Above from right to left: SXU Student Erin Slifka and SXU Professor Larry Sondler.

"Can we go home now?," Erin Slifka, of Oak Lawn, laughed. "We love each other, but we've been together for twelve days."

A tired but thrilled group of Saint Xavier students and one professor climbed off their airport shuttle today after spending the last week and a half in Washington, D.C. for the Presidential Inauguration.

The nine students spent the week at the Washington Center attending public affairs seminars before slowly making their way onto the National Mall. Look for additional photos and video of their trip in the days ahead. Click here for a text version of a WBBM 780 AM story quoting our students that ran this morning.