SXU using “Clean Source” energy to power new green residence hall

Renewable energy to power O’Brien Hall for next two years

Chicago (Sept. 30, 2008) Saint Xavier University has purchased 1.2 million kilowatt-hours of “Clean Source” alternative energy over the next two years to power a new eco-friendly student residence hall.

The “Clean Source” energy used in the soon to be dedicated Mother Agatha O’Brien Hall will prevent the emission of more than 817,000 pounds of CO2. This is the equivalent of not burning about 755,000 pounds of coal, not driving about 1.78 million miles, or planting about 6,700 mature trees.

The energy comes from Renewable Choice Energy’s Green-e program and is managed by the nonprofit Center for Solutions. SXU purchased the energy in accord with the College and University Presidents Climate Commitment to reduce CO2 emissions on campus and utilize alternative energy resources. Saint Xavier was the first university in the city of Chicago to sign the Climate Commitment.

SXU’s clean energy producers include: The New Hope Power Partnership, a biomass cogeneration facility; Belleville Hydroelectric, a run of river operation that does not obstruct fish migration; Elk River Wind Farm, which contains 100 General Electric wind turbines; and the Mass Hill Wind Farm that uses 28 General Electric wind turbines.

In an Oct. 15 ceremony, the University will officially name the building after Mother Mary Agatha O’Brien, one of the founding Chicago Sisters of mercy to travel here from Ireland in 1846.

The residence hall was built to LEED Gold Environmental Standards as set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council. Last year, SXU’s Arthur Rubloff Hall became the first university building in the state of Illinois to receive the coveted LEED Gold designation from the U.S. Green Building Council for environmentally friendly design elements.

A leader in green practices, Saint Xavier is a member of the Illinois Sustainable University Compact, which has pledged to accomplish multiple environmentally sound goals by Dec. 31, 2010. These goals include energy purchases from renewable sources, reduced carbon emissions, and requiring green building practices for all new construction. More recently, SXU became the first Chicago university to sign the Presidents Climate Commitment, a consortium of 557 other schools nationwide that have pledged to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Rick Ducat
773-298-3325 or ducat@sxu.edu

Professor attends U.S.-Iran conflicts discussion

Peter N. Kirstein, professor of history at SXU, was part of a panel discussion on “U.S.-Iran Conflicts: Confrontation or Negotiation?” on Thursday, Sept. 25. The event was sponsored by the Center for Global Studies. Other panelists included journalist Eli Lake, senior reporter for the New York Sun, Richard Rupp, associate professor of political science at Purdue University and Christopher Preble, director of foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute.

Kirstein was quoted in a story published by the Times of Northwest Indiana regarding the panel discussion. Click here to view the story.

SXU to celebrate Homecoming weekend Oct. 3-5

Festivities include “Oktoberfest” party, Cougar 5k Run/Walk, football game

Chicago (Sept. 26, 2008) Alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends are invited to celebrate Saint Xavier University’s 2008 Homecoming with a variety of events from Oct. 3 to Oct. 5 at its Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St.

The Alumni Association will host the annual Golden Graduate Society Tea from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 3 at Gilhooley’s Grande Saloon, followed by the All-Alumni Celebration honoring the classes of 1968, 1978, 1983 and 1988 at 6:30 p.m. in the Butler Reception Room in the Warde Academic Center. Academic Alumni Awards will be presented several distinguished Alumni.

The Oct. 4 activities begin with the 8th Annual Cougar 5k Walk/Run at 9 a.m. at the Shannon Center. Afterwards, the Alumni Association will host a pre-game family festival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with activities for children, including pumpkin painting, a caricature artist, children’s games, clowns, a bean bag tournament, food vendors and more.

The Homecoming football game begins at 1 p.m. with SXU’s Cougars facing off against the Walsh University Cavaliers. After the game, celebrate a Cougar victory at the 5th Quarter Oktoberfest party from 4 to 8 p.m. at Gilhooley’s Grande Saloon. The party will honor the classes of 1998 and 2003 will feature live music, beer tasting, complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.
The weekend will conclude on Oct. 5 with an Alumni Mass at 10 a.m. in McDonough Chapel, followed by the Alumni Association Awards Ceremony and Brunch at 11:30 a.m. in the Butler Reception Room in the Warde Academic Center.

Please contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations, at (773) 298-3316 or alumni@sxu.edu if you are interested in participating in any of these events. You may also find more information on the alumni website at www.sxu.edu\alumni.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Rick Ducat
773-298-3325 or ducat@sxu.edu

Mercy Day celebrates service and SXU’s Mercy heritage

Saint Xavier joins Mercy institutions around the world to recall Mercy Heritage

(from left) Saint Xavier University Board of Trustees Chairman Thomas Chomicz, Vice President for University Mission and Heritage Sr. Susan Sanders, RSM, Ph.D, President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D, and Sr. Mary Jo DeMarco, RSM, ’54, ’66, at the dedication and blessing of a memorial stone honoring the Sisters of Mercy and donors to the Mercy Endowment Challenge Grant on Sept. 24 at SXU’s Chicago campus.

Chicago (Sept. 26, 2008) SXU celebrated its Mercy heritage and core value of service with a variety of activities at the Orland campus on Sept. 23 and at the Chicago campus on Sept. 24. Mercy Day, an all-University observance, marks the start of Mercy-imbued education in Ireland on Sept. 24, 1827.

Students, staff and faculty were encouraged to attend a special Mercy Day liturgy at noon on Sept. 24 in McDonough Chapel. At Orland Park, the Mercy Day prayer service was on Sept. 23 at 12:30 p.m. in the library.

All were encouraged to participate in the central event of the SXU’s Mercy Day celebration, the commissioning of leaders from all segments of the University community. At 4 p.m. at the Academy Bell near the University’s main entrance, representatives of the Sisters of Mercy, trustees, administration, faculty, staff, students and alumni were commissioned and blessed for their service of leadership during the coming year.

Unique to Mercy Day 2008 was the dedication and blessing of a memorial stone to honor and thank the Sisters of Mercy and all the donors to the Mercy Endowment Challenge Mercy Challenge Grant. All were welcome to attend this ceremony at 4:30 p.m. outside McDonough Chapel. The generosity of all contributors to the Mercy Challenge has created a solid endowment for the Office for University Mission and Heritage.

Mercy Day celebrates the opening of the first House of Mercy in Ireland on Sept. 24, 1827, marking the beginning of Mercy service to people who are poor, sick or uneducated. Each Mercy Day, Saint Xavier University joins Mercy-inspired institutions around the world to recall its Mercy heritage and renew its commitment to such core values as respect, integrity and service.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Rick Ducat
773-298-3325 or ducat@sxu.edu

Elie Wiesel draws more than 3,200 to Saint Xavier University

Author, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Holocaust survivor presented with Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa

Chicago (Sept. 25, 2008)– Author, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel drew more than 3,200 people to the Saint Xavier University Shannon Center Thursday night to hear him speak of his life and work and how they were affected by his experiences as a prisoner of World War II Nazi concentration camps.

Wiesel also received a Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, from Saint Xavier University in recognition of a lifetime dedicated to peace and human dignity.

“The third installment of our highly successful SXU Voices and Visions series was a truly special evening,” said Robert Tenczar, vice president for University Relations. “It has been an honor to bring such an important voice for humanity to the city of Chicago.”

(Picture above: Elie Wiesel with Saint Xavier University President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D.)

The City of Chicago recognized Wiesel’s visit by declaring Sept. 25, 2008 Elie Wiesel Day at its Sept. 10th City Council meeting.

Prior to his lecture, Wiesel conducted a classroom discussion with a small group of select Saint Xavier students. SXU English major Ellen Morgan, of Mokena, recently read Wiesel’s book, “Night,” and called the experience of meeting the author in person “indescribable.”

“‘Night’ was so descriptive of what he went through, and to see him come into a room and make people comfortable enough to talk with him about it is an amazing quality to have,” Morgan said.
Wiesel was born in 1928 in Sighet, Transylvania, which is now part of Romania. He was 15 when he and his family were deported by the Nazis to the concentration camp, Auschwitz. His mother and younger sister perished, but his two older sisters survived. Wiesel and his father were transported to Buchenwald, where his father died shortly before the camp was liberated in April 1945.

Later as a journalist, he was persuaded to write about his experiences. The result was his internationally acclaimed memoir, “La Nuit” or “Night,” which has since been translated into more than 30 languages.

(Picture to right: Elie Wiesel interviewed by SXU Student Reporter Amanda Holmes, Junior.)

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu


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Media Opportunity: Elie Wiesel at Saint Xavier University

What: Elie Wiesel media interview opportunity

Where: Saint Xavier University, 4th Floor Board Room, Warde Academic Center, 3700 West 103rd Street, Chicago, Ill.

When: 5:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25 (Please plan to be there 10 minutes early.)

Media interested in attending should please contact Joe Moore at (773) 298-3937 or cell (773) 203-6671. You are also welcome to attend his lecture at 7 p.m in the SXU Shannon Center.