SXU to honor James and Patricia Morris with the Shield of Saint Xavier at 27th Annual President's Scholarship Ball

SXU will bestow its highest honor on two of the University's most generous donors on Sat., March 24

Chicago (Oct. 28, 2011) James A. and Patricia A. Morris '83, Ph.D., will receive the Shield of Saint Xavier at the 27th Annual Saint Xavier University President’s Scholarship Ball on Saturday, March 24, 2012, at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. The Shield is awarded annually to individuals nominated by the University community and chosen by its Board of Trustees.

“The Shield of Saint Xavier is our University’s highest honor, awarded to recognize outstanding people for their enduring support of Saint Xavier’s mission of academic excellence and social concern,” said President Christine M. Wiseman, J.D.”Jim and Trish Morris are among the most fervent supporters and generous donors in University history, and we are deeply pleased to bestow this honor upon them."

The Morrises have a long and distinguished history with SXU. The Smith-Morris Quadrangle in the Chicago campus is named in their honor. They have made significant annual monetary gifts to underwrite and sponsor the Shield of Saint Xavier for the past eight years, given generously to the annual fund, and created a culture of giving among students through their matching support of the annual Class Gift program for the last 11 years. They have also created a legacy gift to Saint Xavier University.

Additionally, the Morrises have chaired the President’s Club and the President’s Scholarship Ball in the past. Patricia served on the Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2010 and was vice chair from 2007 to 2010.

The President’s Scholarship Ball has raised millions of dollars for the Presidential Scholarship Program, which provides financial support to Saint Xavier’s most deserving students. This gala event is open to the public and will be co-chaired by SXU Board of Trustees Chairman John T. Costello and Sally Clair. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact (773) 298-3748 or visit www.sxu.edu, keyword: ball.

Media interested in attending the Ball should contact Karla Thomas at (773) 298-3937 or kthomas@sxu.edu.


-SXU-

Media Contact:
Karla Thomas, Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or kthomas@sxu.edu

Video Alert - SXU and WGN-TV partner to honor outstanding Chicago-area teachers with Teacher of the Month program

Watch video of Michael Low of Little Village Lawndale High School



Chicago (Oct. 27, 2011) Saint Xavier University has partnered with WGN-TV Chicago to highlight the Teacher of the Month program, which honors educators who make a difference in their communities. Watch video of English literature and Japanese teacher Michael Low of Little Village Lawndale High School, 3120 S. Kostner Ave., Chicago, being honored as the second Teacher of the Month. Teachers of the Month also will appear on the SXU and WGN-TV websites.

The program recognizes outstanding kindergarten, elementary, junior high, high school, vocational, and special education teachers in Chicagoland and northwest Indiana. One teacher will be selected each month through June 2012 for a total of 10 honorees. Teachers of the Month are chosen based on educational achievements in the classroom, community contributions and innovativeness of the program/techniques used by the teacher. Each Teacher of the Month is featured on the WGN-TV news and will receive a certificate of recognition. Additionally, each Teacher of the Month will receive a $1,000 donation from SXU to purchase school supplies for his or her classroom.

Read more information about the Teacher of the Month program here. Nominate a teacher on WGN-TV's website here.

-SXU-

Media Contact:
Karla Thomas, Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or kthomas@sxu.edu

Obama adviser Robert Gibbs speaks to nearly 1,000 at SXU

Former White House press secretary discussed major issues such as economic crisis and Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Chicago (Oct. 26, 2011) Nearly 1,000 people listened to longtime adviser to President Barack Obama and former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs' inside perspective on the economic crisis, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the changing media landscape, and the 2012 presidential race at Saint Xavier University's Voices and Visions Speaker Series on Oct. 20.

Gibbs has been an adviser and strategist to the President since the early days of Obama's 2004 Senate race and most recently served as White House press secretary. He participated in an exclusive classroom question and answer session with SXU students before his lecture, in which he discussed the many challenges he and the rest of the White House staff members faced.

Gibbs predicted Obama will face a close race in 2012, but will win a second term. He did not name his pick for a Republican candidate, but said the president is in "a good position politically." He recalled dealing with some of the most notable public relations challenges during his time at the White House, such as the fallout from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, unflattering comments made by a top general about Obama in a Rolling Stone magazine article, and the media's focus on the politics of health care reform rather than what was in the legislation.

Gibbs also discussed America's recent foreign policy successes, offering special insight on the Arab Spring on the very day former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi was killed.

"The president deserves an enormous amount of credit for the way we've gone about executing the operations in Libya," he said. "We proved that the United States does not have to put tens of thousands of boots on the ground, that we can build coalitions that spread ... across a group of allies, yet still keep up the pressure on bad people like Gadhafi."

“We were thrilled to see so many people in attendance at this year’s Voices and Visions Speaker Series,” said Robert Tenczar, Vice President of University Relations for Saint Xavier University. "We believe the wide range of interest in this program is due to the diverse political, ideological, historical, and gender-based experiences of our many speakers. This vital program is a valuable learning experience for students outside of the classroom and is in keeping with many of the Universities core values including respect, excellence, compassion, hospitality and learning for life.”

Gibbs joined Obama's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign as communications director in 2004 and held the same title at the onset of the 2008 presidential campaign until becoming Senior Strategist for Communications and Message during the general election. During the four years of intense campaigning and close contact, Gibbs became an integral part of Obama's team. According to The New York Times, Gibbs advised Obama on politics, strategy and messaging, and spent more time with him than any other adviser. Gibbs assumed the role of the Obama administration’s press secretary on January 20, 2009.

Gibbs also served as press secretary of John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign and previously specialized in Senate campaigns, having served as communications director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and for four individual Senate campaigns. Gibbs also was the press secretary of Representative Bob Etheridge.

The SXU Voices and Visions Speaker Series is sponsored by University Relations and in part by the Student Government Association. Past speakers include the Hon. Madeleine Albright, Gen. Colin Powell, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, and Cokie Roberts. For more information about the event, please contact the Office of Special Events at (773) 298-3748 or specialevents@sxu.edu.

-SXU-

Media Contact:
Karla Thomas, Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or kthomas@sxu.edu

Seminar to offer professional, personal and spiritual resources for families dealing with autism on Nov. 5

“Faith Renewed: Studying Autism, Finding Humility” with autism expert Prof. Sandra Burkhardt

Chicago (Oct. 26, 2011) Autism expert and Saint Xavier University Professor of Psychology Sandra Burkhardt, Ph.D., ABPP, will lead a seminar geared toward families of people with autism from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Sat., Nov. 5 at the Mercy Convent/Cramer Room at 3659 W. 99th St., just east of Mother McAuley High School. The event is free and open to the public.

Burkhardt will lead the discussion titled “Faith Renewed: Studying Autism, Finding Humility." The event will give an overview of “Project Respect,” a Mercy-inspired community outreach program for families of persons with autism spectrum disorders, as well as professional, personal and spiritual resources to help families address the condition.

Burkhardt is a Fellow of the Academy of Clinical Psychology and was the first woman in Illinois to receive national specialty board certification in clinical child and adolescent psychology. Burkhardt received the Mary Pottery Humanitarian Award in 2007 for her work on behalf of families of persons with autism spectrum disorders.

This event is part of the "Growing in Wisdom, Age and Grace: Monthly Experiences in Spiritual Growth" spiritual ministry outreach series, put forth by the Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Associates. The program is motivated by the desire to seek fullness of life at every age, to develop a wide and spiritually grounded perspective animated by the Gospel of Jesus and the passionate, practical spirituality of Sisters of Mercy founder Catherine McAuley. The next event is "Catherine McAuley's Christian Beliefs and Motivations" with Sr. Mary C. Sullivan, dean emerita of the College of Liberal Arts at the Rochester Institute of Technology on Sat., Dec. 3.

For more information, please contact Avis Clendenen at clendenen@sxu.edu.

-SXU-

Media Contact:
Karla Thomas, Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or kthomas@sxu.edu

SXU hosts Alumnae Voice Recital and book signing on Oct. 29

~Michelle Gliottoni-Rodriguez '02 will sing and sign copies of her first novel "Opera Macabre"~

Chicago (Oct. 24, 2011) Saint Xavier University's Department of Music will host "An Alumnae Voice Recital" at 7:30 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 29 in McGuire Hall, located in the Warde Academic Center at the Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St. The recital will include performances by soprano Gliottoni-Rodriguez, soprano Kojelyte Johnson '02, accompanist Monica Kropidlowski, and clarinetist Lara Ochoa-Regan '99. They will perform works by Mozart, Schubert, Verdi and other composers. Michelle Gliottoni-Rodriguez '02 also will host a signing of her first book, a Gothic romance titled Opera Macabre, in the lobby immediately following her performance.

Gliottoni-Rodriguez earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from SXU in 2002. She has appeared in numerous musical theatre works and has won various musical awards, including Semi-Finalist at the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition and third place in the Josephine Lipuma Vocal Scholarship Competition. She also is an avid writer and published her first novel, Opera Macabre, earlier this year.

Johnson received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Indiana University – South Bend in 2009 and is currently an SXU student. She has sung with the Saint Xavier University Orchestra, the Southwest Symphony Orchestra, the Saint Xavier University Women of Distinction chorus, the Saint Xavier University Chorale, and currently sings as a member of Saint Xavier’s Alumni Opera in an Hour productions. She studied opera in the Czech Republic and her vocal studies took her to France, Austria, and Italy.

For more information, contact (773) 298-3421 or visit www.sxu.edu, keyword: music.

-SXU-

Media Contact:
Karla Thomas, Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or kthomas@sxu.edu

Explore the ethical issues in end-of-life care with nationally recognized bioethicist Daniel Sulmasy at SXU on Nov. 2

“Beyond Death Panels: Ethical Issues in Care at the End of Life" is part of SXU's Squeaky Weal Lecture Series

Chicago (Oct. 24, 2011) Physician and nationally recognized bioethicist Dr. Daniel Sulmasy will address the complicated and controversial topic of end-of-life health care as part of Saint Xavier University's Squeaky Weal Lecture Series. Sulmasy's lecture, titled “Beyond Death Panels: Ethical Issues in Care at the End of Life," is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 2 in the Butler Reception Room, located in the Warde Academic Center at the Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St. The event is free and open to the public.

Sulmasy is a practicing physician, a bioethicist, and a Franciscan friar. He is the associate director of the MacLean School of Clinical Medical Ethics at the University of Chicago and was selected by President Obama to be on the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy and authored a book titled A Balm for Gilead: Meditations on Spirituality and the Healing Arts.

The Squeaky Weal Lecture Series is a series of discussions on religion’s role in civic decision making, designed to promote thought and discourse for religious and ethical decision making on public issues. The series is sponsored by SXU's Center for Religion and Public Discourse and this lecture is co-sponsored by the School of Nursing.

For more information, please contact the Center for Religion and Public Discourse at (773) 298-3981 or mareska@sxu.edu, or visit www.sxu.edu, keyword: squeaky weal.

-SXU-

Media Contact:
Karla Thomas, Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or kthomas@sxu.edu