AU Family A publication for families of Aurora University undergraduate students
SPRING 2017
Dear Friends, On the south side of Eckhart Hall, a few lonely daffodils are waving in the late-February wind. They are hardy and the warmth from the building always prompts their early appearance. This year, of course, we are seeing many signs of an early spring, sparked by the unusually warm winter weather. As one season gives way to the next, I am thinking about the seasons in the life of a university. Some of our students are looking forward to a summer at home after a first year on campus. Others are searching for internships. Seniors are anticipating graduation and all that lies beyond. What role should family members play as these processes unfold? I have one simple suggestion: Listen with your heart and with your mind. Sometimes a daughter or son
will want your counsel. Often, however, they will value most your presence at their side, your company along the journey. With each decision your AU student makes, he or she takes responsibility for charting a future pathway. After years of careful parenting, it may be hard to watch this process unfold without comment. Still, I hope that you will try. Listening is such a generous gift in a noisy world. Sincerely,
Rebecca L. Sherrick President
Commencement 2017 Spring is in the air and that means commencement is just around the corner. The undergraduate ceremony will take place Sunday, May 7, 2017, at 2 p.m. on the University Quadrangle. If your son/daughter has not done so already, please remind him/her that all degree candidates scheduled for graduation in December 2016 or May or August 2017 must file an application for graduation through their
WebAdvisor accounts. A cap and gown should be ordered at the same time. Information packets, which will include tickets, will be mailed to student addresses on record soon. For more information about commencement, visit aurora.edu/commencement.
Socials set up students for college success Faculty and staff hosted “Cookies and Cocoa” in the Hill Welcome Center to encourage students as they prepared for Finals Week last semester. The event provided an opportunity for students to relax and socialize with members of the AU community outside of the classroom. It was so well received that faculty and staff are hosting “Shamrocks and Sweets” this month. The events complement other activities in which faculty and staff visit with students beyond academic settings. Each semester, they reach out to freshmen through “Knock and Talk” in the residence halls. This is an opportunity for faculty and staff to have conversations focusing on how students are doing academically, ensuring they are on track for
registration and addressing other possible concerns. “Students have been very receptive to talk to us about issues that matter to them,” said Lora de Lacey, senior vice president for student life. “We want students to know we are available and approachable, not only to make sure they excel in
the classroom, but to support them in their personal growth. The conversations are also giving faculty and staff perspective on the challenges facing college students today and how they can help. We’re all learning from one another. Together, we’re making the campus a community.”
Marketing, accounting students receive accolades
Student members of AU’s chapter of the American Marketing Association. Front row, L-R: Paige Fisher, Rachel Gelb (Launch Digital Marketing), Kelly Hauge; back row, L-R: Bradley Kigyos, Cory Nordine.
A team of students from Aurora University’s chapter of the American Marketing Association (AU/AMA) won first place in the inaugural LaunchU digital marketing competition. The contest, hosted by Naperville-based Launch Digital Marketing (LDM), pitted teams from 10 area schools against the clock and each other in a daylong battle to develop online promotional campaigns for local nonprofits.
Meanwhile, three Aurora University accounting majors were among 25 college students statewide to receive the Mary T. Washington Wylie Award from the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS). Award recipients Roman Barnes, Daniel Flores and Erick Tapia, all seniors, received a $500 scholarship and represented the university at an ICPAS-sponsored internship preparation program in Chicago this semester.
Student-athletes recognized for good works The National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) recently recognized Aurora University student-athletes for their community service work during the 2016–2017 academic year. AU received first place in the “Ongoing Project Category” for the students’ work with the Hesed House homeless shelter in Aurora. AU students-athletes were recently recognized for their community service work with Hesed House, a homeless shelter in Aurora.
Politics, music and art open spring semester Spring semester started with a number of events in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and the presidential inauguration. The “Let Freedom Ring” series celebrated the many voices in America that make democracy vital and vibrant. Events included the showing of the film “Selma,” with a discussion featuring 1965 Aurora University alumnus John Boryk, who marched with King in Selma, Alabama, that same year. Students also viewed the presidential inauguration in Crimi Auditorium and joined faculty members in a conversation about the role of the ceremony as an instrument for the peaceful transition of power and continuity of American democracy. In February, students gained perspective on American politics from David Axelrod, former chief strategist and senior advisor to President Barack Obama, during a Town Square Series event held on campus. Axelrod provided enlightening commentary on both President Obama and President Trump in a conversation with Rick Pearson, chief political reporter for the Chicago Tribune. The event followed two other Town Square events in recent months: “Human Trafficking: Global Problem, Local Impact” and “Advance Illinois: Every Student Counts — The State We’re In 2016–2017.” The Town Square Series, part of the university’s Celebrating Arts and Ideas cultural programing, is
Lyric baritone Robert Sims performs as part of the “Let Freedom Ring” program.
Brian Dettmer
now in its second year. It was founded under the leadership of former state representative Tom Cross, who joined the AU community as the first distinguished fellow in the Institute for Collaboration. Meanwhile, the Schingoethe Center of Aurora University is inviting students to look at books from a completely different perspective in the exhibit, “art of facts” featuring contemporary artist Brian Dettmer. The New Yorkbased artist makes sculptures out of books, exploring connections to objects and information of the past. The exhibit runs through April 28.
David Axelrod (L) and Rick Pearson
Earlier this year, the Schingoethe Center was officially designated as a Smithsonian Affiliate. Smithsonian Affiliates is an outreach program comprising more than 200 organizations across the country that work together to preserve the nation’s heritage, expand knowledge and inspire learning. The designation is especially significant to students in the university’s museum studies program who might be seeking internships at Smithsonian museums.
Theatre department prepares to open ‘Little Shop of Horrors’
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Perry Theatre is being transformed into a two-story flower store for the comedy musical “Little Shop of Horrors.” Nineteen students representing a variety of majors have been cast in the production. Three guest artists are serving as choreographer, sound designer and costume designer. “We work with professionals to give students the opportunity to network and learn from artists in the field,” said Stacy Panitch, assistant professor of theatre. “In doing so, we’re training students to understand what the professional world of theatre will expect from them and preparing them for future success.” March 31–April 1 and April 5–8, 2017 7:30 p.m. | Perry Theatre April 1 and April 8, 2017 | 2:30 p.m. | Perry Theatre
Spring Concert Aurora University Choirs and Fox Valley Orchestra and Chorus present Antonín Dvořák’s Te Deum Friday, April 28, 2017 | 7:30 p.m. | Crimi Auditorium
To register for these free events, visit auartsandideas.com
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A publication for families of Aurora University
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SPRING 2017