BLUEJAYNews Elmhurst College Will Become Elmhurst University in 2020
FALL 201 9
National Science Foundation Awards $2.75 Million in STEM Grants to Elmhurst The National Science Foundation has awarded Elmhurst College $2.75 million in grants to launch two innovative projects that will help students majoring in STEM fields to succeed. The projects are part of a focused effort by the College to meet the need for more—and more diverse—scientists, technology specialists, engineers and mathematicians. Each project is funded over five years, and will provide summer research opportunities, enrichment programming, scholarships and other ways to support STEM students from groups at higher risk of leaving their major, or even leaving college altogether.
Building on nearly 150 years of preparing students for successful careers and lives, Elmhurst College will change its name to Elmhurst University, effective June 30, 2020. “At this pivotal time in our history, less than two years away from our 150th anniversary in 2021, the decision to change our name to Elmhurst University marks the exciting start of the next chapter of our story,” said Elmhurst College President Troy D. VanAken. Although the official name will change, Elmhurst’s identity, core values, and emphasis on liberal arts education and real-world, professional preparation, will remain the same. The university name more accurately reflects Elmhurst’s current educational profile as a comprehensive higher education institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts and applied sciences, while anticipating opportunities for new programs and partnerships. The change comes at a time when the College has seen record enrollments and fundraising in the past couple of years. • Media outlets across Chicagoland covered Elmhurst’s announcement about the name change. Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ-91.5 FM) aired a feature story about the decision, “As Colleges Close, Elmhurst College Grows and Rebrands as a University.”
Student Spotlight:
Professors Stacey Raimondi (from left), Elizabeth Majka and Merrilee One project, which Guenther are leading a project for received a $1.75 million transfer students.
grant, establishes an alliance of Chicago-area higher-education institutions that will support STEM majors from populations historically underrepresented in the sciences. Elmhurst is the lead institution on the project.
The other project, awarded a $1 million grant, is aimed at transfer students attending Elmhurst. It establishes a scholarship program for high-achieving, low-income STEM students, complemented by an August class on the scientific method, a “science boot camp” and other activities to help transfer students feel a greater sense of belonging and preparedness.
Dennis Arreaza
As a teenager, Dennis Arreaza ’23 started a youth soccer team in a Guatemalan village to keep the kids away from gangs and drugs. He became the first-place winner of Elmhurst College’s inaugural Niebuhr Service to Society Scholarship Competition, and was awarded a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to attend Elmhurst. • Read Arreaza’s story.
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Faculty Focus
College Launches Three New Programs
James Kulich Professor, Computer Science & Information Systems; Program Director, M.S. in Data Science
Elmhurst College has launched two new undergraduate academic programs, in environmental studies and digital media; and a graduate program, in public health, which capture student interests and address a growing demand for workers and experts in those fields.
It can be easy to think of data science as primarily a technical field, one that is all about numbers and algorithms. While strong technical skills are certainly necessary to do data science well, the real power of data science comes from its ability to impact the lives of people and organizations in previously unimagined ways. This is my primary interest and this is the way we organize our M.S. in Data Science program at Elmhurst College. We are beginning the fifth year of our program and are thriving, with more than 50 current students and a growing base of graduates. Our students come to us in our online format from a wide range of professional backgrounds and from various locations across the United States. It is exhilarating to work with my students to solve important real problems using the powerful new capabilities data science offers. Much of our program is project-based. I am often blown away by the scope and depth of the projects that our students craft and complete. • Watch a video about the program.
Bluejays are Blogging For anyone thinking about going back to school to complete a bachelor’s or earn a graduate degree, the Elmhurst College blog offers helpful tips on preparing for graduate school and how to make the most of an educational experience. • Visit elmhurst.edu/blog.
• Environmental Studies: Distinguished by its interdisciplinary approach and integral use of the Chicago metropolitan region as a real-world laboratory, the new environmental studies program offers a policy-focused bachelor of arts degree and a science-focused bachelor of science degree. Students with a degree in environmental studies will be prepared for careers in environmental policy analysis for government agencies and the private sector, urban and regional planning, environmental advocacy, and natural resource management and research. • Digital Media: The College’s new digital media major gives students a hands-on program of study that builds up their digital skills. The program includes three new majors and four new minors, all in rapidly expanding fields. Students can pursue the major along three tracks: digital audio and video production, digital animation and game design, and writing for film and television. They also can minor in digital media or film studies. New majors and minors in multimedia journalism and digital marketing communication round out the program. • Master of Public Health: The master of public health program (MPH) will prepare students for entry to the multi-disciplinary field of public health. The curriculum uses an ecological framework to explore biological, environmental, cultural, socioeconomic, and political systems influences on health. MPH students at Elmhurst explore the factors that influence local, national and global legislative issues and social policies. The program is offered completely online and can be completed in two years.
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Events You Won’t Want To Miss There’s so much to see and do on campus. Some highlights: Alan Sue Photographs: New Winter and Old China Photographer Alan Sue’s “Winter” series is taken on a beach along Lake Michigan in Wilmette, Ill. His “China” series documents trips to China between 1988 and 2003. Through Nov. 9, Frick Center, Founders Lounge. The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America Richard Rothstein, author of The Color of Law, argues that government systematically imposed residential segregation in cities across the country, with devastating consequences. Oct. 15, 4:00 p.m., Frick Center, Founders Lounge. Free Nursing Open House Prospective nursing students can tour the Simulation Lab and hear from current students, faculty and nursing professionals. RSVP and join us. Oct. 16, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., Elmhurst Hospital (155 E. Brush Hill Rd., Elmhurst), Arboretum Conference Room. Graduate Programs Information Session Meet with faculty and learn about the programs offered, financial aid and admission. Speak with program alumni and tour our beautiful campus. RSVP at elmhurst.edu/ ChooseElmhurst. Oct. 19, 9:00 a.m., Frick Center, Founders Lounge. LGBTQIA+ Challenges: Inequities Across a Lifespan Michael Adams, chief executive officer of SAGE, the oldest and largest organization in the country dedicated to serving LGBT older adults. Oct. 23, 4:00 p.m., Irion Hall, Buik Recital Hall. Admission $10; elmhurst.edu/cultural. Jazz @ the Mill Join us for two nights of jazz: The first night features Elmhurst’s Jazz Lab Band and the vocal jazz group “Blue”; second night features the Jazz Band and the vocal jazz group “Late Night Blues.” Oct. 24–25, 7:00 p.m., Mill Theatre. Free
Fall Undergraduate Open House Talk to current students and faculty and tour our beautiful arboretum campus. Nov. 2, 2019, 8:00 a.m., Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel. RSVP and join us. How to Engage Mystery: Advice from a Scientist for Nones, Nuns and All Father John Francis Kartje is the rector of Mundelein Seminary. With doctoral degrees in both scripture and astrophysics, he brings unique insight to the exploration of how faith and science inform each other. Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m., Frick Center, Founders Lounge. Free Theatre at the Mill Presents ‘On the Verge’ Nov. 14–17, 8:00 p.m., Nov. 21–23, 8:00 p.m.; Nov. 24, 2:00 p.m. More at elmhurst.edu/milltheatre. Festival of Lessons & Carols An annual tradition that draws together the campus and community to open a joyful and spiritual holiday season. Dec. 6, 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel. Free Graduate Studies Open House Learn about master’s degrees and graduate certificates. Speak to faculty, admission and financial aid staff. RSVP after Oct. 21 at elmhurst.edu/ChooseElmhurst. Jan. 7, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Frick Center, Founders Lounge.
Transfer Talk & Tour Week We’ll talk about your courses, major and options for internships and financial aid. We’ll plan a seamless transition through a transfer credit evaluation, and you can tour our beautiful campus. Individual appointments are available from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. RSVP and join us. Jan. 6 – 10, Circle Hall, Admission Office. Transfer Admission Night We’ll answer your questions about the transfer process and Elmhurst College. Mingle with current students and faculty. If you complete your application and bring all official transcripts, you’ll have the opportunity to be admitted to Elmhurst on the spot! RSVP and join us. Jan. 14, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Frick Center, Founders Lounge.
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Alumni Spotlights Christine Thomas Published in Stanford Journal When Christine Thomas ’18 was 17 years old, she was hospitalized for two months with complications from a ruptured appendix. The Glendale Heights native credits the compassionate and thoughtful care she received from the hospital staff for her eventual recovery, as much or even more than the advanced technology and medications used in her treatment. Tim Engstrom (left) and Elmhurst College President Troy D. VanAken.
Tim Engstrom Wins Graduate Award Tim Engstrom, who received his master’s degree in supply chain management in 2003, was honored this past spring as the 2019 Distinguished Graduate Alumnus during a celebration marking the 20th anniversary of graduate studies at Elmhurst College. He is the College’s executive in residence and has been a lecturer in the supply chain management master’s program since 2005. Engstrom most recently was the head of supply chain and logistics for LA-CO Industries, a manufacturing company based in Elk Grove Village. Each year, in addition to teaching classes, Engstrom mentors a group of graduate students as they develop and implement their capstone projects. These projects take on complex supply chain challenges and provide real-world solutions for local businesses, often delivering them significant cost savings. One of these projects led to the creation of a handbook for disability hiring, whose goal was to provide a meaningful tool to help businesses solve staffing challenges and support their social responsibility programs. Several major companies in the Chicago area are using the H.O.P.E Handbook, and the project led Engstrom to co-found Teachability LLC, which matches job candidates with disabilities with companies looking to start a disability hiring program. Before joining LA-CO in 2016, Engstrom served as group vice president of U.S. distribution for Walgreens and held seniorlevel positions at Lawson Products in Chicago and OfficeMax in Itasca.
Thomas carried that experience with her to Elmhurst College, where, as a pre-health student, she minored in a unique program called Medical Humanities, which prepares future medical professionals to bring deeper levels of respect, ethical treatment and compassion to the patient-caregiver relationship. As part of her Medical Humanities capstone course taught by philosophy Professor Katrina Sifferd, Thomas wrote an ambitious research paper about how compassionate, patientcentered care could reduce the damaging health disparities experienced by African-American cancer patients. And in May 2019, Thomas joined the proud ranks of dozens of other Elmhurst undergraduates by having her work published in a peer-reviewed academic journal. The article, “African American Cancer Disparities and Compassion,” was featured alongside other undergraduate and graduate research in Intersect: The Stanford Journal of Science, Technology, and Society. “It’s a highly respected journal,” said Sifferd, who first encouraged Thomas to submit her paper to the publication. “Christine should be extremely proud that she was accepted.” In her paper, Thomas proposes policy changes that would train all health care workers to recognize the common humanity in all patients and engage equally without prejudging or resorting to painful stereotypes. Thomas is currently completing a one-year master’s in biomedical science before applying to graduate programs to become a physician’s assistant. Meanwhile, she’s working as a patient care tech at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Chicago.
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