Second Century
The USF Centennial Campaign Newsletter
April 2020 Dear Alumni and Friends, During these challenging times, I hope and pray all of you are staying safe and well. We wanted to continue our regular Centennial stories with you–the stories of the university’s history and founding Sisters are a testament to the importance of the Building a Franciscan Future…Together, in Our Second Century Centennial Campaign. This issue of the campaign newsletter describes the impact of our donors’ generosity through scholarships and the continued beautification of our campus. USF is also proud to announce the new Will County Access Scholarship. This inclusive scholarship will help to ensure that all high achieving students, regardless of their financial abilities, have access to a high quality collegiate education. USF continues to raise funds for athletic scholarships, as well. The Shawn Green Scholarship and the Gordie Gillespie Scholarship for Service and Leadership will help to preserve the memory of Shawn and Gordie so their legacies live on in perpetuity. In addition to scholarships, USF is raising funds for campus beautification. The Centennial Gateway and the Centennial Quad will renew the campus and welcome visitors, alumni, fiends and students to campus. Thanks to donors like you, this campaign will have a profound impact on USF students and your university. I understand that this may not be the right time for you but I also know that many of you still want to help. If you are able, please consider helping us educate more USF students the Franciscan way and change students’ lives for the better. Contact me today at 815-740-3613. Gratefully,
Kristin Short Vice President for Institutional Advancement #EveryGiftMatters #USF100
Campaign Initiative 1
SCHOLARSHIPS Student support is the university’s highest priority. By raising $1 million in new scholarship support by 2020, the Centennial Campaign demonstrates USF’s commitment to affordable excellence and will ensure a USF education remains within reach for bright, hard-working students and families. USF is emphasizing two scholarship support areas. Need-based Scholarships: While 96 percent (1,240 out of 1,291) of traditional, full-time, undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance and 40 percent (520 out of 1,291) qualify for Federal Pell Grants, the university is only able to meet a fraction of the growing student financial need that exists. This is the university’s greatest need. Merit-based Scholarships: USF aims to strengthen its ability to attract the best and brightest students from Illinois, the region and the country through competitive scholarships.
BUILDING A FRANCISCAN FUTURE...
Dear Friends, Now that USF’s centennial is officially underway, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of the University of St. Francis. Your support and the support of so many others has helped to sustain the vision of our Sister sponsors and the Franciscan values upon which USF was founded. It is our hope that through the Centennial Campaign, which as you know focuses on increasing scholarship support for students and completing two campus beautification projects, we will establish the foundation for USF’s next 100 years as a welcoming community of learners. Again, we collectively invite you to pray on what type of gift you can make to the campaign. As you consider a gift, please understand that every gift matters. Your support, along with the support of so many others, will help to make the campaign goal achievable, while also creating a lasting legacy that will benefit current and future generations of USF students. We sincerely thank you in advance for investing in USF and its students as they prepare to contribute to the world through service and leadership. Sincerely, Gloria and Edward Dollinger Campaign Co-Chairs
Edward and Gloria Dollinger, and Diane ’77 and Bill Habiger
Campaign Initiative 2
Campaign Initiative 3
CENTENNIAL GATEWAY
CENTENNIAL QUAD
The new Centennial Gateway will honor USF’s 100-year heritage, recognize USF supporters and provide a warm welcome to campus. It will feature a stone gateway and sign, a patio and seating area, a bronze statue of Saint Francis of Assisi and thriving plants and trees. Not only will the statue and the area surrounding it communicate heritage, pride and tradition, but USF believes it will help bolster recruitment efforts. USF also believes the charm, color, and beauty of the landscaping will be a fitting remembrance of USF’s patron, who was known for his love of nature and creation.
The Quad on the main campus will be transformed into an attractive outdoor gathering area and walkable pathway between USF’s LaVerne and Dorothy Brown Science Hall, Tower Hall, the Pat Sullivan Recreation Center and the Motherhouse. With the removal of St. Albert Hall, the Quad will be opened up, making it a peaceful setting for students. Illinois native plants and gardens will be incorporated into the landscaping as well as a beautiful new water feature. Ths area of the Quad will provide space for students to study, enjoy fellowship, dine and collaborate.
&
TOGETHER, IN OUR SECOND CENTURY!
Diane ’77 and Bill Habiger Campaign Co-Chairs
Legacy of USF Alumnus Memorialized through New Basketball Scholarship Memorial scholarships preserve the memory of a loved one, and the new Shawn Green Scholarship is designed to do just that. When Shawn Green ’97 attended the College of Saint Francis, he was known for his heart and work ethic. These characteristics were commonly exemplified on the basketball court, as Green and his twin brother, Shane ’97, played for the legendary Pat Sullivan from 1995-1997. The duo even led the team to a NAIA Division I National Tournament berth. Sullivan’s daughter, Katie ’95, noted that “my dad loved coaching the Green twins not only because of their intensity and tenacious play on the court but also because of their heart and work ethic they brought to every game, practice and class. As a father of twins, my dad had a special understanding of the unique, close bond shared by the Greens.” In 2004, Shawn married his wife, Erin, and in 2013, they welcomed their daughter, Avery. Tragically, Shawn passed away in 2016 following a courageous battle with brain cancer. Following Shawn’s passing, was inspired to do something that would help to keep his memory alive. That “something” was to lead the charge to create the Shawn Green Scholarship. “As he was a good friend of my family and of so many others, and in support of the University of St. Francis’ Centennial Campaign, I decided to make a gift to endow a scholarship in Shawn’s name to ensure that his legacy lives on and to benefit future athletes,” she said. Being able to help a student-athlete who has that same passion that Shawn did and to be able to help them through school is important. This is truly going to help students both pursue a degree while continuing to play a sport they love,” she said. The Shawn Green Scholarship will be awarded to a basketball player at the university who demonstrates a strong work ethic in the classroom and on the court. Funds are currently being collected to help endow the scholarship. To make a gift to the Shawn Green Scholarship, please contact Kristin Short, USF Vice President for Institutional Advancement, at kshort@stfrancis.edu or 815-740-3613. To learn more about the scholarships offered by USF, visit stfrancis.edu/give/university-scholarships.
Please visit the Centennial Campaign website for information, ways you can support the campaign and more! stfrancis.edu/give/centennial-campaign
Centennial Campaign Honor Roll of Donors Thank you to the generosity of our donors! Service and Leadership Circle $100,000 and Above Joann Barber Margaret and William Benoit Richard Chavez Patricia and Robert Wheeler
Founder’s Circle $50,000 to $99,999 Marianne and Peery Duderstadt Carolyn Murphy Rita Pawlik James R. Sefcik, Jr.
President’s Circle $25,000 - $49,9000 Kim and Michael Bryant Marietta and William Carroll
Francis and Clare Circle $10,000 - $24,999 Judith and Thomas DeMint Gloria and Edward J. Dollinger Diane and Bill Habiger M. Clarence Huang Anne and Arvid Johnson Joliet Rotary Club Dr. Rosemary Lucas Virginia and Joe Mallof Carol Ann and Thomas McCafferty Maureen and Steve Morrissette Ann and Steve Randich Mary Kay Rowe Kathleen Sullivan Phyllis Wilson Colleen Wyse Nancy and Anthony Zordan
Assisian Circle $5,000 - $9,999 Anonymous Marilyn and Anthony Arellano Regina and George Block Laura and Michael Brennan Busey Bank Margaret Cockbill Michelle and Terry Cottrell Dr. and Mrs. James A. Doppke Cynthia and Robert J. Erickson Deb and Bob Filotto Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart Nancy and Lyle Hicks Rebecca and Marc Fry Michelle and Art Galli Paul Gantzert Julee and Michael Gard Greater Milwaukee Corp. Allison Heard Mark Inserra Maria Jevitz Patterson Johansen & Anderson Inc. Dolores and Jerome Kenney Linda Kilroy Barbara and Wayne Klasing Dee and Duane Krieger KSKJ Life (Tony Mravle) Thomas Kujawa Dave Laketa Bonnie and Ed Leracz Mack & Associates Susanne and John Manner Cheryl and Kevin McCarthy Vincent McGirr Amy and Mike Mravle Marianne and Dennis Murphy Fran Naal Dorothy Ann Ritter Beth and David Roth Lucille and Gerald Ruder Sentinus Gina and Brian Sharp
Kristin and David Short Kathy and Frank Slattery Anna Rossetti and Damon Sloan Stephanie and Dan Streitz Cecilia Trizna Vargo *Rita Tylka Wilhelmine and John Vidmar Margaret Weiss Tricia and Nick Weiss Eric Wignall
Brown and Gold Circle $1,000 to $4,999 Helen and Robert Anderson Denise and Charles Beutel Mary Kay Blake Michael Bone Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Briskin William Burich Jane Condon Kimberly Cunnea Rojeanne Fischer Terri Geifman Sally and Brian Giegerich Laurie and Steven Gordon Irwin Helford Elaine Hershbarger Nancy and Lyle Hicks Pamela and Scott Holdman Joliet Chamber of Commerce Holly and Howard Kalmenson Kinzie Builders Laurie and Mike Knick Ruth Lager Ann Lurie Claire Millweard Maria and Ronald Patterson John Peifer David J. Plese Anna Mae Repke Mary Roa Helen and J.D. Ross Washlinder and Paramijit Sidhu Sisters of St Francis of Mary Immaculate John Stiglich Michele and Thomas Vana Suzanne Wright
Friends $999 and below John Aaron Lynn Addotta Suzanne Allen Ruth Anthony Angela Antonou Christine and Saro Armenian Paul Babcock Sallyann and Daniel Bacchiete Ella Balagula Bruce Barron Kristin Bertell Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant Brett Binkowski Rachel Birk Elizabeth Bispo Lawrence Blackburn Susan Blaisdell Charles Blatti Sherry Bloom Wendy Blurn Paul Boetto Paula Boley Holly Bontkowski Nicholas Booras Michael Boyna Patricia Bracken Daviann and Brent Braun Mary Ann Brecht Marlene Bremmer Thomas Britt
Doris Brown Linda Broznowski Helen Bruskas Theresa Bugelholl Ellen Canham Mira and Bob Carlson Janet Carr Moira Cary Anthony Cavallone Carmen Cedeno Amanda Celentano Carol Cenar Srimani Chakravarthi Betty J. Chapko Debra Chase Mindy and Jeffery A. Chiapello Paul Chovanec Karen L. Ciarlette Danielle Ciechanski Patricia Cipriani David Cohan Jessica Conte Francine Cooper Susan Czajowski Jennifer Davidson Gordon Davis Clare Deardoff Joann and Tony Delgado Sharon and Mark Dewart Frank DiBella Sherrie Dixon Alexandra Dixon David Dixon Claire and Patrick Dunavan Kathleen and Jerry Eberhardt Meredith and Peter Edgar Jacqueline Edmonson Mary Ann Egizio Ann Elger P.J. Elsner Lindsay Epstein Terese Esterheld Jennifer Etheridge Judith Farley Brian L. Farris Evelyn and Robert Felbinger John Fiore Ann Firel Lawrence Fitzgerald Lygia Ford John Foy Ann Freiburg John Futterer Julie Futterer Anne Gallagher Patricia Gedeller Urve Gentzke Frances Gilles Jeremy Grachan Robin Gruber Cheryl and Ernie Gutmann Gloria Guttman H. Richard Hagen Leonora C. Hantke Mary Jean Hartlep Pauline Hefer Erick Heim Patricia and Thomas Herrmann Pam and Fred Hess Andrew Hiar Elizabeth Hills Suzanne Holland Margaret Huck Candy Hull Kelly James Amanda Johnson Mary Johnson Rasheed Jones Andrew Kalayta Mary Ann Kauling
Michael Keane Ryan Kemp Ronald Kenney Midge and Jeff Kimble Christy King Emma King Jerry Klopfer Julianne Kmetz Aubrey and Ben Knight Mike Kocinski Dorothy Korostoff Marianna Kotcharian Vincianne Kozak Paul Kozar Joseph Kurtyka Christina Kuzava Catherine Kuzma Larry and Ruth Kwak Beth and Stanley Laken Patricia Lang Michael Lavazza Debra Lavazza Hollande Lawson Debra Lazorik Anita LeClaire Daniel Leddy Lou Levine Alexandra and Victor Levine Terri Lind Susan Liu Orlando Gigi Lodhia Jeannette and Darrell Lynn Marian and Miro Macho Mirium Mack Donna and Andrew MacLeod Michelle Madura Mary Fran Mali Janet Malik Michael Mallon Rita Martinez Mary Jane McAndrew Mary Ann McGuire Jackie McTee Anna Maria Medrano Meg and Nicholas Honiotes Claretta Meier Mary Ellen Mendoza Donna Metlicka Karen Miklic Yvonna Miller Paula Molinaro Joanne Mortimer Stephen Moskal Ariane and Ronald Natale Bharat Nathwani Nancy Naugton Heather Nelson Michelle Nevin Terry Newman Ron Novak Jan Novotny Patricia Oleson Doreen Oleszcuk Susan Orlando Carol Ortega Mary O’Sullivan Juliana and Paul Park Deena Pavinato Sava Mia David Alexandra Pavkovich Sylvia and Benjamin Paz Judy and Chris Pearse Jeana and Scott Pekol Maria Pestana-Garcia Terrence L. Peterson Thomas Pitts George Pobuda Jeremy Poch Edward Porter Timothy Porter
Caroline Portlock Sr. Lois Prebil, OSF Christiane Querfeld Barb Rajkowski John Randich Nicole Reese Mary Beth Reiter Jean Roach Susan Rogina Natalie Rosen Melissa Rosen Eric A. Ruiz Lori Russ Harold Ryley McNally Sagal Yale Sage Vanessa Sager Sibu Saha Joyce Sala Deborah and Ravi Salgia Paul Sanborn Joanne Savage Jodi and Scott Schager Laury Scheyer Margaret M. Schweisow, RNC Chuck Szoke Evalina Scott Larry Serven Catherine Shaw Tanya Siddiqi Margaret Siefert Jeanne Sierka Margaret Sierra Honey Skinner Louise and Lyle Skosely Matthew Skovran Jeanette Skul Judith and Walter V. Smith Pam and Shayne Smith Rebecca Smith Robert Smith Melissa A. Smrz Chung Song Joseph Strejc Peter M. Sullivan, Ed.D. Margaret Swanson Bonnie and Allan Sweet Joseph Szccypta Gerald Thompson Patricia Tomac Marguerite Tortorello Lisa and Charles Tribbett Ultimate Software Cheryl Urbaniak US Bank Foundation Gino Vaccarella Martha and Victor Valenzuela Shelby Vogrin Timothy Volpe Toby Waldorf Judith Walker Roseann Walsh Juanita Watts Margaret Weiss Tom A. Whelan Mary Jo Willis Penelope S. Winnick Karen Wirka Steve Witczak Nathan Wolff Corinne and Paul Wood Donna Wysock Pauline Yatsko Hua Yu Barbara Yug Patricia Zajac Edward Zanelli Paula Zech Lili Ann and Ricky Zisook *deceased
Donors as of March 30, 2020. Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of this listing. If there is an error or omission, please contact USF’s Office of Institutional Advancement at 815-740-3748.
USF Offers Mission Driven Will County Access Scholarship As the University of St. Francis continues to celebrate its history throughout 2020, Joliet’s only four-year university is also working to lay the foundation for its next 100 years. One way the university hopes to accomplish this is through the establishment of the new “Will County Access Initiative”, which is a full-tuition scholarship that will benefit academically-talented commuter students from under-served populations, who dream of earning a college degree. It is important to note is that all students who meet the established qualifications will receive the scholarship.
“The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate are proud and excited that our sponsored ministry, the University of St. Francis, has identified this important way to celebrate its centennial and continue our mission,” said Sister Dolores Zemont, OSF, president of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate. “Our congregation has always been committed to respond to the needs of those we serve, and this is a perfect example of that commitment. We are very grateful to USF for this and for all that they do to carry out the mission of our congregation.”
“The ‘Will County Access Initiative’ is a mission-inspired approach to offering a high-quality, private university education to students who may have never realized that this option was open to them. This will create additional opportunities for local students to earn their college degrees without the worry of incurring student loan debt,” said USF president Arvid Johnson, Ph.D.
USF trustee Cheryl McCarthy, Ed.D., sees the university’s new initiative as a fitting way to celebrate the centennial. “The scholarship opportunity is a perfect way to celebrate the centennial. As a first generation graduate, I know how many barriers one must go through to attain a degree. This scholarship will provide the opportunity to develop our future leaders and put them in a position to serve their communities. It will also provide hope for talented and motivated students who cannot fathom how they could ever afford the opportunity of attending the University of St. Francis,” she said. Eric Wignall, USF vice president for admissions, enrollment services and marketing, agrees with McCarthy and envisions a positive impact resulting from the new initiative. “Recognizing that Will County will increasingly require a population of skilled, imaginative citizen-leaders, USF has created the ‘Will County Access Initiative’ as a commitment to college attainment and success. With this program, USF can open its doors to students and families in need of significant financial support in order to help make college affordable, significantly increase college degree attainment, and reduce student debt,” he said.
“This initiative has been authorized by our Board of Trustees as a result of the continued, spectacular success of Caritas 2020 and in affirmation of our mission – especially in light of our Centennial celebration. A USF degree has meaningful, lifetime value and prepares students to meet the challenges and potential of an uncertain future. Higher education helps people learn more and earn more, helps students build skills and knowledge that launches and sustains careers, and supports the communities in which those students live and work,” Johnson added. Financial support made available in the form of initiatives such as the “Will County Access Initiative” play an important role for USF students. Each year, over half of USF’s incoming freshman class is comprised of first-generation college students, which means that these students are the first in their family to attend college. Over the past ten years, an average of 58% of incoming freshmen have been first-generation college students. Responding to this need is important to the university’s sponsor Sisters, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate.
Even if a student does not qualify for the “Will County Access Initiative”, the University of St. Francis provides over $20 million in institutional aid to its students each year – in terms of academic, athletic, and need-based scholarships – which also makes earning a USF degree a possibility.
Centennial Gateway Statue of Saint Francis Nearing Completion The prominent component of the new Centennial Gateway, which will be located on northern edge of the main campus in Joliet at the corner of Plainfield Road and Wilcox Street, will be a life-sized, six-foot bronze statue of Saint Francis with a St. Bernard at his side. Joliet-area artists Kathleen Farrell, Kathleen Scarboro and Dante DiBartolo were commissioned to create the piece. All of the design and sculpting work for the statue was completed in the USF Art Gallery in downtown Joliet, and took place from the beginning of September through the end of November. Passersby were able to witness the transformation of the project over time and as features became more defined each day. In late November, the sculpting phase of the process was completed and the statue was shipped to Art Casting of Illinois in Oregon, Ill., for completion. This phase of the process will take approximately three months to complete. The statue and the Centennial Gateway, along with the Centennial Quad, will be officially blessed and dedicated as part of the Celebration of the Century event following the Centennial Convocation on Thursday, August 27, 2020. Details on the event will be shared in the next issue of Second Century and on stfrancis.edu/centennial.
JOIN USF IN THE
CELEBRATION OF THE CENTURY! CENTENNIAL CONVOCATION
AN ORAL HISTORY OF USF
Thursday, August 27, 2020 | 2:45 p.m. Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, Joliet
Friday, September 18, 2020 | 5:30 p.m. Joliet Area Historical Museum
Opening academic convocation and Mass welcoming incoming new students and marking the beginning of the school year.
An evening of moving and informative presentations, videos and displays, honoring the first 100 years of the university.
CELEBRATION OF THE CENTURY
AMBASSADOR DAY
Thursday, August 27, 2020 | 4:15 p.m. Centennial Gateway (corner of Plainfield Rd. & Wilcox
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 | 7:30 a.m. Turk Theater (Tower Hall)
St.) & Centennial Quad (center of USF’s main campus)
A gathering of community business and governmental leaders and friends of the university for a special centennial address by USF’s president, Dr. Arvid C. Johnson.
The centennial celebration continues with the dedication of the new Centennial Gateway and Centennial Quad. The event will also include a picnic and entertainment.
“100 YEARS OF PHILANTHROPY” PRESIDENTS’ DINNER Thursday, November 5, 2020 | 6 p.m. San Damiano Hall (Motherhouse)
A dinner celebrating the impact philanthropy has had on USF and its students during its first 100 years.