University of St. Francis Magazine 2014-15 - Issue 2 by University of St. Francis

M AG A Z I N E

I NSI DE TH IS ISSU E

2014 - 2015 I S SUE 2

USF expands with Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center; St. Clare Campus

Joliet Symphony Orchestra at USF to celebrate 10th anniversary in May 2015

Alumnus builds new life at University of St. Francis after construction accident

A Message From the President

A Welcoming Community Dear Members of the USF Family, Welcome to the latest issue of University of St. Francis Magazine, just one way that we strive to remain connected to you – our alumni, our friends, our parents, our employees, and our supporters…in short, our USF family. In the last issue, I shared information about the second objective of the University’s Strategic Plan for 2014-19 (“Preparing for Our Second Century: Learning to Lead and Love in the Real World”) – specifically, about our rebranding efforts. In this issue, I’d like to “back up” and focus Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D. President

upon Objective #1 of our strategic plan, which drives to the very heart of our mission. Our first – and most important – objective reaffirms USF’s commitment to becoming a leading Catholic Franciscan university. Specifically, the University aims to increase students

OUR MISSION

and employees’ understanding of Catholic Franciscan values and Catholic Social Teaching – especially through orientation programs and a redesign of the General Education curriculum.

As a Catholic university

As importantly, this includes a recommitment to increasing the diversity of our students and

rooted in the liberal arts,

employees. A broadening of our “intentional communities” to increase a sense of belonging with

we are a welcoming

our students, employees, and alumni will reinforce these efforts.

community of learners

This objective is all about who we are, as called forth in our mission: “a welcoming community

challenged by Franciscan

of learners challenged by Franciscan values and charism.” It ensures that this is what we

values and charism,

will remain as we move forward together and continue to build the legacy of our founding

engaged in a continuous

congregation, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, who are celebrating 150 years of

pursuit of knowledge,

ministry this year.

faith, wisdom, and justice,

Perhaps most tellingly – and, I would argue, proof that we “walk the talk” – while no one

and ever mindful of a

who contributed to this issue’s articles knew that this objective would be my column’s focus,

tradition that emphasizes

virtually every story in this issue provides at least some evidence that USF remains a welcoming

reverence for creation,

community that prepares “women and men to contribute to the world through service and

compassion, and peace-

leadership”…through our University Ministry programs… with our increasing number of

making. We strive for

international students… through our students’ many service projects… in the lives of impact lived

academic excellence in

by our alumni… and with the example, the witness of our employees – especially the late, the

all programs, preparing

legendary Gordie Gillespie.

women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.

In upcoming issues of this magazine, I look forward to updating you on the Strategic Plan’s other three objectives. With the end of my “sophomore year” at USF in sight, I continue to consider myself incredibly blessed to serve as your president and promise to work hard to earn the trust that you have placed in me. Peace and all good things,

Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D. President

University of St. Francis Magazine

Table of Contents Feature Story Starting with the 2015-16 academic year, University of St. Francis Magazine will be published three times per year. Feedback is welcomed and can be sent to Julie Futterer ‘93, Director of Marketing Services: 815-740-3826 or jfutterer@stfrancis.edu

Downtown Building Named

The former “Mode Building” has been named the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center.

CO NTEN T Wesley Armstrong Michael Austin Bonnie Covelli Julie Futterer Katie Goron David Hilbert Michelle Madura Nancy Pohlman Other USF employees, students and friends

USF Success Campus News

Staying Connected

Parents’ Corner

The Colleges Arts & Sciences Business & Health Administration Education Leach College of Nursing

Alumni News

8 10 12 14

Donor News

FRONT COVER PHOTO: USF’s Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center in downtown Joliet.

Jennifer Bronson Cherry Hill Studios Julie Futterer

Calendar of Events Upcoming Events and Activities

I M AGERY

Taylor Foote

Giving Back

The Fighting Saints USF Athletics

18 23

Dave Hilbert Chris Jones Stephanie Zelinski

Other USF employees, students and friends

DES IGN Jeff Hall Design jeffhalldesign.com

P R I N TIN G St. Croix Press stcroixpress.com Please help us in our efforts to reduce waste. If this is an old or incorrect address for the intended recipient, if you no longer wish to receive University of St. Francis Magazine, or if you would like to receive this publication electronically, please call 815-740-5052 for a database adjustment.

University of St. Francis 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, IL 60435 800-735-7500 | stfrancis.edu

A Year of Respect • 2014-2015

Feature Story

Plaster Foundation Gift Expands USF’s St. Bonaventure Campus

he University of St. Francis

the-art learning environment.”

and its Board of Trustees

recently named the uni-

new classes of freshmen—more

versity’s second downtown Joliet

than 60 percent of whom are

facility the Robert W. Plaster Free

first-generation college students,

Enterprise Center, in honor of

just like Plaster was.

philanthropist and entrepreneur, the

late Robert W. Plaster. The naming

USF students is very much aligned

comes after the Robert W. Plaster

with the values of Robert W. Plaster.

Foundation gave “a significant

Just as Mr. Plaster understood and

six-figure gift” to the university, ac-

valued hard work and education

cording to USF President Arvid C.

as the key to success, so, too, do

Johnson.

University of St. Francis students

and faculty,” said Johnson.

Born during the Great Depression

“The educational experience of

and the first in his family to attend

college, Mr. Plaster understood and

donated to USF by BMO Harris Bank

valued hard work and education

a few years ago, joins with USF’s Art

as the key to success, according to

& Design Center and Art Gallery on

Dolly Clement, Plaster’s daughter

nearby Van Buren Street to form the

and executive director of The

St. Bonaventure Campus. The Plaster

Robert W. Plaster Foundation,

Center houses a number of university

headquartered in Lebanon, Mo.

programs that connect students with

resources in the downtown area,

Plaster’s eventual success was

evidence of his lifetime of hard

The 18,000-square-foot building,

giving students an enhanced applied

work and perseverance—start-

“The educational experience of USF students is very much aligned with the values of Robert W. Plaster. Just as Mr. Plaster understood and valued hard work and education as the key to success, so, too, do University of St. Francis students and faculty.” Arvid Johnson

ing with his boyhood paper route and grocery store job, to working for the U.S. Treasury Department, and later working for a propane company, which led to his own start-up business in 1963: Empire Gas Corporation. Empire Gas rapidly

learning experience.

The College of Business &

Health Administration has based its Transportation & Logistics Management program in the Plaster Center. It has also founded the St. Francis Business Incubator on the first floor, which hosts upstart

became one of the largest retail LP

Today, USF regularly welcomes

businesses and provides them with

gas distributors in the United States

dedicated to enabling progress

wanted to help open educational

office space and support to develop

and was listed on the New York

through entrepreneurial action.

opportunities for young people,”

new ideas. Practical advice from uni-

Stock Exchange. After selling the

USF’s College of Business & Health

added Clement. “To that end, in

versity faculty is provided, ranging

company in 1996, Plaster founded

Administration recently established

1983, he established the Robert W.

from guidance on creating business

Evergreen Investments, LLC.

a chapter to become a member

Plaster Foundation, which is dedi-

plans to mentoring to marketing

of Enactus’ worldwide network of

cated to helping students by funding

and financing tips. Student interns

and active supporter of Enactus

students, academic professionals

projects for colleges and universi-

are available to assist in developing

(at that time known as “Students

and industry leaders.

ties such as this University of St.

and executing the plans. Businesses

in Free Enterprise”) which was an

Francis enterprise—the former Mode

in the incubator have easy access

international non-profit organization

my father felt very strongly that he

Theater Building—now a state-of-

to the Joliet Region Chamber of

Plaster was also co-founder

University of St. Francis Magazine

“After achieving financial success

Mock Trial Courtroom in the new Plaster Center

St. Clare Campus main building renovations have begun

Commerce and the Will County

offices, Silver Cross Baseball Field

Immaculate in Joliet), was recently

Center for Economic Development

and the Joliet Slammers’ team man-

purchased from the Sisters and is

to expand resources and enhance

agement and marketing activities,

currently being renovated to

their professional contacts.

riverboat casino entertainment and

serve future nursing students in

Another program that has made

The following programs are or will soon be housed at USF’s new campus buildings:

operations, and a future link to the

USF’s Leach College of Nursing.

its home in the Plaster Center is

new JJC Hospitality Management

Plans for the facility include the

Criminal & Social Justice. Besides

programs which are soon to be

addition of numerous nursing

offering great classroom facilities,

located nearby.

classrooms, simulation labs and

the program can draw upon the

office space for nursing staff and

Downtown Joliet

legal and correctional facilities

part of a City of Joliet renovation

other USF administrators.

USF Art Gallery

located in the area such as the Will

plan that includes a $45 million

County Adult Detention Facility, the

City of Joliet transportation center,

already been adjusted to serve

Center for Art & Design

Will County Courthouse and the

a $52 million Joliet Junior College

students traveling to the down-

(5 E. Van Buren Street)

Joliet Police Department.

campus construction project, and a

town Plaster Center, and will

proposed $150 million Will County

further expand to include routes

Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center

courthouse complex.

to the St. Clare Campus, which is

(16 W. Van Buren Street)

located on the other side of town.

• St. Francis Business Incubator

The History & Political Science

Department likewise benefits from

USF’s downtown facilities are

access to the county courts, but can

USF shuttle services have

(The main campus, essentially,

for USF’s nationally recognized Mock

St. Clare Campus Now Undergoing Renovation for Nursing Programs

Trial Team. The courtroom has full

The next big development for

members with convenient and

video and audio recording capabili-

University of St. Francis is the

quick transportation between all

ties so arguments or cases can be

St. Clare Campus, located on

three Joliet campuses.

replayed for a team or a class and

the corner of Plainfield Road and

faculty can review strategies used.

Theodore Street in Joliet. This

large building and campus, known

also utilize the Plaster Center’s fully operational courtroom, which offers a great training ground for students and provides a tournament space

Finally, Recreation, Sport &

Tourism Management students can

for many years as the Guardian

benefit from access to chamber of

Angel Home (lovingly operated by

commerce and tourism marketing

the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary

lies in between them.) USF’s Safety, Security and Transportation Department is committed to providing busy students and faculty

St. Bonaventure Campus (25 E. Van Buren Street)

• Transportation & Logistics Management • Criminal & Social Justice • History & Political Science • Recreation, Sport & Tourism Management

St. Clare Campus 1550 Plainfield Road • Administrative Offices • Leach College of Nursing

A Year of Respect • 2014-2015

USF Success

Sister Clare Award Presented

Lunching and Learning

he third annual Sister

how to live as ‘brother and sister’

gun violence: “Hadiya’s Promise.”

Teacher candidates in USF’s Survey

Clare Award was pre-

in Christ,” said Sr. Mary Elizabeth

of the Exceptional Individual

sented March 5 to activist

Imler, OSF, USF’s vice president of

every child matters, leading her

course, taught by Dr. Srimani

and founder of Hadiya’s Promise,

Mission Integration. “They looked at

to work with government officials

Chakravarthi, are gaining knowl-

Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton, for

the same God, but from the different

and team up with organizations

edge and experience applicable to

her work to end gun violence.

angles and with the gifts and sensi-

like Moms Demand Action. Her

their future classrooms through a

tivities of a woman and a man.”

advocacy earned her the 2014 NNPA

partnership with a group of stu-

for the university’s patron saint, is

Newsmaker of the Year Award, given

dents at Lincoln-Way Community

presented as part of the university’s

others and her clarity of purpose are

to one who has made significant

High School District 210. For many

celebration of Women’s History

easy to see in Cowley-Pendleton,”

news in the Black Press.

of the teaching candidates, this

Month to recognize women of vi-

added Imler.

collaboration is their first opportu-

sion who “light the way” and make a

Promise has worked to inform,

nity to work with individuals with

positive impact in the community.

with classmates after completing

influence and empower communi-

special needs.

her final exams, 15-year old Hadiya

ties and youth. The foundation also

followers of St. Francis of Assisi,

Zaymara Pendleton was gunned

supports at-risk youth and assists

ings, candidates gain perspective

founder of the Franciscan Order, and

down in Chicago. In response to

families impacted by gun violence.

regarding the range of disabili-

for whom USF is named. Both lived

their personal tragedy, Hadiya’s

In 2014, the foundation held its first

ties they might encounter when

in the 13th century and together

parents, Cleopatra and her husband,

intergenerational summit, “Working

working in an inclusive classroom

they were dedicated to help the

Nathaniel, turned their pain into

Together to End Gun Violence.”

setting or as a special education

poor. “Clare and Francis showed us

action to create a foundation to fight

The Sister Clare Award, named

St. Clare was one of the first

“Clare’s energy, her advocacy for

In January 2013, while in the park

Cowley-Pendleton believes that

Since its inception, Hadiya’s

Through periodic lunch meet-

teacher. At the same time, the partnership affords students from Lincoln-Way High Schools the opportunity to work on important skills outside their more familiar and comfortable school environment. With each meeting, the students work at forming relationships with peers, socialization, ordering from a menu, eating at a restaurant, budgeting and paying for purchases.

After the group meets for lunch,

each teacher candidate is asked to consider what accommodations or adaptations may be required to assist the special needs of the student or students in the classroom and to reflect upon any change of perception he/she has undergone about individuals with special needs.

This collaboration is much more

than just lunch. It is a rich learning experience for all participants and serves to further USF’s commitment LEFT: Debra Workman, Chair of the Criminal Justice, History & Political Science Department; Yvonne Isom, Assistant Professor of Criminal & Social Justice; Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton; Nathaniel Pendleton; Sr. Mary Elizabeth Imler, Vice President for Mission Integration & University Ministry; Elizabeth Laken, Vice President of Administration & Finance and Dr. Arvid Johnson, USF President.

University of St. Francis Magazine

to building an inclusive community through acceptance, flexible thinking, respecting differences and finding common ground.

University Ministry: Here, There and Everywhere

he staff, students and

by Sr. Dolores Zemont, OSF,

annual Day of Service, with

University Ministry Joe Wysocki

faculty involved with

then-director of USF’s University

faculty, staff, administrators

will participate with staff mem-

University Ministry have

Ministry program and current

and students participating in

bers from other Association

made their benevolent presence

president of the Sisters of St.

service projects throughout

of Franciscan Colleges and

known not just in Illinois, but across

Francis of Mary Immaculate.

the Joliet area.

Universities schools in a pilgrim-

the country and even overseas!

• New Orleans Mission Trip

• Assisi and Rome Pilgrmage

age to Assisi and Rome. Pilgrims

Over the last few months, University

University Ministry will return to

In May, College of Education

will have the opportunity to walk

Ministry groups have traveled near

New Orleans for a spring break

Associate Professor Srimani

in the footsteps of USF’s patrons,

and far to do their part and share

mission trip. Nine students will

Chakravarthi and Director of

Francis and Clare.

the spirit of St. Francis. Some proj-

work with Camp Hope, a com-

ects they have participated

munity development organiza-

in or have plans to attend are:

tion outside of the Lower Ninth

• Bacolod, Philippines

Ward in New Orleans. They will

Mission Trip

be doing various construction

In January, four USF stu-

and painting projects in an under-

dents joined volunteers from

served area of the city.

Benedictine and Lewis in a mis-

• Breakfast at Daybreak Shelter

sion trip to Bacolod, Philippines.

USF continues to serve breakfast

They helped with construction

at Catholic Charities’ Daybreak

projects- building a house and

Shelter in Joliet every Thursday

digging a septic system.

and Friday morning. Through the

• Winterim

Mock Trial Team Hosts The Midwest Challenge

generosity of SGA and employee

Also in January, Mission

benefactors, USF is able to pre-

Integration and University

pare warm meals for residents.

USF’s annual mock trial tournament, The Midwest Challenge, was

Ministry sponsored the annual

USF also plans to invite residents

held in January and was a tremendous success. USF hosted approxi-

Winterim dinner, which brings

of the shelter to campus again

mately 200 undergraduate student competitors. Coaches and volunteer

students, faculty and staff togeth-

this spring for St. Francis Serves,

judges included USF alumni, administrators, and faculty. The Will County

er for conversation that matters.

an event held three times each

Public Defender’s Office, the State’s Attorney’s Office, judges from the

This year’s conversation focused

school year. St. Francis Serves in-

Will County Courthouse and a myriad of legal professionals from in and

on sustainability. Speakers fo-

cludes a free buffet dinner in the

around Will and Cook Counties participated in the event.

cused on how USF’s commitment

Terrace Cafe on campus, provided

to sustainability bears witness

by Sodexo, as well as entertain-

Tevin Hopkins, Justyna Jozwik, Emily Limbach, Chloe Miller, Mary

to our value of respect as we

ment, raffle prizes and toiletry

Nuetzmann, Justin Polich, LaChrissa Safforld and Matthew Vidican.

recognize the need to value and

bags for all guests.

“Mockers” excelled throughout the competition, maintaining top tier

respect all of God’s creation.

• Third Annual TAU Retreat

The USF Mock Trial Team includes Alejandro Campos, Miranda Castro,

placement until the final rounds of the competition. In the end, Northern

The third annual TAU retreat was

Illinois University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, both nationally-

Nine students will be led by

held in March at Dickson Valley

ranked, defeated USF.

Valerie Penn, Area Coordinator

camp. The student-led retreat is

in the department of Residence

an opportunity for USF students to

during the fall 2014 session. USF took on Bradley University, St. Olaf

Education, during the university’s

take a break from school work, re-

University and Rhodes College, resulting in team members gaining valuable

mission trip to Sucre, Bolivia in

lax and share their faith together.

experience which prepared them for battle against bigger schools in the

June 2015. The students will be

The retreat also seeks to introduce

final rounds of The Midwest Challenge.

working with local daycares, or-

students to Franciscan spirituality.

• Sucre, Bolivia Mission Trip

phanages and hospitals. This will

• USF’s Annual Day of Service

be the 21st year of the mission

In April, the University commu-

trip, which was originally started

nity will participate in USF’s

This hard working, young team competed in several tournaments

The USF Team ended the tournament on a high note, realizing they were worthy opponents against top ranking-teams. Each tournament the USF Team has participated in this season has resulted in our student lawyers and witnesses being ranked on their respective ballots.

A Year of Respect • 2014-2015

USF Success

Ten Years of Joliet Symphony Orchestra

he Joliet Symphony

according to Stopher, “sell out

Orchestra at the University

consistently.” There are 13 USF

of St. Francis is celebrating

students and four current/former

its 10th anniversary with a season

faculty members participating.

of service!

Founded by USF’s Dr. Patrick

When asked about his proud-

est accomplishments with the

Brannon and Michael Sundblad in

orchestra, Stopher says being invited

2005, JSO remains a quintessential

to perform as special guests at the

musical partnership between the

Rialto Square Theatre’s annual organ

university and the local community.

concert (“Organ Extravaganza”) tops

Sundblad conducted the orchestra

the list. Because their performance

for nearly four years until he was

was well-received last year, they’ve

succeeded by Clifford Hunt. Hunt

been invited back and will make

remained in the role until 2011, when

their second appearance during this

current USF music faculty member

year’s show, scheduled for April 25.

Jim Stopher became the orchestra’s

of the Angels retirement home, the

ous instruments and forms of music.

third music director. Stopher plans

niversary cake, the JSO received a

Will County Humane Society’s “Fur

to lead the orchestra through this

$10,000 grant from Joliet Township

Ball” and the Joliet Public Library.

“They are some of the kindest, most

special anniversary year and beyond.

that is being used to hire guest art-

generous people I’ve ever worked

ists, purchase scores and parts, and

John Lutheran Church Food Pantry

with. Many are music educators,

gained renown and respect in the

acquire instruments this year. The

in preparing and delivering food

which means they already have a

Joliet region. The orchestra has

group is also deep into an anniver-

to individuals and families in need,

great personality and a love for the

grown significantly and now re-

sary season service program called

and numerous members contrib-

discipline, and it’s rewarding to see

quires an audition process for spots

“Music on a Mission,” with players

uted 182 items of winter clothing

so many of them participating in

since more people want to join than

giving back to the community in

to a Christmastime donation drive

these service projects.”

the group can accommodate. Sixty

gratitude for its support. JSO players

for Cornerstone Services. In March,

members strong (approximately

are participating in 10 events of per-

members coached students at

governed by a board of directors,

five of whom have been with the

formance and volunteerism, which

Washington Jr. High School and

performs varied works for orchestra

orchestra since its inception), the

have included performing at a Joliet

helped Girl Scouts from local Troop

and is open to USF students,

orchestra’s annual performances

Slammers game, the Universalist

70839 to earn their music merit

faculty and staff, and area commu-

have more than doubled and,

Unitarian Church of Joliet, Our Lady

badges by introducing them to vari-

nity members.

Through the years, the JSO has

To put a little icing on the an-

JSO players perform at a Joliet Slammers baseball game

They assisted the staff of St.

The Joliet Symphony Orchestra’s anniversary will be celebrated with two concert performances featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Boléro by Maurice Ravel.

May 2-3 at 3 p.m. “The most ambitious repertoire to date.” -JSO Music Director Jim Stopher Tickets are available online at stfrancis.edu/music-at-moser-tickets-online. Call 815-740-3520 with questions.

University of St. Francis Magazine

Says Stopher of his players,

The Joliet Symphony Orchestra,

Greek Life Embraced On Campus A year after being established at USF, Greek life on campus is beginning to grow, reports Damon Sloan, vice president of Student & Alumni Affairs.

Beginning in the fall of 2015,

Sigma Iota Alpha, INC. will join Alpha Phi as another greek life option for female students at USF. “The entire student population at USF has been very welcoming to the chapters, which is evident in the rapid growth and interest in membership for both chapters,” says Sloan.

Introducing these organizations

to the USF community has proven to be an outstanding addition to the roster of student clubs and organizations. “Initially there was some concern these sororities would take away from the very strong student club involvement we have here on campus. However, we’ve found that they also encourage their members to go out and be a part of our existing student groups, which everyone

Sisters of St. Francis Celebrate 150 Years The Joliet Franciscan Sisters, best known for teaching, also have a legacy in the fine arts. They were and continue to be talented musicians, composers and artists. To help celebrate their 150th anniversary of serving the people of Joliet, a fine arts performance by the institutions the Sisters sponsor was presented at University of St. Francis just as this magazine was being printed. Performances by students from the Franciscan Learning Center, Joliet Catholic Academy, University of St. Francis (Sarah Sheehan and Brent Dobrovitis pictured at right above) and Our Lady of the Angels Retirement Home, as well as artwork created by the Sisters, was featured. A wonderful time was had by all who attended.

was very happy to see,” he adds.

USF Welcomes International Students The International Programs Office has enjoyed a busy but successful semester after welcoming 11 new international students to campus. New students include Amanda Paes, Brazil (Communication & Media Arts); Hugo Feldt, Sweden (Business); Luka Djordjevic, Serbia (Biology); Lucas Navarro, Spain (International Business); Lu i s Fe n te , S pa i n ( B i ol o g y ) ; J u n l o n g Z h a n g , C h i n a ( M B A ) ; Badria Almohaimeed, Saudi Arabia (ELAP); Marwah Jamal, Saudi Arabia (ELAP); Waleed Baeshen, Saudi Arabia (ELAP); Abdullah Alshehri, Saudi Arabia (ELAP); Abdulmjjed Alseari, Saudi Arabia (ELAP). In other IPO news, two of USF’s international students, Jiaxi Hou and Zhi “Chris” Liu (pictured at left), recently visited St. Paul the Apostle’s first grade class and taught the students about Chinese New Year and Chinese culture.

A Year of Respect • 2014-2015

Albuquerque Simulations O

n a mid-January day in

Albuquerque students from

a community near USF’s

the Physician Assistant Class

Albuquerque campus, fire trucks and

of 2016 have participated in a

ambulances gathered at an empty

multitude of service projects

building that was full of smoke.

over their didactic year.

People were calling out for help.

These events have deepened

However, the building was NOT on

their connection with the

fire. University of St Francis student

Albuquerque community and

Wesley Armstrong, along with

given them a sense of fulfillment.

the help of others, was providing

Volunteering multiple times at

training for almost 70 first respond-

the Roadrunner Food Bank, USF

ers at a simulated fire scene which

students were able to sort and

had taken two months of planning

package thousands of pounds of

to create. Students working on their

food to supply families in their

master’s degrees in USF’s Physician

A “patient” is given a faux injury in preparation for a simulation exercise, coordinated by students at the Albuquerque campus.

Assistant program organize a service project every quarter. Armstrong

community. Their generosity has been exhibited as they’ve held blood drives, donated teddy

chose to go back to his hometown

teaching the lecture, two fire chiefs

simulated fire and rescued patients

bears to the Children’s Hospital,

of Belen, New Mexico, to enhance

and other preceptors were setting up

from the building while the EMTs

sent care packages to soldiers

his skills as a volunteer firefighter

the scene in an abandoned, nearby

and paramedics started treatment

overseas, and donated school

paramedic while giving back to his

department store. At the conclusion

and transported patients to a mock

supplies to students in the

community through this exercise.

of the lecture, the students were

hospital.

Native American community.

notified that a medivac helicopter

USF’s P.A. students have enjoyed

hour lecture on the types of patients

had “crashed into a department

with injuries created with makeup

their time serving and forging

encountered in mass casualty inci-

store while attempting to land.” The

and with a process called moulage,

relationships with their class-

dents and the triage and treatment of

EMTs, paramedics and firefighters

which simulates bones protruding

mates and residents of the

those patients. While Armstrong was

responded. Firefighters put out a

from skin, burns and abrasions.

local community.

The training consisted of a one-

Long-Time Professor Dr. Lyle Hicks Retiring Dr. Lyle Hicks (pictured at right) was recognized for 39 years of service and his coming retirement during a gathering in Chicago, held in conjunction with the Illinois Park and Recreation Association/Illinois Association of Park Districts annual “Soaring to New Heights” Conference. Approximately 50 USF alumni, friends and students attended to pay tribute to Dr. Hicks. FAR RIGHT: Lukas Wyss, Morgan Curry, Sean Burke, Torey Borkowski, Aundrea Prysock, Ali Aquel, Steven Redmond, Nicole Ginger, Lyle Hicks, Karen Ward, Tori Johnson, and Stacy Veldhuizen ‘14.

P.A.s Serve

University of St. Francis Magazine

The patients were made up

For more information about the College of Arts & Sciences, call (800) 735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu/CAS.

Scott and Brad Oyer

Father and Son Team Explore DARA Program Together

Criminal & Social Justice Panel at USF

n late February, the University of St. Francis Criminal & Social Justice

program presented a panel discussion titled “Reporting, Investigating & Human Consequences of Police Misconduct: Alton Logan’s 26 Year Odyssey of Wrongful Incarceration.”

Logan endured 26 years of

wrongful incarceration. His case led scores of police abuse victims to come forward with stories ranging from minor mistreatment to torture. With the help of his lawyer, Harold J. Winston, and internal investigator Francine J. Sanders (who helped uncover the Jon Burge Chicago-era SCOTT OYER

BRAD OYER

cott and Brad Oyer share

within the DARA program. “You can

“The courses and people are very

a great passion for music.

tell that everyone involved with

enjoyable. Going to class is easily

This father (Scott) and

DARA really wants to be there and

the best part of my day,” says Scott.

son (Brad) duo both can recall many,

that makes for a very creative and

many holidays where spending time

uplifting learning environment,” says

also very happy with the quality of

with family meant getting out their

Brad. “I get to network with all kinds

the program his son is involved with.

favorite instruments after dinner

of people involved with the music

“DARA has made so much prog-

and playing together for hours.

industry, from musicians to produc-

ress in the last several years. This

ers and other sound engineers. It’s

program isn’t common in the area

respectively, at the University of

a very welcoming and interesting

and it would be great to see USF

St. Francis, this pair is exploring

community. Jeff Jaskowiak [DARA

become ‘the place’ to be for sound

their love of music and music en-

program director and coinciden-

engineering and similar programs,”

gineering through the Digital Audio

tally, Scott’s brother-in-law] does an

says Scott.

Recording Arts (DARA) program.

outstanding job making sure we are

connected and involved with the

become it’s own major by fall of

in their careers, Brad, a college

industry,” Brad comments.

2015. This much anticipated pro-

student, and his father, an assistant

gram has received support from the

network administrator at USF, both

taking DARA courses for self-

USF community and will continue to

got involved with DARA for their

fulfillment’s sake. Scott previously

expand once the major reaches full

love of music. Brad chose to major

attended NIU as an undergrad for

accreditation.

in DARA to pursue his dream of

music education, but realized teach-

becoming a sound engineer. He’s

ing was not a great fit. Now that he

very happy with the caliber of the

is taking classes again, he’s filling in

recording facilities and the faculty

his credit hours with DARA courses.

As an employee and student,

Despite being at different points

On the other hand, Scott is

From a parent’s perspective, he is

The DARA program is slated to

of torture and police misconduct), Logan was released from prison. Both Winston and Sanders were a part of the panel. Logan shared his thoughts on police misconduct and his personal experience.

Also on the panel was author

John Conroy. Conroy authored two books, “Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life” and “Unspeakable Acts, Ordinary People: The Dynamics of Torture,” and also wrote the play “My Kind of Town,” which premiered at Chicago’s TimeLine Theatre in May 2012. The play is set against the backdrop of the Chicago police torture scandal, which he was instrumental in exposing. He is the recipient of numerous awards for journalism.

A Year of Respect • 2014-2015

A Focus on Internships

n the College of Business & Health Administration (COBHA), faculty and staff are doing all they can to be sure internships are a healthy part of their students’ curriculum.

“Many programs within the College of Business are requiring students

to have at least one internship under their belt before graduation,” says Associate Professor Steve Morrissette.

Morrissette is assuredly one of these supportive faculty members.

Recently, he hired four COBHA students to assist with a full strategic planning assignment his company was hired for. While on assignment, each student was assigned to lead the development of a key piece within the research analysis. Students were expected to be responsible for the quality of work as well as managing their peer’s productivity.

“This kind of hands on learning experience can teach our students

several things,” comments Morrissette. “Field based learning assists students with important skill gathering for future challenges. Next they’re learning how to navigate day-to-day work events and perhaps most importantly, students have the opportunity to discern which careers fit their personalities and interests.”

Motivation from faculty paired with the tools USF’s Career Success Center

is provides for students makes for a potent combination. “The Career Success Center has made excellent progress over the last few years in communicating the needs of our students and that of the employers who contact them,” says Morrissette.

Emphasizing the importance of internships means USF’s graduates are

true contenders for today’s competitive job market.

Recent Faculty Scholarship Work • Chris Clott and Bruce Hartman (with B. Ogard and A. Gatto). “Matchback: Shipping Soybeans by Container”. Research in Transportation Business and management, Elsevier. http://www. journals.elsevier.com/research-in-transportation-business-andmanagement/. To appear in special issue of RTBM. • David Gordon. “Significant Economic Applications of Long Term Financial Theories and Practices”. International Journal of Transactions on Industrial, Financial and Business Management. Vol. 2, No. 4: 203-206. June, 2014. • Stephen Morrissette. “A Framework for Validating an M&A Deal Investment Thesis”. Technical Advisors, 2 (3). May, 2014. • Stephen Morrissette. Profiles and Investment Motivations of De Novo Bank Founding Investors. 2014. Berlin, Germany: Scholars Press. ISBN 978-639-71104-2.

University of St. Francis Magazine

Above: USF students who interned at Caterpillar gather after presenting their endof-term internship projects. Front Row - Lexi Southall, Ryan Wardinski and Danielle Blake. Back Row - USF faculty member Rich Vaughan, a Caterpillar representative, Joe Ruge, Dave Kuhne and COBHA Dean Christopher Clott. Below: Business Incubator members Toni Greathouse (Chief Creative Officer at Custom Community Creations, LLC) and Rick Wallace (CEO at DontQuit)visit with Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner at the State of the State update in February. The event was advertised to USF Business Incubator members as one of several activities promoting networking opportunities and knowledge of the current business, political and capital climate faced by budding business entrepreneurs.

For more information about the College of Business & Health Administration, call (800) 735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu/COBHA.

Keith Schomig ’13

Alumnus Builds New Life after Construction Injury

n 2009 Keith Schomig was a jour-

“I wear so many hats.”

president of one of them. He went

neyman union sheet metal worker,

on an international business trip to

a member of Local 265. He was in

construction helmet—but he does

Panama, and completed a strategic

his early 30s, a graduate of Minooka

keep it on a shelf in his office as a

planning internship through the

High School, and he had some

reminder of how far he has come.

USF Solutions Department. He and

community college classes under his

He has his wife Michaelene to thank

Michaelene attended USF football

belt but had no real plans to return

for getting the ball rolling on his

and basketball games, and cheered

to school. He had been working in

second career. She was the one who

for the Fighting Saints. They even

the trade since he was 19 or 20 and

encouraged him to enroll at USF.

went to the Homecoming Dance.

things were going fine.

‘Let’s go for a walk,’” he says. “We’d

do this, we’re going all-in,’” Schomig

a patch of frost. It was on the roof

take the dogs and walk past USF and

says. “I wanted the full college

at a job site, and it sent him flying.

she would go, ‘Wow, this is such a

experience.”

You know that saying, Your life can

beautiful campus.’ Then she would

change in an instant? Well, this was

hand me USF literature and give me

new start on life, and a new outlook.

Success Center and be prepared for

Schomig’s instant. He would never

little wifely nudges now and then.”

any opportunity that comes along,”

And then one day he stepped on

be able to work construction again.

The accident left him with a torn

labrum, a debilitating shoulder and arm injury. He underwent surgery, and then six months later he had to

One hat he no longer wears is his

“My beautiful wife would say,

“I told my wife, ‘If I’m going to

He definitely got it. He also got a “My education taught me that

“The education taught me that no matter what I was faced with I would be able to adapt and succeed,”

endure yet another surgery. For the

get involved, to go to the Career

Schomig says.

Schomig serves on the USF

Alumni Board, and has offered himself as a candidate for the presidentelect position of the board. It is safe to say that he is committed to USF,

next three years he would spend his

time in and out of physical therapy,

no matter what I was faced with

and could hardly be a bigger booster.

an open house on campus, and

I would be able to adapt and suc-

and dealing with workman’s com-

from that moment on, he was sold.

ceed,” he says. “I think that is what a

best things that ever occurred in my

pensation issues. He would have to

He started in 2011, as a full-time

liberal arts education gives you. You

life besides my wife and daughter,”

reinvent himself.

day student at the age of 33, and

get exposure to all aspects of a busi-

he says. Those are not just words. He

finished two years later with a

ness—not just one sector—and that

got the USF logo tattooed on his in-

Schomig says from his office in a

degree in Business Management.

makes you diverse and helps you

jured arm. He also purchased a brick

Chicago highrise.

become an asset.”

in the quad near the fountain for his

as the old man of the class,” he

wife. It says, “Michaelene, thank you

coordinator for Legacy Professionals

says. “But when I got there I felt the

prepared him for today’s competi-

for all your love and support.”

LLP, a mid-sized accounting firm with

warmth of the professors, especially

tive job market, and USF’s Career

offices in Chicago, Northwest Indiana

in the business school. They were

Success Center prepared him for his

whether they are a brick in a

and Minnesota. The firm specializes

there because they wanted to be

job search—running him through

courtyard, a tattoo, or a tattered

in audit, accounting and tax services

there—not because they had to.”

mock interviews, and helping him

old construction helmet covered in

to employee benefit plans, labor or-

refine his resume. The ISCPA career

stickers and some residual grime.

ganizations, not-for-profit organiza-

titude for himself, getting involved

fair, which USF participates in, is

tions, and governmental entities.

in everything he could—not just

where he found his current job.

who I am,” he says.

“I didn’t really have a choice,”

Today he is the human resources

“I’m responsible for recruiting,

Finally the two of them attended

“At first I was scared, going back

Schomig adapted this same at-

Schomig’s USF education

going to class and working toward

hiring, employee reviews and all

his degree with blinders on. He

USF had to offer, and when I go

“I took full advantage of what

other facets of HR,” he says.

got involved in clubs, and became

back to campus I tell students to

“St. Francis was one of the three

Reminders are important—

“It’s dirty, but it’s still a part of Now and forever, so is USF.

A Year of Respect • 2014-2015

Educators Abroad COE ALUMNI TAKE TEACHING ON THE ROAD

ollege of Education alumna Amanda Welsh ’05, ‘09 lives in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong, SAR, China— a town that is about an hour from the bustling, populated area called Central, or Hong Kong Island. Kelsey Polte ‘10 is living in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and Elizabeth Buglya ‘14 resides in the historical water town of Suzhou, China, which is famous for its Chinese gardens. While thousands of miles, cultural differences, and varied educational systems separate these COE graduates, their passion for teaching, service leadership, and a sense of adventure bring commonality to their chosen careers while working as educators abroad. Each story is both fascinating and unique, providing a look at life and education in parts of the world that most people will never have an opportunity to experience.

Amanda Welsh

at a school that serves approximate-

traveled to New York City in March

Amanda Welsh works for an organi-

ly 850 students in grades 7-12.

of 2013 for an interview with the

zation called Po Leung Kuk, which

Hong Kong Education Bureau but

was created to help women and

she daydreamed about after college

was not immediately hired. Welsh

children who are victims of traffick-

but never had enough courage to

thought her dream had ended until

ing and domestic violence. Though

pursue. After meeting her husband,

she received an email one year later

she works for PLK, her official

she realized that her dream might

asking if she was still interested

employer is the Education Bureau

become a reality as he had traveled

in teaching abroad. That summer

of Hong Kong, and she is part of a

to Hong Kong on several occa-

was a whirlwind of activity, but her

teaching initiative called the NET

sions. Welsh created a profile with

family managed to fit their lives into

(Native-speaking English Teacher)

Teach Away while searching for

nine bags and landed in Hong Kong

Scheme. Welsh is currently teaching

high school teaching positions. She

on August 7, 2014.

Kelsey Polte

abroad after finishing her degree.

Kelsey Polte is employed as a middle

Immediately following graduation,

school math teacher at Sheikh

Polte prepared a profile with Teach

Zayed Private Academy, an all-girls

Away, but with little experience as a

K-12 private school that serves just

full time teacher, it was hard to find

over 1,400 students. Her path to

the right fit.

teaching abroad started while she

was still attending USF.

school in Dixon, Illinois. During her

second year, Polte received an email

During the summer of her

Teaching abroad is an idea that

AMANDA WELSH

She started teaching math at a

KELSEY POLTE

sophomore year, Polte traveled

from the Teach Away recruiter about

with family to Africa and found

an opportunity to teach in Abu Dhabi,

she wanted to immerse herself

United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). She

sented, Polte had a decision to make.

she “did” in her life and something

in the new culture. At that point,

researched the customs, culture, and

She knew it would be the difference

she “almost” did. She’s glad she chal-

she decided to pursue teaching

lifestyle, and once the offer was pre-

between something she would say

lenged herself.

University of St. Francis Magazine

For more information about the College of Education, call (800) 735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu/COE.

Elizabeth Buglya

rarely absent, rarely turn work in past

noted that one of the most reward-

to a larger world outside of the one I

Elizabeth Buglya began her teaching

due dates, and rarely ask to leave

ing things about her experience is

grew up in,” said Polte.

career a little later in life (see inset

the classroom. If they are sick, most

the ability to affect change.

story). She frequently found herself

students still attend class but wear a

abroad were quite different, each

searching for opportunities to travel

mask for protection. Students study a

education is something that was

educator feels confident that they

abroad. International teaching op-

total of 18 different subjects through-

not present prior to the union. I am

have found their calling in teach-

portunities kept surfacing, but most

out the year and are rigorously tested

part of an educational reform in the

ing around the world. Whether it’s

required both a university degree and

on 12 of them. Sports are considered

country, and it is amazing to see the

in Tuen Mun, Abu Dhabi, Suzhou

teaching license. Motivated to pursue

secondary, with academics being of

growth that the students make from

or places yet to be determined, the

her goal, Buglya began at University

utmost importance as students here

year to year. I have learned so much

important lesson these COE alums all

in Canada at age 25 with a plan to

know that without an education, life

about a culture that is misrepre-

know is that education is a journey,

ultimately teach at an International

will be hard.

sented in the United States. I am so

not a destination.

School. A series of career and life

lucky to have had my eyes opened

events landed her a position at

proved to be very rewarding for

Canadian International School

Buglya, Polte and Welsh, but there

in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

are still challenges. Buglya shared

that there are some drawbacks to

Franciscan Values in Education

was a fantastic place to live and work,

living overseas, noting specifically

Elizabeth Buglya, M.S. in Teaching and Learning

so Buglya arranged to bring her son

that things don’t always work out

over for the following school year as

the way one would have expected

he started 10th grade. Her son gradu-

or planned. In Vietnam she experi-

ated high school in Vietnam and

enced extremely hot temperatures,

is now in his second year studying

and the rainy season brought flood-

International Business Administration

ing. Buglya also noted that the lack

in Toronto.

of western-sized clothing and shoes

is a challenge throughout Asia.

After the first month, she knew it

Buglya currently works as an

Living and working abroad have

English as an Additional Language

(EAL) support teacher at Suzhou

hardest thing about moving abroad

Singapore International School.

was re-establishing myself in a place

The fully accredited IB World School

where no one knew anything about

serves 1,300 students of 40 nation-

me. At home, I had friends and fam-

alities.

ily that I had known most of my life.

According to Polte, “I think the

Moving to the U.A.E., I had a large support system but they were half Each of these three educators

a world away. At the beginning,

expressed how different teaching is

nothing felt normal. It was hard

in their current corner of the world

missing things that I would normally

compared to teaching in North

be home for: Thanksgiving, birth-

America. According to Welsh, “So

days, etc., but before I knew it, I had

much is incredibly different here. I’m

developed a new support system

not sure where to start, really.”

and a U.A.E. family.”

A few notable differences include

Even with its challenges, all three

things like students staying in one

alums agree that there is nothing

room with teachers moving from

like being immersed in a new cul-

class to class, and the overall respect

ture and living it day-to-day.

they demonstrate toward their teach-

ers. When Welsh enters or leaves the

has been teaching students who

classroom, all students stand and

are eager to learn everything I have

formally say good morning or good-

to teach them. Their work ethic is

bye. She also notes that students are

astounding,” Welsh said, while Polte

“I think the most rewarding thing

“UAE is 43 years old and formal

Though their paths to teaching

When I decided I wanted to pursue a master’s degree in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in ESL, I began looking at fully online options that were flexible, a good value, and offered interesting course options that suited my interests and needs. I needed fully online classes because I was living in Vietnam at the time. During my search, I came across University of St. Francis. Patricia Pierson, Graduate Advisor for M.S. Teaching and Learning, was so welcoming over email communications that I felt USF was the right fit for me. The university’s course offerings—especially Designing Effective Instruction, English as a Second Language (ESL) Methods and Materials, and Linguistics—really helped prepare me for my current role as an English as an Additional Language (EAL) support teacher. I also found the Service Learning course to be motivational, and I am looking forward to implementing some service learning into my ESL teaching. Living in China, the idea of self versus other is often at play. My preparation at USF has helped me view the world through a different lens. Many of the classes that I had the opportunity to take reflect the university’s core values of respect, compassion, service, and integrity; they helped me to think deeper about my relationships with others and the environment, and how I can help influence children in positive ways.

A Year of Respect • 2014-2015

Q&A

with LCON Alumna and Director of Medical Services at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital: Lisa Pittman ’00, ’10, ’13

Pittman was recently awarded with the Distinguished Leader for Innovative Thinking Award from Adventist Hinsdale Hospital.

What do you most enjoy

about working in health care?

There are two things I enjoy

How did receiving the

Never stop learning. A college

Distinguished Leader for Innovative

degree is something that no one

Thinking award impact you?

can ever take away from you. Build

on your knowledge and use it to

It had a huge impact on me,

I started bawling before I went

change the world.

on stage to accept it. In the three

years I was a manager at Hinsdale, my team and I were able to move

When did you know you

should seek to earn an advanced degree?

the most. One is the patients. I love

patient satisfaction from the 2nd

the feeling of helping someone as I

percentile to the 90th and staff

would want my own family member

satisfaction from the 9th to the

manager at Central DuPage

cared for. Second are the nurses. I

63rd percentile. We decreased

Hospital... that is where I started

have such a great respect for my

turnover from above the 20th

to love leadership and wanted to

profession and the hard work I see

percentile to around 10%, and

learn more. That is where I was

being done every day.

increased nursing certifications

working when I received my MHA.

it back to the school and soon after

from 3 to 21. We were also able to

I went back for an MSN while I was

the MSN in Nursing Administration

decrease incidental overtime from

a manager at Hinsdale because my

was made available and allowed me

166 hours a pay period to 60-70

highest nursing degree was an

to continue on.

hours per pay period. We changed

associate degree.

I credit him with that and am for-

a culture and that was more rewarding than any award I could receive

Naperville Ecumenical Center and

but the award did mean a lot to me,

professor or class?

ward my MSN, she was a mentor for

loved interacting with the elderly. I

it made me feel appreciated for all

me and I learned a lot from her.

originally thought I would major in

the hard work and effort.

When I was in the MHA program

Q: When did you know or realize nursing was a good career fit for you?

In high school I had an interest

in geriatrics; I volunteered at the

psychology and minor in geriatrics

When I was an assistant

ever grateful! I also really enjoyed Did you have a favorite Yes, I loved Dr. Robert Behling.

Dr. Susan Stowe when working to-

I expressed to him that I loved the

and then I realized nursing would

provide more opportunities for me.

would you give someone who

they should have something similar

is interested in health care

for nurses that would rather have a

administration?

higher degree in nursing. He took

What kind of career advice

MBA option after MHA, but I felt

Recent Faculty Scholarship Work • An abstract by Cheryl Brubaker, “Epigenetics of Post-Traumatic

”The Nurse Practitioner Role in the Prevention and Treatment of

American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics for the 2015

Dental Disorders,” has been accepted for a poster presentation at

Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in March.

the AANP 2015 National Conference from June 9-14, 2015, at

• An abstract by Dr. Lola M. Prince, “Human Trafficking & Sexual Exploitation Of Women & Girls: The Hidden Vulnerable” has been accepted for a poster presentation during the Inaugural Health & Human Trafficking Conference at Indiana Weslyean University on May 20, 2015.

• An abstract by Dr. Catherine Ferrario and Dr. Lola M. Prince,

Stress Disorder and PTSD in Women Veterans,” was accepted by the

University of St. Francis Magazine

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans.

For more information about the Leach College of Nursing, call (800) 735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu/LCON.

LCON Offers Accelerated Nurse Practitioner Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Are you a currently licensed Psychiatric Mental Health CNS and in need of your nurse practitioner certificate? Look no further. LCON is now taking applications for the CCNEaccredited, online, post-master’s PMHNP certificate! USF offers its students the following: •

Personal advising from the program director

•

Industry experienced faculty

•

Completion in as little as two semesters, pending previous coursework review and advisor approval

•

A $10,000 living stipend is available only for students who begin their studies in May 2015

Visit stfrancis.edu/PMHNP and submit your application today! All applications are reviewed on an individual basis and students can begin as soon as May. Students must be a resident of one of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Arizona, New Mexico, Iowa or Wisconsin.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Grant GO2HP27998. Title: “Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training for Professionals and Paraprofessionals.” Award amount: $326,541. This grant supports the University of St. Francis Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree with a focus on the behavioral and mental health needs of 16 to 25 year olds.

A Year of Respect • 2014-2015

The Fighting Saints

Gordie Gillespie

Remembering Gordie

ordie Gillespie, who

campaign as the winningest coach

his successor at St. Francis, Tony

by the Chicago Tribune as the head

spent 25 years of his

in college baseball at any level with

Delgado, announced his retire-

coach of the all-time Illinois prep

59-year coaching career

1,893 victories. He held the mark un-

ment, he returned to St. Francis to

football team.

as head baseball coach at University

til University of Texas’ Augie Garrido

begin a second stint as the Saints’

of St. Francis, passed away on Feb.

surpassed him in 2014.

head coach at the age of 79. During

the 1985 campaign to start the foot-

28 at his Joliet residence. He was 88.

the next six seasons (2006-2011),

ball program at St. Francis, which he

ball coaching career in 1953 as head

he guided USF to two Chicagoland

guided for eight years. He directed

school’s director of athletics (1976-

coach at Lewis University (then

Collegiate Athletic Conference

the Saints to winning seasons in

86), athletic chairman (1986-1995),

Lewis College), a post he held for 24

championships and one CCAC

each of their first six years and had

head football coach (1986-1993)

years. During his tenure, he directed

Tournament title. He also directed

the school in the NAIA national

and head women’s basketball coach

the Flyers to the NAIA World Series

the Saints to the Opening Round of

playoffs in just its second year as a

Gillespie also served as the

(1976-77).

“We were saddened to hear the

news of Coach Gillespie’s passing,” said Dave Laketa, University of St. Francis director of athletics. “Our

Gillespie began his college base-

Overall, in 110 sport seasons over the course of 59 years, Gillespie compiled a record of 2,402-1,170-8 (.672 average).

heartfelt sympathies go out to his

Gillespie left Joliet Catholic after

program in 1987.

Overall, in 110 sport seasons over

the course of the 59 years, Gillespie compiled a record of 2,402-1,170-8 (.672). In all, his teams failed to record at least a .500 mark on only

wife, Joan, and the entire Gillespie

eight times with national cham-

the NAIA National Tournament in

10 occasions. In five of those years,

family. I can speak for the many

pionships in each of his last three

each of his last two years. Gillespie

he fell just one win short of the

coaches, student-athletes, staff and

seasons, beginning in 1974. After

earned over 1,000 of his 1,893 wins

break-even point.

administrators that Coach Gillespie

finishing 5-9 in Gillespie’s debut

at St. Francis, eclipsing that number

touched at St. Francis in saying

season, Lewis did not post a losing

during the 2011 campaign.

numbers—the coaching seasons,

thanks to the Gillespie family for

record for the next 23 years.

victories and championships—but

sharing ‘Coach’ with us for so many

basketball for 15 years at Lewis

those pale in comparison to the

years. He left an indelible mark

Lewis, Gillespie began his first of two

and started the women’s basketball

lives he touched and made better,”

on all of us. The teachings that he

tenures as head baseball coach at

program in 1976 at St. Francis. In his

continued Laketa. “That’s the most

provided have been priceless and

St. Francis. During that 19-year run

15 years at Lewis, he had just two

important thing, and something that

something that we have carried with

under Gillespie, the Saints made

losing seasons and his inaugural St.

is lost in sport too much now at all

us and will continue to carry with

eight trips to the NAIA World Series

Francis women’s team posted an

levels.”

us throughout our lives. I am most

and, in 1993, claimed the national

11-7 record.

certain that today the Lord is telling

championship—the first in school

Chicago’s Kelvyn Park High School

Coach Gillespie, ‘Well done, good

history in any sport.

his baseball accomplishments, the

and DePaul University, where he

and faithful servant!’”

Gillespie legend may be even more

played basketball for Hall of Fame

World Series appearance in 1995 and

prominent in Joliet in the sport of

coach Ray Meyer. He also played

in four sports, including a highly-

moved to Ripon College, an NCAA

football. Despite the fact that he

college basketball at the University

successful tenure as head foot-

Division III school in Wisconsin,

never played the game, Gillespie

of Illinois and at Great Lakes Naval

ball coach for the Joliet Catholic

where he replaced his oldest son,

directed Joliet Catholic High School

Center while in the armed services.

High School (now Joliet Catholic

Bob—who was also Ripon’s director

to a 222-54-6 record and five Illinois

Academy) Hilltoppers from 1959-85.

of athletics—as the Red Hawks’ head

state championships during a re-

children through a previous mar-

While the coaching legend achieved

coach. He posted a 239-130 record

markable 27-year run. He may have

riage (Bob, Mike, Billie, Greg, Gordie

fame and success in coaching the

in 10 seasons and led Ripon to the

added even more state titles to his

Jr., Margaret Mary and Jackie) He

four sports, it is his record on the

NCAA DIII playoffs in six of his last

resume but the state playoff system

and Joan had a combined total of

baseball diamond for which he will

seven years.

was not put into place until 1974, his

40 grandchildren and 42 great-

be most remembered, as he retired

16th year on the Hilltoppers’ sideline.

grandchildren.

from St. Francis following the 2011

Gillespie’s long-time assistant and

Gillespie amassed 2,402 victories

University of St. Francis Magazine

Following the 1976 season at

Gillespie left St. Francis after a

In the spring of 2005, after

Gillespie also coached men’s

While he is known nationally for

In 1991, Gillespie was recognized

“You can be amazed by all the

Gillespie was a graduate of

Gillespie was the father of seven

“You can be amazed by all the numbers—the coaching seasons, victories and championships—but those pale in comparison to the lives he touched and made better.” —Dave Laketa, USF Director of Athletics

Gordie Gillespie 1926-2015 THE PASSING OF A LEGEND: USF Coach, Athletic Director and Friend

A Year of Respect • 2014-2015

The Fighting Saints

Katie Gonnering

USF’s Newest All-American A

nursing major with a 3.77 grade point average, senior Katie Gonnering was named to the Capital One Academic All-America College Division

Women’s Basketball Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). A Second-Team honoree, Gonnering leads NAIA Division II in scoring (24.7) and ranks second in the nation in offensive rebounding (5.3) and 12th in total rebounding (10.4). This was her third straight appearance on the Academic All-America Team, having been a First-Team selection in 2013 and Second-Team choice las year. Gonnering is a three-time NAIA All-American, having garnered honorable mention status as a freshman in 2012, Second-Team recognition in 2013 and Third-Team accolades last year (2015 awards will be announced as this publication is being printed). In the Saints’ 83-59 win over Trinity International University on Feb. 21, Gonnering set an NAIA Division II record with her 239th free throw of the year to surpass the previous national standard of 236. She also set a USF singleseason scoring record with her 689th point. At their last season game on Feb. 27, Gonnering paced the Saints with 10 points, all from the free throw line. With her 10 free throws, she finished her career with 702—the most in NAIA Division II women’s basketball history. Gonnering also increased her NAIA Division II season free throws made mark to 255 and raised her USF single-season scoring record to 720 points. St. Francis finished the season with a 17-15 record, following a 2-10 start to the season. Said head coach Samantha Quigley, “Katie is the definition of a student athlete—being a student first and foremost. She strives to be the best in everything she does and makes those around her want to be the best as well!”

Follow the Fighing Saints online at gofightingsaints.com You can also connect with our teams on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

University of St. Francis Magazine

Academic All-American

24.7average

points per game

10.4 average

rebounds per game

Staying Connected: Alumni News

Mary Frances Malinoski ’67

Alumna Embraces Franciscan Ideals

A LUM N I ASSO CIATIO N B OARD O F DIRECTO RS

t was the Franciscan sisters who

the United States. Malinoski and her

conceived the idea and developed

made Mary Frances Malinoski’s

classmates participated fully in the

the content of the kits: bottled

experience at USF so special. Now

dialogue, encouraged by the sisters

water, energy bars, some other

a lay educator of students from pre-

they so looked up to.

nutritional items, and a prayer.

school to 8th grade, she is carrying

on that legacy in northern Arizona.

person, you want to change the

teach the kids of San Francisco

world,” Malinoski says. “It was the

de Asis to meditate.

sisters who said, ‘Don’t just sit still

and talk about it. You have to do

she says. “We want to teach our

something about it. It was an

children that reciting prayers is good

exciting time to be in college. We

but it is also good to just talk to God,

were active and we always tried to

or sit silently and listen to God. We

do things in a Christian way.”

also want our kids to create their

own prayers.”

“When you start out as a young

So off they went, Malinoski and

Malinoski and her staff also

“It’s just another form of prayer,”

her friends, to a Baptist church in

Joliet to listen to a speech about

Malinoski institute Franciscan ideals

civil rights. Before it was over, rocks

in her school—to her students and all

were flying and they were forced to

the way home to their parents—she

run out the back door to their cars.

called upon USF’s Dean of Education

Later, encouraged by USF instruc-

John Gambro. And for her day-to-

tors, Malinoski, some fellow students

day struggles and victories, in her

and a social worker decided to visit

constant quest to do the right thing

de Asis Catholic School in Flagstaff,

a migrant farm to see what that

and change the world for the better,

Malinoski makes sure that “Catholic

world was all about.

she calls upon the memory and influ-

identity” speaks first and loudest,

ence of the sisters who shaped her as

specifically the Franciscan ideals:

were met by three men with rifles,

a student at USF in the volatile 1960s.

evangelization through action, joy

and they suggested that we move

of the Gospel, and tolerance in

on,” Malinoski says. “You might have

Malinoski says. “They were that

diversity. And yes, there is also a soft

the passion but you also have to

steady beam.”

spot for animals in the community.

know how to approach things and

how to make things better.”

unrefined passion were great for

blessing of the animals,” she says.

a student in her teens and early

“Everybody in town comes. Any

smaller, quieter gestures, one stu-

20s with not much on the line. But

animal you can think of will be at our

dent at a time. Her young students

things are different now. An entire

parish being blessed. We also make

go on retreats, and participate in

school, and a community, is looking

sure to have a mariachi band because

service projects that they create

to Malinoski to set that same ex-

of our large Hispanic population.”

on their own. This year the project

ample, and offer that same wisdom

involved handing out water kits to

that the sisters gave to her at USF.

graduated from USF in 1967 with a

the underserved members of the

degree in history and education. It

Flagstaff community. While the kids’

is, it’s the little things that change

was an era full of civil rights strug-

parents may actually distribute the

people,” she says. “I learned that

gles and changing social attitudes in

kits, the children are the ones who

from the sisters.”

The principal of San Francisco

“Father Pat, our pastor, loves the

Malinoski grew up in Joliet and

“When we got out of our cars we

She tries to do that now with

For materials that would help

“The sisters were always there,”

The fact-finding trips and the

“What you find out later in life

President Karen Ciarlette ‘94, ‘97 President-Elect Shawn Walsh ‘00 Vice President for Alumni Outreach Caryn Jakielski ‘03, ‘06 Vice President for Programs Caroline Portlock ‘02, ‘04 Vice President for Student Services Judy Bulat ‘72 Secretary Wihelmine Vidmar ‘68 Representative of the Sisters of St. Francis Sr. Lois Prebil, OSF ‘61 USF Administration Aubrey Knight ‘04, ‘07 Donna Eakle ‘09, ‘13 Student Representatives Kayla Madej Laura Mu~ noz Lopez Allison Sterka

GENER AL BOARD MEMBERS Dominique Annis ’00, ‘02 Luise A. Baldin ‘58 Matthew Bisek ‘10 Patricia Bracken ’73, ’86, ‘94 Sharon Dewart ‘78 Elmer F. Eddy ‘80 Jacqueline A. Edmonson ’63, ’88, ‘94 Laura Eggert ’09, ‘13 Joseph Ferrallo ’85, ’06, ‘07 Ysenia Gallegos ‘13 H. Richard Hagen, J.D., ’90 Linda M. Kilroy ‘72 Eric Lawhead ‘07 Lynley Louzensky ‘10 Erika Martinez ‘11 Frances H. Naal Sczepaniak ‘58 Jan Novotny ‘67 L. Scott Pekol ‘99 Candice Quinerly ‘10 Alan Randolph ‘07 Corey Richardson ‘09 Susan Rogina ’94, ‘99 Keith Schomig ‘13 Anne-Christine Tompkins ‘14 STAY I N TO U C H Send news and class notes to alumni@stfrancis.edu or call 877-811-ALUM. To read about what other alumni and old friends have been doing, visit stfrancis.edu/alumni/success-stories

A Year of Respect • 2014-2015

Staying Connected: Alumni News

Michael McGreal ’01

Chef’s Kind Hospitality Gets Him Ahead

hef Michael McGreal’s

person’s quality of life in the process.

adult education journey

two huge opportunities presented

When McGreal arrived in Joliet,

of a fit for USF as USF was for him.

was a little bit like the

Opportunity number two pre-

McGreal obviously was as a good

themselves to him. He had been

sented itself while McGreal was still

Before he ever set foot in a USF class-

multi-course meals he teaches his

teaching at JJC for about two years

cooking for Cheryl. A USF represen-

room he knew the importance of

students to create. It was varied,

when the first one came along.

tative visited JJC to talk to students

working hard and helping others in

and sometimes surprising, and in

about continuing their education

need. He also saw that spirit in action

the end it was completely satisfying.

named Cheryl who had terminal

and receiving a bachelor’s degree

dozens of times as a USF student.

USF was the savory main course, or

cancer. She had been given six

from USF. The representative asked

perhaps the decadent dessert. Either

weeks to live, and because of her

McGreal where his bachelor’s was

his car after class and noticed that

way, it was the highlight.

family’s extensive cancer history she

from and he had to admit that he

he had a flat tire. To make matters

McGreal started this journey

had no reason to doubt the progno-

did not have one, despite constantly

worse, it was a day when he had for-

after graduating from Brother Rice

sis. Cheryl was looking for a chef to

encouraging his culinary students

gotten his gloves. As he positioned

High School on the southwest side

cook healthy, delicious meals for her

go on and pursue theirs after JJC.

his jack and ratcheted up his car, a

of Chicago. From there he was off to

in the short time she had to live.

USF security officer approached him.

Northern Illinois University in DeKalb

Janine Hicks was calling him from

to study veterinary medicine. For

was rail thin and as nice as a person

USF. McGreal liked the idea of earn-

helped me change the tire with no

extra money, he took a job in the

could be, and he promised to put

ing a bachelor’s degree but did not

gloves on his own hands,” McGreal

school’s food service program and

her in touch with one of his stu-

think he could afford it at the time.

says. “That’s how it is there—people

after two short years he had risen to

dents. On the drive home from that

When Hicks told him about the

are friendly. At many other colleges

banquet chef for the entire university.

meeting, it hit him.

Adult Continuing Education Award

and universities people will give you

scholarship, he related his story

directions if you walk into someone’s

His interest shifted. Cooking

It was a message from a woman

McGreal met with Cheryl, who

“I thought, ‘My career has been

The next thing McGreal knew,

One cold day he walked out to

“He gave me his gloves and then

was fun, and rewarding. McGreal no

so good to me and I have had so

about cooking for Cheryl and he

office and ask for them. As USF peo-

longer wanted to take care of sick

many opportunities, and if I can’t help

won the scholarship. He now holds

ple stop you in the hallway and say,

animals. Now he wanted to feed

someone for six weeks that would be

a bachelor’s of science in Applied

‘Do you need help with anything?’”

people, and feed them well. So the

pretty sad,’” McGreal recalls. The next

Organizational Management from

next stop on his adult education

day he called Cheryl to say that he

USF’s College of Business and Health

Washburne, an associate’s degree

journey was back in Chicago at

would be happy to cook for her. He

Administration.

was the norm for people working

Washburne Culinary & Hospitality

sourced only organic ingredients and

in the restaurant and hospitality

Institute, where he received his for-

created delicious meals for Cheryl,

cry when they read my scholarship

industry, and a bachelor’s degree in

mal education in the art of cooking.

and four weeks later her doctor dis-

application,” McGreal says. “I really

culinary arts was not even available.

covered that her cancer cells had not

feel like attending USF was meant

that I wanted to stick with this as my

multiplied. Two weeks later—same

to be for me. Just as I was caring for

tains one of the finest culinary arts

career and not just as something to

story. Two years later, McGreal cooked

someone I didn’t know at the time,

programs in the country, the most

make money,” says McGreal, who

for Cheryl’s 50th birthday. He cooked

USF was doing the same for me.”

advanced degree possible is an asso-

is now the department chair for

for her 51st. Her 52nd. Her 53rd.

ciate’s. So when McGreal encourages

the Culinary Arts program at Joliet

people at USF kept tabs on him even

his students to further their educa-

Junior College. Before landing at

arrangement Cheryl told McGreal

after he received the scholarship.

tion and be lifelong learners, he

JJC in 1996 he had gained signifi-

that she was healthy now and could

They cared about his success, he

recommends USF as their next stop.

cant experience in the restaurant

cook for herself. She returned to nor-

says—not just about putting another

industry—from working at the highly

mal food, and a little more than six

student in a seat.

that going to USF was the best

acclaimed Everest Room in down-

months later, she died. Six weeks had

experience I have ever had,”

town Chicago under the tutelage of

turned into almost six years. What

attitude of ‘You’re an adult now so if

legendary chef Jean Joho, to open-

a gift McGreal had been given—the

you don’t turn in an assignment or

ing a restaurant in Chicago’s Beverly

opportunity to help someone in

study for an exam, it’s your own fault,’”

neighborhood, where he grew up.

need, and dramatically increase that

McGreal says. “It’s not that way at USF.”

“I came home when I realized

University of St. Francis Magazine

About 5 ½ years into their

“Janine tells me that they still

McGreal recalls how various

“Most colleges often have the

When McGreal graduated from

Today, even though JJC main-

“I tell my students all the time

McGreal says.

USF Career Success Center DID YOU KNOW that the USF Career Success Center offers many services for students and alumni? The office assists students with assessments, resumes, cover letters, career counseling and mock interviews. It also provides students and alumni access to updated job boards and an optimal resume service. If you’re not job searching yourself, consider hiring a USF grad or intern!

Said one employer, “In this challenging economy, our of-

fice is approached by hundreds of interns on a yearly basis. St. Francis really understands how to prepare its students to not only thrive at growing companies, but also how to present well in front of clients. We will definitely be continuing to reach out to St. Francis for future interns.”

Added another, “Late last year I received approval to hire

two interns this coming year. Why? Because of two students who had previously been sent to me by the USF Career Success Center. Their performance resurrected our college internship program, which had been put on hold since 2007.

“I really feel like attending USF was meant to be for me. Just as I was caring for someone I didn’t know at the time, USF was doing the same for me.”

What can you do in the future? Keep sending well-prepared students. You did an outstanding job preparing your graphic design and media arts students.“

—Micheal McGreal

McGreal (center) with Director of Alumni & Family Relations Aubrey Knight and USF President Arvid Johnson.

A Year of Respect • 2014-2015

Staying Connected: Alumni News

Donovan Zielke ’88

USF Prepares Alum for the World

ince his days at USF,

he was not much of a threat to his

entrepreneurial voice was calling

Donovan “Chip” Zielke

competition.

and eventually he started his own

has logged his share

“I could never hold my own

company, Circle Athletics, based in

of miles. He has enjoyed careers

against the top athletes out there,”

Plainfield. Circle sold all manner of

as a professional bowler, a coach

he says. But he knew the game,

bowling products, and eventually

living in the Middle East, a market-

having grown up in it, first at Strike

merged with a company in Texas.

ing professional in the Midwest

and Spare II in Lockport and then

While this marked the end of Zielke’s

and Pacific Northwest, and now he

at Town & Country Lanes in Joliet.

bowling business connection, it

runs his own consultant business in

Many summers he worked as an

certainly was not the end of his

southern California.

on-lane coach at professional bowl-

business career.

ing camps, and he became highly

very reason Zielke chose USF was

respected for that work. It was

(pronounced “z cubed”) Strategy, a

to stay close to home, and remain

from this experience that he was

business consulting firm specializing

connected to his family and friends.

offered an opportunity to coach the

in global brand development and

He had contemplated attending the

national bowling team of Bahrain.

product launches. Zielke credits his

in the area and not go out of state

University of Nevada, Las Vegas,

While he had never traveled out

USF professors, specifically Michael

for college. USF can provide a variety

but after much soul searching USF

of the country, he saw it as a way

LaRocco, for opening his eyes to the

of experiences while keeping pace

became his choice. One of the main

of expanding his knowledge, and

dynamics and creative possibilities

academically with other similarly

reasons he stayed was the relation-

for the next two years he lived and

of marketing. Zielke started his USF

sized universities.”

ship he had with his father, who

coached in the Middle East.

career with an accounting-heavy

operated a local business and asked

class load, and that has served him

landed him in a nice little spot in the

his son to stay home and help run it.

States in the mid-1990s, he worked

very well professionally. But his later

sun. He lives with his wife Kathy and

“Staying connected to family, friends

for many of the companies within

marketing classes introduced him to

their daughter Anna, who came up

and your environment, I think, is a

the bowling industry. When a posi-

a whole new side of business.

with her father’s company name, “Z

really big deal,” says Zielke, a native

tion opened up at the Brunswick

cubed,” in Laguna Niguel, a town in

of Lockport and a graduate of Joliet

Corporation, it offered him a

USF was my marketing course with

southern California’s Orange County.

Catholic High School. “With my dad’s

move back to the Midwest, and

Mike LaRocco,” Zielke says. “He was

For someone so connected to his

business and many of my friends go-

an opportunity to be near family

a great instructor and it just inspired

family and friends—and the Joliet

ing to USF, it was a natural fit for me.”

once again. Zielke became director

me to think about things in new

area—the initial move to the west

of marketing for the company’s con-

ways, from a marketing perspective.”

coast required an adjustment period.

season in life, and where you go

sumer products division, and during

from there is quite another. Career

his tenure he helped launch a new

Zielke’s mind, he says his entire

years now and it truly has become

choices can take you places you

product called Viz-A-Ball, the world’s

experience at USF was memorable,

our home,” Zielke says via telephone

would never imagine. After gradu-

first bowling ball with a graphic im-

mostly because the university pro-

on a chilly day in early March when

ating from USF with a degree in

age on it.

vided an academic climate that was

temperatures in Joliet hovered in

business in 1988, Zielke joined the

personal and human in scale.

the 30s. “As with any move, it takes

Midwest regional professional bowl-

was the return to the Professional

time to get connected and rooted.

ing tour and spent his time traveling

Bowlers Tour, but not as an athlete

campus, as opposed to going

I can honestly say one of the best

the United States competing against

this time. He was hired to be the

to a large university such as the

aspects of California living is the

the best in the sport. Although he

vice president of marketing and

University of Illinois,” Zielke says.

climate. I definitely do not miss the

was likely better at bowling than

business development. While he

“I would recommend USF to any

cold of Joliet. It’s going to be about

anyone reading this story, he says

truly enjoyed the experience, his

prospective student wishing to stay

80 degrees here today.”

It is a bit ironic because the

However, college is just one

University of St. Francis Magazine

When he returned to the United

The next step in Zielke’s career

Today he is the owner of Zii3

“Probably my favorite course at

While that class stands out in

“I enjoyed being on a smaller

Zielke’s latest work relocation has

“We’ve been out here for eight

Cheryl McCarthy ’86

Superintendent is Natural Leader

s the superintendent

she was working side by side with

achieve their goal of providing each

of Joliet Township

the previous superintendent. When it

student with their own personal

High School (JTHS)

came time to hire the new superin-

netbook computer, which is used for

District #204, USF alumna Dr.

tendent, Cheryl fit the bill perfectly.

homework and research in school

Cheryl McCarthy is a true leader to

and at home. “The planning and

educators across the community.

Cheryl is very excited about the

implementation was not easy, but

“Leadership has always been a part

progress JTHS has made. “It’s com-

it was definitely worth it. We are

of my life,” says Cheryl. “Even as a

mon to hear people grumble, ‘Kids,

transforming the way we teach to

young girl I was always drawn to

these days!’ but I am not at all afraid

accommodate a more personalized

leaders. I was always helping or ob-

for the future,” says Cheryl. “We held

approach to learning.”

serving the leaders in my life or I was

a student forum that allowed for a

taking initiative and stepping into

panel of students to ask myself and

also slowly being fused into tradition-

that leadership role very early on.”