2017–2018 Issue 1
Music and Performing Arts at USF
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Bigger Thinking—STILL Rooted in the Liberal Arts
Those of you who have been on campus in the past few years know that we also have many students and community members engaged in the performing arts and in our visual arts program, which was
Dear Members of the USF Family,
featured about a year ago in this magazine. However, because this issue focuses on music at our university,
Welcome to the latest issue of “Engaging Mind and
I’d encourage you to join us in celebrating our
Spirit”—our University of St. Francis magazine and
many vocal and instrumental ensembles! More
one way that we strive to remain connected to you:
importantly, please consider attending some of the
our alumni, our friends, our parents, our employees,
many “Music at Moser” performances that are
and our supporters…in short, our USF family.
offered each semester. (You’ll likely see me there, and if you do, please be sure to say “hi!”)
As I noted at this point last year, our mission statement
Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D. President University of St. Francis
begins “As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal
So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy
arts”—that means our university is up front about
this latest update about what’s happening at your
the fact that we aspire to educate the whole student
USF. And, as always, please know that I continue to
with not only the depth of knowledge necessary
consider myself incredibly blessed to serve as your
in their major fields of study, but also the breadth of
president and promise to work hard to earn the trust
knowledge that will prepare them to live a full and
that you have placed in me.
fulfilling life. Peace and all good things, Again, as I noted last year at this point, our General Education (“GenEd”) curriculum seeks to ensure that every student receives a well-rounded education— one that includes literacy, literary inquiry and aesthetic awareness, numerical understanding and scientific inquiry, historical understanding, social awareness, philosophical inquiry and religious foundations—in other words, all the things that will prepare our students to be responsible, contributing members of society both today and into the (unknown and unpredictable) future. Yes, even in the 21st century, we remain committed to “aesthetic awareness” and consider our graduates to be more fully prepared as a result! Why are we returning to this topic/theme—one year later—in my column and in this issue writ large? First of all, it remains an important, mission-critical part of who we are. As importantly and more directly, I wanted to assure you that the liberal arts are alive and well and thriving at USF. Indeed, this issue of “Engaging Mind & Spirit” provides ample evidence of that.
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Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
IN TH IS IS S U E
Engaging Mind & Spirit is published three times each academic year. Feedback is welcomed and can be sent to Julie Futterer ’93, Director of Marketing Services: 815-740-3826 or jfutterer@stfrancis.edu. Content Julie Futterer Dave Laketa Katie Smith Luke Tanaka Other USF Employees, students & friends
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Imagery Cherry Hill Studio Danielle Conrad ’17 Jessica Conte Julie Futterer Other USF Employees, students & friends
F EATUR E S TO RY
USF’s Halls are Alive with the Sound of Music
Design Adam Middleton
2 USF NEWS
Printing & Distribution Courier Graphics / CEREUS—Phoenix
3 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 8 COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
9 COLLEGE OF BUSINESS &
9
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
10 COLLEGE OF EDUCATION 11 LEACH COLLEGE OF NURSING
12 T HE FIGHTING SAINTS
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Please help us in our efforts to reduce waste. If this is an incorrect address for the intended recipient, if you no longer wish to receive this publication, or want to receive it electronically, contact Christina Kuzava at 815-740-4287 or ckuzava@stfrancis.edu to update your records.
13 FAITH, MISSION & DIVERSITY 14 GIVING BACK 15 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
STAYING CONNECTED
3 ON THE COVER Equipment in DARA’s state-of-the-art lab is used by eager music production students. PHOTO BY DANIELLE CONRAD ’17
Our Mission As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and charism, engaged in a continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice, and ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes reverence for creation, compassion, and peace-making. We strive for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.
A Year of Service / 2017–2018
University of St. Francis 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, Illinois 60435 800-735-7500 / stfrancis.edu
USF N EWS
USF Recognized by MONEY Magazine and Colleges of Distinction The University of St. Francis was ranked for the
of Admissions and Enrollment
Colleges for Your Money” list. USF proudly placed
Services, to the university’s
among the top 30 private master’s institutions in the
leadership team. Wignall comes to
nation and first in the state of Illinois.
St. Francis after serving as the vice
The study utilizes research on education quality,
president for enrollment manage-
financing and value to determine the 711 colleges
ment for the past seven years at
and universities that made the list. Factors within these
Ancilla College in Plymouth, Ind.
categories include instructor and peer quality, net
Wignall was influential in doubling
price of a degree and graduate earnings. Placing 234
Ancilla’s enrollment, creating
overall, the listing highlights USF’s generous financial
new academic programs and
aid benefits and strong graduation rate as major assets
expanding the athletic presence at
to the university. Ninety-nine percent of students
the Catholic junior college.
receive some kind of financial aid, including the 86%
Prior to Ancilla, Wignall served in
who receive merit based grants.
faculty and staff roles at
“The University of St. Francis is pleased that its
Valparaiso University, Purdue
commitment to student success—whether in terms of
University-Calumet and Governor’s
retention and graduation rates or in terms of in-field
State University.
job placement—continues to be recognized in national
rankings such as these,” commented USF President
sity dedicated to enhancing
to the world through service and leadership is not only essential to our mission but also a critical part of
our value proposition.”
rankings is exciting, the most important indicators
of our success as educators are that our students have
“While being recognized for our quality in these
College of Distinction. The university was honored for
a great learning experience, graduate and find jobs
its nursing, business and education programs in
that launch their careers,” said Johnson. “We achieve
addition to receiving the Catholic College distinction.
this by being a welcoming community of learners
This is the sixth consecutive year that USF has been
committed to serving those who aspire to serve
recognized by Colleges of Distinction for outstanding
others. As a campus of doers, we provide our students
contributions to higher education.
with an ethic of care that allows them to be their
best selves.”
Colleges of Distinction seeks out colleges and
“I am honored to serve at the
University of St. Francis, a univer-
Arvid Johnson, Ph.D. “Preparing students to contribute
USF was also proud to be named a 2017–18
In August, USF welcomed Eric Wignall, new Vice President
first time by MONEY magazine in its annual 2017 “Best
USF WELCO M ES N E W V I CE PRESIDENT OF ADM ISSIONS
universities whose curriculum emphasizes critical
St. Francis strives to provide its students with a
thinking, writing, presentation skills, research
variety of learning opportunities both inside and
and global perspectives. Honored colleges have
outside the classroom. Students are challenged to put
distinguished themselves in those four areas and have
their education to the test by participating in intern-
a demonstrated dedication to enriching student
ships, work-study opportunities and research projects,
outcomes through innovative learning opportunities.
in addition to their standard curriculum. USF also offers study abroad programming in several locations around the globe and hosts many international students throughout the school year.
student lives and providing amazing educational opportunities,” Wignall said. “I look forward to working together with the faculty, staff, and students to deliver a compelling vision of what the university offers to the widest possible audience. The more people learn about St. Francis, the more students will want to join this community and build their knowledge and future here.”
“We are excited to have Eric
join the University of St. Francis team,” said USF President Arvid Johnson. “He brings a wealth of experience, a creative mindset, and a ‘can-do’ attitude to this important role.”
Wignall has a degree in history
from the University of Essex in Colchester, England and degrees in history and political science 2
Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
from Indiana State University.
In May, Mayor of Joliet Bob O’Dekirk presented the University of St. Francis with the City of Joliet’s 12th annual Joliet Historic Preservation Award in celebration of Preservation Month.
“As Joliet’s university, the University of St. Francis is particularly pleased
with this recognition by and our long-time partnership with the City of Joliet,” said Arvid Johnson, USF president. “Our mission calls us to be a ‘welcoming community of learners’ and that includes ensuring that our facilities and grounds support and complement that mission. As we plan and build for our future, the university looks forward to working with the City of Joliet and the Cathedral Area Preservation Association to continue our commitment to a welcoming environment.”
USF was honored for renovations made at the St. Clare Campus.
Guardian Angel Hall, the main building there, was previously known in Joliet as the “Guardian Angel Home.” It was built in 1925 and dedicated in 1926 by Cardinal Mundelein as a home for orphaned and dependent children. The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, USF’s founders, operated and staffed the home and its social service agencies for nearly 90 years until the University of St. Francis bought the property and buildings from the congregation in 2014.
CALENDAR OF EV EN TS
USF RECEIVES J O L I E T ’ S HI S T O RI C PRES ERVAT IO N AWA RD
September 2017 23
Choro de Lá pra Cá with Singer Dill Costa (Music at Moser)
30
First Annual Music Collage Concert (Music at Moser)
October 1–6
Ss. Francis & Clare Week with Daily Events on Campus (University Ministry)
1
USF Family Mass (University Ministry)
7–8
Homecoming & Reunion Weekend (Alumni)
7
Annual Alumni Network Meetings (Alumni)
Distinguished Alumni Dinner & Awards Ceremony (Alumni) “The Fortunate Sons”—Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute Band (Alumni)
9
Bernie Campus Visit Day (Admissions)
10
Transfer, Adult Undergraduate, and Graduate Open House (Admissions)
12
Accounting Alumni Reunion (Alumni)
13
Day of Giving (Institutional Advancement)
14
Technology for Teachers: Teaching & Learning in 1:1 Environments (Alumni)
18
Student Alumni Mentoring (SAM) Induction Dinner (Alumni)
28
Freshman and Transfer Nursing Campus Visit Day (Admissions)
30
Faculty Recital: Pianist Jiafeng Yan (Music at Moser)
Exhibit Opening—Chris Hodge, through Dec. 5 (Art Gallery)
November 2
Alumnae Volleyball Reunion (Alumni)
5
Freshman Campus Visit Day (Admissions)
9
Business Alumni & Student Speed Networking Event (Alumni)
9–11
Fall Play: “Boy Gets Girl” by Rebecca Gilman (Music at Moser)
14
Transfer Registration (Admissions)
16
Alumni Trip to See “Hamilton” (Alumni)
17
Vocal Jazz Featuring the Swingin’ Saints (Music at Moser)
18
26th Annual St. Francis Writers’ Conference (Department of English and Foreign Languages)
28
Fall Student Recital 1 (Music at Moser)
30
USF Society Lunch Event (Institutional Advancement)
December 1–2
Christmas at the Motherhouse: “Gaudete!” (Music at Moser)
2
Breakfast with Santa (Alumni)
3
Christmas Caroling Service Day (Alumni)
5
Student Recital II (Music at Moser)
9
Alumni Network Meetings (Alumni)
9–10
Joliet Symphony Orchestra at USF: “Christmas Classics—Into the Woods” (Music at Moser)
16
Winter Commencement
January 2018
The university was honored for a complete interior renovation and
adaptive re-use of the Guardian Angel Hall building, including preservation
9
Exhibit Opening—Illinois High School Art Competition, through Jan. 23 (Art Gallery)
12
Alumni Blackhawks Game (Alumni)
13
Joliet Symphony Orchestra Family Concert: Peter and the Wolf (Music at Moser)
20
Illinois High School Art Competition Reception and Awards (Art Gallery)
27
61st Annual Caritas Scholarship Ball (Institutional Advancement)
of the main interior hallways, and significant improvements to the
February
surroundings such as new parking lots, storm water detention and
3
Freshman Scholarship Competition (Admissions)
landscaping. An emphasis was also placed on including and highlighting
Akropolis Reed Quintet: On the Town (Music at Moser)
native plants on the three acres of green space there, to preserve the
8
LaVerne & Dorothy Brown Science Hall Dedication (Institutional Advancement)
19
Bernie Campus Visit Day (Admissions)
natural Illinois plant habitat and showcase its beauty. In an addition to native plants, the university planted butterfly milkweed to nurture and stimulate a decreasing butterfly population.
For more detailed information or to confirm any changes that may occur with these scheduled events, visit stfrancis.edu/usf-calendar.
A Year of Service / 2017–2018
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USF’s Halls are Alive with the Sound of Music R
ecently retired music faculty member and chairperson Dr. Patrick Brannon has seen the
Department of Music and Performing Arts transform significantly over the course of the last
THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. FRANCIS HAS A LONG HISTORY, STARTING DURING ITS ALL-WOMEN’S COLLEGE DAYS AND CONTINUING THROUGH THE CO-ED CAMPUS CULTURE OF TODAY.
25 years. Brannon, who retired this spring, was hired in 1992 to help rebuild the music program
after support and interest for music and the arts had been declining. He and long-time art instructor Karen Kietzman ’66 became co-chairs for the department and were the nucleus of the arts program.
In addition to teaching music appreciation, history and theory full-time, Brannon’s duty was to recruit voices for a new choir called the Schola Cantorum, which means “school of singing.” Brannon sought
out a range of good soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices, and aimed for a variety in repertoire that included Gregorian chant, contemporary pieces, and everything in between. Membership ranged from 16 voices in the first year to as many as 42 at one point.
The group’s first concerts were held in Alverno Hall on the third floor of Tower Hall, where the registrar’s and financial aid offices are now located. In 1993, Schola’s second year, the Moser Performing Arts
Center opened. Concerts were performed in the James and Patricia Sexton Auditorium and Sue Manner Turk Theater. When St. Joseph Chapel in the Motherhouse was renovated, the group started performing there as well, especially at Christmastime. 4
Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
“We would start and end in the dark, with
candlelight. It became a lovely tradition. There
would be times I’d be conducting and something would just click—you could just feel something
special happening in the room that would send a
chill down your spine. In those moments, I’d think
‘this is the best job anyone could ever have,’”
Brannon said of Schola’s annual Christmas at the Motherhouse concerts.
Kietzman left in 1999, and Brannon became the
department’s sole chairperson. In 2004, he hired
a second full-time music instructor, vocalist Clarice Hearne, who came with a wealth of experience
as a founding member of Music of the Baroque and a voice in the Lyric Opera and Chicago Symphony Orchestra choruses. Hearne and Brannon worked extremely well together.
Said Brannon, “Clarice had the most incredible
talent for opening young voices. We had a great
partnership and I have the greatest respect for her.”
When the university’s visual arts program moved to
Including those in the DARA OS ensemble,
took the initiative to expand music program
Arts staff for students in that program, there
a space in downtown Joliet, Brannon and Hearne offerings and helped develop the university’s first music major. When it was introduced, Brannon
and Hearne also felt it was important to develop an instrumental ensemble, and the Joliet Symphony Orchestra ( JSO) at USF was born.
The dynamic duo also started the Singing Saints and Concert Chorale choirs, and re-instituted
the spring musical. The Swingin’ Saints vocal jazz
ensemble came later, and this year, a Jazz Chamber Ensemble will also take the stage after being
established by former Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Bob Kase, a Grammy-nominated
musician. Finally, while it’s more of a club than an ensemble, Saints on Stage is the theater group
that produces the fall play and spring musical, and students get credit for participation.
which was created by the Digital Audio Recording are currently more than 125 participants in all of the groups. All students on campus are welcome to
join or audition for any ensemble for course credit, and some even receive scholarships. Most theater productions, the JSO and Concert Chorale
are open to members of the local community in addition to students.
“There has been a very concerted effort to raise the stature of the music program and to get more
students and people from the community involved.
We want people to know we are a ‘happening’ place where music is concerned,” said Brannon.
The seasonal performances of the ensembles,
student and faculty recitals, plays and musicals, and an exciting lineup of external performers are the
foundation of the Music at Moser Performing Arts CO NT I NU E D O N T H E NE X T PAG E
A Year of Service / 2017–2018
5
Series at USF. A new addition to the schedule this year will be a “Collage Concert” on September 30. It will include performances by USF’s ensembles,
solos by students and faculty members, and a silent auction to raise money for an acoustic shell to
expand the stage and allow for more impactful collaborations.
Also this year, the JSO’s winter and spring concerts, respectively, will include the performance of 2017 JSO Composition Competition winner Chris
Lowry’s “A Cypress Prelude,” and a performance by 2016–17 JSO Concerto Competition winners
Kayla Cabrera, viola (junior division) and Anna
Valcour, soprano (senior division). Finally, the JSO will perform its first-ever free family concert
on Jan. 13, performing Prokofiev's “Peter and the Wolf ” and then allowing children to try playing various orchestral instruments.
THE CURRENT SCORE
While ensembles are a great way to showcase
student talent, St. Francis offers two academic
programs for those more serious about learning
music theory and performance. The first and most popular, according to current music department chair and Director of Orchestral Activities Alexandra Dee, is the B.A. in Music with
concentrations including Generalist in Music and Digital Audio Recording Arts. The second is a
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Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
“
Our philosophy is to create 21st century musicians.
”
B.M. in Music Performance with concentrations in
experiences, starting with Jeffrey Ray, who has sung
minor, which can be easily combined with many
Bulls and Cubs and has performed with the Lyric
Guitar, Piano and Voice. USF also offers a music non-music majors, and all students on campus, experienced or not, are welcome to register for private lessons in voice, piano, guitar or any
orchestral instrument. The goal of all the programs is to send students into the world as well-rounded
musicians with varied skills that will allow them to build successful careers.
“Our philosophy is to create 21st century musicians. This means they have an entrepreneurial spirit,
combined with a comfort with technology and
diverse kinds of music. An individual student might be focused primarily in traditional classical music, jazz, or musical theater, but we want to make sure they have enough skills to function competently across genres,” expressed Dee.
Courses are taught by two full-time faculty
members, Dee and newly-hired Director of Choral Activities Paul Laprade, with approximately 15
adjuncts. Some instructors had some impressive
the National Anthem for the Bears, Blackhawks, Opera of Chicago, at Carnegie Hall and at the
Ravinia Festival. Willard Thomen, like Hearne, was also a member of the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra Chorus. Laprade has had an impressive career that includes taking choirs to the White
House to perform for three different presidents, and Dee debuted this past February with the
Joffrey Ballet, conducting members of the Chicago Philharmonic at Chicago’s Auditorium Theater.
And though he didn’t teach music, Bob Kase also
contributed something quite special during his time at USF. After realizing USF didn’t have an alma
mater that was sung at graduation or alumni events, he wrote one. He wanted the song to bring a
feeling of nostalgia and remembrance of USF. He wrote the music and lyrics, harmonized it for
a full choir, and orchestrated it for a full symphony orchestra. He used the same process to compose a pep band instrumentation for the fight song
that is now performed at all USF athletic events. Current Vice President of Student & Alumni
Affairs Damon Sloan has become the “voice” of the
generously donated her husband’s
on orientation day and also at graduation—
to USF. At the same time, the
alma mater, singing it faithfully to new freshmen
reminding students that it will be the first and last song they hear as a Fighting Saint. THE DIGITAL AGE: DARA
Like all things, music has gone digital. The Digital Audio Recording Arts (DARA) program at
USF got its start in the music department, but in 2015, it became an independent major with four concentrations including Audio Engineer,
Music Industry Entrepreneur, Recording Artist and User Generated Content Development.
Said Dee, “DARA is a big standout for our school. Even if music students don’t select the DARA concentration, they’re still able to take DARA courses, in which they use state-of-the-art
equipment and learn highly marketable and useful skills.”
It is not difficult to see who is responsible for the program’s success. No stranger to the music
personal recording studio equipment university’s Academic Technology
Committee was accepting proposals for new equipment, and that’s how DARA obtained its first
computers and music hardware. The program took residence in the
old art department space on the fourth floor of Tower Hall, and DARA was official.
The unique thing about the DARA major is that it coaches students
to be musicians, engineers AND
entrepreneurs. The program took on an entrepreneurial focus, which parents really liked, according
to Jaskowiak. Interface with the
College of Business & Health Administration was what made it work, giving students more skills in marketing and business.
industry, DARA Program Director Jeff Jaskowiak
Said Jaskowiak, “Students have to like to make
studio in his home. His own interest in music was
to make a living doing it. Learning how to make a
plays and teaches guitar and has a recording
the seed from which the entire DARA program has blossomed.
“A former USF administrator saw my home
studio one day and asked, ‘Why doesn’t the school have a studio like this?’ Then when Bob Kase
became our dean, I showed it to him and he urged
music, but they also have to figure out how
go of it as a lifetime career is an art. That’s the
reason the program works so well. No other schools bundle coursework like we do. Our balance of
musicianship with technical and entrepreneurial components is unlike anything offered at any other school.”
me to write the coursework for the DARA major.
There are currently 28 DARA majors but the
was approved in November of 2009, and the
Jaskowiak and Alby Odum, who started as
I created the original ten courses. The curriculum
concentration was available in 2010,” said Jaskowiak. Donations helped get the DARA program off
the ground, including the very first gift of a mixing console, wiring, soundproofing materials and
a sound booth from the wife of a music lover
named Bryan Mitchell, who passed away in spring of 2010. Through a friend of a friend, Jaskowiak was introduced to Mitchell’s wife, Mary, who
goal is 60 or even 80. They are taught full-time by an adjunct in 2011 and went full-time in 2016. They are joined by adjunct professors Natalie
Caballero, Adam Hill, Linnea McCracken ’10 and some classes are taught by Anthony Musiala,
USF’s WCSF 88.7 FM radio station director.
DARA’s “digs” on campus consist of a tracking room, where musicians perform and where
instruments are housed; a control room, where
the mixing console lives and where signals from the tracking room are received; and the lab, where
production work takes place on computers. With state-of-the-art tools such as Pro-Tools, Ableton and more, Jaskowiak feels USF’s computers
are some of the best available for music production. Said Jaskowiak, “I really love being at St. Francis and collaborating with the people I work with
on a daily basis. I want the program to be a success for many reasons—for the students, for the
school, and even for the teachers. That is always foremost in my mind. But doing all of this
under the Franciscan umbrella is great, because then you have an honor…a respect element.
We try to uphold that in our program at all times. USF is like no other place I’ve been. It’s the whole rich package.”
Musiala, hired in 2015, came to USF with
an extensive background in radio and music
marketing, and experience with independent music label management.
For more information on USF’s music programming: stfrancis.edu/academics/music-performing-arts stfrancis.edu/academics/dara
A Year of Service / 2017–2018
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CO LLEG E O F A RT S & S CI E N CE S
Substance Abuse Counseling Program Students Present Debate
DARA SUM M ER CAM P
The USF Substance Abuse Counseling (SAC)
area teenagers how to make music
program, led by faculty member and program
with DARA’s state-of-the-art
director Larry Dunbar, hosted the June meeting of
recording equipment and software
the Southwest Coalition for Substance Abuse
during a one-week summer camp
Issues. Dunbar and majors in the substance abuse
in June. Throughout the week,
counseling program, including Jilan Delk, Skyler
students used the tracking room,
Kern and Marcus Melancon, presented a debate
sound booth, control room and
on the “Pros & Cons of Medical Marijuana
computer lab to create original
Legalization in Illinois.” Twenty-one participants
songs, which they shared with
attended the presentation, including employees
each other at the end of the camp.
of the Joliet Police Department, Rosecrance Health
They made their music using loops
Gateway, Thresholds, TASC (Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities) and Serenity House, among others. The presentation conferred
instructor Alby Odum taught 11
and MIDI (musical instrument
Network, Stepping Stones Treatment Center, Will County Probation Office, Catholic Charities,
DARA Director Jeff Jaskowiak and
Pictured above are junior Jilan Delk, senior Skyler Kern, SAC program director Larry Dunbar, junior Marcus Melancon, and Gloria Bloodsaw, the outreach coordinator for Gateway Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center. Senior Sandra Jankowski was unable to present her portion of the debate due to illness.
digital interface). They also created a radio jingle. The camp began in 2011 as a way to connect with local high schoolers interested in
continuing education units.
digital audio recording arts.
RA D IO LO GY S T UD E N T S G R A D UAT E AT N O RTHWE S TE RN
RE CRE ATION & SPOR T MAN AG EM ENT PARTN ER S WITH PROCONNECT PRO G R AM
Class of 2017 radiology students Stella Butuso, Alex Eungard, Nicole Silkowski and Rene Ruiz (pictured at left with interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Elizabeth Davies) graduated in June in the Pritzker Auditorium of the Feinberg Pavilion at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Ruiz received the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JCERT) Clinical Excellence Award, presented annually by the program supervisors and training faculty to the graduating student who demonstrated the greatest excellence in the radiologic sciences.
USF’s Recreation & Sport Management program is the educational partner for the ProConnect professional mentoring program, sponsored by the Illinois Park & Recreation Association. The program features a unique, multi-tiered approach in which early career, mid-level career and seasoned/retired
MEG A N POW ELL RE C E I V E S E A RLY C A RE E R AWARD F ROM MATHE MATI CAL B IO S CIEN CES IN S T I T U T E
professionals participate.
Faculty member Megan Powell was selected for an Early Career Award from the Mathematical Biosciences Institute (MBI) at Ohio State University to participate in their Infectious Disease Dynamics emphasis program in spring of 2018. The award is intended for non-tenured faculty to be in residence at MBI for a semester to take advantage of what the institute has to offer to advance research in mathematical biology. They offer computing resources, regular workshops, collaboration with MBI faculty/researchers and access to academic journals.
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Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
USF aumnus Luke Wyss ’16, a fitness supervisor at Warrenville Park District, is highly involved with the ProConnect program, serving as a mentor and board member.
CO LLEG E O F BU S I N E S S & H E A LT H A D M I N I S T R AT ION
Spotlight: Stephen Cservenyak ’13 (B.S. in Marketing)
With a mom from a small, western-Iowa
farm town and a dad from the south
name for marketing purposes. As much as he would have loved to
Like many music artists do, Cservenyak found it best to change his
suburbs of Chicago, Stephen Cservenyak
keep his real name, he decided to go by Stephen “Neal”—Neal being his
’13 grew up listening to a good mix of
grandpa’s middle name—to make things easier. (“Even a Google search,”
country, Christian, hair metal, hip-hop
he joked.) The fact that his grandparents exposed him to country music
and top 40 music. It seems, however,
at an early age made the choice a fitting and special one.
that country stole his heart, as he now
takes the country music scene by storm
continue to tour and put out new music. He put out five new songs this
as “Stephen Neal”—the front-man in his
year in an effort to show how he’s evolving and to share the new direction
own rising band.
he’s heading with his music. He hopes that each new set of songs he
His journey toward music was quite unexpected. It wasn’t until his
Cservenyak has a lot of things going on right now and plans to
releases will be different from the last. Fans can catch one of his shows in
freshman year at USF that he started teaching himself how to play guitar,
any number of locations.
sing, and write music. Though he was a marketing major, he eventually
took some Digital Audio Recording Arts classes, too, which he feels was a
over the country—from Texas to New York to Utah, and everywhere
blessing because “it helped me get started on the path to realizing that
in between—has made me smile and think, ‘Man I’m getting somewhere!’”
music wasn’t just a hobby,” Cservenyak said.
said Cservenyak.
After graduating with a B.S. in Marketing, Cservenyak went and got a
“real job” and continued to learn business strategies and sales tactics
“Looking at my schedule of shows this year and seeing nearly 80 all
How can current Saints and friends of USF follow Cservenyak’s lead?
“It’s a tough question because there are so many different paths for
for a successful global company. It was through the things he learned in
people to become successful in music. I would tell people that if you
school and developed in his job that he was able to find success in his
really want to break through and make some noise, to be prepared
music career.
to work harder and longer than you ever have before. Be prepared to be
“I was very fortunate to have some great professors at St. Francis
disappointed, offended, discouraged and beaten down often. Accept
like Richard Vaughn, Steve Morrissette and Jim Haeffner, who always
that you will fail but don’t accept failure. But the two most important
pushed two things: stay organized and think outside the box,” said
things—just like almost anything in life—are 1) to surround yourself
Cservenyak. “It’s been those two things—especially thinking against what
with great people that truly care about you (and care about them
might be standard practice—that have helped to give me a leg up
in return), and 2) don’t just sit and talk about it…do it. Be truthful to your
in this business as an independent. Ultimately, I am a one-man team
work. Let it be full of passion that will make others feel the same way.
on the business side of it, going against artists that have labels, manage-
That’s how you gain fans and followers that will be a part of your journey.”
ment companies, promoters, etc. You really DO need to work smarter and not just work harder.”
As this magazine is being
printed, the Alumni & Family
Cservenyak started playing live in 2015 with a band that consisted
almost entirely of former or then-current Saints. But as time went
Relations Office will be
on and the path was “head to Nashville or call it quits,” the group split up.
hosting a private concert
Only Jeff Glasscock ’17 followed Cservenyak and still plays lead guitar
by Stephen Neal on the
for him today.
Quad at USF. The opening
act will include music by
Moving to Nashville, where he’s lived for over a year now, was pivotal,
according to Cservenyak.
recent DARA graduate
Shannon Patino ’17. Photos to
“Being close to Nashville has been huge on a lot of different levels,”
he said. “First, it just shows people that you are committed, which
come in the next Engaging
helps them open up to working with you. Second, there are only a few
Mind & Spirit. To learn
cities in the country that have the quality musicians you need to work
more about the band and
with in the studio and onstage, in order to start setting yourself apart.
upcoming tour dates, visit
Nashville is, of course, one of them.”
stephennealmusic.com.
A Year of Service / 2017–2018
9
CO LLEG E O F E D U CAT I O N
Grants Awarded to USF’s On the Table Participants In May, the University of St. Francis hosted an “On the Table” discussion
turn the day’s conversations into action. Three grant proposals submitted
at the university’s main campus. On the Table is an annual forum,
as a result of USF’s event were accepted, and each received one of the
sponsored by The Chicago Community Trust. It is designed to elevate
coveted $2,500 awards:
civic conversation, foster new relationships and inspire collaborative
• Building Peace in Joliet Schools:
action across the region.
Basic and follow-up trainings
in restorative practices that will be
Seventy-five community members from local organizations including
Mayor of Joliet Bob O’Dekirk, Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton, Joliet
used to educate Joliet teachers
Junior College President Judy Mitchell, and representatives from
at the University of St. Francis.
United Way, Joliet School Districts 86 and 204, the Sisters of St. Francis
(Submitted by Tracy Spesia,
of Mary Immaculate, Habitat for Humanity, the Joliet Public Library,
University of St. Francis)
Our Lady of Angels, Harvey Brooks Foundation, Joliet City Center
• Farm to Table Community
Partnership, Will County Executive’s office, Cathedral Area Preservation
Program: Implementation of a
Association, Center for Disabilities Services, Spanish Community Center,
farm-to-table program at the
Center for Disabilities Services, NAACP, Cathedral of St. Raymond,
Center for Disability Service in
Big Brother Big Sisters, YMCA, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Guardian Angel
Joliet, including an indoor/outdoor classroom maintained by individuals
Community Services, Joliet Community Hospice and the Will County
with developmental disabilities in collaboration with community
Community Foundation participated in meaningful roundtable conversa-
partnerships. (Submitted by Gina Wysocki, Center for Disability Services)
tions during the USF event. They explored the ways in which they could
• Joliet Area Little Free Library Community Project: Installing 12 little
collaborate to make the community stronger, safer and more dynamic.
libraries for residents who may otherwise not be able to access Joliet’s
public library. (Submitted by Catherine Yanikoski Adamowski [above],
Ideas generated were centered on themes like education, jobs,
diversity, safety, sustainability, and community service and resource-
Joliet Public Library)
sharing. After the event, participants were given the opportunity to apply
Details about the projects, including the video proposals, can be found at
for $1,000 and $2,500 grants called “Acting Up Awards”—designed to
onthetable.com/acting-up-award-winners.
C HARACT ER ED U C AT I O N CO N F E RE N C E H E LD AT US F In July, USF’s College of Education and the Will County Character Coalition honored the 2017 Illinois Schools of Character at the Character Education for the Next Generation Conference. Schools of Character are caring schools where character is taught, celebrated and lived in service to the school and community, while also improving student academics and behavior. The conference’s 56 participants included superintendents, associate superintendents, principals, vice-principals and elementary, junior high and high school teachers.
Conference presentations included “Senate Bill 100—Bullying and
Restorative Justice,” presented by Dr. Joyce Kleinitis, assistant professor and Coordinator of the Educational Leadership program; “Creating a climate of character with PBIS,” presented by Dr. Mike Rolinitis, principal of Mokena Junior High; “The Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education,” presented by Jo Ann Britton and Madonna Murphy, Illinois School of Character evaluators; and “Social Media and Cyberbullying,” presented by Megan Brooks of the State’s Attorney’s Office. The three keynote speakers were from the award-winning schools and district, including Superintendent Matt Klosterman and principals Theresa Gosinski and Beth Dolack, who shared the unique character building initiatives they have implemented at their schools.
10
Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
Pictured: Joyce Kleinitis; Madonna Murphy; Matt Klosterman, superintendent of Belleville District 118, with the Illinois District of Character Plaque (Belleville is the first District of Character in Illinois); Beth Dolack, principal of St. Mary of the Angels School in Chicago (the first Catholic school of the Archdiocese of Chicago to be a School of Character); Theresa Gosinski, Principal of Freeburg Primary Center in Freeburg, Ill. and JoAnn Britton, Illinois School of Character Evaluator.
LEAC H CO L L EG E O F N U RS I N G
LCON to Celebrate “Being Franciscan” at Guardian Angel Hall St. Clare Day will be held for LCON students, faculty
TH E DAY’S ACTI VI TI E S W I L L I N CLUD E …
and staff at the St. Clare Campus on October 2,
• Lots of raffle baskets • A live broadcast by WCSF 88.7 FM • A religious medal giveaway, with USF’s Sr. Mary Elizabeth Imler and Fr. Terry Deffenbaugh appearing as St. Clare and St. Francis • Stethoscope covers, T-shirts, Gideon Bibles and other giveaways for attendees • Plarn mat-making for the homeless • A “Pound Party”—to enter the event, you must bring a pound of food for those in need, to be collected by Northern Illinois Food Bank
during Feast of St. Francis Week. The event, coordinated by LCON faculty member Lynnann Murphy, will be a fun, outdoor activity to engage nursing students and faculty, build community, and educate students about St. Clare and St. Francis. The event is open to LCON students, faculty, and USF employees who work at the St. Clare Campus. An RSVP is necessary to attend. To help or donate items, contact Murphy at x3589.
• Presence of a military nurse recruiter, to talk about the role of military nurses • A “Buy a Duck” activity to win an NCLEX review book • Informational stations staffed by LCON faculty, University Ministry, the Student Nurses’ Association, and members of USF’s Sustainability Committee • Food, ice cream and games for attendees who RSVP • Much more!
PMHN P S T U D EN T S PA R T I C I PAT E I N T R A I NI N G
S ON OF LCON I N S TRUCTO R G IVES S T. CL ARE CAM PUS A FACE L IF T
Students who will be graduating this winter with an MSN in Psychiatric Mental Health, or will be completing a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner post-master’s certificate, came to the
Minooka High School senior Jack
St. Clare campus in July for training in Rational
Murphy, son of LCON faculty
Emotive Behavior Therapy. The training was provided
member Lynnann Murphy, recently
by Terry London from the Chicago Institute of REBT,
gave St. Clare Campus a facelift as
Inc. Activities included a talk by a recruiter from
part of his Boy Scouts Eagle Award.
Wexford Health about working in the prison system,
The Eagle Award is a project that
and a presentation by a group from Carle Health
represents the culmination of all a
System about interviewing and negotiation strategies.
scout has learned and gained through the Boy Scouts, according to Lynnann. Jack had to plan,
At the summer MSN Scholarship Day in July, nursing students presented their final projects in the Turk Theater. During break time, they gathered for a photo with LCON faculty and staff on the Tower Hall stairs.
USF N URS E S ME N TOR HI LLCRE ST HI GH S CHOOL STUDE N TS LCON has developed a partnership with Hillcrest High School to bring awareness to and prepare students for health science careers. Anatomy & Physiology and honors Biology students from Hillcrest attended a forum to receive better insight into the healthcare-related careers. USF’s Dr. Bertha Paul, assistant professor of nursing at USF, and Leia Levy, director of USF’s Radiation Therapy program, presented to students alongside other individuals from Hillcrest, about relevant topics.
Said Paul, “I introduced USF’s nursing programs
and talked with the students about the importance of math and science in health careers. I also spoke
finance and recruit other scouts and friends to help with his project, as well as go through a rigorous approval process with the Boy Scouts. For the project, he worked closely with his mentor, USF’s Al Scheuber, to sand and replace wood on the old Guardian Angel orphanage benches and picnic tables, install Leach College of Nursing signage outside the building, spread decorative rock around the campus buildings and plant flowers and foliage in decorative pots. Thanks, Jack!
about the individual and additional support systems that are available to nursing students at USF to help them be successful in nursing school.”
A Year of Service / 2017–2018
11
THE F I G HT I N G S A I N T S
USF Athletics Lands Highest-Ever Finish with No. 10 Ranking in Learfield Cup Standings Landing 11 bids to NAIA National Championship
events amongst its 22 teams during the
Directors’ Cup standings for the athletic department over the past eight
2016–17 season earned University of St. Francis
years. It marked the seventh time during that span that USF improved over
its highest-ever finish in the Learfield Sports
the previous season. Last year, St. Francis gained a 37th-place slot.
Directors’ Cup NAIA standings. The Saints bested
The Saints earned their 560.25-point total with four top 10 finishes—men’s
their previous mark of 24th place set two years
cross country (2nd), women’s basketball (3rd), women’s indoor track &
ago by earning a No. 10 billing this season.
field (4th), women’s outdoor track & field (8th)—and 11th-place finishes
from softball and men’s indoor track & field, a 17th-place showing
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for
all of our programs,” said USF director of athletics
The top-10 finish continued a rapid progression in the Learfield Sports
from women’s volleyball and a No. 21 finish from women’s cross country.
Dave Laketa. “It speaks very highly of the work that our 440-plus
USF also scored in men’s outdoor track & field.
student-athletes and all of our coaches have put in not only this past year,
but over the past four-to-five years in terms of student-athletes preparing
between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics
themselves to compete at an elite level and coaches recruiting top-caliber
(NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s
students both in the classroom and on the playing field to get us to this
finish at national championship events in up to 12 sports—six women’s
point. And, most importantly, we did it without lessening our academic
and six men’s.
The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort
standards. At the end of the spring semester, our student-athletes boasted a cumulative 3.15 grade point average.”
FIGH T IN G S A IN T S RO U N D U P
A. J. PI ER Z YNSK I TO SPE AK AT B ROWN & G OLD NIG H T
Seventeen of 19 eligible USF athletic programs earned
Steve Brooks, the fifth-winnin-
NAIA Scholar-Team awards for 2016-17. Teams must
gest active coach in NAIA
boast a combined 3.00-or-higher GPA over the past
Division II, has been named the
For the second time in as many
new head women’s basketball
years, a World Series catcher
year to earn the distinction.
coach at USF. Brooks comes
will serve as the featured speaker
Two-time 2017 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field
to Joliet following an 18-year
at USF’s annual Brown & Gold
All-American Raven Kelly was named the NAIA
stint at Indiana Wesleyan
Night. A.J. Pierzynski, a member of
Midwest Region Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year in
University, where he won two NAIA Division II national
the 2005 White Sox’ world
June by the United States Track & Field and Cross
championships (2006–07, 2012–13) and one NCCAA
championship team, will be the
Country Coaches Association.
national title (2001–02). He holds an overall record
guest of honor at the 41st annual
of 469-133 and has been awarded five national coach
athletic department fundraiser,
of the year awards.
which will take place on Nov. 8.
A two-time NAIA All-American, Cam Knudsen added
The night begins with a cash bar at
CoSIDA Academic All-America College Division Track & Field/Cross Country Second-Team honors to his
Luke Tanaka has joined the athletic department as
5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at
resume in June.
director of athletic communications.
7:00 and the program at 8:00.
USF softball player Kayla Garcia helped lead Puerto
Amy Polhemus has been named assistant men’s and
Rico to a bronze medal at the 2017 WBSC Junior
women’s cross country and track & field coach.
Tickets are $60 each and available
Women’s Softball World Championships in Clearwater, Fla. this summer.
12
Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
at gofightingsaints.com.
FAI TH, MISSI O N & DI VER SI T Y
Local High School Students Pay It Forward Through Service Twenty-six high school students from Joliet
USF administrators/team leaders Jeff Chiapello,
Catholic Academy, Joliet West High School,
Damon Sloan and Mollie Rockafellow; Hands
program, many students indicated they
Lincoln-Way High School, Plainfield High
of Hope, led by USF’s Michele O’Boyle; Our
had heard about it from their parents and
School and Providence Catholic High School
Lady of Angels Retirement Home, led by USF’s
decided it was a great way to get their required
participated in USF’s Pay It Forward summer
Sr. Mary Elizabeth Imler, Joe Wysocki, Janine
high school service hours as a fun summer
service initiative in July.
Hicks and Allison Heard; and the Will County
project. All reports indicate that goal, and
Forest Preserve, led by Eric Ruiz, Kylie Mussay,
more, was achieved. Special thanks to program
breakfast, followed by travel to a service
Elisabeth Miramontes, Eloise Billups and
director and champion, USF Chaplain
site, then lunch and reflection back at USF.
Alan Christensen.
Fr. Terry Deffenbaugh.
The four-day program includes a daily
When asked why they signed up for the
Worksites included Habitat for Humanity, led by
Pay It Forward participants work hard at numerous community service sites.
A Year of Service / 2017–2018
13
G IVIN G BAC K DO NO R NEWS
USF Social Work Professor Dr. Billie Terrell Creates Graduate Student Scholarship University of St. Francis professor
and working as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Illinois and
emerita Dr. Billie Terrell will continue to
USF until becoming a full-time faculty member at USF in 1985.
inspire students in the field of social work
through the establishment of the Terrell
board of several community agencies, including the Guardian Angel Home
Multicultural MSW Scholarship at USF.
and the Center of Correctional Concerns. She currently serves as the vice
Terrell is an alumna, graduating in 1977
Terrell continued to serve her community by participating on the
president of the Will County Board of Health.
with her bachelor’s degree in social work
from then-College of St. Francis. Terrell
the support she had received during her career. “Giving back is the way we
earned her MSW from the University of
earn what was given to us,” commented Terrell. “I have had tremendous
Giving back to the university was important to Terrell because of
Illinois and doctorate from the Institute for Clinical Social Work. She
support over the years that has enhanced my personal and professional
then went on to practice medical and psychiatric social work extensively
life. I know the financial struggles our students experience trying to earn
at Silver Cross and St. Joseph hospitals in Joliet, Ill. Other career
their degrees and to better their lives. I hope with our alumni support,
achievements include opening her own practice for multicultural families
this scholarship is available for many years.”
SUPPO RT T H E FR A N C I S A NN UA L FU N D BY PURCH A S IN G A G A RD E N FL AG O R B RICK PAV E R Purchase a USF garden flag for $25 and proudly display your love for USF! You can also participate in USF’s long-time brick paver sale, so you can leave your legacy along the Quad walkway between Tower Hall and the Motherhouse. Buy a paver and current Saints can literally “follow your footsteps!” Get more details on the flags and pavers or order online at stfrancis. edu/giving/francis-annual-fund.
In 2016, USF donors showed their gratitude for the opportunities they’ve experienced through USF and helped us raise $80,000 on Day of Giving. If you are grateful for your USF experience, share your blessings with the next generation of Saints. You have 24 hours on Oct. 13 to PASS ON YOUR BLESSINGS! HOW? On Friday, Oct. 13, visit stfrancis.edu/dayofgiving to make your donation OR call the Institutional Advancement Office at 815-740-4287 to process your gift. stfrancis.edu/dayofgiving
14
Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
INTERN ATIO NA L P R O G R A MS
USF Establishes 4+1 Agreement with Xingzhi College in China
S TAY I N G CO N N ECT E D A LU MNI NE W S
Spotlight: Jeff Glasscock ’17 (B.S. in Digital Audio Recording Arts)
USF has established a 4+1 agreement with Xingzhi College (part of
It only took walking into Brandolino’s
Zhejiang Normal University) in Jinhua, China. The 4+1 designation
music store in Joliet at the age of six for
means that students will complete their undergraduate degree in China
alumnus Jeff Glasscock to become
and will then enroll in a Master’s degree program at USF. International
infatuated with music. It started with a love
Programs Office (IPO) director Angie Maffeo recently traveled to the
for the drums, and then guitar. Within a
university to meet with Xingzhi College faculty and administrators to
few years, it was clear that music would
discuss enrolling Xingzhi College graduates in USF’s M.S. in Teaching and
always be part of his life.
Learning (with TESOL concentration) program. Through this program,
Glasscock currently plays music and
students will have the opportunity to study in Joliet at USF for a year
composes/records music full-time in
and graduate with a master’s degree and certificate to teach English to
Nashville, Tenn. as part of the on-the-rise Stephen Neal Band. He says the
speakers of other languages. The program is designed to operate in
experience has been incredible and that he’s learned a lot while living
a cohort model and is open to both international and domestic students.
in Nashville over the past few years and touring with some of the biggest
names in country music. He’s also met some of the most influential
Coincidentally, a USF ELAP and MBA alumnus, Zelu “Michael” Hu,
received his bachelor’s degree in music from this very same university.
people in the music industry, for which he feels very grateful. Being a part
Hu was very involved with USF’s Department of Music & Performing
of the DARA program at USF most certainly helped Glasscock to get
Arts during his stay in the U.S., singing with the Schola Cantorum and
where he is.
performing both opera and piano pieces in campus talent shows.
“In Nashville, almost every single person you meet is in the music
industry in some way. Since I have a degree in audio engineering, I have credentials, which helps when I am getting clients to work with me. I learned so much at St. Francis about recording and working with artists and it translates perfectly into the real working world in my industry,” he said.
When he’s not working with the band, Glasscock writes his own
music, focusing on top-40 pop style and country songs, as well as solo acoustic pieces, which he admits he tends to keep to himself. He loves all kinds of music, but reveals that his biggest influences to date include Andy McKee, Antoine Dufour and an experimental band from California called CHON. He is influenced by these artists due to their incredible creativity and the complexity of their music.
In five years, Glasscock hopes to still be living in Nashville, with his
own house and a personal studio up and running. He loves touring, so he hopes to continue doing that as well.
When asked for words of wisdom to pass along to current Saints
and alumni, Glasscock shared some sage advice: “Never stop writing and learning. If you are an engineer, be a fly-on-the-wall in every single session you can. It doesn’t matter if you only learn one new trick or nothing at all—nothing can replace experience. If you are a writer, write. Angie Maffeo gives a presentation to students at Xingzhi College.
You have to write a hundred bad songs before you get one good one. How does one get to play Carnegie Hall? Practice. And finally, don’t get discouraged when you hear or see someone who is better than you. The only way to grow in this industry is to work together, make connections and surround yourself with people more talented and further ahead than yourself.”
A Year of Service / 2017–2018
15
STAYIN G CO NNEC TED A LU MN I N E W S
Campus Tour The University of St. Francis campus has
stfrancis.edu/hcrw
changed dramatically in the last few years including many beautification efforts as well as our new St. Clare Campus, the Plaster Center (downtown), and the new science building currently under construction. It is a campus and university filled with both beauty and Franciscan spirit. Come and take a tour with us and see all the amazing changes happening at USF! Led by Student Ambassadors. 4:30 p.m. in San Damiano Hall (Motherhouse, 3rd floor) Complimentary Doctoral Alumni Reunion Did you receive your doctorate degree from
Hospitality Room
USF? Please join us as we gather and network
Are you looking for a place to meet your
with fellow doctoral alumni and faculty. Stay
classmates or rest your feet? Stop by our
for The Fortunate Sons, a Creedence
Alumnae Softball Game
Hospitality Room, grab a snack, relax, mingle
Clearwater Revival tribute band, immediately
Bring your family and friends and join us for this
with friends, and view our alumni photos and
following, and enjoy the evening at your
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
annual alumnae vs. Lady Saints softball
artifacts. Enjoy your time in a room designed in
alma mater. A buffet dinner will be served.
S A T U R D AY, O C T O B E R 7
game! Spend the afternoon with fellow
honor of our alumni.
6 p.m. in Classrooms A&B
Annual Alumni Meeting
alumnae for this slow-pitch game before the
12–6 p.m. in the Alumni Gathering Room
(Motherhouse, 3rd floor)
Want to learn about the Alumni Association or
tailgate and football game. Hosted by Coach
(Motherhouse, 2nd Floor)
Alumni and faculty are complimentary
get more involved? Join our alumni networks
Amanda Jensen.
Complimentary
Guests $15
and Board of Directors for the annual meeting
9 a.m. at the Inwood Softball Complex, Joliet
(open to all alumni) to listen as programming
Complimentary
USF History in Photos
Distinguished Alumni Dinner &
is discussed and implemented, and bring your
Register by Sept. 22 for a free game shirt
Lots of great memories will be on display!
Awards Ceremony
Reminisce with old pictures while USF archivist
All are invited to join us for dinner as we honor
ideas. Networks that are meeting include: African American Alumni Network (4A),
Homecoming Tailgate & Football Game
Gloria Hendrickson will be on hand to assist
this year’s honored year alumni (classes of
Business Alumni Network (BAN), Education
Join the USF family for our Homecoming
you with questions and requests. Find pictures
2012, 2007, 2002, 1997, 1992, 1987, 1982, 1977,
Alumni Network (EAN), and Mass
tailgate and football game! Fun for all ages,
of you and your classmates on campus and
1972, 1967 and before) and our alumni award
Communication Alumni Network (MCAN).
enjoy free food, music, giveaways, children’s
obtain your own personal copies of any photos
winners presented by USF President Arvid C.
7:30 a.m. breakfast; 8 a.m. meeting
activities and other great fun before the
of interest.
Johnson, Ph.D. Winners are selected by college
San Damiano Hall (Motherhouse, 3rd floor)
big game. Stop by the alumni table for your
2–4 p.m. in Uno Lounge
based on their outstanding professional and
Complimentary
FREE T-shirt.
(Tower Hall, 1st Floor)
personal successes and/or involvement in civic,
11 a.m. Tailgate (Sponsored by the Alumni
Complimentary
cultural, and charitable activities. Want to
Alumni Baseball Game
& Family Relations Office and Student
Join Coach Brian Michalak and participate or
Activities Board)
Football Alumni Reunion
watch from the dugout while the older alumni
1 p.m. Game: USF vs. Missouri University
Join Coach Curry and other Saints football
6 p.m. in San Damiano Hall
take on the younger alumni. You’ll also meet
of Science and Technology
alumni and friends after the Homecoming
(Motherhouse, 3rd Floor)
the current Fighting Saints team. Morning
Memorial Stadium, Joliet
football game for food, drinks and camaraderie!
$15 per person / Honored year alumni and
includes batting practice, home run derby,
Complimentary
We’ll celebrate the past, present and future of
Award winners are complimentary
nominate a worthy candidate? Visit stfrancis.
infield/outfield practice and the game. Bring
the Fighting Saints football team.
your families to watch from the stands!
4 p.m. at McBride’s on 52, Joliet
9 a.m. at Gillespie Field, Joliet
Complimentary
Complimentary Register by Sept. 22 for a free game shirt
16
Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
edu/alumni/awards.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS President
Keith Schomig ’13 ’17 President-Elect
Caroline Portlock ’02, ’04 Past President
2017 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS NAMED
Shawn Walsh ’00, ’15 Vice President for Constitution
Jason Whiteside, J.D., ’00 Vice President for Programs
Erika Martinez ’11, ’15 Vice President for Scholarships
Karen Ciarlette ’94, ’97 Vice President for Young Alumni & Student Engagement
Candice Quinerly ’10
PRESIDENTIAL ALUMNI AWARD Wilhelmine Vidmar '68 B.S. Biology Adjunct Faculty Member at Joliet Junior College, Bridal Seamstress at White Satin Bridal, and St. Francis Alumni Board Member (and Past President) since 1973
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES ALUMNI AWARD Robert Obrohta '88 B.A. Political Science Executive Director of the Tennessee College Access and Success Network
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION AWARD DeWitt Buchanan '89 BBA Finance Managing Director at Safe Harbor Retirement Consultants, LLC
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ALUMNI AWARD Timothy Reilly '11 M.S. Educational Leadership Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum at Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210
LEACH COLLEGE OF NURSING ALUMNI AWARD Annette Mattea '13 DNP Nursing Associate Professor in the Leach College of Nursing at the University of St. Francis
Secretary
Wihelmine Vidmar ’68 Sisters of St. Francis Representative
Sr. Lois Prebil, OSF ’61 Alumni & Family Relations Office Administrator(s)
Aubrey Knight ’04, ’07, Director Ashleigh Dillon ’13, ’15, Assistant Director Student Representative(s)
Skyler Kern Ava O’Connor
GENERAL BOARD MEMBERS
Matthew Bisek ’10
Find out more about the awards and recipients at stfrancis.edu/alumni/awards.
Patricia Bracken ’73, ’86, ’94 Judith M. Bulat ’72 Danielle Ciechanski ’08
The Fortunate Sons—Creedence Clearwater
S U N D AY, O C T O B E R 8
Campus Tour
Sharon Dewart ’78
Revival Tribute Band
Alumni Memorial Mass
The University of St. Francis campus has
Elmer F. Eddy ’80
This tribute band brings the ultimate “CCR”
All alumni and friends are invited to worship as
changed dramatically in the last few years
Jacqueline A. Edmonson ’63, ’88, ’94
experience to the stage. Using original vintage
a community of faith as we celebrate our
including many beautification efforts as well as
Laura Eggert ’09, ’13
gear and instruments, great costumes and
homecoming and offer thanks for our lives and
our new St. Clare Campus, the Plaster Center
H. Richard Hagen, J.D., ’90
spot-on musical ability, The Fortunate Sons will
remember those alumni and friends who have
(downtown), and the new science building
Linda M. Kilroy ’72
instantly conjure up the full experience of the
gone before us. Fr. Terry Deffenbaugh, the
currently under construction. It is a campus and
Eric Lawhead ’07
best CCR songs and keep fans engaged and
university’s chaplain, will be our celebrant.
university filled with both beauty and
Frances H. Naal ’58
dancing all night! Light snacks will be provided
9 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel
Franciscan spirit. Come and take a tour with us
Jan Novotny ’67
and drinks will be available at the bar.
(Motherhouse, 3rd Floor)
and see all the amazing changes happening at
L. Scott Pekol ’99
8 p.m. in San Damiano Hall
Complimentary
USF! Led by Student Ambassadors.
Alan Randolph ’07
Noon starting in San Damiano Hall
Corey Richardson ’09
(Motherhouse, 3rd Floor) $15 per person / Honored year alumni and
Assisian Club Brunch
(Motherhouse, 3rd floor)
Susan Rogina ’94, ’99
award winners are complimentary
Honoring the classes of 1967 and before, we
Complimentary
Anne-Christine Tompkins ’14
STAY IN TOUCH
welcome you and a guest for a lovely brunch to Young Alumni Night Out
celebrate your reunion. We will be inducting
T H U R S D AY, N O V E M B E R 2
Bring your friends and join fellow alumni for a
the 1967 class into the Assisian Club—a
Volleyball Alumnae Reunion
fun night out at McBride’s on 52 in Joliet.
distinguished honor specifically for the 50th
Join Coach Currier and fellow alumnae and
Register by Sept. 29 for a $5 drink voucher!
reunion class, while celebrating all alumnae
their families for the last game of the season!
Hosted by the Young Alumni Committee of the
who graduated 50+ years ago. Join us as USF
Pizza will be served.
Alumni Association Board.
President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., hosts this
7 p.m. game followed by 8 p.m. pizza party
8 p.m. at McBride’s on 52, Joliet
event in honor of you—our special guests.
2nd floor balcony of the Sullivan
10 a.m. in San Damiano Hall
Recreation Center
(Motherhouse, 3rd floor)
Complimentary
Complimentary
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.
Alumnae complimentary; Guests $15
A Year of Service / 2017–2018
17
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE P A I D UNIVERSITY OF ST. FRANCIS
500 Wilcox Street Joliet, Illinois 60435
The University of St. Francis was founded and is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate.
Admissions event information or registration 800-735-7500 • admissions@stfrancis.edu stfrancis.edu/visit OR /openhouse Alumni event information or registration 877-811-ALUM • alumni@stfrancis.edu stfrancis.edu/alumni/events Athletics information or game schedules 815-740-3464 • gofightingsaints.com USF Art Gallery exhibitions 815-740-3787 • jmoore@stfrancis.edu Gallery Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and by appointment. See calendar of upcoming events inside. For information about all other university events and activities: 800-735-7500 • stfrancis.edu
S T F R A N CI S.EDU