April 29, 2022
Editorial Board Valerie Reyes Editor-in-Chief valeriereyes@stfrancis.edu
Student led, student written.
UNIVERSITY
FEATURE
4 Letter from the Editor
22 - 23 Summer 2022: A Truly Covid Free Summer?
NEWS 6 - 7 Campus News 8 - 9 Local News 10 - 11 World News
ENTERTAINMENT
26 - 27 Internships: Working For It This Summer
COMMENTARY 29 How to Have a Cosme Summer 31 Local Ice Cream Poll
Jessica Scroppo Art Director jessicascroppo@stfrancis.edu Dallas Matlock Sports & Advertising dallasmatlock@stfrancis.edu Rory Richards PR Specialist roryrichards@stfrancis.edu Dr. Scott Marshall Advisor smarshall@stfrancis.edu
Staff Writers
12 WCSF Top Ten & Staff Picks
32 Summer Activity Poll
Saba Aamir
13 School Is Out and Summer Blockbusters are In
SPORTS
Cosme Lozano
14 - 15 Artists On the Road Again
34 - 35 Pin or Lose: USF Bowling
16 - 17 Art Showcase
36 Saints Roll Into Summer
18 - 19 Summer Fast Fashion: The Ignored Truth
37 Women In Sports
Editor’s Note: In an article published in our April 1 issue, titled, “USF Named Subrecipient of Bureau of Justice Assistance Grant Award,” the Encounter neglected to mention a very important person.
of receiving this grant. Dr. Dewald will also be heavily involved with the research process that is set to span over the next three years.
Along with Laura Honegger, Dr. Stacy Dewald of Criminal and Social Justice was equally involved with the process
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24 Summer Classes
Sarah Vandermolen Assistant Editor sarahvandermolen @stfrancis.edu
April 29, 2022
The Encounter would like to congratulate both Laura Honegger and Dr. Stacy Dewald on receiving this award and thank them for their hard work.
Noëllie Inard
Lucy Erika Ann Magat Harlie Mast Alex Mielcarz Hannah Mitchell Frank Piegari Mathias Woerner
Layout Contributors Saba Aamir Dallas Matlock Hannah Mitchell
Dallas Matlock
Sarah Vandermolen
EDITORS
Valerie Reyes
Jessica Scroppo
Rory Richards Policies The USF Encounter is published by the students of the University of St. Francis, 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, Illinois, 60435. The newspaper office is located in room S413C of Tower Hall. The USF Encounter phone number is 815.740.3816. As a member of USF Campus Media, the USF Encounter strives to produce a publication that stresses quality writing and design.By reporting on issues that may be sensitive in nature, the USF Encounter aims to educate, inform and persuade students on topics that affect their lives on and off campus. Editorial pages provide USF Encounter staff with opportunities to express thoughtful views on controversial topics. Letters to the Editor represent the opinion of the author and are not necessarily opinions of the USF Encounter Staff. Publications of letters to the editor are subject to space availability and management discretion. Letters are also subject to editing. Letters to the editor or any other submissions may be dropped off at the USF Encounter office or emailed to encounter@stfrancis.edu. The USF Encounter is printed by RICOH Services on the campus of the University of St. Francis. 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 peacemaking. We strive for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.
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Letter From the Editor-in-Chief Thank you for picking up the second April edition of the USF Encounter, “School’s Out for Summer.” In this issue, you will find a summer guide on things to do in Illinois, upcoming concerts, summer blockbusters and much more to get you excited for the coming months. I have accepted the position as Editor-in-Chief for the 2022 Fall semester, and this is my first issue that I’m Editor-in-Chief. I’m both nervous and excited to take this role: nervous because I tend to stay away from leadership roles, but excited to step out of my comfort zone. I’m looking forward to learning new skills and working with the Encounter team to put out future issues. I also want to say thank you to Sarah for helping and guiding me as I take on this position. She has done a great job putting together the past issues and leading the Encounter staff. As the school year comes to an end, “School’s Out for Summer” is the last issue of the semester. I want to look back at the amazing job the Encounter staff has done to create some unique issues and ideas. Each page consists of hand-drawn illustrations by our staff. We wanted to capture the fun of drawing, doodling and sketching during school. This was my first semester as part of the Encounter, and I enjoyed working with everyone and seeing how passionate they are when creating each issue. Everyone put in hard work this semester to ensure we put out the best work for the student body. I can’t wait to work with the team next semester. Lastly, I would like to thank our seniors who have been involved with the Encounter their last semester here at St. Francis: Shayna Griffith, Cosme Lozano and Dallas Matlock. Congratulations, and we wish you all the best! Again, thank you for picking up our final issue of the school year. We hope you have a fun and safe summer!
All the love,
Val Reyes 4
April 29, 2022
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CAMPUS NEWS
By: Sarah Vandermolen Assistant Editor
Assistant Professor Beth McDermott Releases Collection of Poetry University of St. Francis assistant professor, Beth McDermott, announced that she will be releasing her first full-length collection of poetry, titled Figure 1, on May 1. According to McDermott, who has been a professor at USF since 2015, this has been a dream of hers since third grade. In 2015, she published a smaller collection of poetry titled, "How to Leave a Farmhouse." Photo: www.ciderpressreview.com
McDermott shares that she has been working toward this goal in her years on tenure track at USF, writing poems she published in literary magazines and hoped to eventually arrange as a collection. Figure 1 will be available on Amazon and through Pine Row Press on May 1.
Future Educator Summer Academy Will Run At USF This Summer two days and one night in a USF dorm. The academy will take place from June 14 to 25 on the University of St. Francis’ main campus.
The academy will provide an opportunity for high school students to explore careers in education, network with fellow educators, participate in team building and spend
The program is open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with an $80 fee. For more information and to register, visit www.stfrancis.edu/ education.
April 29, 2022
Photo: www.stfrancis.edu
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The University of St. Francis will be running its Future Educator Summer Academy through the College of Education this summer.
USF Shows Support For Sexual Assault Awareness Month April marked the beginning of Sexual Assault Awareness month, and the University of St. Francis went to great measures to show their support. USF placed teal ribbons around trees in the quad, representing the symbol for sexual assault awareness.
Photo Courtesy of Jessica Scroppo
included a Denim Day Social Media Awareness event as well as educational workshops. These workshops consisted of topics on Title IX and a campus culture survey and findings.
If you or anyone you know is struggling, feel free to reach out to Amber Heard, aheard@stfrancis. The Office of Institutional Diversity, Counseling and Wellness edu, at the Office of Institutional Diversity, USF Counseling provided Department, Social Work Club by Advocate Aurora Health at eap@ and Guardian Angel Community aah.org or Guardian Angel Sexual Services also covered the sidewalks of USF’s main campus with positive Assault Hotline at 815-730-8984. notes of affirmation. The National Sexual Assault Hotline, available 24 hours, can be Additional events to bring reached at 1-800-656-4673. awareness to sexual assault
USF Art and Design Department Art Fair and Sale The University of St. Francis' Art and Design Department recently hosted an Art Fair and Sale on Wednesday, April 13.
stickers, clothing, jewelry and much more. Each student set up individual tables to display their work.
The event took place from 12 to 5 in the Marian Hall Abbey and was open to staff, students and the public.
Proceeds from the sale will be used to assist students with purchasing materials to support advanced studies in art and design over the summer.
The sale included studentproduced artworks: drawings, paintings,
NEWS
Pictured right: Rlyee Carpenter
Photo Courtesy of Sarah Vandermolen
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LOCAL NEWS
By: Jessica Scroppo Art Director
I-80 Cattle Crash Stops Eastbound Traffic Interstate 80’s eastbound lanes experienced closure earlier this week after a livestock trailer and semi-truck accident. The wreck occurred late afternoon Tuesday between Houbolt Road and Larkin Avenue. Joliet Fire Chief Greg Blaskey stated to the Joliet Patch that several cows were found dead at the scene with others escaping.
Photo: Robert Dykstra via the Joliet Patch
Ranchers from surrounding areas gathered at the end of the
afternoon with lassos to capture the stray cattle. Joliet Junior College Sophomore Nick Scroppo was among those that witnessed the incident. Scroppo stated, "I was at my baseball game on the field when they crashed. I could see helicopters flying above us as we played." According to the Illinois State Police, the driver of the livestock trailer suffered life-threatening injuries.
Joliet Participates in the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation Joliet will be participating in the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation throughout the month of April.
payments, water fixtures, gift cards and other prizes. The Water Pledge program will be running for its tenth annual year in 2022.
Mayor Bob O'Dekirk is asking residents to make long term commitments and changes in managing their water resources.
Last year, 759,000 residents across 42 states pledged to reduce their waste consumption.
Residents have the chance to For more information, visit win $3,000 towards their utility www.mywaterpledge.com. Photo: www.dunedingov.com
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Joliet's Club Hawthorne Black Eyed Susan Opening in May Joliet’s Club Hawthorne Black Eyed Susan is opening in May.
Hideaway for several years and has chosen to move to a more prominent location on the main road.
The bar and off-track betting facility will be coming to the According to the Joliet old Hawk Subaru dealership Patch, the new bar will location on Jefferson Street. have at least 40 seats, accommodate 200 patrons and display over 100 Hawthorne has run and operated Bookie Magee’s televisions.
Photo: www.hawthorneracecourse.com
Joliet Junior College Appoints New President Joliet Junior College has announced the appointment of a new college president. The college’s tenth president, Clyne Namuo, will begin July 1, 2022. Photo: www.jjc.edu
Namuo succeeds Judy Mitchell after her retirement in 2021. Namuo comes from Arizona after serving as Interim President at Phoenix College.
The appointment comes after JJC conducted a seven-month comprehensive search nationwide with campus and external community participation. JJC Board Chairmain Dan O’Connell states, “Namuo brings the right blend of higher education experience, vision, and thoughtful leadership to guide the college into its next chapter.”
New Joliet Olive Garden Begins Construction In his speech, O’Dekirk shared, “I want to keep the momentum that we have in Joliet going."
The restaurant will sit on Route 30 near Interstate 55, in front of the Costco Store. Joliet Mayor, Bob O’Dekirk, stated in his State of the City speech that the construction would begin in no time.
"I want to keep the city on the upward trajectory that we have been on, and I certainly want to see through these projects that have begun. I want to see them through to their completion.”
NEWS
Photo: Joliet Patch
Alessio & Sons Company has begun site preparation for the long-awaited Olive Garden.
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By: Staff
WORLD NEWS
Madeleine McCann Suspect Declared After 11 years, the investigation is set to close by London police due to the budget running out in the fall. Kate and Gerry McCann will likely continue the investigation through private funds and have said they won’t stop looking for their daughter.
Prosecutors in southern Portugal are formally accusing a suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
Madeleine has never been found, and no one has ever been charged for her disappearance.
Since 2007, this is the first time Portuguese authorities have a formal suspect in the case. Madeleine McCann, a British girl, was three years old when she went missing on May 3, 2007 from a resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal while on a family vacation.
In 2020, Christian Brueckner was named as a person of interest by German police. According to www. apnews.com, “Brueckner, 45, is serving a sentence on drug offenses in a German prison and has a pending seven-year sentence for the 2005 rape of a 72-yearold American woman in Portugal. The rape also took place in Praia da Luz.”
Madeleine had disappeared from her bedroom while her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were dining with friends in the resort.
Brueckner has denied being involved in the disappearance and is being treated by Portuguese police but has not been arrested or charged.
It has been almost 15 years since Madeleine went missing. Throughout the years of her disappearance there has been an international hunt to find her.
Reasons are unclear as to why prosecutors identified Christian Brueckner as a suspect but may be due to Portugal’s 15-year statute limitations.
Photo: www.7news.com.au
Florida Takes Away Disney's Special Privileges The Florida house recently passed a bill to remove the special district, Reedy Creek Improvement District, that allows Walt Disney Co. to self-govern. The district was created by a 1967 state law which allowed Disney to collect taxes and provide emergency services. According to NBC News, “Disney controls about 25,000 acres in the Orlando area, and the district allows the company to build new structures and pay impact fees for such construction
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without the approval of a local planning commission.” According to Investopedia, “The bill eliminating Disney's self-governing status awaits signature by Governor Ron DeSantis after passing the Florida Senate by a vote of 23-16 on April 20, 2022, and the Florida House by a vote of 68-38 on April 21.” The Florida legislation will strip Disney’s Special District on June 1, 2023.
Worldwide Efforts To Raise Funds For Ukraine Continue Zhanna Kadyrova, an artist from Kyviv, has launched a new exhibition in Berezovo, a small village in the Zakarpattia Oblast ("oblast" translates roughly to "region" in English. It is more or less the equivalent of a county in the United States).
Efforts are being made around the world to help fund Ukraine, at home and abroad.
Photo courtesy of Scott Marshall
Her exhibition, which she calls "Palianytsia" (Ukrainian for "bread"), consists of several stones sourced from the area surrounding the village, carefully chiseled and carved into the shape of loaves of bread.
Zhanna's sculptures are meant to be symbolic; as Zhanna turns stones into bread, she is in turn using her art to raise money for food and medicine for the elderly citizens of Kyiv.
Pictured left are University of St. Francis Social Work Department Assistant Professors Laura Honegger (left) and Althia Gayle (right).
Women Protest in Mexico After Missing Woman Found
Photo: www.infobae.com
NEWS
On April 8, Debanhi Escobar went missing after attending a house party with two friends, who sent her home with a driver. Escobar was left on the side of a highway in Monterrey.
Although authorities say they conducted a massive search for Escobar, according to www.cbsnews.com, Mario Escobar stated, “The prosecutors didn’t do their job correctly.”
Her case made headlines because of a photo taken by the taxi driver, which shows Escobar out on the road. The taxi driver had taken the photo to show she got out of his car alive.
Escobar's death sparked outrage, with activists demanding justice for her death and are protesting gender violence. Protesters shouted, “The police don’t take care of me, my friends take care of me” says www.wearemitu.com. Women are demanding the government take action to help end femicide, the intentional killing of women or girls simply for being female.
Debanhi had been missing for about two weeks before she was found on April 22, when investigators found her body from a 12-foot water tank of a motel in Nuevo León. During the search for her, five other bodies of women who went missing had also been found.
In Mexico, seven women go missing every day and about 25,000 women are missing nationally.
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Top 10 Artists
Staff Picks
The USF Encounter Staff took to Spotify and shared their favorite songs from this month in their "Monthly Staff Picks" playlist
1. MATTIEL
“School's Out” Alice Cooper
Georgia Gothic
"Summertime”
2. SPRINTS
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
A Modern Job [EP]
“Vacation”
The Go-Go's
3. LAGOONS, THE
"Summer”
Calvin Harris
Daybreak
4. SOCCER MOMMY
“Cruel Summer”
5. DROPPER
Sun Room
Bananarama
"Shotgun" [Single]
“Summer's Here” “Kokomo”
Don't Talk To Me
The Beach Boys
6. MOMMA
“Summer Breeze” Seals and Crofts
"Rockstar" [Single]
7. 8.
“Margaritaville” Jimmy Buffett
BEABADOOBEE "Talk" [Single]
“Summer Nights”
OSO OSO
“Hot Stuff”
John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John Donna Summer
Sore Thumb
9. NEWDAD
Want to hear more?
Banshee [EP] Goodnight Dreamer
Let’s get in touch!
musicdirectorwcsf@stfrancis.edu 815-740-3697 April 29, 2022
Artwork courtesy of WCSF
10. DREAMER ISIOMA
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SUMMER
Follow us on Spotify!
By: Hannah Mitchell Staff Writer
School Is Out and Summer Blockbusters Are In
With the end of the school year nearing for everyone, many people have already started planning what they will be doing in these upcoming months. Some travel, others swim all day and almost everyone hangs out in the air conditioning. If you’re not sure what you want to do this summer, you should consider seeing a movie! Here are some of the top headlines that are hitting the big screen seeing this summer. Are you a big Marvel movie lover? Many are, so it felt necessary to mention the upcoming release of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” After many delays due to the unpredictable pandemic, it’s finally arriving in theaters on May 6, 2022. According to www.imdb.com, the very well-known Dr. Stephen Strange casts a forbidden spell that opens the doorway to the multiverse. This includes alternate versions of himself, whose threat to humanity is too great for the combined forces of Strange, Wong and Wanda Maximoff.
will learn the origin story of Buzz Lightyear while being taken on an intergalactic expedition to infinity and beyond. Looks like I know where I’m going to be on June 17! Next, let's take it back to the 1960s when legendary musician Elvis Presley made his mark on the music world. Presley left an everlasting impact on all, and filmmakers share his story in the upcoming film, “Elvis,” which is set to release June 24, 2022. Thank you, thank you very much. According to www.imdb.com, viewers can explore the life and music of Elvis Presley which includes tackling public criticism, dealing with his infamous manager Colonel Tom Parker and navigating his career following the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. This film will represent a significant period of history and will serve as an acclamation of the King of Rock and Roll. It’s definitely worth a watch!
University of St. Francis junior, Val Reyes, shares her opinion I don’t know about you, but I can’t on the upcoming release: “I'm excited to see what Marvel is wait for these movies to add to my going to do with the Multiverse because I feel fans have only summer fun! gotten a glimpse into what’s to come in the different realities. I hope this movie brings some old characters and new characters that will get Marvel fans more excited for future projects.” This blockbuster is sure to be a popular one due to its strong base of Marvel fans. This film will have you from start to finish as Dr. Strange goes on his venturesome journey into the Multiverse. Be sure not to miss it! Disney fans, be ready for a spin-off of the family favorite film “Toy Story.” The beloved space ranger Buzz Lightyear will be in his own feature film, “Lightyear,” which will be released June 17, 2022. According to www.movies.disney.com, viewers
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Artists On the Road Again
By: Valerie Reyes Editor-in-Chief
After two years of anticipation, fans are finally able to see their favorite artist perform live this summer. Due to the pandemic, tours and festivals that were scheduled to take place in 2020 were either canceled or postponed until 2021 or 2022.
The Weeknd and Big Time Rush, and I couldn’t be any happier! It’s something that I hope everyone gets to experience once in their lifetime,” Pacheco shares.
During the time of no live music, many artists resorted to streaming concerts in order to keep fans entertained. Artists may have performed intimate shows, but they lacked the connection and energy from fans compared to a live concert experience.
As a fangirl who loves attending concerts, I am more than happy to see they are making a comeback this year. Usually, I try to attend a lot of concerts during the summer. This year I’ll only be attending 5 Seconds of Summer, a band that I’m very excited to see since I bought my ticket back in 2019. Other than that, I don’t have any other concert plans unless I make an impulsive decision to see the Backstreet Boys, Big Time Rush or Shawn Mendes.
According to www.frontiersin.org, “Live audiences move more vigorously, have stronger musical experiences and have the opportunity to interact directly with the performer, possibly strengthening parasocial relationships between the audience and performers.” Concerts create a safe space for fans to connect with their favorite artist and be themselves with hundreds of other people around them. Nothing beats the feeling of bonding with the people around you, dancing and singing with no judgment. University of St. Francis junior, Hannah Pacheco says, “I absolutely love going to concerts, and I am so excited that they are finally coming back. I have always loved live music and really took a liking to going to see my favorite artists since I was a kid. Not only does it bring me closer to artists I support, but it also creates a safe environment for me to be myself and validates my sense of belonging." "One of my favorite things about going to concerts is being able to hear the crowd sing back the lyrics to the artist. There is something so special about those moments that gives me chills every time I experience it! This summer, I will be attending four concerts: Olivia Rodrigo, 5 Seconds of Summer,
According to www.aarp.org, Andy Gensler, editor for Pollstar, says, “There are more tours getting going right now than we know what to do with. Fans have so much to choose from in 2022.” There are a good number of concerts and festivals happening this summer in Chicago such as Bad Bunny, Chris Stapleton, Greta Van Fleet, Lollapalooza, Mas Flow Fest, Monsta X, The Weeknd and many more. Now that live music is back, the concert atmosphere is going to be amazing because everyone in the crowd has been waiting two years, three years or even longer to see their favorite artist again. Everyone’s excitement has been building for this moment. Concerts can create great memories and may even be a once in a lifetime experience, so if you get the chance to see your favorite artist this summer, take it.
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Art Showcase Photographed by Harlie Mast
Coleman Scholarship (Top Left) A. Shay Gilmer "Steps" Dean's Choice Award (Top Right) Vada Arndt Untitled Presidential Purcahse Award (Middle) Samreen Mushtaheed "In the Name of God, the Beneficent, Merciful" First Place (Bottom Right) David Kalter "Donald McRonald" Second Place (Bottom Left) Jaclyn Duske "This One's For You" 16
April 29, 2022
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Summer Fast Fashion:
The Ignored Truth By: Noëllie Inard Staff Writer TW: Forced Labor, Abuse.
Summer is coming and with it, a change of our wardrobe. With the arrival of summer, we all want to look and feel our best, which sometimes comes with buying new summer clothes. We want clothes that are cheap, trendy and ship quickly — which is why we usually turn to fast fashion. According to www.merriam-website.com, fast fashion is defined as “an approach to the design, creation and marketing of clothing fashions that emphasizes making fashion trends quickly and cheaply available to consumers.” This includes brands such as Shein, H&M, Zara and Pretty Little Thing. Not everyone, especially students, have the means to buy clothes that are not a part of fast fashion, as buying from local or environment-friendly brands can be more expensive. However, when we choose to buy clothes from brands that are part of fast fashion, we need to be educated about what comes behind the product. As consumers coming from different backgrounds with different privileges, there is no right or wrong way to consume fashion, but it is important to learn more about the implications of our choices regarding our consumption, even if it is ugly. As of today, one of the cheapest sites to buy clothes from is Shein. Shein is a Chinese online fast-fashion retailer which quickly became popular due to extreme marketing on TikTok. It became the symbol of fast fashion, encompassing values such as low prices and quick shipping. However, the company became infamous for their blatant disrespect for human rights and the environment. An investigation by the Public Eye, a sustainability-oriented organization, showed that the condition of their workers is miserable. In addition, according to the Public Eye, “Shein workers are working eleven to twelve hours a day, which is 75 hours of work per week with only one day off per month. In addition, workers do not sign any contract which means that they don’t have any insurance and can be fired at any time
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for any reason, which violates Shein’s supplier codes as well as Chinese labor laws.” Nevertheless, the secret that most fast fashion brands want to hide is their affiliation with the Uyghurs, a Turkic ethnic group native to Xinjiang in China. They are an ethnic and religious minority victim of a genocide, arguably an ethnocide. They are incarcerated in “re-education” camps, also known as concentration camps, without any legal process. Children are separated from their parents and sent to “boarding school.” The adults inside the camps become victims of indoctrination, and they are forced to renounce their religion and culture, perform hard labor, and suffer sterilization, abortion and abuse. Many brands take advantage of the forced labor of the Uyghurs in China in order to benefit from their supply chains. A study by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, estimated “Between 2017 and 2019, 80,000 Uyghurs were forced to transfer to factories whose subcontractors are major brands.” Even though many alternatives exist like thrift shopping (Vinted, Depop, etc.), local small businesses or reusing clothes, as student consumers, it can be hard to deal with our moral engagement and our economic resources. Being educated about brands and fast fashion and choosing to buy or avoid it makes you more responsible for your choices. It gives hope that one day, if your lifestyle and resources are more in agreement, you will make the active choice to avoid fast fashion and its ugly truth.
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COLOR ME!
COLOR ME!
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Summer 2022: A Truly As the temperature starts to rise and people begin to prepare for summer, many are trying to make up for the last two years of frustrating warmer months spent inside. Throughout the nation, both cases and mortality rates have been steadily decreasing. Rates of those who are vaccinated are increasing, especially with the vaccines being recently approved for younger children. One by one, mandates are being lifted, giving us access to a more “normal” way of living. As people grow tired and less weary of the virus, we may be looking at a summer closest to what we had pre-pandemic. According to the COVID Data Tracker Weekly Report of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of April 6th, 2022, around 77.1% of the US population has received a single dose of the COVID vaccine, while 65.7% of those are fully vaccinated against the virus. 22.8 million of children ages 5 to 17 are considered to be fully vaccinated, while 23.7% of adolescents ages 12 to 17 are vaccinated with the booster dose. All of these statistics contribute to the great outlook for this summer, as combined with the lowering of rates of those being hospitalized due to the virus and those testing positive for it as well.
The medical aspect of the virus is not the only thing giving people hope for a more normal summer. Nationwide, we are also seeing a trend of mandates being lifted. Just looking at Illinois, Governor J.B. Pritzker announced at the end of February 2022 that the statewide mask mandate was lifted, even indoors, and it is now up to personal choice and comfortability. Though masks are still heavily recommended by epidemiologists, this was a big step that gave people a sense of normalcy. More and more people are now choosing to go maskless, both indoors and outdoors, and this may be an ongoing trend because of the hotter weather. According to Adesuwa Imafidon, a sophomore here at the University of St. Francis (USF), is also noticing the decrease of usage of masks. She says, “There is definitely an increased comfortability and people are now going maskless, as well as attending social gatherings like pre-pandemic days. It is an interesting observation, especially after all the heightened health precautions that were in place for so long.”
With us entering the third year of the pandemic, people are also growing tired of revolving plans around the virus. With the vaccine being developed, mandates/restrictions being According to www.northeastern.edu, we are also nearing the end of the Omicron surge, which peaked around mid-January. lifted and businesses opening and running in high gear, some
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By: Lucy Erika Ann Magat Staff Writer
COVID Free Summer? are choosing to finally go forward with postponed plans from the past two years. For those who have continued to travel during the pandemic, this would be an improvement from last year, as people do not need to stress about confusing mandates that differed among states and sometimes, even cities. Patricia Cumba, a senior here at USF, said, “Last year, I actually went to Wisconsin and was able to make such great memories together with my family, and we chose to still live our lives despite all the mandates. We all have a responsibility to make choices for ourselves and I am glad to have more opportunities to make more memories this summer with my family.” The Cumba family are not the only ones planning to travel more this summer. In a survey released in January 2022 by TripAdvisor, 68% of people who responded have stated that they plan to travel within the country, while 29% plan to travel overseas. Both numbers increased from a pre-pandemic survey that was conducted back in 2019. The same survey also found out that people are preparing to spend more financially on these vacations than ever before, most likely a result of the growing feeling of exasperation towards the halt on their lives due to the virus.
Despite all of this seemingly good news, experts have been warning people not to let their guard completely down for the semblance of a summer. As pointed out by epidemiologists who were interviewed by www.fortune.com, if people are not careful, a new variant that is more transmissible and harmful may be born, especially with people becoming more nonchalant about the usage of masks. Big events with large crowds are also coming back with very few COVID-based restrictions, if any. Lollapalooza, an annual three-day music festival usually held at Grant Park in Chicago, required vaccinations or negative test results for last year’s attendees; however, that may be changing this year. As of right now, the website has not specifically stated what they would be looking for at the entrance of the festival. With Chicago not requiring proof of vaccination or negative test result (unless private businesses ask for it), this may be the same case for Lollapalooza. It seems like there would be no exact time where COVID would be nonexistent. It has plagued us for two years, and as scientists have said, it is here to stay. America, as a nation, is trying to revert to the way things were before the pandemic started. However, it is pretty clear that that way of life ended back in early 2020. We now have a new definition of normal and people are trying their best to live with it. Summer 2022 may just give us the closest sense to what our lives used to be.
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SUMMER CLASSES By: Saba Aamir Staff Writer
Although the spring semester is almost over, it's not too late to think about taking summer classes. I know hearing about summer classes can get tiring. After all, why would you want to spend these following months dealing with classes when you can just enjoy your summer break? However, summer classes are an excellent opportunity to earn credits in a short time, or to get general education courses out of the way. Summer classes are a huge benefit to university students. With summer courses being relatively shorter than your typical semester courses, students still get a good portion of summer break for themselves. Students are often done with coursework in about half the time they would need during the regular college semester. Keep in mind that this can be a good or bad thing, depending on how you look at it. Trying to finish a 16-week semester's worth of work in half or less than the usual amount of time can get overwhelming. The material also comes at you fast, giving you less time to take in information, as stated by Best Accredited Colleges. But if you're ready for a challenge, then go for it! Some students prefer to get general education coursework out of the way by taking summer classes, which also helps them get ahead in their degree program. You might have a course you need to take to graduate that you have been putting off (but it is not relevant to your major), so taking it during the summer is the best choice for you. According to www. education.seattlepi.com, "summer courses let you cross off required classes so you can take others during the fall and spring," and you might even graduate early!
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Despite all this, the payment for summer courses makes it hard for students to decide if they want to spend extra money on the summer semester. Personally, I found this to be a hard decision. I am taking a course this summer semester, so I do not have to worry about when it will be offered next. However, the payment for the summer course is the worst part. The University of St. Francis (USF) charges $400 per credit hour, which is not bad, but if you want to take more summer courses, the price just goes up. You can cover the price with the help of financial aid or loans, but that only adds to your student debt loan. So, think carefully! An alternative to paying less money for summer courses is by taking a summer course at a community college if they offer the class that you are looking for. But check with your advisor to see if you can transfer the credits for the class after taking it at a community college. University of St. Francis sophomore, Amanda Kouba, states that she decided to take a class at Joliet Junior Community College because the classes are not as expensive as USF. "The cost is important to me, although some other students may not have a problem with it," Kouba said. Nevertheless, there is a lot to consider when deciding to take a summer class. By taking one, you may realize how helpful they can be in your college journey. However, this is not to force you to take one. At the end of the day, do what is best for you!
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Internships: Working For It This Summer
By: Alex Mielcarz Staff Writer
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April 29, 2022
Summer is quickly approaching, and with it, tons of new opportunities for students here at the University of St. Francis (USF). Many students will look towards the city and to bigger suburbs such as Naperville for internships and jobs, while others will find opportunities right here in Joliet.
research program here on campus. She will be researching the evolutionary relationship of venom genes in L. heterotoma through gene annotation. Vazquez is looking forward to her opportunity to work on campus this summer, and, similarly to Kampmier, how it may set her up in the future.
Internships provide a lot of positives to students. They serve as great resume boosters for those graduating in the coming years, and they provide networking opportunities for students “This will make my resume look good for medical school,” to use later in their lives, especially when searching for their Vazquez said. “It will also give me experience on research first job out of school. projects.” One of those students is Cole Kampmier. He will be working for Sikich LLP in Naperville, Illinois as an audit intern. He took advantage of resources here on campus to help secure the position. “I attended a career fair here at USF,” Kampmier said. “[After] that initial interview I was ultimately offered a position for this summer.” Kampmier networked at the career fair, and he is hopeful that it will pay off down the road.
While this may not be the best networking opportunity, it serves as a great professional opportunity. Participation in a program such as this will give Vazquez's resume a large advantage in the coming years as she gets ready to apply for medical schools once she finishes her undergraduate degree. Not only is this a great professional opportunity for Vazquez, but it also serves as an opportunity to dig deeper into a personal interest. “I’m very excited to do this,” Vazquez said. “Looking at evolutionary relationships between species has always been an interest of mine.”
“Due to the recent job climate and companies having a hard time finding good employees, I’ve been told by several people that a good internship like this almost always turns into a full- Doing something that interests you makes the work that time job offer,” Kampmier said. much easier and enjoyable. When you look forward to coming in to work every day, you are going to be more productive and That is exactly what Kampmier wants. He is hoping to use helpful for everyone involved. this internship as a springboard into his professional career once he graduates. There are plenty of students that are still looking for internships, or they do not know where to start. Many “Hopefully this will get me my first full-time job and open students look to the Career Success Center to help form the doors for the rest of my professional life,” Kampmier said. resumes and find internships. More information on the career counseling services offered by the Career Success Center can Spring boarding from an internship to a full-time job is quite be found by visiting www.stfrancis.edu/career-success-center/. common. It is a strategy that many exploit as they approach graduation. It is an opportunity that Kampmier relishes. “I’m super excited to see where this opportunity takes me,” Kampmier said. “I want to see how accounting is in the real world — not just in textbooks.” Real world applications are a huge part of internships. When you look for one, you should find internships in fields that not only interest you, but will have real world applications once you leave college. Essentially, you are looking for a resume boost. There are opportunities for students on campus, as well. Jen Vazquez is taking part in the summer undergraduate
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BS in Data Analytics
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For information please call Carol Lindee at 815-740-3849 clindee@stfrancis.edu
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April 29, 2022
How to Have a Cosme Summer
By: Cosme Lozano Staff Writer
With another school year almost in our rearview mirror, we can start looking ahead to the summer season! Summer is always a special time, and if you’re like me, you feel at your best during the warm months. The possibilities seem endless, with more businesses getting back to normal as we continue to fight COVID-19. Additionally, the summer is a good time to catch up on hobbies or to try new ones.
own dreams that they are chasing. Despite this, it is important to still make time for the ones that are closest to us. One of my favorite things to do with my friends in the summer is to go to Andy’s and get some frozen custard. We just hang out in the parking lot listening to music while joking and talking. It’s pretty casual, but that has been something my friend group has always done, even going back to high school. Enjoying the nightlife with friends, if you are of age, can also be an amazing For me, I am really interested in learning to fish. Last summer, time. Personally speaking, I can do anything with anyone. I learned how to fly-fish in one of my classes, and it definitely What matters most to me is spending time with the ones I got me curious about fishing as a whole. I think it’s time I love and strengthening those relationships. fully learn one of the most popular pastimes in the world. In addition to fishing, I also want to re-spark my passion for I feel it is important to mention that it is ok to do nothing photography. During the lockdown, going out and taking during the summer. Whether you dislike the heat, don’t want photos was one of my favorite things to do. To this day, I to do anything physical or you’re just trying to relax, all of still have very fond memories of being alone in nature and that is ok. I feel there is a societal pressure to be active and enjoying the silence of the lockdown. While the situation we constantly on the go during the summer. While I do enjoy were in was terrible, this was a hobby that did some genuine being active, I will not deny the value and love I have for doing good for me. nothing during the summer. The summer, for me, is a time to recharge my batteries and get right. Some of my fondest While we can pursue hobbies and have more fun in the memories during the summer involve me sitting outside and summer, that does not mean it is void of work. The summer enjoying nature and her wildlife. Going for walks along trails presents a great opportunity for people to get new jobs or to or creek beds are some of my favorite things to do. Being alone do seasonal work. These can be labor jobs or even something in nature is invaluable because it gives you time to go back to like being a lifeguard at a beach or pool. For me, I will be your roots and to reflect on what's important for you. taking on a completely new job. This summer I will be a videographer for the Autobahn here in Joliet. It’s a job that With summer just around the corner, excitement cannot I have not really done before, on a professional level, so I am be contained. Whether you are wanting to try a new hobby, very excited. The work I will be doing is similar to controlling hanging out with friends, hard at work or just wanting some a TV broadcast for something like NASCAR or Formula 1. alone time, the summer is the best time to pursue these What also makes the job interesting is all the race cars and things. Whatever you want to do, now is the best time to start exotics. getting the ball rolling. If it’s staying inside or going outside, the summer provides a relaxing atmosphere for people to Talking about summer, one cannot forget the time it gives pursue what they want. In the words of one of my favorite you to catch up and hang out with friends. As I am wrapping songs by Roy Ayers Ubiquity, “My life, my life, my life, my life up my time in college, it has definitely gotten harder to stay in the sunshine. Everybody loves the sunshine.” in touch with friends. Everyone has their own lives and their
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THE NEXT GIVEAWAY WINNER COULD BE YOU!
winner
GIVEAWAY 30
April 29, 2022
Visit the Bistro, Snack Shop, or St. Clares to learn more about our Giveaways!
FAVORITE LOCAL ICE CREAM SHOP Poll from the USF Encounter Instagram
67%
Walt's
33%
La Michoacana usfencounter.stfrancis.edu
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n i g o Thhiiss SSu n i g D o T D u u o o Y Y e u e m r m r A A m m t t a Poll a eerr?? h h W W "Catch me in Germany!" "Shopping!" "Competing with my team!" "Going swimming!" "Hanging with friends!"
"Living my best life in Chicago!" "Going to Florida!" "Concerts and Comic Cons!" "Playing baseball!" 32
April 29, 2022
Photos courtesy of gofightingsaints.com
"Relaxing!" "Reading some books!"
Congratulations Graduates!
The Career Success Center congratulates all Nominees and Awardees! Cedricka Carver
Megan Allensworth
Maribeth Hearn
Katherine Bakken
Eric Ruiz
Ana Erby Cosme Lozano
Jessica Conte – Student Employment Supervisor of the Year!
Nicholas Munafo Diana Ortega Alexander Mielcarz – Student Employee of the Year! usfencounter.stfrancis.edu
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Photo: www.stfrancis.edu
Pin or Lose: USF Bowling By: Frank Piegari Staff Writer
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Every athlete has that dream of being on top — a dream to be the absolute best. For some, winning is like standing at the top of a mountain and knowing that you and your team are indisputably the only group that should be standing up there. For others, the glory of being champion is something that ends when they are handed a trophy. One thing is for sure: being a champion and having to defend a title is a different beast entirely. This is a sentiment that was felt by the University of St. Francis (USF) men’s bowling team. Sterling Heights Michigan would be the battleground for the Fighting Saints as they walked into NAIA Nationals, looking to claim the title of NAIA Nationals Champions for the second year in a row. With an enormous target on their back, the team of Jacob Hubbs, Nicholas Howard, Christopher Kelly, Michael Nape Jr., Alec Dudley, Evan Jaros, Theron Mitchell, Brandon Williamson and head coach Tony Talley came to nationals with one goal in mind: victory. I reached out to Jacob Hubbs, member of the USF men’s bowling team, for a statement on the competition. Hubbs said, “We bowled 16 baker games for qualifying/seeding for double elimination match play. We were fortunate to run the winners bracket all the way back to a second straight finals appearance against Indiana Tech.” Finding early success in the competition, the defending champions then found themselves in the winner’s bracket against Indiana Tech. Here, they had to be beaten twice in a best of five series of games in order to be eliminated. USF and Indiana Tech went back and forth trading victories with one another. After a hard-fought set of matches, the champions found themselves in the fifth match of the first set. With the pressure on, the Fighting Saints gave it everything they had in a game that would end in a loss for USF. Tensions began to rise as the defending champions found themselves entering the second set of games against Indiana Tech. And with the previous set of games going to Indiana Tech, the pressure was on the Saints.
five of the second set of games. With victory a mere two strikes away, it all came down to Jacob Hubbs as he stepped up to the lane in the last frame of the fifth match. With the title of national champions on the line, all eyes were on Hubbs as he made his way up. Hubbs elaborated on these critical moments stating, “With how tough the lane conditions developed, I knew I needed to throw two really good shots. I struck the first shot but despite throwing the second one well too, I was unable to get the second one, resulting in our second-place finish.” Hubbs adds, “To say I was extremely disappointed in myself in that moment was an understatement. I came off the approach and crouched down with my face in my jersey trying to fight back the emotion. I felt the hands of all my teammates on my back almost immediately after I did that, and that just let me know that win, lose or draw, they still stood behind me and had my back.” When the dust finally settled, the Fighting Saints had lost with a final score of 199-196. Despite the loss, they had not been defeated. While they had not recaptured the victory of the previous year, the team still managed to capture the spirit and brotherhood that made them champions in the first place. With Indiana Tech securing a well-earned victory, the Fighting Saints took a moment to congratulate the new champions. The team showed that, while the title of champion may have been lost, the love that the team shares for the sport of bowling is worth more than any win. Despite the loss at nationals, the men’s bowling team gave it everything they had. The Saints took home accolades such as National Champions, National Runners up and team members Jacob Hubbs and Alec Dudley hold the distinction of being selected for the National All-Tournament Team.
Whether they are champions or brothers in arms, it is very apparent that the men’s bowling team leaves The second set of games held a similar fate as USF behind a trail of success wherever they go. With a and Indiana Tech bowled with everything they had. team this strong, one can’t help but wonder what Once again, both teams found themselves in game success they will find in the future.
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Saints Roll Into Summer By: Mathias Woerner Staff Writer Summer is just around the corner here at the University of St. Francis (USF), and on top of all the other things we love to do in the coming warm weather, there will be plenty of Saint athletics to keep you in the sun all summer long!
conclusion of this tournament, the softball team will turn their focus towards the NAIA National Championship tournament, which starts with the opening round on May 16.
Men’s and Women’s Track & Field will have the CCAC Outdoor Championships at Joliet Memorial on Friday, May 6 at 4:00 P.M. This meet will go a long way towards setting the stage for the NAIA Outdoor Championships slated to begin on Wednesday, May 25, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Before nationals, however, the Saints' track teams will be on their home turf one last time at the Fighting Chance Meet, set to take place Friday, May 13 with a 3:00 P.M. start time.
The baseball team, on the other hand, will have a quick turnaround as they compete back home in Joliet at another CCAC Conference Tournament at DuPage Medical Group Field, just two days after Crown Point, according to www.jolietslammers.com. This will be followed by the NAIA National Championships that carry the team through the end of May, depending on how far they advance.
The Men’s and Women’s golf teams will be kicking it into high gear for this last stretch of the season, preparing to compete in the NAIA National Championships. The men will tee off on Tuesday, May 17, when they travel to Silvis, IL for their final outing of the year, according to www. stfrancis.edu. The women’s team will be trekking all the way down to Oklahoma City to compete in their National Championship one week later, on May 24. Saints' Tennis is winding down the last couple weeks of their season with May 17 circled on the calendar. It is on this day that the NAIA National Championships take place for both the men’s and women’s teams in Mobile, Alabama. A summer on the diamond awaits all St. Francis fans as they put this Spring semester in their rearview mirror. The conclusions of the Saints’ baseball and softball teams will unfold before us in the balmy summer sun, as study guides become sunflower seeds and bubble gum. Our softball team will look to continue their upward tilt into the summer months, as they try to tackle a CCAC Conference Tournament in Crown Point, IN, on Thursday, May 5, through Monday, May 9. At the
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Gio Pappas, a junior member of the USF baseball team, has reason for optimism heading into the final home stretch of the year, saying, “We got off to a rough start mainly due to our tournaments in Florida and Tennessee, but ever since then, the whole team has gotten going in the right direction. I think we’re in a good place going into the end of the year, I really do.” Optimism going into the summer will be paramount for all Saints' athletics, and there’s no shortage of options for Saints' fans to come out and enjoy the good weather while supporting your Fighting Saints!
Women in Sports By: Valerie Reyes Editor-in-Chief Alyssa Nakken, assistant coach for the San Francisco Giants, made history April 12, 2022, as the first woman in Major League Baseball (MLB) to coach on-field in a regular season game. Nakken unexpectedly took over as the first base coach when Giants’ first-base coach, Antoan Richardson had been ejected from the game. Alyssa had been hired in January of 2020 and works with baserunning, outfield defense and has previously coached the position in spring training. As she took her position, she was welcomed with a handshake from San Diego Padres first basemen Eric Hosmer and the home plate umpire. Now her helmet she wore from the Giants game is making its way to Cooperstown, New York where it will join her Jersey from the Opening Day of the 2020 season at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Nakken is not the only woman to have made history in the sports industry. During the 2021 MLB season, sports announcers Melanie Newman and Jessica Mendoza were part of ESPN’s first all-women broadcast team for a nationally televised MLB game. Becky Hammon became the first full-time female assistant coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 2020, Katie Sowers was the first female to coach at the Superbowl and the first openly gay coach in the National Football League (NFL). In 2021, Jennifer King became the first black female assistant coach in the NFL. University of St. Francis freshman, Quetzalli Garcia says, “It’s great to see that slowly but surely women are getting more representation in sports. These women are inspirations for girls who want a career in sports and are opening the door to their future.”
There are more influential women in the sports industry who have worked hard to defy these gender roles and are proving to show that men and women are equals. Their journeys are inspiring and are providing girls, and women with role models in an industry dominated by men. “The contributions of women, particularly in leadership positions, can bring diversity and alternative approaches and expand the talent base in areas such as management, coaching and sport journalism.” says un.org. Women in sports are empowering girls and women allowing them to become more confident and showing that females can have leadership positions. The more women are represented in professional sports the more awareness it brings. It’s amazing to see women make history, they are creating a future for girls and women who want to pursue a career in sports.
Alyssa Nakken usfencounter.stfrancis.edu
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Congrats Encounter Seniors! Shayna Griffith I have learned so much during my time at USF. Although I am so happy to be graduating, I will miss being a student here. I have met so many amazing professors and staff, and I will miss seeing them every day! My plans after graduation include moving to Chicago to start my professional career. I am so excited for what the future holds and can’t wait to see where my post-college life takes me.
Cosme Lozano Looking ahead to the future, I have a lot of excitement for graduation. Over the last four years, I have had the privilege to work with some of the best people I have ever encountered. I've learned so much from everyone in this department and especially here at the Encounter. I have always said that the Communication Department is the University of St. Francis' least known jewel. I want to thank everyone in the communications program for always making me feel at home. I also want to thank all the members of the USF Encounter, past and present. Specifically, I’d like to thank Richie, Janelle, Emily, Sarah and Jessica. Thank you for always allowing me to have a space where I could babble on about sports or commentary. You guys are what makes the work we do so special. Finally, thank you reader for joining me on my journey over the course of the last three years. It has been an honor and my pleasure to write for you. Until our paths cross again!
Dallas Matlock My plan after graduation is to eventually pay off my student debt and use my degree for a job of my choosing. I hope to take my skills that I have learned here and apply them in the “real” world. At the University of St. Francis, especially in communications, I've learned to never quit on something just because it seems hard or impossible to do. You can do anything even if all hope seems lost. Don’t worry: God has a reason for it, you just haven’t seen it yet. I’ve been blessed with the amount of people that I’ve met over the past four years that have been here to help me overcome things that I've struggled with. I thank Jesus Christ for everything he has done for me, and my parents who have helped me become the man I am today.
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ConGRADulations
2
o f s 2 s 0 a 2 l C Commencement Ceremonies Saturday, May 7, 2022 UNDERGRADUATE Bachelor's Degree Ceremony
College of Arts & Sciences / College of Education
8:15 AM - Graduation Line-Up 8:45 AM - Procession 9:00 AM - Ceremony
GRADUATE Master's & Doctoral Degree Ceremony
10:45 AM - Graduation Line-Up
College of Arts & Sciences / College of Business & Health Adm. 11:15 AM - Procession / College of Education / Leach College of Nursing 11:30 AM - Ceremony
UNDERGRADUATE Bachelor's Degree Ceremony
College of Business & Health Adm. / Leach College of Nursing
Location - Sullivan Recreation Center
1:15 PM - Graduation Line-Up 1:45 PM - Procession 2:00 PM - Ceremony *Tickets required for admission. Guests must be seated 15 minutes before ceremony.
For more information go to myusf portal or registrar's office
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