Encounter News

ENCOUNTER By: Elizabeth Badalamenti Staff Writer News Applications Open for Campus Leadership

Various campus organizations are looking to fill student leadership positions for the 2021-2022 academic year. The Student Life department welcomes commuter students to apply for the Commuter Assistant (CA) role. In exchange for a scholarship, CAs will serve as ambassadors for the commuter population and host various programs and events that cater to the needs and interests of commuter students. Applications open from March 22 to April 7. Any questions can be sent to Dalton Jenner at DaltonJenner@stfrancis.edu.

In preparation for USF’s 2021 SOAR (Student Orientation And Registration), the Student Life department is looking for two students to serve as orientation co-chairs as well as a group of students to serve on the orientation board. Students in these roles will help plan and execute orientation to provide next year’s freshmen and transfer students with a warm welcome to USF! Applications will open February 24 and last until March 16. Got questions? You can email Mollie Rockafellow at MRockafellow@stfrancis. edu.

University Ministry hopes to find supportive and spiritually-inclined students to fill their Peer Minister (PM) positions. In exchange for a scholarship, PMs promote the university’s Franciscan values of respect, integrity, compassion and service among resident and commuter students alike. There are a variety of PM positions available, including leaders for retreats, missions and justice, interfaith, spiritual growth, small faith communities and liturgical music. Any questions can be forwarded to Jessica Peek at JPeek@ stfrancis.edu.

The Residence Life department is in search of responsible and motivated students to serve as Resident Assistants (RA) and Multicultural Assistants (MA) in the university residence halls. In exchange for room and board, RA’s and MA’s work to build community among residents and keep halls safe. To learn more about the positions, consider attending an informational session on February 26 or March 4 at 8 p.m. (Zoom ID: 963 6942 8321; Passcode: RA). Inquiries can be sent to Ceddi Carver at CCarver@stfrancis. edu.

USF & Local News covered by the USF Encounter

Student Government to Host Relay for Life

Pending review of Joliet officials, the empty Kmart store at West Jefferson Street and Larkin Avenue may soon house indoor and outdoor storage In an effort to raise funds for the American Cancer Society, Student Government Association (SGA) will host a weeklong Relay for Life celebration March 22 through March 26. While COVID-19 restrictions will make this year’s celebration unique, SGA is embracing the change with the theme “We Stand Together, Even Apart.” An official schedule of events will be sent out to the campus community closer to the celebration and will feature programming hosted by Alpha Phi, Saints in Action, Servant Leaders, Student Activities Board, Student Government Association, Student Nurses Association, Unidos Vamos a Alcanzar, and several other campus organizations. SGA President, Rodolfo Perez, is excited to still be able to host this event despite COVID-19 related challenges. “Relay for Life is a staple student activity at USF,” Perez explains. “I find it truly inspiring to see groups work so hard to adapt in order to keep this annual tradition alive.”

As in years past, all faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to participate in events and contribute towards the cause. One of the best ways to get involved is to join a Relay team by visiting USF’s Relay for Life website. All participants who join a team by March 13 will receive a free Relay for Life t-shirt and a ticket into a raffle for USF merchandise, gift cards, or other donated prizes. Those interested in serving on the Relay for Life planning committee or hosting an event during Relay for Life week should email Liz Badalamenti at ElizabethBadalamenti@stfrancis.edu.

For more information, to sign-up for a team, or to donate to the American Cancer Society, please visit USF’s Relay for Life website: https://secure. acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/ RFLCY21NCR?pg=entry&fr_ id=100882

USF Partners with Kodo Pharmacy to Vaccinate Community Members

Through a partnership with Joliet’s Kodo Pharmacy, Leach College of Nursing students played an important role in the nationwide effort to provide vulnerable populations with the COVID-19 vaccine. In just three days, the students administered an astounding 1,660 COVID-19 vaccinations and 200 COVID-19 tests. These vaccinations benefited residents in Joshua Arms Senior High Rise and Trinity Services as well as clients at Cornerstone Services and the Will County Health Department. Prior to aiding with vaccine distribution, all nursing students received their own vaccine for protection as part of the 1A vaccine allocation plan.

According to a news release published by the University of St. Francis, Chad Kodiak, the owner and pharmacist of Kodo Pharmacy, was very appreciative of the students’ help. “It is no exaggeration to say the COVID vaccines that have been administered … would not have been possible without the help of the USF nursing students,” he said. “We continue to receive compliments about how professional, skilled and wonderful the nursing students are at doing their job.”

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