2021-22 ISSUE 1
A Welcoming Community of Learners.
FROM THE PRESIDENT A Welcoming Community of Learners… Dear Members of the USF Family, Welcome to the latest issue of Engaging Mind & Spirit magazine! This publication is one way the University of St. Francis strives to remain connected to you—our alumni, our friends, our parents, our employees and our supporters—in short, our USF family. We hope that this issue continues to find you safe and healthy—even in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As I write this, our Crisis Management Team and university community are pivoting to comply with the Governor of Illinois’ latest mandates on mask-wearing and vaccinations for all higher education institutions, both public and private. Therefore, I would like to begin, yet again, by thanking our “on-campus community members”—students, faculty, staff and partners—for everything they have done to ensure that our continued on-campus learning has been as safe and successful as it has. As Saints United, we continue to wear masks, maintain physical distancing, practice good hand hygiene and self-screen daily… and the respect and compassion that we’re showing for each other through these actions continues to be effective! That said, I have to tell you that this particular issue, with its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, is not only timely (given the many societal challenges we face), but also more relevant to our mission than ever before. After all, as our mission statement begins: “As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and charism…” As a Catholic university, we are called—via Catholic social teaching, as I have shared with my freshman Foundations students this semester—to recognize the dignity of human life. And in our Franciscan tradition, this resonates with our value of “respect,” which we celebrate in an intentional way in 2021-22 and which calls us to recognize the Divine, the Good, the bonum... both in ourselves and in each other. Indeed, as I have learned from our Franciscan scholar John Duns Scotus, we reverence the inherent distinctiveness of every created being, or their haecceitas (from the Latin, their “this-ness”)—namely, that this one creature (each of us) is distinctly, uniquely loved by the Creator apart from that one (each other). To that end, being a “welcoming community of learners” is at the very core of our brand promise… and who we are… and what we hope to become/achieve... where every Saint is special! To that end, I am pleased that we have embraced diversity on our campus with intentionality, evidenced by the increasing diversity of undergraduate students from 28% to 46% since 2013. In addition, after the creation of a full-time, ExecutiveCouncil-level chief diversity officer position within our Office of Institutional Diversity in 2014, we have diversified the Executive Council and expanded the voices of faculty and staff/administrators on both the Executive Council and on Board of Trustees committees. As I noted in the last year’s issues, throughout its first 100 years, USF has maintained its focus on offering a Catholic, comprehensive educational experience—rooted in the liberal arts and challenged by our Franciscan values and charism—to each and every student. This focus... this commitment... is as strong, alive and well today in our Second Century as ever, as we work together to build a Franciscan future! So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy this latest update about what’s happening at your USF. As always, please know that I continue to consider myself incredibly blessed to serve as your president and promise to continue to work hard to earn the trust that you have placed in me. Together, in the plethora of unique characters that we are, let us remain Saints United! Peace and all good things,
Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D. University of St. Francis President
USF News
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Calendar of Events
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A Commitment to CrossCultural Competency and Change
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Alumni Notes, featuring Board of Trustee Alumni
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Giving Back, Featuring Donor Richard Chavez
First-Generation Alumni
Q&A with Souzan Naser, Ed.D. ‘18
Our Mission As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learners challenged
Engaging Mind & Spirit is published by USF’s Institutional Advancement and Marketing Services offices. Feedback is welcomed and can be sent to Julie Futterer ’93, ’18, director of marketing services and magazine editor, at jfutterer@ stfrancis.edu or 815-740-3826. To join in our efforts to reduce waste, contact Penny Basso at pbasso@stfrancis.edu or 815-740-3748 if you would like to receive this magazine digitally, or if you want to change or remove your address on our mailing list. CONTENT Geah Alyssandra De Rama Angela Briseno & Family Richard Chavez Santos Conteras Dave DiLorenzo Julie Futterer Allison Heard Michelle Madura Souzan Naser Lisa Sampalis Tanya Washington & Family The USF Board of Trustees Other USF employees, alumni, students & friends
IMAGERY Geah Alyssandra De Rama Angela Briseno Don Bersano - Bersano Photography Cherry Hill Studios Julie Futterer Souzan Naser Nicole Salow Tanya Washington Other USF employees, alumni, students & friends
DESIGN Nicole Salow
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-
PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION St. Croix Press, Inc. stcroixpress.com
making. We strive for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.
500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, Illinois 60435 800-735-7500 » stfrancis.edu
USF NEWS FACULTY MEMBERS BECOME PROFESSORS EMERITI Three USF faculty members have earned the title of professor emeritus. The title is granted by the university president, with the consent of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees, in recognition of a faculty member’s loyalty and unique contribution to USF. It commonly marks the professional retirement of the recipient. Debra Bacharz, Ph.D., held the rank of professor of nursing in USF’s Leach College of Nursing and maintained a full-time faculty appointment for 30 years. She earned her BSN from Marycrest College, her M.S. from Northern Illinois University, and her Ph.D. from Capella University. Patricia Pascoe, M.S., held the rank of assistant professor with distinguished teaching faculty status in the USF College of Arts and Sciences and maintained a full-time faculty appointment at USF for 41 years. Pascoe earned her B.S. from St. Norbert College and her M.S. from Bowling Green State University. Anthony Zordan, CPA, DBA, held the rank of full professor in the USF College of Business and Health Administration and maintained a full-time faculty appointment at USF for 38 years. Zordan earned his BSC and MBA at DePaul University, and earned his DBA from Nova Southeastern University.
USF AND CHORAL ASSOCIATION HOST BOOK DISCUSSION WITH AUTHOR OF “TEACHING WITH HEART: TOOLS FOR ADDRESSING SOCIETAL CHALLENGES THROUGH MUSIC”
Debra Bacharz, Ph.D.
COVID VACCINATION GRANT INCENTIVE OFFERED BY USF Before fall classes began in August, the University of St. Francis offered a $500 incentive grant for on-campus students at USF’s Joliet and Albuquerque campuses to be vaccinated against COVID-19. “The COVID-19 vaccination is our best and readily available tool to safeguard ourselves and those around us,” said Eric Wignall, USF’s vice president of admissions, enrollment and marketing. “We want to have a safe, flexible campus for classes, athletic events and activities on campus this year.”
8th ANNUAL USF AMBASSADOR DAY Patricia Pascoe, M.S.
Anthony Zordan, CPA, DBA
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In the spring, USF’s Music and Performing Arts Department and the Illinois chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) hosted Jason Max Ferdinand, DMA, for a special virtual presentation and discussion on the intimate connections between music and social justice in a session for choral directors, students, and the community. Ferdinand’s book, “Teaching with Heart: Tools for Addressing Societal Challenges through Music,” served as a platform for the discussion, which delved into Ferdinand’s experiences as conductor of the Aeolians of Oakwood University, and as an agent for cultural change. Dr. Paul Laprade, USF Music and Performing Arts Department chair, said the presentation and discussion held special significance for the USF choral program. “We have been among the first schools to incorporate Dr. Ferdinand’s work into our choral curriculum, so this was a special honor for us. The ACDA grant, which made the event possible, supported the costs of hosting, promoting, and bringing Dr. Ferdinand–a 2020 Grammy nominee for his choral work–to our classroom and to the wider ACDA organization,” Laprade said.
Mark your calendar for USF’s 8th annual Ambassador Day on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. Ambassador Day, which takes place over breakfast, features a State of the University Address by USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., and serves as a special opportunity for community leaders, elected officials and university partners to become more engaged in the university’s mission and further understand USF’s importance in Joliet and the Will County region. To RSVP, visit stfrancis.edu/ambassador-day or email Dave DiLorenzo, director of community and government relations, at ddilorenzo@stfrancis.edu.
THREE MERIT SCHOLARS SELECTED FOR 2021-22 ACADEMIC YEAR The University of St. Francis has announced Jasmine Flores, Isabel Jaquez and Crystal Mendoza as the three newest MERIT (Multicultural Education Recruitment in Teaching) Scholarship recipients at the University of St. Francis. The MERIT Scholarship program, a partnership between USF, Joliet Township High School District 204, Joliet Public Schools District 86 and the Joliet business community, provides funds for qualifying students of color who major in education at USF. Part of the scholarship agreement requires recipients to teach in a Joliet school schools for a pre-determined amount of time after graduating. Ultimately, the program is intended to help recruit, prepare, place and induct a new generation of teachers of color for Joliet’s schools. The three recipients are committed to making a difference in the lives of others through their participation in the MERIT program. “As a student that lived in the Joliet area for most of my life, I grew to love the diverse atmosphere and the acceptance that was given in the school system. Even though I was surrounded with positive energy, there was still a divide between teachers and with the students. There were not enough minority teachers to balance with the minority populations of the schools,” said Flores, who graduated from Joliet Central in 2018, then received her associate’s degree from Joliet Junior College. She hopes to teach middle school social sciences. “As a teacher, I want to be able to build relationships with my students through the understanding of the cultural norms and using them to create a unique curriculum,” Flores continued. “I want to be the one who inspires the next generation to believe in themselves and what they can achieve. No matter who they are or where they come from, I will always want to bring
the best out of my students, even if it starts with a smile.” Jaquez, who hopes to teach in elementary school, believes it’s important for students to be able to identify with their teachers. “I get to be for someone else what I never got as a little girl—a teacher who looks like me. While all of my teachers were amazing, none of them looked like me or had a similar background as me, and none had the same passion that I do for my culture. Being a MERIT Scholar means that I am going to be a teacher in a community where there are many children of color, and I get to be their teacher. My students will walk into my classroom and see someone who is like them—someone who can show them they can be anything they want to be, regardless of where they came from or what color their skin is,” said Jaquez, a graduate of Bolingbrook High School. For Mendoza, a graduate of Joliet West High School, the opportunity is a long-time wish granted and she’s most interested in giving back. “When one thinks about the gifts and talents they have to offer, why not use them to make a difference in the lives of young students? In my case, I would like to share the talents that I have to offer with students and my community. Ever since elementary school, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. My dedication, interest and passion for the field of education are some of the gifts that I have to offer, and I want to share them,” said Mendoza, who would like to become a high school U.S. history teacher. Visit stfrancis.edu/merit for more information on the Multicultural Education Recruitment in Teaching Scholarship program at USF.
Jasmine Flores, Crystal Mendoza and Isabel Jaquez.
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USF NEWS USF STUDENT MONIKA GOMEZ ELECTED TO ILLINOIS CERTIFICATION BOARD USF graduate student Monika Gomez has been elected to a two-year term on the Illinois Certification Board (ICB). Gomez, who began her term earlier in July, will be filling a newly created Board seat and will be representing students enrolled in ICB-accredited training programs in the State of Illinois. This past May, Gomez graduated Cum Laude from USF with a bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling. At that time, she also began coursework at USF toward a master’s degree in social work in pursuit of plans to become a licensed clinical social worker where she can apply her tremendous passion for the field of mental health and substance abuse counseling. “As student advisor of the Illinois Certification Board, I am thrilled to help in not only ensuring that students are getting the most out of their education/training program, but ensuring that the population we serve is getting the best quality treatment. I am so excited to have been provided this opportunity and I look forward to what the year will bring,” Gomez said. Jessica Hayes, ICB Executive Director, offered that Gomez will bring many talents to her new role with the organization. “It is with great pleasure the ICB announces the addition of Monika Gomez to the Board of Directors. Ms. Gomez was seated, by unanimous vote, as the Student Advisor for this term. Passion and energy are the words that come to mind within the first few minutes of interacting with Ms. Gomez. A breath of fresh air, coupled with a sound knowledge base, Ms. Gomez will serve as a voice for students in the ICB Accredited Training Programs,” said Hayes. Larry Dunbar, USF Substance Abuse Counseling Program coordinator and instructor, believes Gomez’s preparation and passion will have widereaching impact. “I am so excited for Monika and very proud of all she has accomplished in her coursework and in her internships. I am confident that she is going to bring her passion and dedication to helping other individuals, and their families, rebuild their lives. She will be a wonderful asset to the ICB Board,” Dunbar said.
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RODOLFO PEREZ ‘21 HONORED AT ICPA CONVENTION At the Illinois College Press Association (ICPA) annual convention in February, Rodolfo Perez ‘21 took first place honors in the “Opinion piece, non-dailies, under 4,000 students” category for an article he wrote, titled “The Arrogant American: Notes on the Fight for Racial Justice in the U.S.” The piece was published in the September 21, 2020 issue of the student-produced USF Encounter news magazine. “Winning the award was a big highlight during my senior year,” said Perez, who graduated in May. Other students honored were Elizabeth Badalamenti ‘21, who took second place for an opinion piece in the same category as Perez, and Beatriz Sindac, who took second place for a feature photo entry.
LCON RECEIVES HRSA GRANT The Leach College of Nursing (LCON) was recently awarded the prestigious Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) Grant by the Health Resources and Services Administration. The grant, which will provide nearly $250,000 annually, seeks to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty nationwide, and through loan cancellation, decrease the financial barrier that nursing instructors often face. LCON reported that the grant aims to increase the quantity and diversity of nurse educators in the greater Chicagoland area and will help NFLP loan recipients at USF to be highly prepared for their nurse-educator roles.The NFLP funds will provide tuition assistance to 20 future nurse educators in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and post-master’s certificate programs. As outlined in the terms of the grant, students may receive up to $12,490 annually to pay for tuition, fees, books, and educational expenses. After graduation, if their nursing employment status meets the program criteria, 85% of the grant loan will be forgiven. Students will also benefit from the various in-kind supportive structures provided at USF, such as mentorship, advising, and career-development activities, which will help students overcome barriers that sometimes prevent them from persisting through graduation.
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY DISCUSSIONS FLOOD THE AIRWAVES IN NEW USF RADIO SHOW The University of St. Francis has a rich tradition of being dedicated to the facilitation of healing. The new Pause for Justice radio show, which airs every Wednesday on WCSF 88.7 FM and streams worldwide on wcsf. streamon.fm, discusses social justice and equity through powerful conversations to promote healing. Allison Heard, the show’s host and USF Director of Institutional Diversity and Title IX Coordinator, has lined up some impressive guests, including Mike Clark and Kristen Hamilton, Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce’s new DEI Council chairs with Jen Howard, chamber president; Dr. Vishakha Desai, senior advisor for global affairs and senior research scholar in global studies at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs; David Masciotra, USF adjunct faculty member and author of “I Am Somebody: Why Jesse Jackson Matters;” the global non-profit One Collective; and members of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate’s anti-racism committee. The show, which is produced by WCSF station manager Anthony Musiala and USF social work intern Jewel Andy, will also feature several USF faculty members and administrators. An impressive start, on June 16, Pause for Justice featured Stedman Graham, American educator, author, businessman and speaker. Graham discussed his book, “Identity Leadership,” a concept based on the philosophy that you cannot lead others until you first lead yourself. The discussion explored the ways leadership is cultivated and nurtured, as society imagines a world based upon justice and equity. Heard credits the Healing Illinois grant that USF received for helping to support the show’s creation and content. “The Healing Grant allowed Anthony Musiala to help us design the outline for the segments and to train Institutional Diversity staff on the best format to present information in a credible format to listeners. Credibility is important, which is why we want to work on information that is researchbased and accurate. All of our guest speakers have agreed to volunteer their time and knowledge for free, and we are so appreciative for the information they are willing to share,” she said. Although the show launched this summer, Heard said the idea and spirit behind it actually originated a year ago. “Pause for Justice was developed in June 2020 when we were working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I remember watching the many images on TV, listening to the news, reading articles online and feeling like I was on information overload. There was something to be upset and angry about every minute of the day. I think it is okay to be upset and angry, but what is unbearable is feeling like you ‘have no power’ to do anything about it,” Heard said. Heard added that the death of George Floyd on May 25 was a call for conversation and change. “During that time, I had watched a video that was sent to me and a person in the video cried and said they were ‘not okay.’ That is exactly what I was feeling. We are often programmed and taught to say we are okay when we are not. Progress and change can only be actualized when there is room to grow. There were many people who wanted to pray but who also wanted to
do something. Pause for Justice became the medium for gathering, praying, learning, and aligning actions with emotions of the heart. The Pause for Justice radio series was born out of this history,” she said. Heard acknowledged that conversations on social justice and equity can create feelings of vulnerability, and can also result in a desire to act. “Being vulnerable is often regarded as something negative but it can be very positive when our spirit is moved to a desire to help those who are less fortunate than us. The hope is that if people know better, they will do better. So many mistakes of the past are due to the fact that people don’t know history, or they are unable to critically analyze all of the information the world throws at them. The goal is to match education and information with a person’s inner desire to have a positive impact on society, and to facilitate equity and justice for vulnerable populations,“ she said.
Allison Heard (left) and student intern Jewel Andy (front) with Jen Howard, Kristen Hamilton and Mike Clark from the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce.
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USF NEWS THE ACADEMIC COLLEGES COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
» USF assistant professor of social work, Laura Honegger, Ph.D., LCSW, presented at the South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium conference. Her presentation, titled “Engaging Underrepresented Students in Research,” illustrated that underrepresented minority students who engage in research are more likely to graduate and to pursue advanced degrees. Honegger urged that developing research projects that provide these types of opportunities for student involvement are essential. » The USF Art Gallery will exhibit the work of artist and USF professor Michael “Chester” Alamo-Costello, MFA, through October 5. The Chicago Portrait Project by Alamo-Costello stems from his 2018 book, “Somewhere In-Between Chicago.” It is a collection of portraits of artists, musicians, and casual passersby, contrasted with imagery made in city streets and fringe environments since the mid-1990s. These works offer insight into the city as a creative environment and the various socio-political issues it has encountered over the past 30+ years. The Chicago Portrait Project is supported by grant from the Illinois Arts Council. » Debra Workman, Ph.D., and Jacqueline Wittke-Thompson, Ph.D. have been promoted to the rank of full professor.
» A new book study series developed by the College of Education offers educators with common interests an opportunity to engage in timely professional topics and immediately apply them to the learning environment. The initial study focused on assisting educators in guiding racially and culturally diverse students to become independent, self-directed learners through teaching that naturally intersects brain-based learning and rigorous culturally responsive instruction. The featured book, “Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain” by Zaretta L. Hammond, includes an interdisciplinary approach to culturally responsive instruction. Hammond shares her Ready for Rigor Framework, which further organizes the principles and tools that belong in every culturally responsive teacher’s toolkit. Said one educator regarding the series, “This book study has given me a perspective that I didn’t even know I needed. I like to think that I have had a positive relationship with my students and their families; however, those relationships (for the most part) were surface-level relationships. I’ve learned that in order to truly reach and impact my students, I need to dig deeper into what learning means for them. There are many cultural differences in my classroom each year and it needs to be a priority to learn how to best teach each of them.”
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
LEACH COLLEGE OF NURSING
» Dr. Shannon Brown was appointed interim dean for the College of Business and Health Administration after current dean, Dr. Orlando Griego, announced he would be moving on to a new position as Chief Academic Officer/Academic Dean at New Mexico Military Institute. Brown, associate professor of management at USF, has a record of success in shared governance at USF that promotes continuous improvement, according to Provost Beth Roth. “She has chaired the university’s Educational Standards Committee, Institutional Review Board, and COVID-19 Academic Task Force, among other leadership roles. She has earned awards for her teaching and service, while always maintaining a solid focus on student success,” Roth said. Brown began her new role in the first week of August.
» The Leach College of Nursing and Joliet’s KODO Care Pharmacy partnered in early 2021 to administer some of the first COVID-19 vaccines in the Joliet area. Their efforts were recognized by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, which awarded Kimberly Gibson, LCON clinical placement coordinator; Annette Mattea, LCON associate dean of undergraduate programs; and Chad Kodiak, KODO Care Pharmacy president and pharmacist, with a “Champion of Humanistic Care” recognition. » LCON instructor Lynnann Murphy was one of ten IBHE Nursing Educator Fellows who received a $10,000 financial award after being named a 2021 Nurse Educator Fellow by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). Murphy was one of ten Fellows selected through this year’s program, and will have an opportunity to share her plans and activities with the other Fellows and members of the IBHE Advisory Board for the Nursing Workforce Center. She hopes to use the award funds for things including acquiring useful educational resources for students, exploring advances in technology to enhance nursing education, and obtaining educational teaching tools and equipment for her health assessment course.
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UPCOMING EVENTS September 2021
December 2021
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1 2 4 8 10-11 11 18 24-31
Michael “Chester” Alamo-Costello’s “Chicago Portrait Project” Exhibit, through October 5 (USF Art Gallery) Alumni Network Meetings (Alumni) Virtual Saturday Information Session (Admissions) MSW Virtual Info Session (Graduate Admissions)
October 2021 1-7
Feast of St. Francis week
1-2 2 4 7 9 11 16 19 22 26 27
Homecoming & Reunion Activities: Full Schedule on Page 17 (Alumni) In-Person Saturday Information Session (Admissions) Feast of St. Francis COBHA Virtual Info Session (Graduate Admissions) 5th Annual Accounting Reunion & Retirement Celebration (Alumni) Virtual Saturday Information Session (Admissions) Discover USF Day (Admissions) In-Person Saturday Information Session (Admissions) Ambassador Day (Institutional Advancement) Feast of St. Francis Observed - Campuses Closed M.S. Teaching & Learning Virtual Info Session (Graduate Admissions) Transfer, Adult Degree Completion & Graduate Student Open House (Admissions)
November 2021 4 6 11 13 14 20 25-26
Student Alumni Mentoring (SAM) Induction Reception (Alumni) In-Person Saturday Information Session (Admissions) COBHA Virtual Info Session (Graduate Admissions) 30th Annual St. Francis Writers’ Conference, with keynote speaker Naoko Fujimoto (English & Foreign Languages) USF Campus Visit Day (Admissions) Virtual Saturday Information Session (Admissions) Happy Thanksgiving! Campuses Closed
MSW Virtual Info Session (Graduate Admissions) Alumni Board Christmas Dinner & Gift Exchange (Alumni) In-Person Saturday Information Session (Admissions) COBHA Virtual Info Session (Graduate Admissions) Christmas at the Motherhouse: “From Darkness to Light” (Music at Moser) Breakfast with Santa (Alumni) Winter Commencement Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Campuses Closed
January 2022 8 15 17 22 29 30
Business Alumni Network Meeting (Alumni) Broadway in Chicago - “Frozen” (Alumni) Dr. Martin Luther King Day - Campuses Closed In-Person Saturday Information Session (Admissions) 65th Annual Caritas Scholarship Ball (Institutional Advancement) Virtual Saturday Information Session (Admissions)
February 2022 5 12 19 24 26
In-Person Saturday Information Session (Admissions) Freshman Scholarship Competition (Admissions) In-Person Saturday Information Session (Admissions) Alumni Board Committee Meetings (Alumni) Scrap That Selfie & Etiquette Dinner (Alumni) Virtual Saturday Information Session (Admissions)
For more detailed information or to confirm any changes that may occur with these scheduled events, please visit stfrancis.edu/usf-calendar.
S AV E T H E D AT E
January 29, 2022
Honoring current and former members of the University of St. Francis Board of Trustees. For information, visit stfrancis.edu/caritas or contact Penny Basso at pbasso@stfrancis.edu or 815-740-3748.
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A Commitment to Cross-Cultural Competency and Change U S F E M B R A C E S D I V E R S I T Y, E Q U I T Y & I N C L U S I O N If Saint Francis of Assisi were alive today, he would no doubt be an instrument of peace, repairing the tensions and injustices that have plagued our country during this past year. Francis, made it his vocation to serve the poor, sick and oppressed in society and promote peace, healing and equality in his time—all things our world needs so desperately today. Francis experienced a conversion and denounced his family’s wealth to live a life of poverty. He started a movement in 1209 that called followers to live among the poor and disadvantaged. Embracing a strong sense of humility, Francis and his companions believed in equality among all. From people, to animals, to elements of nature, they called all things “brothers” and “sisters.” Commonly referred to as “The Lesser Brothers” because Francis wanted to be superior to no one, the order was canonically established as Ordo Fratrum Minorum, or the “Order of Friars Minor.” Sr. Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF, USF’s vice president for mission and ministry, explained how Saint Clare of Assisi, a close companion to Francis, would also be a model on attending to these tensions. “Clare welcomed rich and poor, servant or household mistresses alike. Together they would sit around as equals without distinction and share the labors at hand. This attitude could serve us well today if we honor the gift of diversity and reverence the mutuality of gifts by which our Creator God has blessed humanity. I believe we might move from the violence of nationalism to the pride of patriotism,” said Imler. According to usfranciscans.org, “Francis’s love of Jesus inspired him to public preaching, and to take on the concerns of others. He reached out to the leper, the poor, and the marginalized, recognizing Christ’s presence in them. He proclaimed God’s love and peace, actively fostering reconciliation between warring parties.”
The Franciscans’ website also pointed to an enlightening book, “Francis of Assisi: A Model for Human Liberation” by Leonardo Boff, as giving a great deal of insight on how several aspects of Francis’ life make him relevant today. “Among these traits is Francis’ ‘living out of universal kinship,’ one that Boff views as particularly ‘crucial today when all cultures and religions encounter one another and can generate conflict and even war, due to lack of dialogue and true encounter,’” the website notes. Even Jesuit Jorge Mario Borgoglio of Argentina, when elected in 2013 to be Pope, took Francis’s name—inspired by his strong alignment with the Franciscan mission. Faithful to his Jesuit charism, Pope Francis has continued to be vocal and take action on numerous social justice issues. According to a 2020 article by Junno Arocho Estevisice in America: The Jesuit Review, Pope Francis, in a message to judges in North and South America and Africa, urged that “Working toward true social justice must also be done with an ‘attitude of commitment’ that follows ‘along the path of the good Samaritan’ and that is mindful of not falling ‘into a culture of indifference.’ People ‘must recognize the all-too-frequent temptation to disregard others, especially the weakest. We have to assume that we have become accustomed to turning a blind eye, to ignoring situations until they hit us directly.’ And, he continued, one must not ignore history with all its ‘struggles, triumphs and defeats.’ ‘Therein lies the blood of those who gave their lives for a full and integrated humanity,’ he said, as well as the roots of what people are experiencing today. Pope Francis has said that solidarity is essential in the fight against poverty, inequality and unemployment.” In the Encyclical letter “Fratelli Tutti” on fraternitas and friendship, it is noted that during a 2019 visit to Japan, Pope Francis addressed an audience of young people, saying “The future is not monochrome; if we are
courageous, we can contemplate it in all the variety and diversity of what each individual has to offer. How much our human family needs to learn to live together in harmony and peace, without all of us having to be the same!”
ALIVE AND AT WORK ON CAMPUS USF’s Institutional Diversity Office strives to bring that same peace, solidarity and healing to the University of St. Francis campus and community. Institutional Diversity works to foster an environment where a variety of cultural systems are acknowledged, respected and valued. Cross-cultural competence is a major objective. The office works closely with the Sisters of St. Francis, the USF Diversity Council, the USF Catholic Franciscan Charism Council and several student clubs and organizations. The office is committed to building an inclusive community that inspires acceptance, compassion, respect and wisdom in understanding the multicultural richness of our society. The role of pursuing diversity through achieving flexibility of thinking, respect for differences, moral courage and appreciation for common ground is valued. Institutional Diversity Director and Title IX Coordinator Allison Heard is the university’s champion for diversity, equity and inclusion. Working in close contact with the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, who in 2016 formally adopted a corporate stance on anti-racism, Heard has been instrumental in partnering with the Sisters and members of the USF community to bring important training, programs and activities to the USF campus. Activities include anti-racism trainings and workshops, the Culture Connect Program (which matches international students with American peers and families), a diversity and inclusion series, FrankChats, a graduate school seminar, a multicultural speaker series, a multicultural student graduation reception and the University Success Scholars Program (which supports first-generation students). The racial tensions over this past year personally and professionally impacted Heard and fueled her desire, like Francis and Clare, to “do something more.” She swiftly worked to develop activities to help the Saints community understand, acknowledge, and talk about the events that were happening across the country. Heard’s monthly “Hot Topics” series took a new focus, as participants gathered on Zoom to discuss topics such as “Recognizing Institutional Racism and Systems of Oppression,” to help people identify systemic forms of racism above and beyond conscious and unconscious bias and microaggressions; “COVID-19 and Racism-20,” to encourage participants to identify things they could do to help cure the “disease” of racism and to stop its spread; and “Voting as a Form of Power and Empowerment and Prayer,” discussing the civic action of voting and its correlation to structural, cultural and institutional change. Later in 2020, the Healing Illinois Grant program was established by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the AT LEFT AND ABOVE: The lovely Chicago Community Trust, who distributed beginnings of a Franciscan-themed $4.5 million in funding to organizations mural, currently being painted in across the state to begin, or continue, the Tower Hall by Roger Carlson ‘06.
work of racial healing. USF received a grant, and the pandemic created no obstacles for Heard, who with the Sisters of St. Francis, quickly developed of a series of events to inform and create awareness to help the community heal from social and cultural unrest. USF used the funding for a multi-part initiative called, “Our Town: Healing Joliet and Will County through Courageous Conversations,” designed to help the university engage residents in dialogue and educational initiatives that result in community understanding and healing of racial and social inequities. USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D. was supportive, emphasizing that we must work collaboratively to create the type of community that is life-affirming and one that affords each person equal dignity and respect. Activities funded by the grant included: » A virtual book discussion with Ernest Crim III, author of “Black History Saved My Life.” The discussion focused on using tragedies as a driving force and impetus for healing ourselves and our communities. » A presentation titled “Healing Racism and the Urgency of Now,” with consultant and trainer Troy Cicero of MulticultuREAL Communications, Inc., spurred discussion about the unique characteristics of Joliet and Will County and our shared responsibility for contributing to success. » Another book discussion examining “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by Michelle Alexander, was hosted by USF Criminal & Social Justice instructor Dr. Stacy Dewald. Dewald’s research focuses on implicit bias in the criminal justice system and how systemic racism perpetuates the normalization of unfair practices designed to immobilize people of color. » A free executive-level virtual workshop and strategy session to help Joliet/Will County area organizations and businesses match mission, hiring, and technology efforts with diversity and inclusion, hosted by Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., USF president; Julee Gard, CPA, CMA, vice president for administration and finance; Sr. Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF, vice president of mission integration and university ministry; and Terry Cottrell, Ed.D., vice president for information technology and planning. » The launch of the weekly Pause for Justice radio show on WCSF 88.7 FM, which discusses social justice and equity through powerful conversations to promote healing. (See page 5 for more details.) Heard hopes that cross-cultural competency within the USF community continues to take hold and grow—especially as the world only begins to scratch the surface of repairing wrongdoings caused by racism, inequality, judgment and hatred.
THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE University of St. Francis student Geah Alyssandra De Rama knows just who she is, but many people might say she’s “something else”—particularly an involved and hard-working student. A nursing major who is minoring in Spanish, her student resume could already fill several pages and she’s only a junior. Geah’s parents came to the U.S. from the Philippines for better economic stability and better opportunities for her entire family—including those back in the Philippines, who her parents continue to support from afar. They live on the north side Chicago, though Geah is a student resident at USF during the school year.
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Geah’s mother, a nurse, obtained her MSN in the Philippines and On campus, Geah works with the Diversity Council and the Sisters of inspired Geah to go to college and study nursing. Her mother St. Francis to combat racism in the community the world. emphasized the importance of education and Geah grew up naturally “I define racism as the systemic oppression, prejudice, and interested in medicine because of her mother’s profession. She often discrimination of a person/group of people based on their ethnicity or watched educational science videos, read her mom’s nursing books, race. The word ‘systemic’ is the most essential word in that definition and played surgery games on the computer. When it came time for because the oppression takes place in systems—whether political, college, Geah was led to USF because of its economic, social or religious,” Geah explained. “I believe exceptional nursing program, its affordability and all people of color experience racism, whether they the diversity of the student body. realize it or not. Whether through micro- or macro“USF not only fit my priorities in choosing a aggressions, fetishization, or unequal work or education school, but also, it’s not a heavy PWI opportunities, it is racism—directly or indirectly.” [predominantly white institution]. I felt Despite all the adversity experienced by so many in our comfortable with other persons of color, and country over this past year, Geah says it is good that didn’t feel singled out like I did at other people are finally opening their eyes and being less schools I toured.” tolerant of prejudice towards or the mistreatment of Geah’s college experience was made affordable, minorities. Now, “People call it out and acknowledge it,” in large part, through scholarship support. She she said. “It’s unfortunate it had to reach this point for the receives seven scholarships, including a Schmitt world to take things seriously, but better late than never.” Scholarship, a Residential Assistant Scholarship, After graduating, Geah hopes to do work related to Duns Scotus Scholarship, USF Presidential medical health for women, people of color or LGBTQ+ Geah Alyssandra De Rama Scholarship, Catholic School Scholarship, USF individuals, then become a women’s health nurse Deans Scholarship and the USF Opportunity Grant practitioner. Whether she opens her own clinic or goes Scholarship. As the newly elected vice president on to a larger organization platform is still unforeseen, of diversity for the Student Government but she wants to incorporate social activism into her Association (SGA), she will receive another career and promote change in medical practices. Her stipend. Receiving this kind of financial assistance dream is to be able to use her profession to help more made college possible for her, though Geah is women and minorities get adequate health care. quick to remind folks that scholarships often have requirements that necessitate extra time and Santos Contreras is in his second semester of courses at effort, in addition to what’s already expected with USF after transferring in during spring of 2021. He was a typical course load. “Scholarships greatly help planning to come to USF in the fall of 2020 after being with expenses, but they do take some effort to recruited to play soccer, but had a change of plans when balance,” she said. a personal recruiter got him an invitation to play overseas Geah is 100% Filipino. She feels very at the University of Central Lancaster in England. comfortable in the USF community and in the Contreras, from Kewanee, Illinois, felt he couldn’t Santos Contreras dorms, where she lives. She and a friend founded pass up such an amazing opportunity to travel— USF’s Asian-American Student Association last year, where Asian something he’s had his sights set on since as long as he could culture, including Filipino culture, is celebrated with events and remember. But when the COVID pandemic started overseas, the activities. As a multicultural assistant in the dorms, she produces opportunity slipped away from him. Thankfully Contreras had kept in newsletters and educational bulletin boards for residents, providing touch with USF Soccer Coach Dan Cross, who knew his talent and education and information on LGBTQ+ issues, the Black Lives Matter welcomed him back to USF for the spring 2020 semester. movement, black and women’s history months, environmental Though he’s technically in his second semester at USF, Contreras is awareness and more. She provides support to fellow residents if they academically a junior, due to taking college preparatory courses and experience issues pertaining to their race, sexuality, gender or religion. getting good grades in high school. He lives on campus and is Even outside of those issues, she makes herself available to her peers double-majoring in International Business and Supply Chain for ongoing support, and serves as a voice for them. Management, to start him on the path of traveling and hopefully “In my SGA role, I also hope to promote more diverse, cultural food starting his own company. Last summer, Conteras started a options to be served in USF’s dining areas because I remember construction business to take a step toward his dreams. coming to campus and only eating largely American food and missing “During the school year, I focus on sports and my studies, but in the Filipino and Asian food. I also plan to host discussions or plan for guest summer I work on my business every day. My parents always taught speakers to speak on controversial issues that are not discussed me that to be successful, you have to make an investment, so I know enough or that people are not well-educated about, especially when it it will all pay off in the long run,” he explained. comes to world or LGBTQ+ issues.” His parents, from Mexico, came to the U.S. and settled in Chicago
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Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
before having their five children then moving to Kewanee. Contreras is the middle child, with two older sisters and two younger brothers. While both of his sisters studied to be nursing assistants, he is the first in his family to pursue a four-year degree. He hopes his younger brothers will follow in his footsteps. “At first, I was unsure and felt a little pressure about what my younger brothers would think if I started school but couldn’t finish. But I’m a dedicated, hard worker, and I know I can do it,” he said confidently, while also pointing to his parents as inspiration for his success. “They wanted us to have opportunities they didn’t have. They sacrificed a lot for us, and I want to give back… I don’t want to disappoint them.” In the dorms, he appreciates the Resident Assistants and Multicultural Assistants assigned to each floor, who are always kind and accommodating. Though he doesn’t have a roommate, he likes the fact that USF students are able to choose their living partners. Overall, he enjoys and strongly recommends dorm life.
SAINTS STATS
In addition to his academic and soccer scholarships, Contreras was lucky to get a scholarship from his high school. He noted that every bit of assistance, whether a little or a lot, makes a huge difference to students like him. “It reminds me that I’m worth something,” he said. Though his eyes are set on seeing the world after college, he likes USF because it’s small and feels like home. As someone who is very close with his family, Contreras likes the way students band together and watch out for one another... St. Francis feels like a family to him. He pays it forward by trying to take younger students under his wing, like the newer players on his team this year. He also continues to be a role model for his younger brothers, who are following in his footsteps as stellar soccer players and hopeful future college graduates.
Based on 2020-21 Data
TOTAL ENROLLMENT :
22% & 38%
On-Campus Enrollment
of undergrads
1,327 Undergrad full-time
3,529
of freshmen
LIVE ON CAMPUS
90 Undergrad part-time 173 Graduate/Doctoral
54% 25% 9%
WHITE HISPANIC AFRICANAMERICAN
Off-Campus Enrollment
OTHER/ UNKNOWN ASIAN
FAITH TRADITIONS
9% 4%
46% CATHOLIC 23% OTHER CHRISTIAN 31% OTHER/UNKNOWN/NONE
1,729 Graduate/Doctoral 210 Adult Undergraduate
INTERNATIONAL
67%
59
33%
Undergrad, graduate & ELAP students
23 COUNTRIES REPRESENTED BY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Australia
New Zealand
Austria
Poland
Brazil
Russia
China
Colombia
France
Saudi Arabia South Africa
Germany
South Korea
Ghana
India
Spain
Taiwan
Israel
Montenegro
Italy
Tajikstan
U.K.
Vietnam
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CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS CLUBS
AsianAmerican Student Association
ASIAN-AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION (AASA) Student Leaders: Geah Alyssandra De Rama and Beatriz Sindac, co-presidents/cofounders; Skyler Safi, treasurer; Alliah Colocado, publicist; Riley Acuna, secretary Employee Advisor: TBA
Black Student Association
The purpose of AASA is to spread cultural awareness and educate others on AsianAmerican customs and create a community of Asian-Americans—including those interested in learning more about the culture. AASA’s mission is to bring change, promote representation, and to welcome everyone. "AASA is important to USF as we educate Asian-Americans and others on various Asian nationalities and their cultures and to create a fun and family-like networking community. We do this through Filipino Karoake Night, where we sing and eat together, or through our Thrift Shop event, where we raise funds for a social cause in Asia. Overall, AASA highlights making our members feel like one of Asian culture's top values—like family." -Geah Alyssandra De Rama
BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION (BSA) Gender Sexuality Alliance
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
International Club
Student Leaders: Stephanie Woods, president, and Adrian Paige, vice president Employee Advisor: Ceddi Carver The BSA strives to foster an understanding and good relation among ourselves and the St. Francis community. It promotes a cultural, political, educational, and social awareness among students. Our goal is to help students develop sound leadership skills, social skills, life skills and stimulate an appreciation of African American heritage as well as other multicultural heritages. BSA was the Student Government Association’s “Club of the Year” in 2020-21! “BSA represents an intentional effort to create spaces and activities that reflect the needs and wants of or students of color while building community. It focuses not only on the social aspects of the student, but on their academic, personal wellness and development by hosting campus events and outings that bring about cultural awareness. As our student population continues to grow, it is important to support all of our students where they are and make sure their voices are heard including our underrepresented populations.” –Ceddi Carver
GENDER SEXUALITY ALLIANCE (GSA) Student Leader: Porter, president Employee Advisors: Allison Heard and Beth McDermott
Augustus Tolton Honor Society
San Alberto Hurtado Latino Honor Society
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Unidos Vamos A Alcanzar (UVA)
Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
An organization supported by the Office of Institutional Diversity to provide a safe place for students to support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation, and work to end homophobia. GSA welcomes all, including allies. You do not have to be LGBTQ+ to join, but should have a passion to learn and be advocates for access and opportunity for all. GSA is supported by the Office of Institutional Diversity and Student Government Association. “The GSA is important at USF because it promotes dialogue about gender and sexuality, it creates safe spaces for USF students, and it educates members of the USF community about LGTBQ+ history. Recent events include tie-dying t-shirts, ‘chalking’ about history, learning about composting, and hosting queer chats. GSA has also collaborated with Student Activities Board (SAB) and Asian American Student Association (AASA) for movie and poetry nights.” –Beth McDermott
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES (FCA)
GREEK LIFE
Student Leaders: Nicole Kulon, Raele Lane and Taylor Petz Employee Advisor: Jeff Chiapello
ALPHA PSI LAMDA
FCA presents to athletes and coaches and all whom they influence the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church. “This group is all about sharing their faith and making connections. The students form relationships with each other that go deeper than the classroom setting and their sports. They are able to see how faith can work within their lives and their sports, while getting into a deeper relationship with God. Our meetings are weekly and range from faith talks led by our student leaders, and doing fun recreational/sport events.” –Jeff Chiapello
Student Leaders: Raele Lane, president Employee Advisor: Ceddi Carver Alpha Psi Lamda is a Latino-focused fraternity, but welcomes students from a broad spectrum of cultures, including Latin American, Caribbean, European, and Asian. Alpha Psi Lambda stands as one family united. Our strength lies in our ability to focus on our culture while appreciating the diversity of others. Alpha Psi Lambda is proud to say that we are more than a brotherhood, more than a sisterhood… we are a familia. “Their commitment to creating a family-like atmosphere on campus and within their group is amazing!” -Ceddi Carver
INTERNATIONAL CLUB Student Leaders: Paula Garcia, president; Denisse Lizano, vice president; Yashleen Kheterpal, treasurer; Josie Graffeo, public relations; Maria Cruz Uceda, secretary Employee Advisors: Kyung-Mee Choi and Buster Ogbuagu The International Club seeks to create an environment that facilitates crosscultural understanding and exchange among international students and the student body at large. “The International Club welcomes not only students from overseas but also resident students. The club is important because many international students have challenges in the U.S. due to differences in cultures, language barriers, physical distance from their family and friends, and more. They adjust better to school through building good interpersonal relationships with fellow club members and getting support from their peer group. Resident students learn different cultural values and see the world through the lens of the international students. Both are able to develop insights into different cultures and get the chance to grow together. We host many events to explore different cultures and cuisines.” –Kyung-Mee Choi
UNIDOS VAMOS A ALCANZAR (UVA) Student Leader: Yadira “Didi” Estrada, president Employee Advisors: Alejandro Campos and Eric Ruiz Unidos Vamos a Alcanzar, which means “United We Will Achieve,” is dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the Latin-American culture and serves as a support network for students to feel more at ease and comfortable in a college setting. We promote academic, cultural, and social leadership as well as provide community service to the surrounding community. UVA provides a sense of unity for all students on campus by hosting fun and engaging, culturally diverse activities, and welcoming students from all walks of life to learn about and share their culture. “I found my best friends, my mentor, and my wife through this club, which helped me find my identity while I was a student. We now send members to a leadership conference in order to help with their leadership skills.” – Alejandro Campos (former member and current advisor)
SIGMA GAMMA RHO Student Leaders: TBA Employee Advisor: Audrey Davis The arrival of Sigma Gamma Rho, a historically Black Greek organization, was announced to the university JUST as this magazine was going to print! Sigma Gamma Rho is committed to impacting communities through service, sisterhood, and scholarship. Its motto is “Greater Service, Greater Progress.” More to come soon about this new sorority on campus.
HONOR SOCIETIES SAN ALBERTO HURTADO LATINO HONOR SOCIETY Student Leaders: Carina Saucedo, president, Alexis Ceballos, vice president; Lizbeth Perez, secretary; Gabryella Herrera, treasurer; Rosemary Ponce and Andre Baez Martinez, co-public liaisons Employee Advisor: Yareley Santillan San Alberto Hurtado Latino Honor Society was founded in 2014 in order to recognize academic achievement of Latino students at the University of St. Francis. The purpose of this honor society is to promote service, academic excellence, and the Latino culture both on and off campus. “There is a strong sense of belonging and diverse culture that allows all of our members to shine to their fullest!” -Yareley Santillan
AUGUSTUS TOLTON HONOR SOCIETY (ATHS) Employee Advisors: Eloise Billups, Audrey Davis, Deborah Glenn, Leia Levy and Alicia Watkins Named after the first recognized Black Roman Catholic priest in the United States, ATHS seeks to celebrate and honor the spirit of scholarship, leadership, and identity for high achieving Black students at the University of St. Francis. ATHS is open to eligible undergraduate and graduate students. “Members find ATHS is an organization that gives them a greater sense of belonging to the university while being acknowledged for their academic success.” –Deborah Glenn
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ALUMNI NOTES FIRST-GENERATION ALUMNI KEEP THEIR EYES ON THE PRIZE
Angela Briseno ‘20 poses in graduation garb with her parents, Gabriela and Gregorio.
Angela Briseno ‘20 Angela Briseno ‘20 graduated with a BSN from the USF Leach College of Nursing. She is currently a registered nurse at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, Illinois, where she has worked for a year as a pre/post-operative med-surg nurse. One of three children born to Gregorio and Gabriela Briseno, who immigrated from Mexico to the U.S., Angela is a first generation college student. As the first in her immediate family to attend college, she felt inspired to get a college education—not only to please her parents, but to be an example for her younger siblings. “My parents always stressed the importance of obtaining a higher education to make a better life for ourselves than they had,” she said. “I wanted to go to college because I knew it was important and I wanted to make them proud.” Even as a little girl, Angela knew she wanted to do something in the medical field. She wanted a career where she could help not only her family, but also others. Her nursing major declaration
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Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
came as no surprise when college rolled around. She also wanted to attend a school that was close to her home in Manhattan, Illinois. When she discovered USF, she made a tour appointment and immediately fell in love with the campus and USF’s “family feel.” “My tour guide knew almost everyone— professors and students—and I knew that I would fit right in,” she said. When she was accepted, she and her family were thrilled. She was eligible for and received quite a few scholarships, including the Presidential Scholarship, which made the family’s financial burden a little lighter through the years. When it came time for her graduation in May of 2020, COVID-19 was peaking. Unfortunately, USF was required to cancel its in-person ceremony and hosted a virtual one instead. As a Saints Ambassador, Angela had worked at many graduation ceremonies and always looked forward to her own, so it was difficult to accept that there would be no traditional ceremony. “While I understood the circumstances, part of me felt robbed of the chance to walk across that stage and receive my diploma—especially being a first generation student. But I was incredibly proud of my accomplishment and I know it meant a lot to my family, too,” said Angela. Her mother, Gabriela, concurred. “It means the world to me that Angela graduated from college—the word ‘proud’ is an understatement! Soon, all three of our children will be college graduates,” she said. Angela’s attempts to show her siblings, Gabby and Gregory, that the hard work of college would pay off were successful. Both followed in her footsteps and enrolled at the University of St. Francis. Gabby is a senior Psychology major and Gregory is a Computer Science major, “It was definitely encouraging to see how hard Angela worked in college. I saw how she utilized all of the information she learned to build up her skills to help others in need,” said Gabby. “If I could use one word to describe my sister, it would be ‘caring.’ As a nurse, she puts a lot of care and thought into her work and takes very
good care of her patients. Her willingness to help others is something that I really admire. Being the first child, she had to figure out a lot of things on her own, yet she always helped us so that we did not have to do the same.” Gregory added, “My word would be ‘compassionate.’ She has always worked hard to help others and has made my experience at USF much smoother, as she has been there and knows what to do from experience. My sister always did her best in everything she did in school and always kept her focus on the goal of graduating. I always knew that I wanted to go to college, but my sister’s hard work made getting a degree feel doable and also solidified the school that I planned to go to.” Knowing that there is a great need for mental health practitioners right now, Angela hopes to return to school to obtain her master’s to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She credits her success to her parents, grandparents, Tio Martin, siblings, and her boyfriend Adrian Prado ‘19, who graduated from USF with a B.S. in Finance. “If it were not for their support and guidance I would not be where I am today,” she said.
Tanya Washington ‘19, 20, ‘21 (center) with her daughters Briana (left) and JoTiana Willis ‘20, 21 (right).
Tanya Washington ’19, ’20, ’21 First generation college grad and triple USF alumna, Tanya Washington ’19, ’20, ’21, has set a great example for many students striving to obtain a college degree— but none more important than her own two daughters, JoTiana Willis ’20, ‘21 and Briana. JoTiana is about to follow in her mother’s footsteps after earning her B.S. in Management in ’20, her MBA this past summer, and an acceptance into USF’s Ed.D. program already in hand. JoTiana and her mother are both members of USF’s Augustus Tolton Honor Society and the Delta Mu Delta international business honor society. Briana is a current undergraduate management major who plans to complete her MBA immediately after she graduates this December. Tanya has actually earned not three, but six degrees. She holds associate’s degrees in Psychology, Social Work and Criminal Justice, in addition to earning a B.S. in Health Care Management in 2019, M.S. in Health Administration in 2020, and an MBA in 2021 from USF. A manager for a large health care organization, Tanya enjoys helping others. Thanks to USF, she says, she is “earning six figures” doing something she enjoys, and she’s proud of the journey she’s taken. Tanya believes the love and encouragement of her late mother, Deborah Clark, helped her get where she is today. As a young, single mother, Deborah raised five children and was unable to attend college because she had to work to provide for her family. It was important to her that her Tanya pursued an education. Though her mother encouraged her, Tanya decided to hold off on starting college classes after high school. She dreamed of becoming a teacher but
wanted to avoid placing additional burdens on her mother. She regretted not following her heart at that time, and later used that regret as fuel to inspire her when the time was finally right to begin a degree. When she decided to start courses as a non-traditional college student, she was accepted into several schools. After speaking with and seeking guidance from individuals at USF, Tanya knew the University of St. Francis was the place she needed to be. “Getting my degrees changed my life for the better. I now have so much confidence in myself,” beamed Tanya. “On my first graduation day, I was so emotional—I laughed and cried. I had finally received my first degree from a ‘university.’ The hardest part was not having my mother there to celebrate with me, but the moment was special and meant everything to me.” The support and care that Tanya received from USF inspired her to enroll her daughters. “After graduating from USF the first time, I spoke with my daughters about what a great university USF was. I did not have one professor that I did not get along with—they were so passionate about teaching. Every time someone asks me what college I went to, I am so proud to say that I attended USF and that my daughters also attended,” she said. JoTiana and Briana are equally proud of their mother and her accomplishments. “Our mother inspired us by showing us how important continuing our education was. She always shows passion and drive in anything that she set out to do—big or small,” shared JoTiana, an account manager at a Chicago company who has a dream like her mother’s early dream—to teach, but at the college level. “Having a strong, driven, multi-talented woman raise us has shaped us in so many ways, and we are forever grateful. She taught us the importance of creating our own opportunities. She also encouraged us to believe that we can achieve the impossible. Our ‘supermom’ taught us that anything is possible!” Tanya has a long list of people she credits for supporting her through her learning journey including her husband, Andre; her daughters, JoTiana, Alexis and Briana; her aunts, Barbara and Shirley; her siblings; and several other family members and friends. For future first-generation students of USF, Tanya offers wise words. “If I could do it so, can you! Just follow your dreams and do not allow any obstacles to get in your way. Apply for financial aid and scholarships, and get a support system of people that would like nothing more than to see you succeed. If you do not act on what you want, then your dreams will be just that—only dreams. Make your dreams a reality!”
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ALUMNI NOTES ALUMNI BOARD OF TRUSTEES We recognize our alumni who are serving as members of USF’s Board of Trustees! Thank you for selflessly giving back to your alma mater, and serving in a capacity where your leadership and guidance make a great difference.
DIANE (FELBINGER ’77) HABIGER English
VICTOR PATTERSON ’03 Business Administration
“Being on the Board of Trustees is
be required.” (Luke 12:48)
an honor and responsibility that challenges me. I feel good about contributing my time and my effort and my money to the university. I get to see how to student affairs to philanthropy—and how important
STEVEN RANDICH ’79 Business Administration
good leadership is. I truly value the education I received
“I am honored to be appointed
from being part of this ‘community of learners,’ and by
to the USF Board. St. Francis has
being on the Board of Trustees, I get to ‘contribute to
had a very positive impact on my
the world through service and leadership.’”
life and that of my family. I hope
everything is connected—from academics to finance
MICHAEL BRENNAN ’81 Business Administration ‘’I have always been proud of being a St. Francis alum. I feel it’s an honor and a privilege to serve on the Board of Trustees.”
“To whom much is given much will
that I can contribute in a positive
SCOTT HOLDMAN ‘01 Management
way to help St. Francis continue providing an excellent education to students in the region.”
JOHN PRZYBYLA ’92 Marketing
MICHAEL BRYANT ’83 Marketing
“I serve on the Board of Trustees
“Being a student athlete at USF was
for the University of St. Francis
a highly rewarding experience and
because USF served me while
I have seen firsthand how a high quality liberal arts-based education can propel students to a successful career. After meeting students, administrators, board of trustee members, faculty, I’m bullish that USF is poised to thrive as higher education reinvents itself over the next several years. I look forward to working toward our continued success in any way possible. Go Saints!”
DR. CHERYL MCCARTHY ’86 Education (general), Mathematics “As a graduate of the university, USF has a special place in my
I was in school and graduated. USF has also served me in the years after college in my professional life as well as my personal life. I am grateful to be a part of the USF family.”
heart. I believe the university helped me to realize how important service to the world
CANDICE (POLOVINA ‘88) ROSEN Health Arts
provided me my direction in life. It is, and being an education major, I believe the university
“The University of St. Francis
DR. IMAN ELLIS BOWEN ’20 Educational Leadership
puts out the finest educators and teaches leadership. I
changed my life! It opened up
love that USF is such a personal university, and ]so now
a world of intellectual curiosity
“I am always finding a way to be of
as a trustee, I feel like it’s my time to give back to the
that stimulated my growth
service to my community and to
organization that gave so much to me.”
professionally and personally. USF has a special place in my
our future generation of leaders. You have to know how to serve
heart.”
and supportive to help those within my reach, know the
JOSE PARAMO ’94, ’12 Business Administration, Finance
stronger their why, the easier their what, and the clearer
“I feel that the University of St.
SR. FAITH SZAMBELANCZYK, OSF ’57 Undeclared
their how.”
Francis and the Joliet community
“To be a USF trustee is to actively
have done so much for me in my
participate in the evolution of an
life and career, that I felt it was
educational vision. A vision that
SR. SUSAN BRUNO, OSF ’79
time for me to try and give back. If I can motivate even
encompasses strong Franciscan
English
one person to continue their education and strive to do
values... a vision that prepares
“I am a proud alumna of St. Francis,
better, like I did, then it will all be worth it.”
“young minds” for the future. As an alumna, it is a
before you can be a great leader. As a part of this awesome team, I plan to be accessible
class of 1979, and I serve as a
privilege to serve and to witness the dedication of fellow
representative of the Founding
trustees, administrators, faculty & staff. I am confident
Congregation, the Sisters of St.
that USF graduates carry with them a solid foundation
Francis of Mary Immaculate.”
not only in their educational major but in life. It is a blessing to be even a small part of USF... I am grateful!”
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WILHELMINE (MCCARLEY ’68) VIDMAR Biology “The value of service to others and volunteerism has been part of my life growing up, and it was a special part of the Franciscan values when I attended and graduated from the College of St. Francis. Serving on the Alumni Board of Directors has been a way to give back to CSF, now USF, by helping with events and programs that encourage our graduates keep in touch and support their alma mater. I really enjoy meeting alumni of all ages, and watching our
October 1-2, 2021 We invite you to celebrate USF’s Homecoming & Reunion on October 1-2! Get details and register for events listed below by September 29 at stfrancis.edu/ hcrw. Masks will be required, regardless of vaccination status. For more information, please contact the Alumni & Family Relations Office at 877-811-ALUM or alumni@stfrancis.edu.
university evolve and grow over the years.”
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021 PATRICIA (SEXTON ’67) WHEELER English “As a student of the College of St. Francis, I received much more than the material that was in my textbooks. I learned respect, values, giving, and most importantly, faith. Those are the things that remain and carry me through life. The
» #StFrancisFriday | All Day » Alumni Baseball Game | 6 p.m. » Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner | 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 » Alumni Board Meeting 8:40 a.m. photo, 9 a.m. meeting, 10 a.m. breakfast
opportunity to serve as a trustee allows me to give back
» “Joliet Gems” City Tour & Al’s Steakhouse Lunch | 10 a.m.
to the university so that USF will remain viable, and
» Homecoming Tailgate & Football Game 11 a.m. Tailgate with Multicultural Reception 1 p.m. game vs. Missouri Baptist
ensures that the gifts I received will be passed on to future students for many years.”
SR. MARY JO YOUNG, OSF ‘66 Undeclared
» Nursing Alumni Lunch & Tour | Noon » USF History in Photos | 1-3 p.m. » Campus Tour | 3 p.m. » Football Alumni Reunion | 4 p.m. » Time Capsule Burial Ceremony | 4:30 p.m. » Communication Reunion | 5-7 p.m. » Alumni Memorial Mass | 5:30 p.m. » Volleyball Game & Alumni After-Party | 6 p.m. » Honored Year Alumni Dinner | 6:30 p.m. SPECIAL NOTE: Join the Office of Institutional Diversity and International Programs during the Homecoming Tailgate! Dedicated tables will be reserved under the main tent for those who want to network with USF’s multicultural community, international populations and first-generation alumni and students. We’d love you to share photos from your time at USF. Video messages will also be captured at the event.
ALUMNI NOTES Q&A WITH SOUZAN NASER, Ed.D. ‘18 organization and supporting the mental health needs of Arab and Muslim youth. To keep grounded and centered, Naser takes comfort in spending time with her two children, Yarah and Lana, encouraging them to discover ways to live their story and always dream radically.
What is the main takeaway of your dissertation research?
Souzan Naser ’18 is the proud daughter of immigrant parents who came to the United States from Palestine in the 1970s. She was born in Palestine and raised on the southwest side of Chicago, in the heart of one of the largest concentrated Arab American communities in the United States. A licensed clinical social worker, Naser holds an MSW from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and an Ed.D. in Educational Stewardship, Leadership & Learning from USF. Since 2007, she has been an associate professor and counselor at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Illinois, where she teaches and also works one-on-one with students, providing them with personal, educational or career counseling. She also serves on committees like the Celebrating Diversity Taskforce, Gender & Equity Committee and Title IX Taskforce, which allows her to advocate for students and create creative programs and initiatives that ensure students’ needs are being met and addressed. Naser is also a second-generation community activist who dedicates her time to the board of the Arab American Action Network, playing a key role co-directing the strategy and vision of the
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Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
found that Arab American students strongly believe that the more similar the studentcounselor dyad, the greater the likelihood that they will engage in counseling. This is why it so important for institutions of higher education to become intentional in diversifying their recruitment and hiring for their faculty and staff to complement the demographics of their student body population. At the very least, students who participated in the study reported that meeting with a counselor who has been trained to work with Arab American students would increase their likelihood of engaging with a counselor on campus. This is an indication that trainings, like the one I developed, on culturally competent practices with Arab Americans are so important.
My research examined the paucity of Arab American cultural competency training available for college counseling professionals. What I found is although Arab Americans have been immigrating and residing in the United States since the 1800s, they have been commonly left out of the academic discourse and are an understudied population for aspiring students pursuing degrees in social work, psychology, and What inspired you to choose this topic for counseling. By not including this population in your dissertation? the academic literature, we are introducing a I became passionate about this research given group of professional social workers, the lack of adequate mental health services for psychologists, and counselors in the field who Arab American students and how it affects their potentially lack knowledge on the key sociosuccess. Another factor that inspired me politico-economic features that shape and included the Arab American students who came define this population. I also found that while to see me for counseling, or who enrolled in my many classes and would counselors who breathe a sigh a of are committed relief, saying things “What I found is although Arab to diversity may like, “I’m so glad I Americans have been immigrating and have have someone I backgrounds in can talk to who residing in the United States since the some social shares my 1800s, they have been commonly left justice/racial background and issues, they understands me as out of the academic discourse and are usually lack an Arab.” I was also an understudied population…” training in the inspired by my area of Arab colleagues, who American consult with me on exclusion and discrimination. As mental health a regular basis because they want to keep pace providers, it’s imperative that we look beyond with the contemporary challenges of this individual expressions of distress and explore the population and confidently assist them when impact of anti-Arab and Islamophobic foreign they call on us for support while experiencing and domestic policies such as the global war on psychological distress. The negative and harmful terror, the Muslim travel ban, mass surveillance, characterization of Arab Americans in corporate and racial profiling programs. Finally, my research media also propelled me to dedicate my research
on culturally competent practices with Arab Americans.
Did USF’s College of Education provide you with the support you needed while completing your doctorate?
Did your research begin before your dissertation work, or was the dissertation the vehicle for you to complete research on something that you were passionate about?
I’d like to especially thank my dissertation advisor, Dr. Jean Demas, for her encouragement,
Unfortunately, the Arab American population has been sorely neglected. Since I was an undergrad social work student, I’ve been keenly aware of the holes in the literature on how mental health providers can effectively engage with Arab American clients. Because there is no category for Arab on the U.S. Census Bureau, Arab Americans are categorized as White, which leaves us with no definitive way of capturing their socio-economic, health, mental health and education-related needs. As an Arab American, this is something that I deeply relate to, as our experiences in this country are not the same as those of white people. So I wanted to research a topic that would benefit members of the Arab community and fill the gap in knowledge in the literature.
Was it hard to complete your Ed.D. while also holding down a full-time job? Do you have any tips for students pursuing either master’s or doctoral studies who are trying to juggle work and studies? There were definitely times when I wanted to throw in the towel. When I felt a tremendous amount of guilt for the long hours I spent away from my children, and when the exhaustion from being at work all day felt limiting. However, I had an army of people that pushed me to the finish line, and their support was incredibly crucial. I am indebted to my mama, husband, family, colleagues, and community who didn’t let me give up and stepped up to support me. My advice to students would be to find comfort in loved ones, and that it’s absolutely essential that you effectively manage and organize your time.
knowledge and patience. I am especially appreciative of all the time and assistance she provided as I navigated the demands and stages of doctoral study. I’m also grateful to Dr. Hackett, the late Dr. Bursano, and the entire USF faculty who took a special interest in who I was outside of the classroom and supported the community organizing work I was involved in.
Did you feel your cohort and/or classes were reflective of the diverse campus culture that USF strives for? Did you, personally feel comfortable and supported? The cohort model was brilliant, enabling several of us to advance through the program and complete our doctorate degree together. Members of our cohort kept each other accountable, and we turned to each other for support and encouragement. The makeup of the cohort was fairly diverse and I would strongly encourage continued efforts to diversify student applicants and teaching faculty. I would also encourage a review of the curriculum/teaching materials so that it more inclusive and reflective of BIPOC experiences, challenges and needs.
What do you hope to do as you continue in your career, and/or with your research? Ultimately, I hope to continue serving in my role as a counseling faculty at Moraine Valley Community College and to continue advocating for all BIPOC students. I look forward to broadening the cultural competency training I developed as part of my research, and plan to continue offering the training at institutions of higher education. Since the publication of my articles in Association of American Colleges and Universities and Counseling Today, I’ve been encouraged to keep writing on how mental health providers can support the needs of Arab Americans.
TIME CAPSULE PROJECT UNDERWAY Whether it was the Sisters of St. Francis, who founded the institution; students, who spent years pursuing degrees; faculty and staff, who spent decades teaching, coaching and guiding; or alumni, who remain engaged and continue to support USF, the university’s legacy lies in its people. The USF Alumni & Family Relations Office, on behalf of the USF Alumni Association and in coordination with the student club Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow, recently created a time capsule. Students, alumni and employees of USF were invited to submit photos that best represented their legacy at St. Francis. The collected photos will be preserved in the USF archives and printed as 3×5” photos for inclusion in the capsule, which will be buried during a Homecoming ceremony on Saturday, October 2. The capsule will be retrieved and opened in 2045 as part of USF’s 125th anniversary celebration. “We want to preserve our legacy and honor our present to help celebrate our future. After celebrating our centennial year in 2020, we hope the time capsule will capture the ‘St. Francis story’ as we commence our second century,” said Aubrey Knight, ’04, ’07, director of Alumni & Family Relations.
GIVING BACK USF DONOR RICHARD CHAVEZ Richard Chavez, a lifelong Joliet resident, high school educator, and avid runner, has seen some dreams fulfilled. As a matter of fact, his life journey almost makes his running—and finishing—the Boston Marathon seem like small stuff, even though anyone who knows anything about running knows better. Like most immigrant families, Chavez’s family came to the U.S. from Mexico for a better life. His father came first in 1926, followed by his mother and three eldest siblings one year later. They settled on the east side of Joliet, off Collins Street, in a neighborhood filled with Italian, Mexican, Polish and Slovenian families—many who only spoke their native languages. Chavez’s family eventually grew to include nine children—five boys and four girls—with Chavez being the youngest of them. Chavez recalled that back then, people worked hard and helped one another. That’s how many of them succeeded in creating the “better life” they came to the U.S. for. While many families in his neighborhood could not afford to send their children to school and/or their children dropped out due to hard circumstances, several others like Chavez progressed to higher levels of education and became doctors, dentists, engineers, educators and businesspeople. “I admired the people who worked hard to be successful,” said Chavez, whose parents stressed the importance of a good education, and instilled in
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him the value of hard work. “Even as a child at five or six years old, I understood the benefits of hard labor and I dreamed of a more prosperous standard of living.” The families in his neighborhood were determined to make the best of their opportunities, so they persisted, even when times were tough. During and after the Great Depression, gardening helped to feed hungry mouths, and families would produce “hundreds of cans of vegetables,” according to Chavez, that would get them by when food was scarce. People would walk great distances to get discounted bread, or to buy used clothes or other necessities at thrift-like stores for the needy. The Salvation Army would come through the neighborhood during the holidays to bring food and supplies. Kind and generous schoolteachers would buy their students shoes and coats in the wintertime, in addition to staying after class regularly to teach their students English. One such teacher, Mary Lacey, not only helped Chavez’s oldest sister, Flo, to learn English, but eventually taught all nine children in the family. They remained close with her later in life. Lacey and Chavez’s other teachers served as role models and mentors as he grew to develop his own passion for teaching. “Some kids didn’t know at graduation time what they wanted to do, but I always admired my teachers and the way they helped so many students, including my own family. I never had to decide—I just always knew—I wanted to be a teacher,” said Chavez. Chavez attended Joliet Township High School and enjoyed learning. He was competitive and started developing an interest in running with the encouragement of his P.E. teacher, though he was small and his stride was too short to get him competing with the athletic teams. Nonetheless, like other challenges he faced, he worked hard at it, kept focused and determined, and eventually running inspired him “not to quit when things got difficult,” he explained. He graduated in 1960 in the top six percent of his high school class, then started attending classes at Joliet Junior College. One day, while visiting the college counseling department there and wondering how he would ever be able to afford the cost of a four-year degree, he was informed about a Kiwanis scholarship for $1,000 that would cover tuition, fees, room and board for one year at his college of choice. “Even though there were other, smarter students applying, and my vocabulary wasn’t as distinguished as theirs, I applied and was selected. I will be forever grateful to JJC for helping me get started with that scholarship,” he remarked. At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Chavez studied education, with a focus in social studies, and minored in Spanish. He was the first and only member of his immediate family to obtain a four-year degree, though all of his siblings felt education was important. Several of his siblings took (and excelled) in classes or obtained associate’s degrees from Joliet Junior College, including his brother Joseph, who worked nights and took classes part-time for 20 years before finally receiving his A.S. degree. Many of his nieces and nephews (and great-nieces and nephews) graduated from four-year colleges all over the Midwest. One of his great-nieces, Susana
Pierson Vera, obtained bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Management at USF in 2013, and is currently working on her M.Ed. in Special Education. Chavez went on to accept his first job as a Spanish teacher at Lincoln-Way High School in New Lenox, Illinois, where he taught four years before pursuing graduate studies in Spanish at Middlebury College in Vermont.
It is not surprising that Chavez, a humble man who feels he has been given so much, is committed to giving back. His gratitude continues to spill over as he supports Kiwanis and the University of Illinois, and now the University of St. Francis. The Richard L. Chavez Endowed Scholarship has been established at USF especially for students just like he was… diverse,
When he returned to the area with a graduate degree, he applied and was hired for a position that would become not only his job, but his vocation, for the next 35 years—Spanish teacher at Plainfield High School in Plainfield, Illinois. Both students and their parents liked Chavez. Many became like family members to him. He especially loved the fact his students chose to take his classes, which were not required. He also liked that the school would allow his classes to run, even if only three or four students enrolled. Due to the pesky flu, Chavez was sick for three days—they were the only three days of work he ever missed in his entire 39 years of teaching. When his students would ask why he wouldn’t take a day off to do something he wanted to do, he’d reply, “I am doing what I want to do—I love teaching!” Chavez remained devoted to running throughout his life and ran daily on the Plainfield High School track after school and during the summer. Students would often join him, and one blind student who wanted to experience the feeling of running approached “Senor Chavez” to ask for advice. With the student’s hand on Chavez’s shoulder, the pair ran, one in front of the other, around the track. Chavez found great peace while running, and later went on to not only qualify for, but also finish the historic Boston Marathon in 2:53.
smart, hard-working, determined, and passionate about teaching. The earnings will fund the MERIT Scholarship program, an initiative which strives to place exceptional teachers of color in Joliet’s schools. He reminds friends of USF that small or large donations to this and other USF scholarships can be made to help students who are interested, but unable to, pursue their educational goal. “I’m so grateful for the support of my family, and for all I had that others didn’t. I’m also grateful that God gave me the personality and character to not quit when things got difficult,” said Chavez, who, while interviewed for this story, sat still and steadfast in running shoes—a reminder of the determination that has carried him through life’s challenges and championships. “When someone does something for you, you reciprocate to show your appreciation. Others believed in me, now I have the opportunity to do the same for other minority students who will reap the benefits of a good education.”
BLACK SAINTS
MATTER A scholarship of $1,000 will soon be awarded to two full-time, undergraduate students in 2021-22, thanks to the new Black Saints Matter Scholarship, established by USF’s Diversity Committee and Charism Council. The tuition will be applied toward tuition and/or room and board for the 2021-22 academic year. The scholarship is open to Black USF undergraduate students who have a desire to
To find out more about the Richard L. Chavez Endowed Scholarship and others like it at the University of St. Francis, visit stfrancis.edu/university-scholarships.
Scholarship Funded!
bring forth impactful change that can continue to help mold USF’s campus culture. They must have earned at least 30 credit hours, with a 2.5 GPA or higher. They should also have been engaged in their school and/or local communities regarding diversity and inclusion while in high school or since enrolling at USF. Students who receive the Black Saints Matter Scholarship are required to share their voice and
engage the campus community regarding diversity and inclusion at the USF. This can be through involvement in student organizations, multicultural honor societies, the Hot Topics program, the Diversity Council, being trained for and hosting FrankChats, or other similar activities. Stay tuned for the newest recipients to be announced soon!
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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