April 27, 2022 Dominican University
An ICPA Award-Winning Newspaper
Inauguration Week
Photo by: Azhley Rodriguez
Read more on pg. 4
Take Back the Night Read more on pg. 6
Photo by: Chelsea Zhao
Volleyball Team Makes History Read more on pg. 5
Photo by: Azhley Rodriguez
02 |
Dominican Star
opinion
editor in chief
Chelsea Zhao online content manager
Azhley Rodriguez
social media manager
Rachel Huser
Assignment Editor
Daniela Tovar-Miranda starcast
Matthew Williams staff writers
Chloe Cabrales Matthew Desmond Rachel Huser Katy Agans Azhley Rodriguez Daniela Tovar-Miranda Chelsea Zhao contributing writer
Kalla Williams designers
Cristian Raya David Zlotnik
Advisers
editorial/design adviser
Shonda Dudlicek faculty adviser
John Jenks
Online
Letter From the Editor Dear Dominican University Student, Staff and Faculty, When I first started at the Star as a general assignment reporter as a freshman in 2018, I would never have predicted the realization of the current moment. Walking into the campus with big dreams and ambitions, I wanted to accomplish wondrous things for the world. Within the span of four years here, I learned that progress takes time and commitment. On a corner of the campus, near the grotto, there is a maze laid to the ground in a ripple pattern of red and blue. When I first walked into the path, I sought for the shortest path to the center. I fixed my eyes upon the
center, tried not being led astray by various turns and devoted my attention to reaching the goal. However, as they say, life happens, and things flipped at the inflection point of 2020. I watched as the people I knew from the Star left abruptly, leaving only us three students who were convinced that the Star cannot disappear amid all this. Student journalism must stay. Through this path of reporting on-campus, we as student journalists must come to grips with hard conversations even as we tried to figure out life on our own. And after hours of grueling interviewing and coming up with the right words, I often ask myself: Is there
anyone out there who really cares about what I’m writing? The most important lesson I realized now, is that I must keep going even when the going gets tough and seemingly leads to nowhere. Perhaps through an act of faith or a human instinct to survive, I seek to internally acknowledge my emotions to let it go so I shall move on. In a series of twists and turns in this segment of my journey, you were truly the highlights. Thank you for reading, writing and speaking out in the moments that now passes off to another chapter of DU history. And I stand, at the center of the maze, pondering despite how
different we all were or the paths we took, all of life are heading toward the same destination in the end. It is a humbling experience to have been the editor of the Star and I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from freshman year: “Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.” -- Rainer Maria Rilke qzhao@my.dom.edu
website
From Green Crayon and Notepad to Journalist
Rachel Huser
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About the Star
The Dominican Star, the student newspaper of Dominican University, is published twice a month. The Dominican Star is not submitted to any person or organization for prior approval. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to voice their opinions to the editor. All letters must be typed, signed and include a phone number. Letters should not exceed 300 words and should be emailed to domstarnews@ gmail.com. Editors reserve the right to refuse submissions that may be deemed as libelous, unethical, in poor taste or prompting legal issues. The Star reserves the right to edit submissions for length, style and standards of good taste. This publication presents opinions that do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, reporters, faculty or the administration of Dominican University. To leave a voice message, call the Dominican Star 708-488-5106
Staff Writer
I was 6 years old when I wrote my first story. I was in a car seat in the back of my mother’s Dodge Caravan. It was forest green, and it had a cassette player. My brother was sitting in his car seat next to me, my mother sitting in front of him and my father driving. We were roadtripping to Colorado for a wedding. It was my first
road trip and I wanted to document it. So, I grabbed a notepad and a green crayon. And I started scribbling. Didn’t even write coherent words. I wanted to be like those journalists I had seen on television shows that wrote quickly. So that’s what I did. There’s a photo of me somewhere in my childhood home of me posing with that filled-in notepad, standing in front of the Rocky Mountains.
Never did I think I would grow up to be one of those journalists that I had seen on television. My time at The Star has been unforgettable. My colleagues, advisers and interviewees have shown me that being a journalist is more than just writing stories. It’s about building connections, building relationships. And I have built many relationships while working for The Star, relationships I’ll cherish for a long time. So, I leave you all with
a thank you. Thank you for allowing me to tell your stories. Thank you for reading them. Thank you all for your support in my journey as a budding journalist. May The Star continue to grow and serve the Dominican community as it has in the past. I’m grateful and honored to say that I was a part of it all.
rhuser@my.dom.edu
Caritas Until the End and Veritas Forever Daniela Tovar-Miranda Staff Writer
When I first came to Dominican, I felt like graduation day was going to be so far into the future, something I was going to have to look forward to for a long time. But now, walking
across the stage is just weeks away. While some graduates are decorating caps, some scrambling looking for jobs, and some getting excited for graduate school, we all have one thing in common: our time at Dominican is running out, but we made a lot of memories in these
classrooms with friends. For me, the past few years that I have been writing for the Star have been unforgettable. I got to meet a lot of people through reporting by being able to write stories on what was happening around campus, I was able to give other people a
chance to get their voice on writing. It has been a fun experience and I am thankful for all the people willing to talk to me, and allowed themselves to be quoted in the stories I reported. dtovarmiranda@my.dom.edu
Goodbye Star Our seniors enjoying their last production day together ever. Good luck to our senior staff members as they embark on their journey in their professional lives! Photos by: Azhley Rodriguez
April 27, 2022
OPINIONS
| 03
Take Action for Earth Day
The spring, summer, fall and winter all have holidays to celebrate such as Easter, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas. On these days, people take the time to celebrate with gatherings, food and presents. Even though these days are important, one holiday that often gets overlooked is Earth Day on April 22, 2022. Celebrating Earth Day not only give us a chance to appreciate our planet, but to care for it as well. Having a holiday dedicated to our planet started in 1970. Before this year, citizens of the United States were not
taking good care of the Earth. According to www.earthday.org, “In the decades leading up to the first Earth Day, Americans were consuming vast amounts of leaded gas through massive and inefficient automobiles.” There were other problems such as “air pollution … oil spills … and the extinction of wildlife.” People were living in an unhealthy environment. That same year, Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin, witnessed the effects “of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.” Nelson, along with Pete McCloskey, a congressman who cared for the environment, and Denis Hayes, an activist, worked “to infuse the energy of student anti-war protests with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution.” They decided to hold “a teach-in on college campuses” on “April 22, a weekday falling between Spring Break and Final Exams, to maximize
the greatest student participation.” Many people were involved in this event, and soon, “They changed the name to Earth Day, which immediately sparked national media attention, and caught on across the country.” By 1990, Earth Day was celebrated around the world. It also inspired “the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit” a “global conference” that “brought together political leaders, diplomats, scientists, representatives of the media and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from 179 countries for a massive effort to focus on the impact of human socio-economic activities of the environment.” There are many ways we can celebrate Earth Day. We can also celebrate by using this day to take care of the Earth. It is never too late to create change in the environment, and Earth Day is a great day to enact it. We can try to pick up litter we see on
campus. We can be more conscious about what to throw out and what to recycle. We can try to go the entire day without using plastic. Not only can we celebrate Earth Day by taking care of our home, but we can also spend the day appreciating our home. We can walk or ride a bike to the woods and take in the natural scenery. We can support local businesses by buying fresh produce and appreciating the plants that provide us with food every day. Appreciating our home does not have to just involve being outside. We can use the arts to celebrate as well. We can get involved with local environmental organizations. Because we are at Dominican University, look no further than SustainDU, which, according to EngageDU hosted an Earth Week Mini Film Fest-One Earth One Film Festival. This event allowed DU “to watch in community a top documentary film on
environmental justice, followed by a post-film discussion and action tables.” We can also read books that teach us about the environment. A good book to read is Octavia E. Butler’s “Parable of the Sower,” which tells the story of how “When global climate change and economic crises lead to social chaos in the early 2020s …Fifteenyear-old Lauren Olamina … must make her voice heard in order to protect her loved ones.” As we are living in the same time period as Lauren, this book might inspire us to take action against climate change. Earth Day can be a day of celebration and action for everyone. We can take care of the Earth by cleaning up the planet and enjoying the environment. We can also invest time into the arts to learn how we can create change. Using this day as a day of action will benefit the world in the future. mdesmond@my.dom.edu
Future of Chicago Fashion Is Now Mark my words, Chicago will become the new fashion capital of the Midwest! Powered by
the Fashion Bar, a fashion business consulting firm, Chicago is in its eighth season of holding
its very own collection of shows featuring the work of emerging and well-established
local designers and brands. These shows will take place at Water Tower place (Level 3) on Chicago Magnificent Mile. Breaking out and forging its own identity within the fashion world, Chicago Fashion Week provides the city an opportunity to lean on its unique flavor of diversity, culture, and talent. Models and designers from all walks of life are featured to display their collections and talent with the most respect and dignity they deserve. Alexis Aurora for instance, an alopecia advocate and model, will gracefully walk down the runway for multiple lineups featured in Chicago Fashion Week. From April 28 through May 1, designers will unveil their collections focused on different identities and styles. The lineups for these shows will include transmedia fashion, eco-friendly, modern and ready to
wear, swim and resort wear, urban and street, modest wear, and evening wear. To kick off the anticipation of the coming shows, the Fashion Bar held a designer reveal party on April 16, hosted by Florinda Fiore, longtime brand ambassador, creative director, and fashion consultant. From the red carpet to glamorous interviews conducted by important news outlets, this event gave a tease of the high life. See page 7
04 |
Dominican Star
campus news
Dominican Inaugurates 11th President Azhley Rodriguez
Staff Writer
Glena Temple was inaugurated as Dominican’s 11th president this month, after a week of events leading up to the event. The rainy day began with a ceremonial Mass in Rosary Chapel. It was multilingual with feature songs sung in Spanish, and prayers translated in languages including Arabic, Hebrew and Hindi. Then, more than 800 students, faculty, trustees, alumni, staff and community members united in the Lund Auditorium or via Zoom livestream as Temple – who doesn’t like being the center of attention – thanked everyone for being present. “I just want to say thank you for the warm welcome. We are here today to celebrate Dominican University,” Temple said. “I am moved to see a full auditorium, in the busy time of the semester, who come to celebrate with us.” The ceremony began with a procession of
professors, staff and alumni decorated in their regalia as they walked into the auditorium to their assigned seats. Evelyn “Gigi” Benitez, alumna and member of the Alumni Leadership Council, delivered the invocation. Other notable mentions featured Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa sponsor council liaison Sister Judith Schaefer to deliver the litany, chair of the Alumnae/i Leadership Council Vanessa Jackson, a poetry reading by senior Prayer Childress and others. Junior and President of the Student Government Association Gabriela Corral narrated the symbolic exchange of the Candle and Rose ceremony between retired president Donna Carroll and Temple. “The rose, also in the Dominican shield, holds the promise of Caritas. The candle symbolizes the light of knowledge and the ancient motto of the Dominican order, Veritas,” Carroll said. “Dr. Temple, as you assume the office of the
president, may you take and protect this light of knowledge, respect the wisdom of those who have come before you, keep the search for new learning ever burning in your heart and mind and do the truth always.” Temple was also presented with a medallion by Anne M. Kohler, chair of the board of trustees. “Wear it as a symbol of the authority and responsibility you accept and hold as president of Dominican University,” Kohler said. The ceremony concluded with a speech from Temple marking her official inauguration. “A significant component of my sense of calling in higher education is to be part of the mission of strong religious women who have demonstrated time and time again how they step up and lean in to meet the needs of communities and support the marginalized among us,” Temple said. She also discussed ongoing efforts to invest in the institution and in the education of current and future students.
Left: Temple receiving a medallion from the Board of Trustees. Photos by: Azhley Rodriguez
Temple comes to Dominican from Viterbo University in Wisconsin, where she served as president of the university since 2017. Inauguration week featured a series of events leading up to the ceremony focused on the four pillars of the Dominican community: prayer, community, service and justice. Tuesday featured an evening of prayer in Rosary Chapel and livestreamed on Zoom. The holy preaching was performed by Sister Barbara Reid, president of Catholic Theological Union and presider Sister Marci Hermesdorf, assistant professor emerita of English. Wednesday began with the annual Graduate and Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Investigations ((G) URSI) event in Parmer Atrium where students highlighted their research projects. Thursday’s festivities were the highlight of the week featuring the inaugural Mass and ceremony.
To conclude the week, Friday featured a series of events and guest speakers centered on service. The first event was in Little Village at “Pan de Vida,” a hunger outreach and food distribution initiative of New Life Centers of Chicago. A virtual event hosted by Rush University Medical Center, discussed hyperlocal vaccination clinics in the Chicagoland area. Then author Dr. David Ansell virtually discussed the struggles of inequality and the importance of treating it like any other major illness. Then the Rebecca Crown Library also featured an art gallery from, “Project Fire,” a trauma recovery program for youth injured by gun violence in Chicago. Finally, a separate, “Trauma Informed Mindfulness,” threepart virtual program in navigating trauma was offered. arodriguez2@my.dom.edu
Right: Temple beams as crowd welcomes her to the DU community.
DU Set for First In-person Graduation Since 2019 Chelsea Zhao Staff Writer
DU Class of 2022 is on track to attend an in-person graduation ceremony along with Candle and Rose as well as a Baccalaureate Mass. Mass will be
celebrated in Rosary Chapel at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 7. The Mass is a Roman Catholic celebration of the Eucharist and invites guests and graduates of all faith to attend. No regalia is required for the Mass. Nathaly Valdivia
Oberto-Besso is the student preacher. Candle and Rose is set for 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, on the Quad and Cloister Walk. In case of rain, the location is Lund Auditorium. No regalia is needed at the ceremony. Volunteers
are appreciated for this unique Dominican tradition. Commencement is on Sunday, May 8, at noon for undergraduates and 4:30 p.m. for graduates at the Rosemont Theatre. Students will need to wear their academic
regalia and meet one hour prior to the ceremony in the staging area for the processional walk. Refreshments will also be provided in the morning and between the ceremonies. qzhao@my.dom.edu
April 27, 2022
CAMPUS NEWS
| 05
Rebecca Crown Library Bookmarks 50 Years Katy Agans
Contributing Writer At Dominican, even the buildings get birthdays. The Rebecca Crown Library celebrated its 50-year anniversary on April 11. The celebration is split into two different events. The first was a keynote speaker event, notes of interest from Rebecca Crown Library’s anniversary with presenter Steven Szegedi on April 11. The second is a coffee talk: discussion with School of Information Studies library directors on April 26. Construction for the Rebecca Crown Library began in November 1968. By 1970 materials began to be moved into the building. It was not until April 11, 1972, that the building was fully operational and officially opened, according to
Steven Szegedi, archivist and special collections librarian at Dominican. There were many reasons that Dominican decided to build the Rebecca Crown Library building, according to Szegedi. “Mainly, we had too little space for the collections, too few librarians, and the desperate need for new facilities to accommodate all of the social, societal, and curricular changes occurring at Dominican – well, Rosary College at the time – as well as across the U.S.,” Szegedi said. “Our student enrollment was growing, the number of classes we offered, and the needs of the classes and faculty, were also growing. The Department of Library Science was approved to be a formal school at that time too. At the time the library school offered our only graduate degree, but six more were
projected to by 1970. Plus, we went co-ed in 1970.” Since it first opened in 1972, the Rebecca Crown has undergone some renovations in order to keep the library modern and technologically up to date. In 1994 plans started to be put into place to renovate the library. This included making changes to the carpeting and lighting. The plans also included renovations that would make accommodations based on the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. These renovations took place in 2000-2002. During this time, the Cyber Café was added into the building and 50 computer workstations were added throughout the facility. Special facilities like multimedia production rooms and meeting rooms were also added into the lower levels
of the building during this time, according to Szegedi. Prior to the construction of the Rebecca Crown Library building, there were a number of different spaces on campus used for the library over the years, Szegedi said. “There was no formal library at first. Beginning in October of 1922 reference books were dispensed from packing cases on the third floor of Power Hall. Books considered essential were shelved for the first time in the third-floor lobby, whereafter the library moved to what was, until a few years ago, the Sisters’ community room (today’s Center for Cultural Liberation),” he said. “From the start though there were plans to use space in Mazzuchelli – the entire second floor was initially intended for just the library, two spacious
rooms with high arched ceilings. A tower that was planned for campus was never built either, so the chapel then had to take one of the two spacious rooms and is still there today” Szegedi said. “The library occupied one large room, with adjacent stack space, for 40 years, from 1931-1971, in what is today the Noonan.” Today the Rebecca Crown Library is the heart of campus. Freshman Rachel Esser uses the resources and works at the library. “The staff are super friendly and always super helpful when me or a patron have a question,” she said. “It’s been a really great experience working there and the library is a great source for students for help finding materials for their classes.” kagans@my.dom.edu
DU Star Men’s Volleyball Celebrates Season of Firsts After an unforgettable, momentous season, the men’s volleyball team was defeated by Carthage College men’s volleyball team in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA tournament, after defeating North Central College in the opening round of the tournament. Last season, Dominican made it to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament, losing to Carthage College. This season, Dominican faced North Central College in the opening round of the NCAA tournament in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on April 15. Dominican won the game 3-2, but in the Being the dedicated team they are, they
focused on the journey it took to get to the NCAA and what passion and drive for the sport means for the future of the team. The Dominican’s men’s volleyball team punched their ticket on April 9 to the NCAA tournament by defeating Benedictine University in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference, NACC, tournament final 3 sets to 1. After their win against Benedictine University, Dominican has now won a program record of 20 straight matches, had its first-ever undefeated conference record, and is the first team in DU Athletics history to be ranked No. 1 in the country. This win will be its third NACC Tournament title and fifth NACC Volleyball
Championship. In an email statement, interim head coach Doug Burchett said: “I am super proud of our team for all of the hard work they have put in this year to bring home another Conference Championship and another opportunity to make an NCAA Tournament Run. We are honored to represent our conference in the NCAA tournament and are excited to make it back-to-back years and our fourth overall NCAA Tournament appearance in six years!” Seniors on the team were proud of the effort and dedication it took to get to the tournaments. “Just super proud of the guys and the hard work we have put in and to see that it paid off in the end (NACC finals),” said senior Mat Molloy. “The last four years are a testament to what we are as a program and what we stand for. I know that after I graduate, the classes below will continue our tradition.” Seniors include Lucas Eggers, Daniel Sharrah, Trey Cowan, Jack McGuire, George Kougan and Molloy. Several of those
seniors were recognized by the NACC, with McGuire being named the NACC player of the year. McGuire, Molloy and Kougan made NACC first team, while Cowan made NACC second team. Dominican was also named to be NACC coaching staff of the year. McGuire and Kougan were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s AllWest Region teams while Burchett was named the West Region’s Coach of the Year, which was announced on April 12. “Winning a Conference Championship is obviously an extremely rewarding feeling and it was awesome to be able to play in front of our home fans. The DU community did a fantastic job coming out to support us to create a home court advantage, and I think it was the best atmosphere we have ever had at a home match!” said Burchett. During the final, the crowd was seen wearing all black, many holding up signs in support of the team. “To be completely honest, I feel like this is the team of destiny.
These guys, especially our seniors, are the hungriest group this school has seen. They want a National Championship and they are working their butts off for it,” said Mack Gonzales, a senior who has not missed a single home game this season. “Every night in IGINI you feel their drive and their energy. It’s almost electric. They fight not only for themselves, but for the pride of Dominican.” Games and scores: Dominican lost in the NCAA Elight Eight in 3 sets to Carthage College, Set 1: CC25-22, Set 2: CC25-22, Set 3: CC25-17. Dominican won in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 5 sets against North Central College, Set 1: DU25-13, Set 2: DU25-23, Set 3:NCC3129, Set 4:NCC26-24, Set 5: DU15-13. The NACC championship game consisted of four sets, Set 1: DU25-21, Set 2: DU25-21, Set 3: BenU25-22 Set 4: DU25-17.
dtovarmiranda@my.dom.edu
06 |
Dominican Star
NEWS
Solidarity Walk Remembers Sexual Violence Victims Chelsea Zhao Staff Writer
Wellness Center and other local organizations raised awareness of sexual assault and commemorated victims and survivors of domestic violence on April 21 in the Quad. Members of the DU community gathered on the Quad for Take Back the Night Memorial and Silent Walk last week to learn about the resources of domestic violence for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. On the Cloister Walk, Representatives from groups including Campus Safety, Department of Social Work, Administration and Student Government
provided information and spoke on the historical relevance and need for community cooperation. Barrington Price, vice president of Student Success and Engagement, introduced the event along with opening prayer from Tara Segal, assistant director of University Ministry. Tamara Bland, director of the nursing program, spoke of the Girl Scouts chant: “Make New Friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold,” in reflecting policies for women and demanding justice for victims of sexual violence. Shalonda Lane, assistant coordinator of Continuing Studies, and Sheila Yousuf-Abramson and Leticia Villarreal-Sosa
from the School of Social Work offered emotional words of reflection about Andris B. Wofford, the master’s student who lost her life to a domestic dispute just months before finishing her degree. In the memorial, professors recognized the late Wofford as the “social worker without a degree” with tenacity in pursuing the education she planned to dedicate to her two daughters. A legacy scholarship is set up as a tribute to Wofford as well as a traumainformed approach to domestic violence for social work graduate students. Sasha Santiago from Campus Safety and Ben Ransom, DU liaison to the River Forest Police
Department, spoke on their support on behalf of the community. Santigo stated that the bulk of the work is “relationship building and connection with people.” Ransom related his involvement in Internet Crime Against Children and notes “we want to create an environment for people to feel safer to come forward.” Gabriella Corral, president of Student Government Association, mentioned Explain the Asterisk, an organization that aims to end campus sexual violence through policy reform and education at local, state and federal levels. Fashion Lecturer McKinley Johnson introduced the three fashion students Eimee
Diaz Rueda, Francheliz Sanchez, and Maya Marie Villareal, who shared their designs that seek to highlight spiritual renewal, rebirth from trauma and confidence in self to victims of sexual abuse. After a solemn walk of commemoration around the Quad, participants returned to the cloister walk, where tables designated for Sarah’s inn, Rise Up, Pillars Community Health, Wellness Center and Mujeres Latinas En Accion laid out flyers about programs available for the community. qzhao@my.dom.edu
APIDA Month Keynote Speaker
Mia Manansala reading and discussing her cozy mystery book Homicide and Halo-Halo.
Thursday, April 28, Center for Cultural Liberation (Lewis 2nd floor), 2:30-3:20 2:30-2:45: Free Halo-Halo bar (Filipino shave ice) 2:45-3:20: Reading and discussion
April 27, 2022
campus news
| 07
DU Grad Students Shadow Italian Doctors Azhley Rodriguez Staff Writer
Two Dominican graduate students on the pre-med track traveled to Italy to gain experience this past January. Doctors in Italy provides English speaking people in Italy who need health care during their time in Italy, a platform to be connected to a local Englishspeaking doctor. The post baccalaureate program at Dominican provided Julia Bensen and Amy Hocza, graduate students in the premedical program, the opportunity to travel abroad and shadow
Italian doctors. Hocza, who had never been outside of the country, thought this was an amazing opportunity she couldn’t pass up. “I’ve never been to Europe before. Not only was I able to explore a new place, but I also got to shadow a doctor,” Hocza said. Both Hocza and Bensen were presented the opportunity through an adviser who forwarded an email from Doctors in Italy to the students in the premedical program. Hocza was intrigued and applied for a diversity scholarship to help support the costs of the trip. While she was
there, she participated in the two-week winter program in Italy where she was able to see a total hip replacement on a 14-year-old boy. “We got to see it from the very beginning where he was getting prepped for the surgery, the anesthesia, to the point where they cut the hip area out. It was really cool. I’ve never seen anything like that in the U.S.,” Hocza said. She also shadowed cardiologists and dermatologists in her time at the clinic and fell in love with the food and sights while she was in Italy. Bensen, who was
skeptical at first, thought the program was a wonderful opportunity for her career. “I was like, this does not sound legit, there’s no way we could go to Italy and shadow a doctor,” Bensen said. “So, I looked more into their program and the application was simple, I did an interview with the program director, and then I got an email saying I had been accepted. I opted for the three-week program, and I loved it. If I could go back right now, I would.” She spent the first three weeks of the new year in Rome and shadowed different areas
of the hospital. “I spent time in radiology, oncology, orthopedics, surgery, and they just rotate you around. We also learned suturing and staples. We worked with a laparoscopic dummy to understand how to work with laparoscopic instruments and it was so cool,” Bensen said. Both women are currently working toward applying for med school and earning their doctorate degrees and continuing their journey to become doctors.
arodriguez2@my.dom.edu
Vitamin Sunshine is Homegrown Remedy
Kalla Williams
Food for Thought As another Chicago winter comes to a close, countless people eagerly anticipate longer days and beautiful summer weather. This excitement is partly due to the positive shifts in mood and mental health brought about by the changing seasons. Many of us are undoubtedly relieved to no longer trudge through snowy terrain on our way to class or work, but sunshine itself just might play an even bigger role
in our uplifted spirits. Sunlight has the incredible power to boost your mood by triggering serotonin release and improving quality of sleep. Its health benefits go even further as sunlight acts as an essential driver in the synthesis of the “sunshine” vitamin itself: vitamin D. Vitamin D is a critical micronutrient with several important functions in the body. It aids in necessary bone development by increasing absorption of calcium and phosphorus. The vitamin further improves health by reducing inflammation and protecting you against infection. A somewhat miraculous characteristic of this nutrient is its ability to form within our own bodies. That’s right, vitamin D is actually synthesized
in the skin with a little help from sun rays. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun triggers the creation of an early version of the vitamin. This pre-vitamin then heads to the liver and kidneys where it is metabolized into its active form. Once activated, this “homegrown” vitamin D is free to move about the body and perform its numerous protective functions. It is important to note that vitamin D synthesized naturally in the skin from sunlight is just as active and potent as dietary and supplemental sources. This is why people of all ages should try to get at least 30 minutes to an hour of sunlight each day throughout the week. Doing so will help you get a healthy boost of vitamin D as well as contribute to overall
benefits of spending time outdoors. In light of busy schedules and the occasionally inescapable workload that keeps us indoors, it’s also important to know some dietary components that provide this nutrient. Several good sources of vitamin D include salmon, tuna fish and egg yolks, and fortified foods and beverages such as orange juice, cereals and dairy and plant milks. Supplementation is another way to improve vitamin D status, and this should always be done after consultation with a healthcare provider such as a physician or registered dietitian. This is because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that overconsumption of supplements can lead to toxicity in some cases. However, this is easily
avoided by increasing your natural vitamin sources and making sure to ask a professional for advice. The sunshine vitamin is ultimately an incredible tool that allows your body to properly develop and stay healthy. Getting enough of it will help you fight infection and improve your happiness and well-being. The approaching spring and summer provide a wonderful opportunity to be more active in outdoor sports and recreational activities. Taking advantage of fresh air, sunlight and nature will be sure to boost your mood as well as improve your health and wellness. So, get outside (after applying SPF) and soak up the sun! kwilliams@my.dom.edu
FREE TO DU STUDENTS more info at events.dom.edu
Dominican University Performing Arts Center & St. Catherine of Siena Center
Apr 20
Wednesday
O’Connor Art Gallery Senior Thesis 2022 through April 29
May 2
Monday
FOLLETT LECTURE
Ebony Thomas The Shadow Book: Reading Slavery, Fugitivity, and Freedom in Children’s Books and Media
Ebony Thomas Follett Lecture
5.2.22
Senior Thesis Exhibition through 4.29.22
Continued From Page 3
When compared to New York or Paris fashion, Chicago just has that special spark. The value of inclusivity is what makes the core of Chicago fashion unique. The direction of fashion in the Midwest is looking well-lit and impactful, and you have Chicago to thank for that.
You should consider attending this Chicago Fashion Week but hurry as tickets continue to sell quickly. You will be impressed by the visions of the future of fashion! ccabrales@my.dom.edu
08 | cam p us n ews
Dominican Star
2022
Outstanding SENIORS Accounting - Edgar Perez
History - Vincenzo Cerasuolo
Biology - David Poensgen
Human Services - Lauren Manu
Biology-Chemistry - Lucas Eggers
Informatics - Samantha Armijo & Qi Zhao
Black World Studies - Gabriel Nunley
International Business - Anthony Sarnelli
Chemistry - Donald Johnson Communication Studies - Matthew Williams Computer Science - Iyleah Hernandez Corporate Communication - Kamila Plaza Criminology - Amanda Bulow Culinology - Loretta Maloney Data Science - Samantha Armijo Digital Journalism - Qi (Chelsea) Zhao Early Childhood Education - Lizbeth Marquez Economics - Diamonie McKinney Elementary Education - Sarah Termini
International Relations & Diplomacy - Jocelyn Torres Italian Studies - Vincenzo Cerasuolo K-12 Education - Liliana Gaona Legal Studies - Audra Hutton Management - Nicole Soltyszewski Marketing - Randall Pietrowski Mathematics - Daniela Salgado Natural Science - Kamil Orozco Neuroscience - Danielle Mason Nursing - Janissa Rodriguez Nutrititon & Dietetics - Gabrielle Green Painting & Drawing - Josslyn Baron
English - Mariana Urueta Hernandez
Psychology - Josslyn Baron
Entrepreneurship - Karyme Castro
Secondary Education - Daniel Dominguez
Fashion Design - Eimee Diaz
Social Media - Rachel Huser
Fashion Merchandising - Nicole Kozikowski
Sociology - Linda Nevarez
Finance - Jenna Kourafas
Spanish Studies - Linda Nevarez
French & Francophone Studies - Qi Zhao
Special Education - Ryan Fitzgerald
Health Communication - Yessenia Torres
Theology - Joshur Mazzone