SAINT XAVIER SAINT XAVIER
The Magazine of Saint Xavier University
National Alumni Board
Saint Xavier University’s National Alumni Board represents alumni from various decades, academic fields, and geographic locations. The board members, who are volunteers and ambassadors for SXU, work to connect with alumni across the country. Under the guidance of the Office of University Advancement, the National Alumni Board supports the University’s mission, vision, and goals through a range of programs and events.
The board members aim to foster a sense of community among alumni, keep them informed about the University’s progress and needs, and encourage their support for its advancement. They also play a significant role in engaging other alumni.
The National Alumni Board is dedicated to serving all alumni and friends, regardless of location, by creating meaningful connections between alumni, students and the entire SXU community. Additionally, the board seeks to promote a culture of philanthropy, leveraging the time, talent, and resources of alumni and friends to support SXU’s educational efforts. The board is committed to managing resources in a thoughtful, intentional, and innovative manner to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.
To learn more about membership on the National Alumni Board or about alumni activities at SXU, contact Alumni Relations at alumni@sxu.edu.
National Alumni Board Members
Megan Adamo ’12
Gloria Barrera ’07
Robert Burns ’99
Terry Cornell ’97 (President)
Tina Donoghue ’08
Stephanie Dumais ’17
Shanee Hunter ’07
Karrie Mallo ’21
Taylor Porter ’18
Sergio Senese ’01, ’18 (Vice President)
Lisa Simmons ’10
Sherry Ward-Franklin ’15
Scan the QR code for more information about the National Alumni Board.
Magazine Purpose Statement:
Saint Xavier Magazine strengthens the shared connection between alumni, the University and its community. Stories demonstrate the core values of excellence and diversity, encourage learning for life and engage the minds of the University family.
Saint
for the University’s alumni and friends by the Office of University Relations and is sponsored by the Office of University Advancement.
Vice
Deborah
Senior
Breeanna
Contributing
Kathleen
Jeanmarie
Catherine
Donna
Keith
Brian
Nathan
Brad
Deb
Nicole
Zepure
SPOTLIGHT ON PRESIDENT ELDER QA &
Congratulations on being named Saint Xavier University’s 22nd president! You took office in March. What have you enjoyed about being president?
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the students, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding communities. Each person has a unique story, and I have been enlightened and encouraged by listening and learning.
What were your first impressions about Saint Xavier, and what about the University’s Mercy mission attracted you to the campus?
My first impression was one of optimism as I walked through the campus. Saint Xavier is the first Mercy institution of higher learning in the world and has shown resilience, persistence, and adaptability in its pursuit of success. The Mercy heritage guided by Catherine McAuley was instrumental in my attraction to Saint Xavier because it is cemented by prayer, service, and meeting the needs of all, particularly the poor and vulnerable. SXU strives to live the Catholic mission and Mercy heritage daily and in a personby-person interaction.
Tell us about the SXU community – faculty, staff, students and alumni. What are your hopes for collaboration?
The students, faculty, staff, and alumni are a deeply committed community. Our students are bright, hardworking, and resilient, and we are fortunate to serve them and help them achieve their professional and life goals. Equally as important, the faculty and staff are exemplary -- their dedication to our students is evident in everything they do. Additionally, our alumni are quite impactful and generous. As an institution, we want to engage our alumni better in the lives of our students and campus, and we are making positive strides with alumni.
What does the future of Saint Xavier look like?
The future of SXU is filled with hope and optimism. The challenges of higher education are not going away. Thus, it is incumbent on SXU to perform exemplarily in meeting the needs of our students; adapting to workforce needs and trends; and living out our Catholic tradition and Mercy heritage. If we do the aforementioned and pray, SXU can thrive. n
BE A PART OF THE PRESIDENT’S CLUB AT SXU!
In 2024, Saint Xavier University excitedly relaunched the President’s Club, an annual giving society that recognizes the University’s most dedicated donors. Anyone whose contributions to SXU total $1,000 or more in a given fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) will be recognized as a member of this exclusive group. In appreciation of their commitment, President’s Club members will receive a special memento of thanks, an annual report detailing the impact of their philanthropy on Saint Xavier, an invitation to a President’s Club reception hosted by President Keith Elder, insider quarterly communications directly from the president, and more.
“Since becoming president, one of my top priorities has been increasing the resources available to support our incredible students. Alumni and friends who make yearly gifts to Saint Xavier
help us raise the bar on what we can accomplish—everything from keeping education affordable and providing great experiences to improving the vibrant University community in which our students grow and thrive. Members of the President’s Club represent the inner circle of philanthropic leaders at this University, and we hope this special level of recognition shows how much we appreciate their contributions and inspires others to join their ranks,” said President Elder.
“We want to invite all alumni and friends of Saint Xavier interested in helping advance this wonderful University and creating the best futures possible for its students to join us in becoming dedicated members of the President’s Club,” said Nick and Kelly Urso, donors. “This is a terrific way to stand up and be recognized for SXU, and making
an annual gift at this level will have an incredible impact on empowering President Elder and his vision for the University.”
Those who join the President’s Club become part of a distinguished group of SXU supporters who are committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of students and the future of the University. Saint Xavier looks forward to welcoming new members and celebrating the generosity of those who help drive SXU’s mission forward.
For any questions about giving to Saint Xavier or to make your annual donation, call 773-298-3322, email advancement@ sxu.edu or visit www.sxu.edu, keyword: President’s Club. n
2024 ENROLLMENT UPDATES:
SXU WELCOMES THE SECOND LARGEST CLASS OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ON RECORD
SXU continued its ongoing enrollment success in 2024, despite challenges with the federal government’s new FAFSA process and an overall decrease in the number of students entering college across the country.
FALL 2024 ENROLLMENT HIGHLIGHTS
• Marking the third year of the past four with 720+ enrolled freshmen (729).
• Welcoming the largest entering transfer class since 2017 (320), the largest class of new athletes (196), and the second-largest incoming undergraduate class on record.
• Recording the first semester in many with an increase in new graduate students.
As part of its strategic enrollment efforts, SXU implemented a number of approaches, including responding to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) crisis. SXU provided support to help students navigate the process, including personal outreach from SXU’s Office of Financial Aid and a financial aid guarantee, giving students and families confidence to understand they could afford to attend SXU.
Transfer success was a result of a reenergized focus at reaching transfer students who are fully back on campus at community colleges after the COVID-19 pandemic. The University optimized transfer outreach and communications plans, more
fully leveraging marketing technology by enhancing web content and using targeted digital marketing tactics.
A number of new undergraduate degree options were offered through a partnership with Rize, which are attractive for transfer students as a way to flexibly continue their educational progress with more degree options.
At the graduate level, all programs benefited from the work of a strategic focus to centralize marketing and recruiting, applying lessons learned from undergraduate enrollment success to deliver a superior, consistent recruiting experience.
“Much of our success comes from a strategic focus on centralizing the work and optimizing business processes in
OPENING DOORS TO BRIGHT FUTURES THROUGH SOCIAL MOBILITY
the area of marketing and recruiting. Increased collaboration and improved communication by the marketing and admission teams as we deliver a consistent and value-added experience for prospective students has been a very productive investment,” said Deb Rapacz, vice president of Marketing and Communication.
As the University looks forward, continued improved first-year student retention remains a priority, along with making data-informed communication improvements; strengthening collaboration and partnerships with community colleges; continuing to leverage technology to improve student onboarding; and identifying opportunities to generate incremental revenue by enhancing existing programs, developing new programs, and creating educational partnerships. n
Since Saint Xavier University opened its doors in 1846, the institution has been focused on its mission to provide a highquality education to all. Saint Xavier’s founding Sisters of Mercy vowed to care for the poor, the sick, and the uneducated, and as part of the Mercy tradition, the University continues to care for the underserved, knowing how impactful the transformative power of education can be. To advance its mission, the University still enrolls a significant number of students with high financial need, the first step on the path to social mobility, the manner in which a person’s socio-economic situation changes over their lifetime relative to their parents.
U.S. News & World Report ranks Saint Xavier as a top performer in social mobility, an accolade presented to institutions who enroll economically disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants. The majority of the grants are awarded to students whose adjusted gross family incomes are lower than $50,000 -- half of all enrolled SXU students have a total family income of less than $48,000. U.S. News & World Report also recognizes SXU as one of the most economically diverse institutions of higher education in the greater Midwest.
To continue to advance social mobility, an institution must also focus on improving the retention and graduation rates among students who are pursuing
pathways not made available to their parents. For every institution in the Midwest, students who aren’t receiving Pell Grants are graduating at higher rates than Pell students, but at Saint Xavier, the gap between the two groups is small enough that SXU is considered among the top 10 institutions in the Midwest for its performance in advancing social mobility.
Students who earn bachelor’s degrees are able to further their pathways to economic mobility, measured by the wages and earnings of college graduates compared with a college’s net price of attendance and students’ earnings boosts after graduating. Third Way, a national think tank, lists SXU as the No. 1 private institution in Illinois for advancing the economic mobility of graduates from families with total income less than $30,000 per year.
The U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard reveals that SXU graduates who are employed in the first three years after graduation earn twice what their parents did with minimal monthly student loan payments.
As Saint Xavier tirelessly works to continue to propel its Mercy mission, the institution’s dedication to advancing social mobility results in quality and stable employment opportunities, increased earning potential, and improved quality of life for its talented graduates. n
SPRING 2024 RESEARCH EXPO
Each year, Saint Xavier hosts its annual Research Expo, which honors and celebrates the scholarly work of faculty, staff and students, expands high-impact educational opportunities, and creates new knowledge. Participants conduct research, engage in peer-reviewed conference presentations or posters, develop reports, and produce creative elements across a span of research areas, including human behavioral sciences, natural sciences, creative works, humanities and clinical research.
In 2024, the number of projects increased by 60% since the Expo’s inception, with 150 total posters presented from every area of the University.
The Research Expo reflects Saint Xavier University’s leadership commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and scholarship, and the student-faculty teams of the expo engage in meaningful work while also providing an opportunity to
address research questions and contribute to the intellectual life of campus. Nursing students participated in projects that were also beneficial to the community, implementing health promotion in practicum settings. Art students brought real-life experiences to their projects, including one art major who designed a project illustrating his experience with PTSD as a war veteran. STEM students conducted hands-on experiments in the lab that produced additional questions to be explored. Each student-faculty team’s collaborative research project was outstanding and plays a part in helping Saint Xavier advance its mission. n
Champ’s Kitchen | Alleviating Hunger on Campus
Launched in fall 2021, Saint Xavier University’s first on-campus food pantry, Champ’s Kitchen, has been a valuable asset to SXU’s student community, aiming to alleviate hunger so students can continue to focus on their paths to success. When the pantry first opened, it averaged about five to 10 student visitors per week. Now, the pantry has grown in popularity and averages 200-300
student visitors per month. Located in the Student Advising Center, the pantry houses both snack shelves and a freezer. Collecting physical donations of nonperishable food, monetary donations, and end-of-semester remaining meal plan balance donations, the pantry has served more than 1,700 in the past few years, and students are appreciative of the resource. n
To learn more or make an online donation, visit www.sxu.edu, keyword: Champ’s Kitchen.
“I appreciate that Champ’s Kitchen is on campus because I live far away, and sometimes I get hungry. I feel grateful to be provided with something to eat and to have also received cans of food and sauces that were useful to my family. This is my last year, but I am thrilled that I used the food pantry for four years to support me in boosting my energy to finish my work.”
-SXU Student
| Saint Xavier
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT | DAVID NANCE ’97
Not long into his sophomore year, David Nance ‘97 arrived at a crossroad. He had come to Saint Xavier University to play football, a three-sport athlete from St. Louis recruited to help launch the school’s first team in 1993. He recalled from those first practices, before the goalposts had even been erected, that the team actually cleared rocks from the future field. Even though the team didn’t win a single game its first year, Nance liked the challenge of being part of a new program and being able to play immediately as a freshman.
By the midpoint of his second season, though, adversity struck in the form of injuries. A torn ACL and shoulder subluxation prematurely ended his football career.
“I was hugely disappointed,” Nance recalled. “I had to do a lot of soulsearching. I thought about leaving—football had been the whole reason I had come to Saint Xavier. But I had grown to love the culture here, which I realized was about more than just football.”
So, Nance switched gears, taking that competitive drive and desire to be in the thick of things and rechanneling it. He became a resident assistant (RA) and threw himself into student activities. He got to be a clerk on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange as a 19-year-old undergrad and balanced his business studies on campus with internship activities downtown. Though he had to give up on SXU football, he felt like SXU football never gave up on him.
“The coaches, the friends I had on the team, SXU administrators I worked with -- nobody wrote me off,” he said. “They did everything they could to set me up for success as a student and as a person.”
Nance graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in management and finance and felt well-prepared from his time at SXU and all the experiences it gave him to join his father’s company. Founded in 1975 by Larry Nance, SABRE had become one of the country’s largest manufacturers of pepper spray when Nance joined out of college in 1997, so he seized the opportunity to further grow the business. He helped SABRE expand sales, diversify its product line to include home security products and projectile launchers, and started the SABRE law enforcement division. In 2005, he opened a Chicago office and launched safety training programs nationwide. When his father passed away in 2012, Nance took over as CEO, and today, SABRE is the worldwide leader in both mass market retail of personal safety devices and the No. 1 supplier for law enforcement.
Through it all, Nance hasn’t forgotten the opportunity SXU gave him. He recently pledged $50,000 to the football locker room renovation campaign—just like the program never forgot him, he won’t forget them.
“I see what Coach Feminis has built and how far the program has come,” Nance observed. “The commitment to excellence and the culture of caring is something special and certainly made a difference in my own life. SXU helped me take a moment of enormous adversity and not only overcome it but thrive. I will always be appreciative and will continue to support SXU.” n
Empowering Students Through Academic Excellence and Supportive Scholarships
Within the past few years, each academic area at SXU has successfully accumulated accolades, adding new programs and high-impact opportunities and enriching the educational experience for students. Saint Xavier is named a top performer in social mobility by U.S. News & World Report (2025), and 100% of entering freshmen receive scholarships and grants.
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND EDUCATION
Saint Xavier has a rich history in the liberal arts, formally adding a liberal arts descriptor to its foundational statement in 1934. Today, the pillars located at the entrance to the Warde Academic Center remain inscribed with the liberal arts to symbolize the University’s educational philosophy. Grounded in the liberal arts, Saint Xavier’s curriculum helps students to build a deep appreciation for literature, philosophy, sciences and more. In 2021, SXU was awarded a major five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education funded under the HispanicServing Institutions STEM Program (P031C210201). The College of Liberal Arts and Education continues to add new high-quality, relevant programming designed to set students up for success. In 2024, a new bachelor’s degree program in game design and motion graphics was launched, providing students access to a developing field in need of creative skilled artists and designers.
JUDITH A. KERRINS ’66 MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Judith A. Kerrins ’66 Memorial Scholarship was established by Katherine “Kay” Cushing, Ph.D., in memory of her longtime friend, Judith A. Kerrins ’66, who passed away from cancer in 2013. Judith taught high school English and later third and fourth grade, just as desegregation was beginning in the South. Her experiences solidified her passion for teaching and commitment to providing high-quality instruction for all. Intended for College of Liberal Arts and Education students who demonstrate financial need, the scholarship promotes lifelong learning, asking students to reflect on a question Judith often challenged her own students with: “What did you learn, and how will you use it?”
SCHOOL OF NURSING
SXU’s School of Nursing (SON) will celebrate 90 years of nursing education in 2025. SON creates a learning community responsive to a changing and challenging 21st-century health care environment by teaching students to be strong clinicians focusing on health and wellness across diverse populations while acquiring a quality education from a top-ranked program. U.S. News & World Report ranks SXU’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program No. 3 in the nation (2024), and the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is ranked No. 3 in Illinois (2025). SON has a history of excellence in innovation, from launching Illinois’ first baccalaureate nursing program in Illinois in 1935 to opening the state-of-the-art, highimpact Simulation and Integrated Learning Center (SILC) in 2021. SXU prepares compassionate, knowledgeable nurses for all types of practice settings.
JUDITH AND LAURENCE HICKS SCHOLARSHIP IN NURSING AND TECHNOLOGY
The Judith and Laurence Hicks Scholarship in Nursing and Technology was established by alumna and former trustee Judith E. Hicks ’69 and her husband, Laurence, to support nursing students by alleviating their financial burden and encouraging an interest in learning new and cutting-edge technologies that will empower them to become the next generation of nursing leaders who use technology to benefit their patients. Due to the support and guidance of the Hicks family, SON has been able to achieve various accolades while preparing individuals to engage in high-quality, compassionate, and professional practice within the health sciences.
GRAHAM SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
SXU’s AACSB-accredited Graham School of Management strives to develop business leaders with personal, professional and service excellence. Named a Top 15 undergraduate business program by U.S. News & World Report (2024), GSM’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) recently added four new concentrations to its offerings. The University has partnered with Rize Education to expand offerings, including concentrations in supply chain management, human resources, health care administration and professional sales. In 2024, GSM also revamped its Master of Business Administration (MBA) program to be more competitive and market focused, with a strategically enhanced curriculum that will continue to be elevated for innovation and relevance. The school anticipates enrollment in the business programs to continue to grow at a strong pace.
JIM MCCABE SCHOLARSHIP
First awarded in fall 2012, the Jim McCabe Scholarship supports students pursuing a business degree who embody the same remarkable selflessness and dedication that Jim demonstrated during his 25 years of teaching at SXU.
Jim’s friends, colleagues, and former students — many who credit Jim for their success — celebrate his life by contributing to the endowed scholarship to help GSM students achieve their dreams. n
To support SXU students through scholarships, visit www.sxu.edu, Keyword: Giving.
SXU’S COMMITMENT TO HONORING VETERANS
In 2024, Saint Xavier University hosted a variety of celebrations honoring the community’s courageous veterans and active military personnel. For Memorial Day, SXU partnered with the McCarthy Brigade for a flag-raising ceremony, where former and current Saint Xavier student veterans helped carry and raise the flag to honor those who sacrificed their lives while serving in the military. To celebrate Veterans Day, SXU hosted a weeklong event, “Tribute Table: Remembering Our Veterans.” Items displayed pertained to student veterans’ time in active-duty service and included uniforms, medals, and badges for the SXU community to view. Veterans were also honored in a ceremony featuring a guest speaker from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. SXU’s Student Veterans Alliance (SVA) advocates and
assists SXU student veterans and their families by promoting camaraderie through community outreach and social support and by committing to academic and professional success.
As a Military Friendly® school, Best College for Veterans (U.S. News & World Report) and Military Support school (Colleges of Distinction), SXU is committed to serving student veterans with a variety of resources, programs, and support services to help them thrive and proudly welcomes military/ veteran students in pursuing their education. Saint Xavier is a participant of the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. n
Mercy Heritage and Traditions: Mission
Day and Mercy Day
Celebrating 178 years of educational excellence in fall 2024, Saint Xavier University is committed to perpetuating the rich traditions of its founding Sisters of Mercy.
Each spring, the University celebrates Mission Day, an annual event that highlights the University’s core values of service, excellence, hospitality and integrity. Held in conjunction with We Are SXU Day, Mission Day is celebrated with a Mass in McDonough Chapel and an awards ceremony, which includes the presentation of three awards to a student, faculty member, and staff member who exemplify the University’s core values.
Each fall, the University celebrates Spirit of Mercy Day, a tradition honoring the day Catherine McAuley opened the doors of the first House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland. The SXU community joins together for a Mercy Day Mass at McDonough Chapel and the annual Student Leader Commissioning at the Academy Bell, where student leaders commit to carrying on the legacy of servant leadership.
Saint Xavier remains grounded in the ministry of its founding Sisters, who were inspired by their Catholic faith to serve others. Steeped in Mercy, the University’s traditions create unique and memorable experiences for students and strengthen SXU’s mission-focused community. n
Please join us for a variety of fun and spirited events in spring 2025.
Cubs vs. White Sox
Arizona Spring Training Game
Saturday, February 22
SXU Baseball First Pitch Dinner
Thursday, February 27
We Are SXU Day
Wednesday, March 26
Scholarship Donor
Appreciation Breakfast
Wednesday, April 9
SXU Alumni Meet-Up
Thursday, April 24
SXU Golf Classic
Wednesday, August 20
Class of 1975 50th Reunion
August TBD
Class of 1965 60th Reunion
August TBD
To learn more and for a list of other upcoming alumni events, scan the QR code below.
SUPPORT SXU’S Ludden Speech and Language Clinic as They Support Our Community
For 65 years, Saint Xavier University’s Ludden Speech and Language Clinic has been improving lives for tens of thousands of people on the South Side of Chicago. The clinic, an important part of the Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) programs at SXU, provides free diagnostic and therapeutic services to children, youth and adults with communication disorders. Serving more than 1,000 people each year, the clinic is demonstrative of Saint Xavier’s mission of compassionate service, integrity, and excellence. SXU’s undergraduate and graduate students gain highimpact, hands-on learning through their clinic practicums, where they work with real clients to apply the skills they’ve learned in the classroom, preparing them for successful careers in speech-language pathology, audiology, and more.
As Ludden Clinic continues to expand, the University seeks to increase capacity to accommodate those who need services, and the CSD program seeks to accept more students to meet the increasing demand for services in the coming years. To ensure that the clinic continues its vital work of teaching and state-of-the art clinical services provided completely free to those in need, SXU is seeking philanthropists to join in catalyzing key initiatives, including building an expanded and enhanced clinic facility, a speech and language disorders research fund, and student support. To learn more and contribute to the initiatives, visit www.sxu.edu, keyword: Giving. n
THE GUILD LEGACY SOCIETY, PARTNERS FOR THE FUTURE
SXU alumna Betty T. Riley ’49 was a devoted and passionate teacher for special needs students who taught in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for decades. Riley died in October 2022, but long before her passing, she became a member of The Guild Legacy Society to express her gratitude for the education she received at Saint Xavier. SXU Guild Legacy Society members commit to including Saint Xavier University in their estate plans to ensure the University’s continued tradition of academic excellence, student support, and social concern for future generations. To learn more about estate-giving opportunities, contact Jeanmarie Cusack at 773-298-3316 or cusack@sxu.edu. n
3700 West 103rd Street | Chicago, IL 60655
Calling all Alumni
ALUMNI LEGACY CIRCLE
The Alumni Legacy Circle at SXU is designed to honor alumni and their families who share in the proud tradition of a Saint Xavier education and aims to encourage pride in students who are children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, or nephews of SXU graduates. We celebrate the unique relationships that span generations.
Are you part of an SXU Legacy Family?
If so, please email Alumni Relations at alumni@sxu.edu with your information to be part of this exclusive program!
SXU SWEETHEARTS
We want to hear your love story!
SXU alumni couples share a unique bond, understanding campus traditions, impactful professors, and the SXU experience. SXU’s close-knit community is known for forging lifelong friendships and relationships.
To share your love story, please email your pictures and story to alumni@sxu.edu.