Engaging Mind & Spirit 2022-23 Issue 2

Sustainability and Wellness at USF

PRESIDENT’S NOTE

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.

Whenever I have the opportunity to speak to students (and often, their families) who are visiting campus, I like to share the following:

"Like any family, we have our characters... but like any family, we are bound together by a love that makes our family special! Caring about and for each other—and our world—is a big part of how we live our Franciscan values of respect, integrity, service and compassion, and is central to the 'ethic of care' that we aspire to provide to each of our students."

Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D. President

Our Mission

As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and charism, engaged in a continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice, and ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes reverence for creation, compassion, and peacemaking. We strive for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.

Caring about and for each other and our world is the focus of this magazine issue. As you’ll read, it is a part of our Franciscan charism that is rooted in Saint Francis himself. As the patron saint of animals and the environment, we typically see representations of Saint Francis in nature settings, often surrounded by animals. His love of creation stemmed from his belief and joy in celebrating the presence of God (the bonum, or good) in all things—animals, plants, rocks…and every human being. Thus, when we work toward sustainability, we are walking in the footsteps of Francis. This includes caring about and for each other as part of that creation—and why we link our wellness initiatives with sustainability.

We’re also honoring the legacy and corporate stance of our university’s founding and sponsoring congregation, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate. “As Joliet Franciscan Sisters, we commit to cultivating a reverent interdependent relationship with the earth and all its peoples." This was a challenge made by Our Sisters to which the university responded with its shared-governance-endorsed Sustainability Statement in 2012. That statement begins like this: "As an expression of our Catholic Franciscan Identity, the University of St. Francis community demonstrates respect for all creation by being responsible and ethical stewards of God’s resources, meeting current needs without sacrificing the survival, health and success of future generations and by advocating on behalf of the underserved in our world…" Thus, in 2021, when Pope Francis called upon Catholic educational institutions to commit themselves to a seven-year process of becoming “Laudato Si' schools" in response to his second encyclical on “care for our common home,” we responded that we were well on our way and joined the initiative.

Indeed, this year’s Winterim session was focused on sustainability in response to Laudato Si'. Even after over a decade of work, the energy, innovation and commitment are stronger than ever among our students, faculty and staff. As you’ll read in this issue, we have made great progress but there is still much that remains “ours to do.” However, for all the reasons discussed above, I am confident that our USF family is up to the task!

So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy this latest update about what’s happening at your University of St. Francis. Please know that I consider myself incredibly blessed to serve as your president; and, even in this tenth year of my service, I promise to continue to work hard each and every day to earn the trust that you have placed in me!

Peace and all good things,

An "Ethic of Care" for All Creation

Engaging Mind & Spirit is published by University Advancement three times per year. Feedback is welcomed and can be sent to Lisa Sampalis, vice president for university advancement, at 815-7405065 or lsampalis@stfrancis.edu.

To join in our efforts to reduce waste, contact Kim Kalafut at kkalafut@stfrancis.edu or 815-740-3610 if you would like to receive this magazine digitally, or if you want to change or remove your address on our mailing list.

CONTENT

Sr. Jeanne Bessette, OSF

Dave DiLorenzo

Julie Futterer

Aindrea Hogan

Sr. Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF

Kim Kalafut

Dave Laketa

Chloe Lash

Lisa Sampalis

Regina Stevens

Larry Wiers

Other USF employees, alumni, students & friends

IMAGERY

Alexis Aguirre

Don Bersano - Bersano Photography

Cherry Hill Studios

Dave Laketa

Lauren Lewis

Ashley Swanson

Unidos Marketing Network

Other USF employees, alumni, students & friends

DESIGN

Lauren Lewis

PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION

St. Croix Press, Inc. stcroixpress.com

HOPE OF BETHANY AWARD PRESENTED TO THE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS OF MARY IMMACULATE AND USF

This fall, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate and USF were presented with the 2022 Hope of Bethany Award at Bethany House of Hospitality’s fifth anniversary celebration. The Sisters and USF were honored for their support of a Bethany House resident with four years of tuition and room and board at USF.

Accepting the award were Sr. Jeanne Bessette, OSF, president of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate; Sr. Dolores Zemont, OSF, founding member of Bethany House; Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., USF president; and Sr. Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF, USF vice president for mission integration (pictured at right).

USF JOINS FORCES WITH THEDREAM.US TO SUPPORT STUDENTS

The University of St. Francis is now working with TheDream.US to enroll students and provide National Scholarships to undocumented youth—sometimes referred to as Dreamers—who are looking for access to higher education but cannot access federal financial aid.

“The National Scholarship provides a student with up to $8,250 per year in tuition, with USF covering the remaining cost,” said Eric Ruiz, vice president of admissions and enrollment services at USF. “Providing students from any background or culture, including the children of immigrants, with access to a college education is strongly aligned with USF’s mission. This is who we are and how we serve.”

USF has a tradition of serving first-generation college students (students who are the first in their family to attend college). Half of this year’s freshman class is comprised of first-generation students. Over the past ten years, approximately 58 % of USF’s freshman classes have been comprised of first-generation students.

The new partnership is similar to USF’s Will County Access Grant, which provides full tuition to students who live in Will County and attended a Will County high school, and who have significant financial need.

USF ACHIEVES HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTION STATUS

In January, the University of St. Francis received notice that it achieved status as a Hispanic Serving Institution. These institutions are defined in Title V of the Higher Education Act as not-for-profit institutions of higher learning with a full-time equivalent undergraduate student enrollment that is at least 25 % Hispanic. This enables USF to apply for several federal grant programs. USF’s first goal will be applying for the Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions grant, which has a maximum award size of $600,000 per year for a period of five years.

SISTER CLARE AWARD

The University of St. Francis invited the community to submit nominations for the 2023 Sister Clare Award, which recognizes women of vision who have transformed the world of their time. The award is presented each year to a deserving recipient in the spirit of Clare of Assisi. The 2023 recipient was Kathryn Giegerich (pictured at right), owner and operator of Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home and president of Zonta Club of Joliet Area. " With quiet grace and understanding, she guides Joliet community members through one of the most transformational and painful of life experiences: death," said her nominator, along with other reasons for the nomination.

NEW MEMBERS OF USF LEADERSHIP TEAM

In March, the university announced that Eric Ruiz, ’07, ’09—previously USF's director of admissions—was named the university’s new vice president for admissions and enrollment services. With more than 15 years of employment at USF, Ruiz will now oversee the areas of financial aid; enrollment support services; undergraduate, graduate, adult and international admissions; and marketing services. Shortly afterwards, Dr. Elizabeth McDermott—previously a USF professor of English—was named dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. According to Provost Beth Roth, "McDermott led a smooth transition as interim dean since last summer, earning respect for her leadership style." (Both Ruiz and McDermott are pictured at right.)

ONLINE PROGRAMS RANK HIGH WITH U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2023 Best Online Programs rankings, and the university is proud to announce that its programs were ranked among the best in Illinois. U.S. News also recognized four other online programs offered by USF, including two named as the best private programs in Illinois (online graduate education programs and online MBA programs). As online education programs gain in popularity and demand, USF continues to leverage its comprehensive history of offering quality online options that meet the changing needs of those interested in earning a degree.

• Online Graduate Business Programs (excluding MBA) – #1 program overall in Illinois (36th percentile nationally)

• Online Graduate Education Programs – #1 private program in Illinois (18th percentile nationally)

• Online MBA Programs – #1 ranked private program in Illinois (36th percentile nationally)

• Online Nursing Programs – #3 ranked private program in Illinois (35th percentile nationally)

• Online Bachelor’s Programs – #4 ranked private program in Illinois (24th percentile nationally)

JOLIET REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

Accredited & Top-Ranked

The University of St. Francis was proud to be named the Large Business of the Year as part of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 2023 Annual Awards and Celebration of Success. USF was one of 12 organizations and individuals honored at the event, which took place in February. (Photo

Marketing Network.)

2016 WORLD SERIES-WINNING CHICAGO CUBS MANAGER JOE MADDON FEATURED AT 44TH BROWN & GOLD

Joe Maddon, the Major League Baseball manager that helped the Chicago Cubs organization break its 108-year World Series drought in 2016, was the guest speaker at University of St. Francis’ 44th annual Brown & Gold Night. The event took take place at the Pat Sullivan Center with nearly 500 alumni, friends and students in attendance. Maddon gave an entertaining presentation after giving both his jacket and shoes to the winner of the live auction, who also secured a golf foursome with Maddon. Maddon is yet another in a long list of sports celebrities to speak at USF’s Brown & Gold Night—one that has featured 17 Hall of Fame inductees. Among the list have been John Wooden, Al McGuire and Ray Meyer in basketball; Dick Butkus, Mike Ditka, Dan Hampton, Brian Urlacher, Paul Hornung and Bart Starr from football; and Fergie Jenkins and Frank Thomas from the diamond. Others have included Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable, Blackhawks forward Denis Savard and USF’s own Gordie Gillespie—one of college baseball’s all-time winningest coaches.

At left: Joe Maddon gets Brown & Gold started by sporting a Fighting Saints baseball cap. Top right: 500 guests attended the event in support USF's athletics program... some visited with former baseball coach Tony Delgado. Lower right: Brian Mostyn was the lucky winner of the live auction, obtaining an autographed Joe Maddon Cubs Jersey, golf with Maddon, and Maddon's shirt, sport coat and shoes.

at left, by Unidos

ACADEMIC NEWS

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

CRIMINAL & SOCIAL JUSTICE

• Stacy Dewald, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminal and social justice, and Laura Honegger, Ph.D., LCSW, assistant professor of social work, presented “Demystifying the Research Process: Collaborating with Universities" with Dr. Scott DuBois and Mitch Crandall from the Will County State's Attorney's Office at the fall Illinois Association of Problem-Solving Courts Conference.

ENGLISH & FOREIGN LANGUAGES

• The department hosted the 31st annual St. Francis Writers’ Conference in November, featuring Tom Montgomery Fate, professor emeritus of English at College of DuPage and author of six books of creative nonfiction (pictured at right). Sixteen students hailing from USF and Trinity Christian College presented creative and critical work and USF's Ryan Ramsden won Best Creative Presentation for his paper “Homecoming.”

MATHEMATICS

• Math major Canyon Novick presented his USF Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) research, “Computational Analysis of a Proposed Mechanism for H_2 Catalysis via Ni-Fe Hydrogenase," at the International Symposium on Biomathematics & Ecology Education & Research in November.

• Instructor Dr. Christina Jamroz joined the Southwest Chicago Math Teachers’ Circle leadership team.

MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS

• In November, the Digital Audio Recording Arts (DARA) program held an in-service event for 19 local teachers seeking greater familiarity with music technology and Ableton products.

• The Joliet Symphony Orchestra (pictured at right), under the direction of Lev Ivanov, presented two concerts in the fall with more coming this spring. JSO membership is approaching pre-pandemic levels.

NATURAL SCIENCES

• Dr. Jackie Wittke-Thompson and students Emma Geatches and Jen Vazquez Saraul (pictured at right) attended the fall Genomic Education Partnership (GEP) Midwest North and Midwest South Node Meeting at the University of Detroit-Mercy. Geatches and Vazquez Saraul presented their SURE project research on gene annotation of venom genes in a parasitoid wasp species.

PSYCHOLOGY & SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING

• In December, 18 students completed the CRSS Success Program—a grant-funded initiative operated through designated post-secondary educational institutions in Illinois, designed to support students with lived experience of mental health or substance use recovery to obtain either the CRSS or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification to enter the behavioral health workforce.

RECREATION & SPORT MANAGEMENT

• The Team Facilitation & Leadership class recently spent four sessions at Joliet West High School, facilitating team building activities with 70+ high school freshmen (pictured at right).

• The Research Methods class worked with the Hines Veterans Administration Medical Center to survey veterans on their needs for community-based recreation as it relates to their military transition to civilian life. Students presented their findings to the recreation therapy department at Hines VA.

• Senior Shannon Smith was selected as a top three finalist for the Undergraduate Student Research Competition through the Applied Sport Management Association. She presented research (obtained through USF's SURE program) at the annual conference in Alabama at the end of February.

SOCIAL WORK

• USF's Social Work Club, Criminal Justice & Pre-Law Society, and Interdisciplinary Research on Justice Initiative sponsored a screening of “Jacinta” with a panel discussion including USF's Marcia Van Natta and Jaclyn J. Hilderbrand Sopcic, Assistant State’s Attorney; Raquel Montoya, Drug Court Clinical Case Manager; and Robin Findlay, Peer Support Specialist with the Will County Problem Solving Courts.

THEOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY

• In February, the Department of Theology & Philosophy hosted Auxiliary Bishop Robert Lombardo of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Sr. Stephanie Baliga, FE, to campus to talk about Franciscan vocations and service. Lombardo is founder of the Our Lady of the Angels Mission on the West Side of Chicago.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

• Eleven COBHA students and faculty members enjoyed the first of four book club meetings led by donor Bob Wheeler, who recently gifted USF with a donation to make the college more Franciscan. The group read “Business as a Calling: Work and the Examined Life” by Michael Novak.

• Professor Rich Vaughan traveled to USF’s partner university in Brno, Czech Republic to teach MBA students there. In addition, Professor Bonnie Covelli (pictured at right) traveled to USF’s partner university in Hanoi, Vietnam to teach both the first USF-taught MBA and BBA courses. While Covelli was there, she participated in the university’s opening ceremony and worked with several local lecturers. She reported that the BBA students in particular feel very much like University of St. Francis students— they are connected to the university, they enjoy wearing USF “swag,” and they are excited to be attending an American university.

• Current COBHA students and Servant Leaders participated in an internship panel to talk with students about how they can integrate their faith into their work lives. Alumnus Noah Kararo ’20, ’22 joined to give the perspective from a recent graduate.

• Sean Blair, CEO of Mutare was COBHA’s Fall Symposium speaker. In addition to talking about the cyber security products and services his company provided, Sean shared Scars & Lessons on Leadership and Life from a CEO. He shared some of his biggest successes and failures, things he was most proud of and advice on what employers are looking for in their new hires.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

• The College of Education began offering two additional dual credit education courses during the spring semester—providing high school students the opportunity to earn up to eight hours of college credit while gaining foundational knowledge and skills essential to the teaching profession. Alumnus Robert Elkins ’22 was recently featured in Joliet Township High School District 204 news highlighting the course opportunity for students. Elkins teaches at JTHS and was enrolled in one of the courses— EDUC 107 Exploring the Teaching Profession—when it was first offered in 2017.

• MERIT program teacher candidates (pictured at right) attended the Project LEAD (Leaders in Education Advocating for Diversity) Fall Forum. Project LEAD works to identify best practices to recruit and support a more diverse pool of teacher candidates. USF candidates and future educators from other institutions were appreciative of the practical opportunity to explore education policy in Illinois.

• The Illinois State Board of Education granted COE approval to offer online delivery of the Principal Preparation concentration within the Educational Leadership (M.S.) program, starting in January. This makes the program accessible to educators in regions where travel to campus is not practical.

LEACH COLLEGE OF NURSING

• Undergraduate nursing students in the Leach College of Nursing reflected on the sacredness and importance of their hands at the Blessing of the Hands and White Coat Ceremony in October (pictured at right). The annual tradition was held at St. Joseph Chapel for junior nursing students who are about to begin their clinicals. The empowering ceremony focuses on nursing students who will use their hands to heal others and how the university’s core values of respect, compassion, service, and integrity will be with the students as their hands interact with their patients and colleagues.

• In October, Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) training was held for 18 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner students at USF. The workshop offers students an opportunity to understand the theory, research, and application of a prominent counseling approach, as well as a basic overview of REBT, emphasizing how irrational beliefs lead to unhealthy emotions.

• Sigma Theta Tau International, University of St. Francis Upsilon Delta Chapter of Sigma, celebrated the 16th induction ceremony for 20 graduate and undergraduate nursing students. Leading the event, Chapter President Kate Weigel—along with the board leaders—led a meaningful ceremony. Sigma Theta Tau works to strengthen the commitment to the ideals and purposes of the nursing profession, as well as recognizing the superior achievement and leadership qualities of the inductees.

SAMHSA Grant Enhances Student Mental Health Resources at USF

Providing mental health resources that meet the needs of students is an important area of focus at all educational institutions. In November, the University of St. Francis announced that its efforts to provide mental health resources to students would be enhanced, thanks to a three-year matching grant from the Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The university is required to match the funding provided by the grant.

“We were aware that our students, having navigated the challenges presented by COVID-19 for the past two years, were in great need of support. Many students come to campus with lack of awareness about the things they can be doing day to day that have a great impact on their mental health. This grant will greatly help us to raise their awareness and take positive steps forward” said Mollie Rockafellow, Ed.D., dean of student life at USF and grant project director.

The two primary goals being addressed through the matching grant include increasing the university’s capacity to identify at-risk students and improve mental health services for all students, including those at risk for suicide, depression, serious mental illness or emotional disturbances. The university is also committed to preventing and reducing suicidal tendencies and mental and substance use disorders by increasing awareness of resources, and creating a campus culture surrounding mental health that is culturally competent and promotes help-seeking behavior.

Efforts funded through the grant began this fall and have partially enhanced the university’s existing partnership with Advocate Aurora Health (AAH), which the university calls the “Advocate Aurora Health University Student Assistance Program.”

“Advocate Aurora Health offers amazing counseling support for our students, both in-person on our campus and in virtual formats. We believe this grant will help increase overall mental health while also building a safety net for when students need additional support in working through mental health challenges,” Rockafellow added.

Joshua Boyce, LCSW, the Student Assistance Program counselor at USF, oversees the day-to-day functioning of the program which provides assessments, free and confidential sessions, resources for free financial, legal, childcare or elder care consultations, and referrals to mental health providers in the community as needed.

On a regular basis, Boyce meets with students to assess their needs and determine whether USF’s program is the right option for the student. If it is, Boyce sets up services with him or one of his clinical mental health counseling interns for a total of five free, confidential

sessions per student concern. If the USF program isn't the best fit for the student’s needs, the student is referred to in-network providers in the community who specialize in treatment of the student’s particular concern.

Boyce sees anxiety, stress, and overwhelm as the most prominent concerns observed. Relationship concerns are also common, as well as soul-searching students who are trying to find their place in the world. He says these topics are common everywhere among students in this population.

When asked what families can do if they’ve got a student struggling with personal or emotional issues, Boyce answered, “The best thing families can do to help is to be vigilant in observing changes in areas like mood, behavior and hygiene. They should trust their gut and invite the student to talk to about what's going on. They can get help from our assistance program or seek out a qualified mental health provider by using an online therapist directory on sites like Psychologytoday.com or Goodtherapy.org.”

An additional use of the SAMHSA grant funds the Student Engagement Specialist positions—USF student employees who create a network centered around mental health—and provides campus training related to mental health crises and first aid.

The grant has also given life to a new Healthy Minds study on campus. The campus-wide survey was administered in February through the University of Michigan, and focused on understanding college and university faculty and staff members’ mental health and experiences related to supporting students. USF faculty and staff were invited to participate along with faculty and staff at other colleges and universities. Responses are helping to gain an understanding of how campuses can better support the mental health and wellness of faculty, staff and students. Melinda Hammond, Psy.D., assistant professor of psychology at USF and co-director of the grant, has begun working to educate faculty and staff on mental health topics.

Ultimately, Rockafellow is grateful for the positive impact that the matching grant will have on USF’s campus community.

“We know it will have a positive impact on our USF students, teaching them skills that they will carry with them their entire lives. We have an amazing population of students who have varying levels of history working toward a positive mental health experience. Creating spaces and engaging with students on this topic will greatly impact their success as they graduate and contribute to the world through service and leadership,” Rockafellow said.

USF’S HEALTHY MINDS CLUB Works to Eliminate Mental Health Stigma

There’s a new group in town at USF, and it’s making minds mightier, one day at a time.

Now-alumni Lily Emma Aktabowski, Justin Jasper, Elyse Panzella, Emily Schrader and Julia Zielinski were senior Schmitt Scholars in 2022 who developed the Mighty Minds Club on campus as part of their Schmitt Scholars senior project. The focus of the annual project is to help fulfill a need in a local community or at USF.

The 2022 group started brainstorming their senior project in 2020, which was a challenging time due to the global pandemic. They initially looked at issues ranging from helping the environment to teaching younger students about finances, but decided mental health would best help fulfill student needs during the ongoing pandemic. Thus, the Mighty Minds Club on campus was established.

“The stigma associated with talking about mental health was another reason why we chose to create the club,” said Emily Schrader ’21, ’22, who was participating in Schmitt Scholars as a continuing MBA student after graduating with her BBA in Accounting.

The Mighty Minds mission is to decrease that stigma on the University of St. Francis campus by organizing events and meetings designed to provide resources and activities for the community. Schrader said the name Mighty Minds was developed from the word “mighty,” meaning “possessing great strength,” and “minds,” which is associated with mental health.

The Schmitt senior project was complete in April 2022 and was presented to the Schmitt Foundation Board of Directors that same month.

Senior Saint Mary Mathieu was elected to be the first president of the Mighty Minds Club. The club has nine executive board positions and over 70 general members who range across various majors and ages. Mathieu says Mighty Minds advocates for a much-needed change regarding mental health stigma. By hosting events that encourage members to embrace their most authentic and vulnerable selves, Mighty Minds provides a safe and nurturing place

for all USF students and faculty to use their voices and ignite change. It is through this strong community of mighty minds that the end to the mental health stigma becomes possible.

The club’s first event of the academic year was the “Love Your Self(ie)” back-toschool photo shoot, which encouraged body positivity. The Project Semicolon night was also a fun event where students got to describe what the project meant to them through crafting. Project Semicolon is a non-profit movement that advocates for mental health wellness and gives hope to those struggling with mental illness, suicidal thoughts, addiction and self-injury. The Project Semicolon website says “A semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to.”

The club’s most popular event last semester, however, was a craft night to de-stress. Members posted encouraging messages around campus—from post-it notes on bathroom mirrors, to flyers in the lunch areas.

“Students came up to executive board members, saying how impactful the messages were for them when they needed to hear those words of encouragement most. That was super meaningful to hear since the main hope of this organization is that students know that they are cared for and not alone,” said Mathieu. “I was grateful to officially have the opportunity to help advocate for student mental health in a meaningful way while being surrounded by a team of incredible people who are equally as passionate about campus mental health needs. There definitely is a stigma present in society that we are working to change as a campus mental health community. We all struggle at points in our lives, and this is the reason we must lift each other up rather than tear each other down. This is the impact that we as an organization wish to have in students’ lives because each student deserves to know that they are worth fighting for, worth hearing. We are a family here at USF and working towards supporting the mental health and well-being of each student is our priority.”

A SUSTAINABLE AGE, A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY

Sustainability a Top Priority at the University of St. Francis

As a Catholic, Franciscan university that cares for creation, the University of St. Francis has become increasingly invested in sustainability efforts over the past 40+ years. Many efforts have been led by the university’s founders, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, who embrace sustainability in their congregation and continue to partner with the university in its efforts to be more sustainable. With Earth Day coming soon on April 22, it is appropriate to reflect upon how far the University of St. Francis has come in terms of sustainability.

Many of the first campus sustainability efforts can be an be traced to the 1980s, when the maintenance department realized the cost savings associated with making sustainable choices and changed all fluorescent lighting to energyefficient compact fluorescent lights. At that same time, the first recycling bins were popping up around campus.

When the greenhouse on the Quad was constructed in 1995, little did anyone know another greenhouse would later be constructed at the future St. Clare Campus. Even more surprising would be the acquisition of 47 acres of farm and prairieland from generous donors Charlotte ’74 & Norman Codo in 2018. The greenhouses have been used to not only grow plants to landscape the campus, but to grow starter prairie plants for the beautiful Charlotte Codo Prairie. The plants are transplanted into the garden behind the prairie’s barns and used to produce seeds for prairie restorations.

Just a few months ago at the start of 2023, USF’s current maintenance team started replacing those energy-efficient fluorescents with LEDs in several buildings, and today there are hundreds of recycling bins in offices, classrooms, and gathering spaces throughout USF’s three campuses—continuing the cycle of cost savings and choosing sustainable options. Progress continues.

Around 2009, sustainability on campus began to really take shape. The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment was signed by then-president Dr. Michael Vinciguerra, and USF’s Sustainability Committee was formally assembled. In 2017, current president Dr. Arvid C. Johnson joined other Franciscan colleges and universities in signing a statement of support and a public commitment to work to study, promote, and act on the ideals and vision of integral ecology laid out by Pope Francis. USF also joined the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in signing the Catholic Climate Covenant in 2020, which committed to care for creation and utilizing the energy of young students. Most recently, in 2022, USF committed to a sustainable future and to improving the social, economic and environmental well-being of the campus and communities we serve.

In accordance with USF’s mission and Franciscan heritage, Dr. Johnson committed the university to becoming a "Laudato Si' institution” at the call of Pope Francis.

While the university is proud of the repurposing and renovation of several old buildings (Motherhouse, Guardian

In accordance with USF’s mission and Franciscan heritage, Dr. Johnson committed the university to Becoming a "Laudato Si institution" at the call of Pope Francis.

Angel Hall, Plaster Center), the LaVerne & Dorothy Brown Science Hall was built from the ground up and built to Gold LEED certification standards. It contains occupancy sensors, light sensors that dim lights during the day, sensors for gas hood doors, low-flow water fixtures, low-e fritted windows and more. It’s truly a model for future construction projects at the university.

As for the campus outdoor environment, the main parking area in front of the Welcome Center was built many years ago using permeable brick pavers, which encourage sustainable water drainage. The university elects not to bag leaves and mulches them instead. A beautiful butterfly garden graces the Quad near the Motherhouse and has been certified as a monarch waystation. If you wander to the corner of the Quad near the maintenance buildings, you’ll find some beehives sheltered from Plainfield Road by a beautiful dome of foliage. The St. Clare Campus is home to a large garden that has been cared for by employees over the past several years.

While trash, recycling, electricity and natural gas contracts have been reviewed multiple times to reduce waste, increase efficiency and save money, additional measures have been taken, such as the addition of water bottle fillers at water fountains to lessen plastic bottles on campus. The university recycles traditional items such as cans, bottles, cardboard and paper, but also institutional matter such as yard waste and light bulbs.

The USF Sustainability Committee—led by part-time Sustainability Coordinator Janine Hicks in partnership with the Student Government Association’s VP of Sustainability, Lexi Fatlan—continues to work to keep these initiatives alive and growing.

They are working to apply for grants for trees and funds for other sustainability projects and are hard at work now to plan events for the “Green Month” of April, and specifically Earth Day on April 22. Through the South Metropolitan Higher Ed Consortium, a student sustainability forum will be held at Prairie State University that USF students will participate in.

At USF In March, a vermicomposting event was hosted by Ashley Swanson, lab coordinator for USF’s science program, where students built their own worm composters. In early April,

USF’s resident beekeeper, Gina Stevens, hopes to host an "All About Bees" event with honey tastings and giveaways. The SGA E-Board team is planning a trip to the Morton Arboretum open to all students. Finally, in late April, USF will welcome Fr. Michael Perry, OFM to campus. Fr. Perry helped develop Laudato Si' goals with the Pope and will be presenting at a few USF events with students, employees and the community.

Sustainability initiatives currently underway at USF include:

Installing campus recycling and composting stations

Starting a "Moving Season Donation Program" after the end of each spring semester

Investigating solar energy options

Reducing paper waste

Starting and maintaining a community garden

Incorporating sustainability outcomes into USF’s curricula

Partnering with peer schools in the South Metropolitan Higher Ed Consortium for energy pooling resources and student summits

Continued collaboration with other Franciscan colleges and universities

A DAY AT CODO PRAIRIE

by Chloe Lash, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology

we’ll find, but we grab insect nets, shovels, collection vials, insect forceps, insect ID books and Sharpies. When all have full arms, we move downstairs to the bus. Students pile on as I doublecheck the roster and make sure that everyone has enough layers to be comfortable in the November wind.

As we leave USF’s campus toward Frankfort, Illinois (where Codo Prairie is located), I chat with the bus driver as students update each other on their lives. The scenery changes to corn fields and conversations die down a bit. Something about peering out over the beautiful, vast fields is calming.

next. This field, which covers approximately 17 acres of the property, is currently rented out to a local farmer, who harvests the alfalfa. Eventually, it will be restored tallgrass prairie, giving a total of 41 acres of prairie land. I ponder what Illinois looked like in the past (when the name “Prairie State” was accurate) as I walk back to the student groups.

The lab is buzzing with activity. Students in my Invertebrate Zoology class talk in small groups while they gather supplies. They trip over each other and butterfly nets as they make their way back to their tables. I try to gather everyone’s attention. When the conversations die back a little bit, I ask them what our goal for the day is.

“To figure out what insects are out at Codo,” one student offers.

That indeed is the task for the day, but to encourage a bit of scientific thinking beyond organism identification, I ask them to think about what we could compare: different types of insects in the different areas of the prairie, types of insects gathered with different techniques, etc. I ask for a few more possibilities and jot them down on the whiteboard.

“Alright,” I say, “I’m taking some supplies out to the bus. Decide on what you all want to compare as a class while I’m gone.”

The students pause as I exit the lab, deciding who will lead the discussion on comparisons. One student steps up and conversations pick up again. I grab the cooler full of water bottles and walk down the hall to the elevator. I can still hear the conversation going behind me as I work my out to the bus.

Today, we are covering Hexapoda, the biological group that contains insects. There is no better place to explore insects than the Charlotte Codo Prairie, and I am as excited as my students are to get there.

When I return to the classroom, the students have decided to focus on differences in insect abundance and type between areas of the prairie. They want to count and identify the insects that they collect from the area of the prairie that was restored more recently and the area that is slightly older in its restoration. It’s November, so we aren’t sure how much

Birds flutter away as the bus drives onto the property, and prairie suddenly surrounds us. We park by the barn and tumble out of the bus. Ashley Swanson, our laboratory coordinator, greets us. She has come along today to help with insect collections. I make sure the students know how to safely traverse the prairie, and I send them to collect as many insects as they can find. Ashley and I get a make-shift “lab” set up on the lawn—a table, some vials, the ID books—then we trek out into the prairie to join the students.

The students work in groups, and I visit each group in turn to see what they’ve found. One group found a wooly worm, another a beautiful iridescent green beetle, another some ants, and others a dragonfly (though they couldn’t catch it). They bring their specimens back to the lawn lab and work out identifications with the help of Ashley and I, though we could not figure out the identity of the little green beetle. Ashley found a mating pair of ambush bugs. They get passed around. Students set out and return with new insects several times. Some students dig into the soil and sift through the dirt while others frolic through the prairie in an attempt to catch a cabbage moth.

After I’ve checked in with all the groups, I duck behind the barn at the back of the property. Two vegetable gardens are here, overgrown. Where Charlotte and Norm once grew their tomatoes, we plan to grow the plants that will help in the next stage of prairie restoration. We will soon clear the gardens with support from the ComEd Green Regions Program and USF, and replace the weeds with prairie plants. Those plants will grow and provide seed that will supplement purchased seeds for continued prairie restoration. They will be planted in the alfalfa field on the west side of the property, which is where I walk

As the sun dips lower in the sky, students return to the “lab” on the lawn. They share their findings with each other, snapping pictures on their cell phones for their virtual invertebrate iNaturalist collections. When all have seen all there is to see, they take the insects back out to the prairie to release them. We shake soil and leaves from the butterfly nets and soil sieves, and return the table to the barn. Ashley and I lock up as the students load back onto the bus. I take a deep breath of fresh prairie air and follow them. There’s nothing quite like this place and all it has to offer not just our students, but our souls.

for

“A special thank you to Charlotte ’74 and Norman Codo for gifting the University of St. Francis the Codo Prairie. The experimental learning and access our students and faculty have is an extraordinary gift.”

Lisa Sampalis Vice President

University Advancement

Care for Creation

The president of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, Sr. Jeanne Bessette, OSF, developed this lovely Care for Creation reflection based on the life cycle of a monarch butterfly. The meditation is introduced in four “acts,” that start with a focus on the fact that in the goodness, generosity and huge variety of God’s creation, God gave us Mother Earth as our “common home.”

Even as a speck upon a green leaf, I come from a previous generation that gave me life.

I am the miniscule egg, easily overlooked by the untrained eye, but full of the promise of what I will become. God of promise, let me grow patiently until my time is come to strike out on my own. Shelter me from forces that would hinder my growth. Let my beginning give hope to a sometimes hopeless world. Help me to live up to my promise.

Promise Change Grow Soar

I emerge tiny but agile, ready to find the nourishment I need to grow. My relentless pursuit of food pays off in days as I quickly grow fat and long and strong. God of Growth, You provide all that I need to prepare me for a life that is always changing. Keep me moving and ready for challenges that lie ahead. Let my unique stripes Contribute to Earth’s beauty during this energetic moment in my life.

I carry within me the power of change. No longer a caterpillar, I surrounded myself within this chrysalis that holds me during this time of rapid transformation. God of transformation, help me to believe that you have given me everything I need to bring about my own change. Give me courage as I let go of my old shape, my old self, my old way of crawling upon the earth. Let my new colors emerge as I break free from what binds me and stretch my wings to become all that you intend me to be.

Within the shedding of my old form and the shaking of these new appendages I step off a branch, unfurling still-damp wings. A miracle!

I take flight, bumbling at first, then strong and brave and with a sense of direction. God who gives us wings, my journey has begun. I will fly miles and miles to find my monarch community in a land I’ve never seen. My companions and I will thrive as we feed and rest and prepare to give birth to the eggs which will repeat your cycle of creation. May the skies, the trees, the milkweed—all that we need— be our Common Home for generations to come.

Canticle of the Creatures

by St. Francis of Assisi

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honor, and all blessing, To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no human is worthy to mention Your name.

Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, Who is the day and through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather, through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love, and bear infirmity and tribulation. Blessed are those who endure in peace for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin. Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.

The Canticle of the Creatures was written by Francis of Assisi in the Umbrian Italian dilaect, and is referenced as a song, a poem AND a prayer! It illustrates Francis's unity with nature as his pathway to a relationship with God.

Q&A WITH USF’S RESIDENT BEEKEPER: Regina Stevens ’12, ’17

Tell us about the hives, how many there are, and how you care for them.

Over the years there have been as many as three hives and as few as one. We currently have two hives and they seem to be wintering very well. I am hoping to split those hives this spring and create two more hives. We check on the hives regularly through the year to monitor them, make sure the hives are healthy and strong, treat for parasites and try to prevent swarming.

It has been heard times that our bees "left campus." What does that mean, and how do you deal with that?

A loyal USF employee for 24 years, Call Center Manager Regina Stevens is a double alumna of USF—graduating in 2012 with a BBA and again in 2017 with an MBA. Her two daughters are also alumni: Jillian Herbert ’08 (Education) and Jessica Stevens ’20 (Communication & Media Arts). Stevens has been maintaining the beehives located on the USF Quad near Plainfield Road since 2017, with assistance from alumna and former employee Jessica Conte ’13, ‘20.

Where did your interest in beekeeping begin, and how did you become trained?

My interest in beekeeping began when I decided to remove refined sugar from my diet and was not happy with the quality of honey found in stores. I began researching honey and bees and became fascinated with bees and wanted to try to raise them. I wanted to raise bees not only for my own supply of honey but for the environment as well. JJC offers a beekeeping class that was very good and my children enrolled me in the course as a gift.

Hives “swarm” when they outgrow their current hive. A healthy hive colony continues to grow, producing more and more bees. When the hive becomes too congested, the bees’ natural instinct is to swarm, or split the hive, creating another colony elsewhere. To prepare for the swarm, the bees begin preparing the current queen to leave the hive and a new queen is created that will stay in the current hive. Half of the bees will leave the hive with the current queen and find a suitable location to build their new colony. Swarming is an indication of a healthy hive and essential to the bees’ survival, however, as beekeepers we try to prevent swarming by spitting the hives before they get too congested. We do not lose our hive to a swarm, but we do lose the opportunity to split the hive and create a new one when half the hive swarms off.

Tell us about the honey you extract from the hives… how do you do it? What do you do with the honey once extracted?

A beehive can produce up to four or six gallons of honey. The honey is extracted using a honey extractor, which is basically a drum that holds the individual frames. I take the honey frames from the hive, cut the wax caps off the honeycomb, place the frames in the honey extractor and turn the crank to spin the frames in the drum. The centrifugal force of spinning the frames pulls the honey from the honeycomb, which is strained to remove residual wax capping and jarred. The honey is raw from the hive and ready to be consumed. The honey from USF's bees is donated to a student group to sell in a fundraiser.

How do the bees help our Quad and the university's campus?

The bees can be seen pollinating flowers across campus, from the butterfly bee garden on the Quad to a catmint bush in front of Marian Hall. The homes around campus also offer plenty of pollen and nectar for the bees to bring back to the hive. I find that the bees at USF produce a much more flavorful honey than the honey my bees at home produce. USF and the surrounding neighborhoods offer more of a variety of pollen and nectar.

Why should people NOT be afraid of bees?

A honeybee is busy flying from flower to flower collecting pollen and nectar and not interested in becoming aggressive unless they or their hive is threatened. I have hives in my back yard and they never bother us.

Anything else about you that you’d like to share with readers?

Being a USF employee is being part of something special—a family and community— always welcoming. It is what encouraged me to complete my RCIA. It was even more special that Sr. Dolores Zemont, OSF, was my instructor at St. Mary’s in Mokena. USF has been a wonderful place to work for the last 24 years!

"We currently have two hives and they seem to be wintering very well. I am hoping to split those hives this spring and create two more hives."

GO FIGHTING SAINTS

FIGHTING SAINTS ROUNDUP

For the third time in four years, the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference’s top women’s basketball player resides in the St. Francis program. Senior forward Jordan Pyle again headlined the USF contingent by claiming her second consecutive Player of the Year award. Pyle led the league in total field goals made (186) and was the second-best scorer (16.5 ppg).

For the third year in a row, both USF’s men’s and women’s bowling teams will represent the University at the NAIA National Championships. The event takes place March 23-25 in Sterling Heights, Michigan. St. Francis’ men’s team won the inaugural title in 2021 and finished as the runner-up last spring.

Five members of the USF women’s indoor track & field team earned NAIA All-America status on the final day of the NAIA National Championships. Katherine Bakken gained the recognition in the 5,000-meter race as did the distance medley relay team of Bailey Wilk, Mara Bruno, Allison Ramsey and Ana Mendoza Pineda.

A CoSIDA Academic All-America NAIA First Team selection and the CCAC Player of the Year in 2022, USF baseball first baseman, senior Eric Maffie has been named to the 2023 NAIA Preseason Baseball AllAmerica Team. Maffie led the Fighting Saints in no fewer than seven offensive categories last spring, including batting average (.384).

All-american performances from Katherine Bakken and Ana Mendoza Pineda enabled the USF women's cross country team to bring home its fourth trophy from the NAIA National Championships in as many years by placing fourth overall this past fall. On the men’s side, Oscar Tejeda and Michael Reif repeated as NAIA All-Americans and were joined by teammate Jordan Freese en route to the team’s fifth-place finish.

For the second year in a row, football player Sam Tumilty has been named the top offensive player in the MidStates Football Association Midwest League. He set a new school record with his 16 rushing touchdowns. That also tied for the top spot in the league as well as the fourth spot nationally in 2022.

The USF women's soccer program tied for the most conference postseason awards with five this past fall. Krystal Rodriguez was named the CCAC Freshman of the Year after leading the league in save percentage (.855). She also tied for the top spot in shutouts with seven.

ALUMNI & DONOR NEWS

SAINT SPOTLIGHT: LARRY WIERS

When did you first realize you’d like to pursue a career in education? When did you first start teaching?

I believe the first time I began to think about being a teacher was during my time at Joliet Catholic High School. I had really good teachers and coaches at JCHS and began to think about a career in education. After I graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 1970, I began my teaching career at St. Thaddeus Grade School, a small Catholic school on the East side of Joliet, under the sponsorship of the Felician sisters.

You taught and were superintendent in the Troy school system in Shorewood, Illinois, and have taught at both USF and Lewis.... tell us more about your history in education in our region.

After teaching at St. Thaddeus for four years, I accepted an offer from Troy School District 30-C to be a social studies teacher and their 8th grade boys basketball coach. I eventually became the athletic director, and then moved into administration as the assistant principal of Troy Junior High School. I was then appointed as director of elementary instruction, which led to me being named the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. In 2001, I was named the fourth superintendent of Troy Schools. I remained in that position until my retirement, concluding a 33 year career at Troy.

During my tenure there, Dr. Jerry Saimon, chair of the Education Department at the University of St. Francis, offered me an adjunct faculty position in his department. I devoted 35 years to teaching one course in the evening during the fall semester. I primarily taught a course entitled, “Methods of Teaching History in the Secondary School”. It was the last methods course our teaching candidates would take before their student teaching experience. I absolutely treasured this opportunity to work with our USF teaching candidates.

I also taught one graduate course in the spring semester at Lewis University, helping to prepare teachers for a career in school administration.

I did this for 10 years, and upon my retirement from Troy, accepted a position there as director of school partnerships and assistant professor. I retired from Lewis in 2018 but continued to supervise student teachers until 2020, thus concluding a 50-year career in education.

Any highlights—either in your USF classroom or with former USF students who succeeded— that you’re proud of?

During my 35 years at St. Francis, I was privileged to teach hundreds of outstanding teaching candidates who modeled the Franciscan core values and took that charism into the teaching profession. As a teacher, our goal is always to give witness to the precise “transfer” of scholarly and intellectual classroom pursuits to advancing the cause of mankind. The greatest joy is for me to walk into just about any high school or middle school in the area and find one of my students there either teaching or leading the school in some administrative capacity. I am often reminded about the “circle of life,” especially when some of my students from college have ended up teaching my grandchildren! What a gift to witness that. That is my joy.

You established the Lawrence W. Wiers Endowed Scholarship at USF in December of 2019 and you also support other higher ed institutions in our area. What has drawn you to supporting higher education, and University of St. Francis students in particular?

In 1980, I drove to St. Francis as a very young educator who was about to be entrusted with helping to prepare future teachers. I considered this to be an awesome and yet frightening responsibility. I remember that evening vividly. I first stopped at my mailbox and found a handwritten note from Sr. Rosemary Small, OSF. She wished me well as I began my college teaching career. But it was the last line in her note I that I have treasured and remembered each time I met with my students. She wrote, “Remember, from this day forward, you ARE the college.” From that moment on, I experienced, in a very real way, the Franciscan mission and charism alive and well at USF. Our students go forward into teaching embedded with the core Franciscan values that will serve them so well in the classroom. They understand and care for all students. They touch hearts. They advocate for those living on the margins. That is precisely why USF teaching candidates are are so employable. I wanted to help our students realize their dream to enter this incredibly wonderful profession. I was enriched by my students and by every interaction I had with the faculty and staff at USF. I wanted to give back what was so generously shared and given to me in those 35 years. We need USF students in our classrooms.

How do you hope your scholarship impacts student recipients?

First and foremost, I hope it makes school a little more affordable for them, especially for those who are first generation college students. Secondly, it’s my hope that someday they will “pay it forward.” Our world needs a little more kindness and compassion. We need to set off a tsunami of kindness and tolerance and generosity in our society. Lastly, and ultimately, I trust that our USF students are inspired by the help they receive and go on to be true difference makers in education and positively impact the next generations of students. I have always considered it a privilege and honor to be a teacher. To me, it is the greatest profession of all—the one that makes all others possible.

What advice do you have for students who are studying education at USF?

I would ask students to remember three things. First, there is a success story within each student that is waiting to be revealed. There is a goodness and greatness within each of our students that is part of their success story. Our calling as teachers is to help reveal that goodness and greatness and success story in each of our students, and then to nourish and encourage them on their journey. Second, be a dispenser of hope. Our students need to live in hope. As Andy wrote to Red in the Shawshank Redemption, “Hope is a good thing, it may be the best of all things. And no good thing ever dies.” Our students need hope. And they need to live right under that roof of hope as they journey through their schooling. You can be a huge part of that as their teacher. Thirdly, just remember that there are no “regular” conversations when you are speaking with your students. I learned that from an eighth grader who wrote a letter to her favorite teacher upon graduating from middle school,

who wrote, “To you, our conversations were probably just regular conversations, but to me they were my inspiration.” Be totally present for your students because each interaction is an opportunity to inspire, to change a life, to make a difference, to alter their life trajectory, to give them hope and to ultimately find their goodness and greatness as they write their own success story.

What else would readers like to know about you and your philanthropic interests?

My late wife, Sue, and I were married for 51 years and have three children, Dave, Karrie and Kylie, and we are blessed with eight grandchildren. I enjoy golfing and being with my family. My passion today is volunteer work, serving on five not-for-profit boards and supporting the many charitable organizations in our area.

I have also established two scholarships at Joliet Junior College. In my wife’s memory, I established the Susan Lingrel Wiers Scholarship for deserving culinary arts students and, in memory of my late daughter-in-law, the Kimberly Slivka Wiers Scholarship for deserving nursing students. Additionally, we helped to fund the construction of the Sue and Larry Wiers Counseling Wing of Healing at Guardian Angel Community Services.

ALUMNI & DONOR NEWS

REVIVE YOUR SPIRIT: YOGA & MEDITATION

Come stretch your body, mind and spirit in 2023! The ancient and healing practice of yoga will be offered at USF on the first Wednesday of each month in Turk Theater. Join us for a class designed to bring you back into balance by using postures, breathwork, and meditation. This class will be taught by an experienced yoga teacher and therapist who is highly trained to keep you safe within your limitations, yet challenge those of you who are more practiced. No experience is necessary. Please bring a mat and/or beach towel to class and any props that you like. The teacher will provide some props as needed. There is no cost, but registration is necessary, as space is limited. Register via email at alumni@stfrancis.edu.

Wednesday Yoga Schedule:

5/3 – 4:30 p.m.

6/7 – 12 noon

7/12 – 4:30 p.m.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

This May, the University of St. Francis will be relaunching the Alumni Association at commencement. With this relaunch, USF hopes to increase opportunities for alumni to connect with the university in meaningful ways. Additionally, all alumni have been invited to take part in becoming Alumni Champions We look forward to sharing this opportunity over the coming months! Future Alumni Association events will include panels and involvement opportunities with Homecoming & Reunion. Please contact University Advancement if you are interested in leading the charge for a reunion. Please visit our website for updated information or email alumni@stfrancis.edu.

COMMENCEMENT 2023 WILL BE ACTION-PACKED!

Members of the class of 1973 will celebrate their 50th reunion this year and we look forward to honoring them at commencement as they walk with the 2023 graduates! We invite all alumni from the classes of 1969-1977 to join us for a reunion reception prior to the ceremony. We will also welcome 2023 graduates to the Alumni Association. All graduates are being invited to participate in a cap decorating contest and submissions will be shared on social media for alumni to submit their votes for the best cap. Additionally, during commencement, we will be hosting a hospitality room for graduates as they prepare to cross the stage. Grads will have the opportunity to ensure they are looking their best, update their contact information and receive some alumni swag. With questions, contact alumni@stfrancis.edu or 877-811-ALUM.

STUDENT ALUMNI MENTORING PROGRAM (SAM)

Established in 2012 to bring students and alumni together, SAM helps pave the way for students to succeed at USF and beyond. It also provides alumni with a great reason to stay engaged with their alma mater. We hope alumni can share with mentees what they learned during their time at USF and in their careers, and we hope students swill learn from the successes of alumni who graduated before them. SAM runs six months (November through April) during each academic year and works in partnership with USF's Career Success Center, creating a robust program for all involved. View our “Road Map to Success” at stfrancis.edu/alumni/sam for more info and to see the relationships this program fosters.

PLANNED GIVING

Making a planned gift is a wonderful way to show your support for the University of St. Francis and our mission while accommodating your own personal, financial, estate-planning, and philanthropic goals. With smart planning, you may actually increase the size of your estate and/or reduce the tax burden on your heirs. Just as important, you will know that you have made a meaningful contribution to USF. Visit stfrancis.giftplans.org for additional information on how and what to give.

GIVING TUESDAY SUPPORTS STUDENT EMERGENY FUND

We are grateful for our donors! Gifts received on Giving Tuesday in November provided support to 10 students through the USF Student Emergency Fund. The fund provides confidential limited emergency financial assistance to students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses, forcing them to consider withdrawal from USF.

DAY OF GIVING A SUCCESS

Day of Giving 2023 was a huge success—in just 24 hours, we raised over $13,000 with gifts from more than 50 donors.

Projects included:

• Future Educators Summer Academy Project – Helping the College of Education open its doors to high school students interested in a career in teaching – Goal $5,000

• Mac Lab Update – Helping USF provide CMMA and Art & Design students with the most current technology by bringing the Mac Lab into the 21st century – Goal $7,000

• Fitness Center Updates – Supporting the success and conditioning of all USF athletics programs as well as the heath and fitness of the USF community – Goal $7,500

• Labyrinth Project – Given the heightened stress and anxiety of these times, the addition of a labyrinth on our St. Clare Campus will provide a calming spiritual tool for the entire USF community – Fully funded!

• New Choral Risers – The USF Choir program has continued to grow and the current choral risers no longer serve their needs. Allow singers to safely be seen and heard by supporting this project – Goal $12,000

GRASSROOTS: USF EMPLOYEE GIVING

It is evident how much our USF faculty, staff and administrators care about students through the annual Grassroots employee giving campaign. The “Lucky to be a SAINT” campaign took place March 16-31 and focused on the Francis Fund, freshman scholarships, the student emergency fund, an entrance sign for St. Clare Campus, and employees' choice initiatives.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PRESENTED BY:

The tradition of Caritas continues and after a two-year pause, the 66th Annual Caritas Scholarship Celebration will be happening on campus—around the time this magazine will be arriving in homes— on Saturday, April 15, 2023! This black-tie optional event is featuring live and silent auctions, a paddle raise, the Light up the Night Raffle and dancing to Green Fourteen. Guests can bid on a seven-night stay in Colorado Springs, an experience at the Autobahn Country Club, and several other unique items!

THANK YOU TO OUR CARITAS

THANK YOU, SPONSORS!

ST. FRANCIS SPONSORS-$25,000

BERNIE SPONSORS - $5,000

Ann & Steve Randich

Tracey & Dan Vogen

Cheryl & Kevin McCarthy

Stephanie & Daniel Streitz

Patricia & Robert Wheeler

FRIENDS SPONSORS -$1,000-$4,999

Regina & George Block

Julie & Robert Cannata

Rosie & Cesar Cardenas

Timothy Delrose

Cynthia & Robert Erickson

Jen & Vic Howard

Frances Naal

PepsiCo

Candice Rosen

Mary Kathleen Ward

ST. CLARE SPONSORS - $15,000

BROWN & GOLD SPONSORS-$10,000

Gloria & Ed Dollinger

Diane & Bill Habiger

SAINT SPONSORS - $7,500

Donna & John Przybyla

Stephanie & Tyler Qualio

We apologize for sponsorships that came in after the magazine was printed and are not recognized here. We are grateful for your support!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 2023

15 Caritas Scholarship Celebration (Advancement) Saturday Information Session (Admissions)

19 Transfer Registration (Admissions)

22 Virtual Saturday Information Session (Admissions)

28 USF Art & Design Senior Thesis Opening and Public Reception - Exhibition Open Through June 28 (USF Art Gallery)

May 2023

3 Revive Your Spirit: Yoga & Meditation - 4:30 p.m. (Advancement)

6 Spring Commencement

Class of '73 Reunion at Commencement (Alumni)

15 Freshman Registration/SOAR (Admissions)

Summer Module 1 Begins (Academics)

June 2023

2 Pat Sullivan Golf Outing (Athletics)

7 Revive Your Spirit: Yoga & Meditation - Noon (Advancement)

12 Summer Module 2 Begins (Academics)

19 Freshman Registration/SOAR (Admissions)

July 2023

4 Independence Day - No Classes

12 Revive Your Spirit: Yoga & Meditation - 4:30 p.m. (Advancement)

August 2023

2 Revive Your Spirit: Yoga & Meditation - Noon (Advancement)

21 Classes Begin - 2023-24 Academic Year

SAVE THE DATE! JUNE 3, 2023 | INWOOD GOLF COURSE | GOFIGHTINGSAINTS.COM

SCAN THE QR TO FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

Admissions event information or registration: 800-735-7500 • admissions@stfrancis.edu stfrancis.edu/visit

Alumni events information or registration: 877-811-ALUM • alumni@stfrancis.edu stfrancis.edu/alumni/events

Athletics information or game schedules: 815-740-3464 • gofightingsaints.com

Donor events or giving information: advancement@stfrancis.edu 877-USF-GIVE • stfrancis.edu/give

USF Art Gallery exhibition and hours: 815-740-3787 • jmoore@stfrancis.edu

See calendar of upcoming events inside.

500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, Illinois 60435

The University of St. Francis was founded and is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate.