A President's Legacy a President’S
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THE MAGAZINE OF FALL 2015 A President’s Dear Readers of the Lewis University Magazine: and the limited financial support that their families can provide. We are firmly committed I believe that you will find this particular to help as many as possible to remain in school Magazine of Lewis University to be very and to pursue their vitally needed college interesting and encouraging to read. Moreover, degrees. More than 80% of the top jobs in there are dozens of wonderful photos of America now require a college diploma and people and happenings from throughout the that percentage is steadily increasing. Without fall semester. It has been a very good year for having graduated from college, many citizens the University and especially for our students will have to settle for minimally satisfying or and faculty engaged daily in our ever-more undercompensated careers. distinctive educational programs. Finally, there is an article here that speaks Throughout the Magazine, you will find about the legacy of nearly three decades write-ups regarding a multitude of fine during which I have been privileged to accomplishments, especially by our students serve as the President of this very special and faculty. For instance, the Flight Team came PRESIDENT’S University. It is thoughtfully written and in second place in the regional tournament PERSPECTIVE quite complimentary in its content. I am which we hosted in October and will once delighted that Lewis is becoming an ever- again be going to the national championship more distinguished University, especially in contest in the spring. Our science students will read about some of the very effective such distinctive academic programs as STEM continue to be involved in challenging and assistance they are providing to various (the natural sciences, technology, engineering worthwhile research projects, and increasingly schools. In addition, they present certain and mathematics), which includes Computer they are being invited to regional and even honors periodically to very deserving Catholic Science and Computer Engineering, as well as national forums and conferences to present educators. Another important feature in this Health Sciences and Aviation, Aerospace and their findings. Each year, a group of gifted issue is the excellent progress being made by Transportation. In addition to these and other environmental students is invited to do research the University in attaining major grants. In just high quality academic programs, the fact that abroad to learn more about endangered the last year, nearly $3 million has been realized we provide such a caring, encouraging and species and natural preserves. Usually this is from federal grants, such as from the National person-centered environment for our students, made possible because of a generous grant Science Foundation. Those competitive grants as well as having a unifying and inspiring to underwrite their travel. This year that are very difficult to secure, but once given, it Mission for our faculty and staff, adds much to experience occurred in Costa Rica. is evident that in the eyes of those responsible our distinctiveness and appeal. Furthermore, our student athletes continue at the federal level, Lewis is regarded as a very I am very proud of all that Lewis has become. to achieve special recognitions for their athletic fine institution of higher education, and fully There is no question that we are emerging as successes and academic achievements. This eligible for even more federal funding in the a superior University in so many categories of semester is no different. In fact, we were future, including for our STEM programs and excellence, and much more progress will be recognized earlier this year for their collective our Health Sciences. achieved in the years ahead, built upon our attainment of fourth place nationally in NCAA The Red Tie Ball and Signum Fidei Gala current success. As we near the selection of the Division II. Such accomplishments are not event drew a record attendance in September next Lewis President, we can all give thanks limited to intercollegiate athletics, of course. and raised the largest amount of support and praise to our Lord for blessing us and our For instance, our Intramural Program has been ever for our vital Mission Fund. That fund students with women and men of immense ranked in the Top 50 nationally. The Office allows us to assist well-qualified students dedication and competence spread throughout of Veteran Affairs and Recruitment has been with the greatest financial need. Several the University. identified as #1 in Illinois among all of private hundred students have been assisted through and public higher education and #2 nationally the contribution during the last 5-6 years of Sincerely, among all private universities and colleges almost $1 million at those annual galas. We by GI Jobs Military Magazine. Overall, the are especially grateful for the Mission Fund University is again ranked in the Top 30 among insofar as the current political stand-off in Midwest regional universities and in the Top 50 Springfield this year has delayed the arrival of among the more than 240 Catholic colleges and urgently needed Monetary Award Fund grants Brother James Gaffney, FSC universities in America. for more than 1,000 of our most financially President Lewis has recently established what we call needy students. Many of these students have the Institute for the Advancement of Catholic already maximized their tuition contributions and Lasallian Education. In this issue, you based on their demanding work situations THE MAGAZINE OF FALL 2015 6 NATIONALLY RANKED 2 | A PRESIDENT’S LEGACY | SOARING TO 8 STUDENT LEARNING 3 | NEW HEIGHTS | 11 | UNIVERSITY UPDATES 14 | FACULTY NEWS FACULTY 16 | AWARDS & RECOGNITION 18 | ATHLETICS NEWS 22 | GIFTS, GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS 26 | ALUMNI NEWS The Magazine of Lewis University is published by the Office of Marketing RESOURCES and Communications. Letters to the Editor and alumni news submissions are Admission Graduate Philip Lynch welcome. Send letters, news and address changes to: The Magazine of Lewis (800) 897-9000 Admission Theatre University, Unit 196, One University Parkway, Romeoville, IL 60446-2200 or e-mail (815) 836-5250 (800) 897-9000 Box Office [email protected], STAFF / Dr. Ramona LaMontagne, Executive Director of Alumni (815) 836-5610 (815) 836-5500 Marketing and Communications; Jim Cowan ’04, Graphic Design Director/Production (815) 836-5472 Athletics University Manager, EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS / Matthew Brendich; Allison Rios; Kelly (815) 836-5247 Advancement Kolton; Bridgette Robles; Dr. Kurt Schackmuth ’98 ’02; Kathrynne Skonicki ’12; Derrick (815) 836-5244 Sloboda; Kyle Hayes ’14, PHOTOGRAPHY / Marissa Gonzales; Jerry Daliege; Sylvain Goyette; Ron Molk Photography; Eileen Ryan Photography; Steve Woit Photography; Steve Woltmann / PRINTING / Kelmscott Communications The Magazine of Lewis University | 1 a president’s ALEGACY President’s 2 | A President's Legacy A President’s Student success has always been at the heart of his presidency. Planning and development of new initiatives across the decades have built the reputation and image of the University into a nationally- recognized leader in Catholic higher education. With a clear vision and spirit of association, Lewis continues to excel in serving a diverse population of nearly 7,000 students as a teaching and scholarly institution. President of Lewis University since 1988, Brother James Gaffney, FSC, has announced his plans to retire after the current academic year, on June 30, 2016. He has been part of the University community since the 1970s when he served as Provincial for the De La Salle Christian Brothers who sponsor Lewis University. He served for eleven years on the Board of Trustees, including ten years as chair, prior to 1986. Brother James was inaugurated President on October 2, 1988, and is recognized for revitalizing and expanding the University, providing leadership and vision that has resulted in an emphasis on academics, continuing growth, strengthening of Mission, campus expansion and improvements, and establishing ties with the community, always with a focus on students. The Magazine of Lewis University | 3 Planning Tied Creation of an to Strategy Ideal Campus • Continuous improvement has been built into • Expanded acreage, constructed buildings to the fabric of the University. The first strategic support new and established programs, supported plan was developed in 1997. Since then, major renovations, and added regional sites. New multiple plans have guided the University, in buildings and major building renovations included addition to a Campus Master Plan. Launched four residence halls, a recreation and fitness in 2011, the Campus Master Plan ties buildings center, science center, fine arts center, electronic and educational space to the University’s media center, and state-of the art facilities for strategic plan and fundraising. aviation, business, education, and nursing. • Fundraising became a priority for the Approximately $250 million has been invested in institution, growing the endowment from less numerous construction and renovation projects than $500,000 to approximately $46 million since 1988. today (not including land). • Opened educational centers in the Chicago region and in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to provide an optimal learning environment for adult students. • Online classes and degree programs were initiated and have grown to 10% of total credit hours. • Achieved arboretum status.