the complete renovation of that historic president’s building. We will have two crews working 16 or more hours daily for three months, so that it is ready by the fall. At the same time, work is underway bright, enthusiastic, inquisitive, capable for a major addition and upgrade for perspectivein research, and manifest considerable the Oremus Fine Arts Center. Both promise as future scientists. And now of those structures are vital parts of we have a facility with laboratories, our history, so it is timely that these technology and equipment, and other renewal projects have begun during our learning areas of exceptional quality. No 80th anniversary year. There are many wonder our enrollment in the sciences other projects about to occur that are and Mathematics/Computer Science part of the ongoing transformation t the conclusion of the very keeps growing at a robust pace. of our beautiful campus, which has affirming site visit for Another student population that just recently been designated as a Tree reaccreditation by the Higher Learning depends highly on the excellence of Campus USA for the third year in Commission last year, the two HLC our science curriculum, instructors succession. Furthermore, we are nearing representatives observed that the and facilities, are the undergraduates completion of our Campus Master Plan, AUniversity is now “mission mature,” in the College of Nursing and Health with a multitude of new and renewed meaning that the Lewis Mission has Professions. Already enrolling the largest building and other enhancements been quite successfully integrated student population at that level in laid out incrementally for the next 5, throughout our various academic Illinois, the College continues to excel 10, 15 and 20 years. Several of those offerings, programs and services. They and to achieve remarkable outcomes. buildings will be part of our upcoming might just as well have added that For instance, the last two classes of Capital Campaign, which is expected Lewis overall is an increasingly mature graduates, numbering 112 and 36 to be kicked off sometime during the institution. That is, as we now celebrate respectively, earned a perfect 100% upcoming summer and extend for five our 80th anniversary, there is a broad score on the NCLEX national licensure or more years. realization that the University is not only examination. Nursing students help to If you have not visited campus quite stable and confident in its identity, keep the science labs busy at all times recently, please consider stopping by but there is considerable enthusiasm of the day as they work diligently to sometime during this spring or the regarding our future. No wonder our maintain the very high standards of their coming summer. If nothing else, take current reality seems so dynamic and profession. a good look at us through the lens of our future so promising. Innovation Soon we will be constructing a our Website. You can continue to be abounds and quality enhancements are high-quality departmental area for the very proud of Lewis and all the good everywhere evident. At the same time, Computer Science and Mathematics happenings that occur here on a daily our Mission and Vision provide a firm faculty and students, in the former basis. This is a very hopeful era and foundation for our emerging Strategic science academic building immediately there is every reason to be very proud Plan for the next five years. adjacent to the new Science Center. of the University and of the highly The most dramatic example of It will be fully integrated into that meaningful outcomes that our current our encouraging momentum is the Center and complementary in purpose. undergraduate and graduate students remarkable new Science Center. It During the next year, we will convert the find to be so worthwhile and relevant opened at the start of the current majority of that same science academic in their lives and their present or future semester and was dedicated on March building into the Humanities Commons careers. 23rd. Not only is the architecture and for certain College of Arts and Sciences interior quite stunning, but the building departments, as well as for the Office provides teaching and learning space of the Dean. The building itself will be Sincerely, for our science faculty and staff that can significantly enhanced, with skylights, only be called “a game-changer.” We windows and other features to be added. are so blessed to have an extraordinary Meanwhile, we are presently faculty teaching in those disciplines, constructing an elevator tower on the Br. James Gaffney, FSC as is characteristic throughout the east end of Sheil Hall. At the conclusion President University. The science students are of this semester, work will commence on LEWIS CELEBRATES 17 ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONTENTS 6 University Updates 2 13 Faculty News 18 Awards and Recognition 22 Athletics UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT 24 Gifts and Grants 26 Alumni News 02 21ST CENTURY ARCHITECTURE BRINGS STUDENTS LEARNING TO A NEW LEVEL The Magazine of Lewis University Letters to the Editor and alumni news submissions are welcome. RESOURCES is published by the Office of Send letters, news and address changes to: The Magazine of Admission (800) 897-9000 Marketing and Communications Lewis University • Unit 196 • One University Parkway • Romeoville, IL three times per year. 60446-2200 or e-mail [email protected] (815) 836-5250 Alumni (815) 836-5472 STAFF EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHY Graduate and (800) 897-9000 Ramona LaMontagne, Matthew Brendich Jerry Daliege Executive Director of Michelle Fregoso ’11 Sylvain Goyette Adult Admission (815) 836-5610 Marketing and Communications Lisa Notter Ron Molk Photography Eileen Ryan Photography Athletics (815) 836-5247 Jim Cowan ’04, Graphic Design Kurt Schackmuth ’98, ’02 Director/Production Manager Steve Woit Photography Philip Lynch Theatre (815) 836-5500 Jennifer Skvarla ’03 ’05 Steve Woltmann Julie Penner, Executive Director Kathrynne Skonicki ’12 Wight & Company Box Office of Alumni and Parent Relations University (815) 836-5244 Derrick Sloboda PRINTING Advancement Suzan Sollie Vision Integrated Graphics 21st Century Architecture Brings Student Learning to a New Level in Science Center 2 21ST CENTURY SCIENCE CENTER In one 360-degree circle, visitors can see the past, present and future through the wall of glass windows in the new Science Center on the Lewis University main campus. The foundations of the University are toward the East and West. Turn to the South, and the future appears with a hallway inviting newcomers to see what’s around the bend. Visitors to the new Science Center are impressed and amazed with the high tech, modern Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified structure. by Kathrynne Skonicki ’12 “It is very encouraging to know that this state-of-the-art Science Center already is providing an excellent setting for education in the sciences for our enthusiastic students,” commented Brother James Gaffney, FSC, President of Lewis University. He continued, “The Dedication and Open House took place on March 23 and 24, but classes and labs actually began in mid-January. It was a highly collaborative undertaking that included the fine cooperation from the professionals from Wight & Company and their sub-contractors who made that possible.” The 52,000 square-foot addition to “There have been countless studies, much research and significant the Science Building features 12 labs, six collaboration that have gone into the planning of this magnificent prep labs, eight research facilities, three building,” said Dr. Stephany Schlachter, Provost. For more than six years, conference rooms, classrooms with Smart faculty and administrators explored the best ways to teach science. They Boards, faculty/staff offices and gathering attended conferences focused on the latest trends in science building spaces with terrazzo floors. “It raises the design. They projected student needs and future growth. standard by which we will base all future The increased enrollment at Lewis University, especially in the sciences projects against. It is cutting edge and and nursing, prompted the new structure. The center is expected to inviting,” commented Robert DeRose, continue that increased interest for prospective students and superior Senior Vice President of Finance and faculty. “The building enhances our ability to hire and retain exceptional Facilities. The top floor of the three-story faculty as well as to attract and provide the highest quality education for structure features Biology, the second our students,” commented Dr. Bonnie Bondavalli, Dean of the College of floor features Chemistry, and the lower Arts and Sciences. level is focused on Physics. THE MAGAZINE OF LEWIS UNIVERSITY 3 “Our new facility is an amazing place to study and do science. The In addition to student learning, the new space and laboratories represent a ‘quantum jump’ in modernization. new Science Center also serves as an The building is a showplace that will attract students (not just science epicenter of collaboration among faculty, students) to Lewis,” commented Dr. Charles Crowder, Associate Professor students, staff and industry to make of Physics. Dr. Crowder looks forward to collaborating with the other major advances in science research, areas of science in the new building. Proposals for future projects include especially in areas of nanotechnology, analyzing the effects of laser pens on cockpit windows and developing laser optics, computer and environ- glass coatings to mitigate the distraction to pilots while flying. Another mental science. The building is designed project proposal is to use an optical tweezer to capture bacteria before to foster relationships and partnerships analyzing them. with various organizations, corporations “I have always loved my job teaching at Lewis and coordinating the and agencies so that the University can Biology labs. But it is a pleasure to walk through the door every morning continue to be a resource for the region. into our new space. I can look out the window and see the beautiful “My favorite feature of the new campus landscape.