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WINTER 2014 QUniverseQUINCY UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE Many paths, one intersection: Quincy University The Extraordinary Path QU | President’s Page Contents | QU “The spirit of relentless striving to IN THIS ISSUE make an extraordinary difference in our world remains central to the life of Quincy University.” ii President’s Page he more QU alumni I get to know, the more 2 Student Spotlight QUniverse impressed I am by the extraordinary range of Editor: Jen Gervasi | [email protected] achievements our alumni represent. Educators, 4 Hawk Talk T Inspired competition Editorial Advisory Committee and jurists, business leaders, physicians, researchers, musicians— Contributors: the list goes on and on. Some began their Quincy Univesity Sharon Barnett ’79 8 The Extraordinary Path education with a clear career path in mind—one they Julie Bell Matthew Bergman ’99 Many paths, one intersection: Quincy University pursued relentlessly. As freshmen, others had only a dim Brendan Bittner view of what they might become. Still others had nary a Ben Braun ’07 Amanda Klein ’15 Dr. Gervasi took Illinois Senator John Sullivan and Senate President John Cullerton 24 Class Notes clue, yet went on to significant accomplishments. Colleen McCormack ’15 to visit QU's Mock Trial Team in action. They are shown here in the John "Pete" Brown Courtroom. Heidi Meyer What they all shared was the QU experience—a 32 Faculty and Staff Barbara Schleppenbach, PhD ’71 commitment to learning in a caring community where Christina Simmons Other themes I hear from many successful alumni are Fr. Joseph Zimmerman, OFM students can discover new interests and develop familiar gratitude and humility. Many are self-effacing to a fault. ones. The connection between learning and caring is a They ascribe much of their success to their QU education theme I hear repeatedly. That connection is perhaps the rather than to themselves. The Franciscan tradition teaches QUniverse is published to serve the interests most important practical legacy of our Catholic, Franciscan us that, paradoxically, there is great power and drive in such of Quincy University and its programs. emphasis on the dignity and worth of each individual. It is humility. After the early friars had spread throughout much Send all correspondence to: the catalyst for the lives of excellence of Europe, St. Francis still admonished them, “Brothers, 8 QUniverse highlighted in these pages. let us begin again, for up to now we have done little or Quincy University 1800 College Ave. Of course, the QU experience nothing.” 2 4 Quincy, IL 62301-2699 creates extraordinary paths not only The spirit of relentless striving to make an extraordinary [email protected] for alumni after graduation but also for difference in our world remains central to the life of Quincy students during their time on campus. University. Thank you for continuing to help that spirit Editorial Consultant: Helen O’Guinn From the national reputation of our flourish. men’s and women’s soccer teams, to Design Consultant: our more than 230 honors students, 14 8 J Michael Harlow to the growing impact of our science programs, Peace and all good, Quincy University Dr. Robert A. Gervasi, President enables all members of our community to keep stretching and to make 24 a difference, whatever paths we follow. 32 QU | President’s Page Contents | QU “The spirit of relentless striving to IN THIS ISSUE make an extraordinary difference in our world remains central to the life of Quincy University.” ii President’s Page he more QU alumni I get to know, the more 2 Student Spotlight QUniverse impressed I am by the extraordinary range of Editor: Jen Gervasi | [email protected] achievements our alumni represent. Educators, 4 Hawk Talk T Inspired competition Editorial Advisory Committee and jurists, business leaders, physicians, researchers, musicians— Contributors: the list goes on and on. Some began their Quincy Univesity Sharon Barnett ’79 8 The Extraordinary Path education with a clear career path in mind—one they Julie Bell Matthew Bergman ’99 Many paths, one intersection: Quincy University pursued relentlessly. As freshmen, others had only a dim Brendan Bittner view of what they might become. Still others had nary a Ben Braun ’07 Amanda Klein ’15 Dr. Gervasi took Illinois Senator John Sullivan and Senate President John Cullerton 24 Class Notes clue, yet went on to significant accomplishments. Colleen McCormack ’15 to visit QU's Mock Trial Team in action. They are shown here in the John "Pete" Brown Courtroom. Heidi Meyer What they all shared was the QU experience—a 32 Faculty and Staff Barbara Schleppenbach, PhD ’71 commitment to learning in a caring community where Christina Simmons Other themes I hear from many successful alumni are Fr. Joseph Zimmerman, OFM students can discover new interests and develop familiar gratitude and humility. Many are self-effacing to a fault. ones. The connection between learning and caring is a They ascribe much of their success to their QU education theme I hear repeatedly. That connection is perhaps the rather than to themselves. The Franciscan tradition teaches QUniverse is published to serve the interests most important practical legacy of our Catholic, Franciscan us that, paradoxically, there is great power and drive in such of Quincy University and its programs. emphasis on the dignity and worth of each individual. It is humility. After the early friars had spread throughout much Send all correspondence to: the catalyst for the lives of excellence of Europe, St. Francis still admonished them, “Brothers, 8 QUniverse highlighted in these pages. let us begin again, for up to now we have done little or Quincy University 1800 College Ave. Of course, the QU experience nothing.” 2 4 Quincy, IL 62301-2699 creates extraordinary paths not only The spirit of relentless striving to make an extraordinary [email protected] for alumni after graduation but also for difference in our world remains central to the life of Quincy students during their time on campus. University. Thank you for continuing to help that spirit Editorial Consultant: Helen O’Guinn From the national reputation of our flourish. men’s and women’s soccer teams, to Design Consultant: our more than 230 honors students, 14 8 J Michael Harlow to the growing impact of our science programs, Peace and all good, Quincy University Dr. Robert A. Gervasi, President enables all members of our community to keep stretching and to make 24 a difference, whatever paths we follow. 32 QU | Student Spotlight Student Spotlight | QU USHERING IN THE HOLIDAYS QU Names Its with a Classic Student Laureate Quincy University tapped The Lincoln Academy of From left: Kennedy Figge, Samantha Seitz ’14, Cameron Walker ’16, Colleen McCormack ’15, Drew Figge, Aubrey Whitehead, Jonathon Graff ’14, Suzanne Molinaro ’16, Devin Boccardi ’14. Samantha Nielsen as its Illinois, founded in 1964, student laureate for the honors citizens (by birth prestigious annual Lincoln or place of residence) who Academy of Illinois Student have made outstanding An Evening of Laureate Award Program. achievements in their fields. Etiquette QU is one of fifty-two colleges Honorees include Jane From left: Debra Nielsen, Leonard Nielsen, Samantha Nielsen ’14, and universities statewide that Addams, Gwendolyn Brooks, and associate professor of English Deirdre Fagan. participates in the program, Marshall Field, and Ronald which honors outstanding Reagan. The student laureates Symphonic Band, Quincy Springfield on November Students ready to launch into the student achievement. were added in the 1970s. Community Band, theatre 2, 2013, as “magical.” There business world don’t want to fumble Students, who must be Hailing from Arlington department productions, were tours, pictures, speeches, over a manners faux pas. QU’s annual seniors, are chosen based on Heights, Illinois, Nielsen is and the QU riverrun literary and a lunch provided at the etiquette dinner, held November 11, 2013, GPA, course load, extra- a double major in English magazine. She is a member governor’s home. She added, gives students the chance to practice curricular activities, and what and communication with a of the Phi Sigma Sigma “It was a great honor and it is their etiquette skills while mingling and they give back to the local concentration in journalism. sorority. Nielsen described not lost on me as to how big dining with local employers. The event is community. She is involved in the QU the ceremony, held in this award is.” sponsored by Quincy University Career A Christmas Carol Services and held in the Connie Niemann For its fall production, the Quincy University Starring seniors Jon Graff and Devin Boccardi Center for Music. The evening began theatre program performed the holiday classic (as Ebenezer Scrooge and Jacob Marley, with a social hour during which students A Christmas Carol in MacHugh Theatre. respectively), the show featured extravagant Sounds of the Semester Running four nights in late November, the sets and lighting effects as well as a theatrical were able to mingle with the various In 2013, the Hawk Marching Band, under the leadership of production starred students and community rigging system of pulleys and lines that allowed employers in attendance. After the group Bill Machold, assistant professor of music and director of performers of all ages, all under the direction ghostly characters to “fly” across the stage. sat down to dinner, QU presidential bands, marked its fourth season. Band members performed of Connie Phillips, lecturer in theatre. “I have been doing theatrical productions spouse Jen Gervasi delivered a practically all of my life and I have played two separate halftime shows – a musical theatre show “The show was quite the memorable experience presentation on etiquette, focusing on the for all who went to see it. There really is nothing many different roles throughout the years, but featuring music from Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar points that students will need to know to quite like acting on the stage,” says Colleen I have never had to act while attached to wires and West Side Story as well as a Halloween-themed show in that were holding my feet off the ground,” feel at ease in business and social settings.