For students preparing for Commencement, the Grad Fair offered a one-stop experience to get ready for the big day. Students were able to order their regalia, confirm their diploma mailing address, and pick up their Commencement tickets with ease. Several campus departments were on hand to assist, including Alumni and Career Services, Campus Ministry, Graduate Admissions, Ben Central, and the Registrar. Students also had the opportunity to take graduation photos with Grad Images and connect with Herff Jones for class rings, announcements, and diploma frames.

At the same time, students took full advantage of Job-A-Palooza, where a diverse lineup of employers was ready to connect. Students explored opportunities with a wide range of organizations, from corporate partners to public service agencies. The featured employers included Chicagoland Automotive Group, Carmody Construction, GreenState Credit Union, and Sherwin-Williams. Also in attendance were three regional health and hospital systems, 11 area police departments, Argonne National Laboratory, and many more.

The combination of graduation services and career connections made the day a valuable one for students across all class levels. Soon to be graduates left with their commencement details in order, while students from every major walked away with new professional contacts and a clearer picture of the opportunities available to them.

A sincere thank you goes to the premium sponsors who supported this event: Chicagoland Automotive Group, Carmody Construction, GreenState Credit Union, and Sherwin-Williams. Their partnership helped make this engaging and productive experience possible for our students.

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President Scott has served as the 12th permanent president of Chicago State University since July 1, 2018, guiding the institution through a period of historic renewal and strategic growth. As the only four-year U.S. Department of Education-designated Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) in Illinois, CSU has flourished under her leadership, embracing a bold new direction as a regional public university powerhouse. A national voice for equity in higher education, President Scott co-founded the National Coalition of Predominantly Black Institutions of Higher Education and helped launch the first-ever Congressional PBI Caucus.

During her visit, President Scott shared insights from her own leadership journey, offering a candid look at the experiences that shaped her approach to guiding an institution through transformation and advocating for equity. Her distinguished legal career has earned her national recognition, and she has been named one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ Most Powerful Women in Chicago Business. The discussion provided attendees with a unique opportunity to learn from a leader whose career spans law, public service, and higher education.

A central theme of the talk was practical advice for students looking to excel in their studies and achieve their goals. President Scott emphasized the importance of resilience, intentionality, and building strong support networks. She encouraged students to remain focused on their purpose, to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and to actively seek mentorship throughout their academic and professional careers.

The event underscored Benedictine University’s commitment to fostering leadership development and providing students with access to diverse perspectives. President Scott’s visit left a lasting impression on the audience, offering valuable takeaways for all who attended.

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Sponsored by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered through the Lilly Network of Church-Related Colleges and Universities, the Lilly Faculty Fellows Program is designed to nurture faculty leadership, strengthen the integration of faith and learning, and support the development of mission-centered teaching and campus programming. Fellows participate in multi-year cohorts that provide structured mentoring, attendance at national Lilly conferences, collaborative seminars, and resources to design high-impact projects that advance institutional mission, faculty formation, and student learning.

As Lilly Faculty Fellows, Drs. Granic and McCarthy will lead a campus initiative titled “Serving Together: Benedictine Leadership Through Community Action.” The project brings together faculty from the humanities and the sciences on both the Lisle and Mesa campuses to model interdisciplinary leadership grounded in the Rule of St. Benedict and Catholic Social Teaching. Through a series of presentations, roundtable discussions, and collaborative workshops with academic mentors and community partners, the initiative will generate innovative curricular approaches that integrate ethical reflection, service learning, and evidence-based inquiry. Faculty participants will work across disciplines and across Benedictine University’s Lisle and Mesa campuses to develop assignments that encourage students to practice deep listening, hospitality, shared decision-making, and responsible action for the common good.

This recognition is especially meaningful for BenU as a Catholic institution rooted in the Benedictine tradition. The Lilly Faculty Fellows Program directly supports the University’s mission by fostering faculty leadership that integrates intellectual rigor, moral formation, and service to others. Drs. Granic and McCarthy’s project reflects core Benedictine values—Community, Ora et Labora, Respect for Persons, and Stewardship—while strengthening collaboration across disciplines and campuses. Their work will help form students not only as skilled professionals, but as ethically grounded leaders inspired by faith, reason, and a commitment to the common good.

Benedictine University congratulates Drs. Granic and McCarthy on this significant achievement and looks forward to the lasting impact their Lilly Faculty Fellowship will have on faculty, students, and the wider University community.

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The reception provided a meaningful opportunity for University leadership, including President Joseph J. Foy, PhD, to personally express gratitude and share the collective vision for Benedictine’s future. The evening underscored the profound connection between donor generosity and student success, highlighting how this partnership directly fuels opportunity and innovation across campus.

In reflecting on the event, Vice President for University Advancement Mark McHorney emphasized the essential role these partners play.

“The strength and commitment of our Benedictine University family was on full display,” said McHorney. “Our President’s Circle donors are the architects of opportunity here. Their partnership does more than support the University. It actively builds the future for our students and energizes our entire community.”

The President’s Circle recognizes those whose leadership-giving provides the critical resources that advance scholarships, academic programs, and campus facilities. The holiday reception serves as a touchstone each year to celebrate this shared commitment and the tangible impact that resonates across the University every day.

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Over the years, he has maintained research collaborations and visiting faculty appointments with those two institutions, as well as the Synchrotron Radiation Center associated with the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Dr. Marin maintains a vibrant research agenda, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications. As a spectroscopist truly working at the boundary between physics and chemistry, Dr. Marin’s work has ranged from ultrafast photophysics to radiation-induced fast kinetics, radiation- and photo-induced radical chemistry, and vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy. He has served on various committees and in many roles for the American Chemical Society (ACS), both at the local and national level, including Chair of the Chicago Section and member of the National ACS Council.

A strong supporter of the liberal arts tradition in Catholic higher education, Dr. Marin enjoys exploring the “great questions” that lie at the interface of science, theology, and philosophy. To that end, he also serves as Vice President and founder of the Chicago area chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists. In his spare time, Dr. Marin is busy is a semi-professional musician, and serves as musical director, arranger, and bassist for the Nite Hawks jazz combo, the Tim Marin Orchestra, and the Chi-Town Showstoppers R&B/soul band.

“I am honored to be elected to this role. The Lilly Network has been a true friend to Benedictine University, generously supporting programs that bring our Catholic and Benedictine mission to life,” said Dr. Marin. “Serving on their National Board is a meaningful way for me to give back and to express my gratitude for the remarkable generosity they have shown both to the University and to my own professional journey.”

Dr. Marin’s appointment as a Lilly Faculty Fellow is a point of great pride for BenU. His selection reflects the very integration of rigorous scholarship, faithful exploration, and dedicated service that we strive to embody as a Catholic and Benedictine institution. Dr. Marin’s work in advancing scientific discovery and in thoughtfully engaging the dialogue between science and faith exemplifies our commitment to educating the whole person and contributing to the greater good. We are confident he will bring valuable insight to the Lilly Network and are delighted to see his exceptional contributions recognized in this national forum.

Founded in 1991, the Lilly Network (formerly the Lilly Fellows Program) seeks to strengthen the quality and shape the character of church-related institutions of higher learning through a variety of fellowships and regranting efforts. The Lilly Network is based at Christ College, the interdisciplinary honors college of Valparaiso University in Northwest Indiana, and is sustained by the generous support of Lilly Endowment Inc. Benedictine University joined the Lilly Network in 1999.

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The gathering began on Thursday, Nov. 13, with a the Gold Mass in St. Benedict Chapel. Celebrated by Fr. Eddie Haule, the Mass honored the vocations of scientists, researchers, and science students, blessing their pursuit of knowledge as a sacred calling. The Chapel, filled with a congregation of students, faculty, staff, and community members, provided a serene start to an evening dedicated to the harmony of belief and inquiry.

The celebration continued with a dinner and keynote lecture in the Kindlon Hall. The event featured Ilia Delio, OSF, PhD, a renowned theologian and scientist who holds the Connelly Chair in Theology at Villanova University. In her lecture, “Christianity and Evolution,” Sr. Delio wove together insights from her dual doctorates in Pharmacology and Theology. She presented a compelling vision of an evolving universe charged with divine presence, challenging the audience to see evolution not as a challenge to faith, but as the mechanism through which God continues to create.

The conversation deepened on Friday, Nov. 14, with the Faith and Reason Symposium, centered on the theme “Faith and Evolution” – held in the Daniel L. Goodwin Hall of Business’s Sorensen Hall of Leaders.

The morning was packed with engaging panels featuring Benedictine University’s own experts. Panel I, moderated by Ellen Ziliak, PhD, featured insights from Preston Aldrich, PhD, Robert McCarthy, PhD, and Tim Marin, PhD, ’96.

“The Benedictine University Faith and Reason Symposium gives our academic community a rare chance to have honest, intellectually serious conversations about big questions, especially those at the often-avoided crossroads of science and religion,” said Dr. Marin. “It reminds us that genuine learning happens when we are willing to bring our diverse convictions, doubts, and disciplines into the same room and engage one another with openness, respect, and joyful curiosity.”

This was followed by Panel II, moderated by Joy Matteson, MLS, which included discussions by Blair Nelson, PhD, Peter Huff, PhD, and Phil Hardy, PhD.

A standout Interfaith Student Panel moderated by Jayashree Sarathy, PhD, gave voice to BenU students Katie Brill, Khushi Joshi, and Osman Khan, who shared their unique perspectives on navigating their faith in their academic and personal lives.

The symposium culminated in a capstone presentation by Alfred Martin, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Biological Sciences, titled “How Science and Religion Fit Together to Explain Reality.” Dr. Martin’s talk served as a powerful synthesis of the two days, offering a coherent framework for understanding scientific and religious truths as complementary, rather than conflicting, ways of understanding our world.

These events underscored Benedictine University’s unique role as a place where the life of the mind and the life of the spirit are not only welcomed but are seen as essential partners in the pursuit of truth.

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On Sept. 16, Rabbi Label Blotner of the Southeast Valley Jewish Congregation spoke to students about the hallmarks of Judaism and their deep connections to ethical business practices. His presentation helped students connect ancient principles of integrity, justice, and stewardship with modern business decision making.

On Nov. 3, Fr. Kermit Holl, OSC, Chaplain Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­’s Mesa Campus, shared insights on Catholic social principles, community engagement, and the moral responsibilities of business leaders. A native of Minneapolis, MN, and the tenth of eleven children, Fr. Holl joined the Crozier religious order in 1984 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1990. He currently resides in his community in South Phoenix, where he provides a fraternal witness to the Gospel’s call to unity and love.

These informative and engaging presentations provided students with a stronger, multifaceted understanding of how faith traditions continue to inform ethical leadership and business decision-making in today’s complex global environment.

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The official notification arrived confirming that the program has been granted the maximum five-year initial accreditation, a significant achievement that reflects the program’s high quality and rigorous standards.

“Receiving the news that the DNP in Executive Leadership program received its initial CCNE accreditation is a testament to all the nursing faculty, staff, and administrators who collaborated to launch Benedictine University’s first doctoral nursing program,” said BenU Professor and Graduate Program Director for Nursing Alison Ridge, DNP, RN, CNE. “I am incredibly proud of the work our doctoral students and recent alumnae (cohort 1 graduated in August) are doing to improve patient and population health. They are exceptional leaders who are well positioned to advance nursing and shape healthcare now and into the future.”

The accreditation process is a comprehensive review of a program’s curriculum, academic support, faculty, and student and program outcomes.

Receiving accreditation demonstrates thÂ鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­â€™s DNP program meets the highest national standards for nursing education and provides students with exceptional preparation to become transformation leaders of nursing practice and healthcare.

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The schedule commenced on Wednesday with Journeys in Leadership with BenU alum Kelly Carlson, MBA, ’91, and continued on Friday with the Alumni Achievement Awards. Saturday, Oct. 4, featured both academic and traditional activities. The morning began with the return of the Organizational Developlment (OD) Lecture Series featuring David Jamieson, PhD, a nationally-recognized thought leader in OD, who led a session on building adaptive organizations and leading change with clarity.

Following the lecture, the focus shifted to the annual Homecoming Tailgate in the Rice Center Parking Lot. Alumni from various classes, including the honored Golden Eagles from the Class of 1975, gathered at tents hosted by the Goodwin College of Business and Liberal Arts, the College of Science and Health, the Black Alumni Network, the Eagle Club, and BenU Library and Archives. The Homecoming football game against Rockford began at 1 p.m., where the Eagles secured a decisive 42-9 victory.

In addition to the tailgate and football game, there was also a dedicated evening event for the Golden Eagles. Classmates and guests gathered in The Pub at Coal Ben for music, dinner, and camaraderie. The class of 1965 had a similar event on the fifth floor of Kindlon Hall as well.

The weekend served as a successful occasion for the Benedictine University community to celebrate tradition and reinforce connections between the University and its alumni.

To view photos from this year’s Homecoming, click on the link

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The Benedictine University (BenU) community came together for an inspiring evening to celebrate the remarkable achievements of its alumni at the annual Alumni Achievement Awards ceremony. The event was a powerful testament to the enduring impact of a Benedictine education and the incredible paths our graduates forge in the world.

The evening began with warm opening remarks from President Joseph J. Foy, PhD, and a reflective prayer, setting a tone of gratitude and community. Guests enjoyed a dinner that provided a chance for fellowship before the awards presentation.

The ceremony honored three exceptional individuals whose lives and work beautifully reflect the University’s core values of community, hospitality, and stewardship.

Rising Star Award

Reenie Baidya | Class of 2019 | Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

The Rising Star Award recognizes an outstanding alum whose achievements and leadership signal a bright future. They repesent “the ones to watch.”

Visionary Award Recipient

Daniel Laspisa | Class of 2013 | Environmental Science 

The Visionary Award honors an exceptional alum whose foresight and transformative action has reshaped their industry and created a lasting, positive impact. They don’t just see a better future; they build it, inspiring and improving the lives of all those they touch.

Distinguished Award Recipient

Daniel Hebreard | Class of 2007 | Partnership in MBA

The Distinguished Award recognizes an alum who has reached the pinnacle of their career and personal endeavors. You represent the enduring power of our Benedictine values as the guiding force for professional excellence and a life dedicated to meaningful contribution.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening. We extend our deepest congratulations to our award winners. Your journeys stand as a testament to the values cultivated here at Benedictine University and the profound, positive impact you have on our world.

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