Recent Alumni Events Recap

Annual Alumni Jazz & Gospel Brunch Showcases RU Talent

On Saturday, November 15, 2008, nearly 90 alumni and friends gathered for an outstanding performance and a full buffet at the annual Alumni Jazz and Gospel Brunch.  The program showcased Roosevelt alumni and student talent at its best, featuring musical groups with unique ties to Roosevelt. 

The event highlighted RU’s Chicago College of Performing Arts jazz students and alumni performers, including One Inspiration Gospel Choir led by RU alumnus Adrian Dunn, BM ’07. Dunn’s ensembles have performed at the annual Alumni Jazz and Gospel Brunch since it began in 2005. Since then, more groups have been invited to participate and the program has grown into a Roosevelt talent showcase. The student and young alumni musicians who participated serve as terrific examples of the high caliber talent that our Chicago College of Performing Arts recruits and produces each year.

Also invited to participate in the Jazz and Gospel program was RU alumnus Grady Johnson and his Jazz Trio of Chicago jazz veterans. Johnson attended Roosevelt University in the late 40’s when access to other universities was not possible for him. He credits his personal success as a pharmacist and the success of his children to Roosevelt for opening the doors for him and setting educational standards for his family.  The Grady Johnson Trio have performed nationally and internationally with jazz groups world wide including Count Basie and Duke Ellington Orchestras. Also performing was the M&M Choir, a northwest suburban community choir, featuring RU alumna Jocelyn Yarbrough, BB ’03.

11th Annual Boat Cruise a Great Success

On Sunday, August 17, 2008 over 300 alumni and friends boarded the Kanan yacht off of Navy Pier for an afternoon of fun on Lake Michigan. This was the 11th year that the Alumni Association has hosted a boat cruise, and it remains a great hit. Guests enjoyed 3 hours on the water, a delicious lunch and drinks throughout the afternoon, while taking in the Chicago Air and Water Show up close!

June events in California and Schaumburg

The Alumni Association kicked off the summer with several great events in California as well as Schaumburg. In Los Angeles, on June 11, over 30 alumni and friends were hosted by RU Trustee David D. Hiller, former President, Publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Times, at the Times' Olympic Printing facility. In addition to meeting Hiller and other great area alumni, the guests had the unique opportunity to tour the facility and get an up-close look at how a major newspaper is produced.

The following day the Alumni Association traveled north to Oakland where some 50 alumni and friends gathered aboard the USS Potomac, FDR's "floating whitehouse" for a reception and tour. President Middleton's presentation of the Harold Washington Professional Achievement Award to Ellis Schuman (BM, '55) was a highlight of the evening.

On June 18, over 70 people gathered at the Schaumburg campus for an outdoor reception in the community courtyard and an engaging discussion led by Roosevelt's Dr. Steven A. Meyers, Illinois Professor of the Year for 2007.

Alumni Weekend 2008 Recap

Photographs from past events

Alumni