Roosevelt University - RU in the Community

RU in the Community - August 2006

Tim Samuelson (blue shirt), a Roosevelt alumnus and cultural historian for the City of Chicago, explains to Geoffrey Baer, an expert on things in and around Chicago, how architect Louis Sullivan designed the Auditorium Building lobby. Baer was at Roosevelt on August 29 to prepare a story about the 150th birthday of Sullivan. It will air on WTTW, Channel 11, at 7 p.m. on September 6.

Roosevelt University’s new international students learned about the University and the City of Chicago at an orientation program on August 28 and 29. During one of the sessions, students met one another by participating in an interactive questionnaire.

Roosevelt’s Herman Crown Center residence hall has been busy this week as new and returning students move into their rooms. Classes begin Sept. 6.

Over 430 alumni, faculty, staff and friends of Roosevelt University joined President Chuck Middleton aboard the Spirit of Chicago on Sunday, August 20 for the annual Alumni Association Boat Cruise. Here, Dr. Middleton welcomes the guests, who enjoyed a buffet lunch and had the opportunity to watch the Air and Water Show on Lake Michigan.

Choppy waters on Lake Michigan didn’t stop these Alumni Boat Cruise guests from climbing to the top of the Spirit of Chicago to catch a glimpse of the Air and Water Show.

President Chuck Middleton addressed over 200 students from the Social Justice High School, who held their Orientation at the downtown campus on Monday, August 21. He spoke to the students about the importance of an education, staying in school and pursuing a college degree.

Social Justice High School Principal Rito Martinez (l) shares a thought with Dr. Middleton at the high school’s orientation. Roosevelt has pledged to be an educational partner with the high school, offering future qualified graduates the opportunity to earn a degree at Roosevelt.

Roosevelt’s Institute for Metropolitan Affairs hosted a panel discussion focusing on their recently released study, Intersecting Voices: Impact of Illinois Drug Policies, on Tuesday, August 22. The study was featured on the front pages of the Chicago Tribune, the Daily Herald, and stories ran in the Red Eye and the Daily Southtown. WGN-TV, WLS-TV, WGN-AM, and WXRT-FM carried the story on their newscasts, while Kathleen Kane-Willis, lead researcher and associate director of the Institute, was interviewed on WVON.

Robert Jordan, anchor/reporter at WGN-TV and an RU alum, covered the drug policy panel discussion on August 22. The study was featured as a three minute story on the noon news that day.

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the (Faculty) Forum—A Holistic Approach to General Education” featured a group of six faculty members who together attended the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) Conference in Washington, D.C. last spring on Gen Ed. Here, Alan Krabbenhoft, associate dean, Walter E. Heller College of Business, shares some of the group’s experiences while Jeff Edwards, associate professor of political science and President of the University Senate, looks on.

Before the Faculty Forum, Becky McTague, assistant professor, department of reading, early childhood education and special education, takes a moment to catch up with colleague Margaret Policastro, director of language and literacy and Faculty Trustee.

Roosevelt University welcomed the 2006-2007 Class of the American Council on Education (A.C.E.) Fellows on Wednesday, August 23. J. Michael Durnil, vice president for government affairs and community outreach and a member of the 2004-2005 Class of Fellows, hosted the group of 18, who toured the campus, met with Dr Middleton, and had lunch with other RU A.C.E. Fellows Toni Potenza and Bud Beatty.

Roosevelt University, Bright Horizons Early Childhood Education Center and Zurich in North America held their annual mini-golf outing on Aug. 14 at Roosevelt University’s Schaumburg Campus. The outing, featuring golfers from ages 6 to 66, celebrates the eight-year-old childcare center. Pictured above are Tracy Lampert of Zurich, Doug Knerr, interim dean of Roosevelt’s Evelyn T. Stone University College, and students Jack Lampert and Shaan Patel.

Al Bennett, the Harold Washington professor of public policy and coordinator of Roosevelt’s program with the Chicago Housing Authority's Wentworth Gardens family development, visits with CHA resident and high school junior Donald Phipps on August 9. They were at the closing session of an eight-week college preparatory program held at Roosevelt. It was made possible through a partnership between the University, CHA, the Siemens Corporation and After School Matters.

Eleven new Roosevelt employees were welcomed and received information about the University during a new-employee session held Aug. 9 at the Chicago Campus. New employees who participated are (front row, from left): Garry Cooke, admissions counselor; Summer Grest, administrative secretary for career services; Rubee Fuller, director of international programs; Denise Czuprynski, director of marketing; Kimberly Shea, career counselor; Brett Sutton, associate vice president for technology services; and (back row, from left) Briselda Cordova, financial aid counselor; Peggie Stokes, senior secretary for admissions; Chris Korn, human resources analyst; Sara Villanueva, academic advisor; and Victor Sanchez, admission counselor.

Roosevelt University alumna and Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-8) joined members of the Roosevelt community at a Good Morning Schaumburg breakfast on August 8 where she was honored with an award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Roosevelt University alumna and Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-8, fifth from left) joined members of the Roosevelt community at a Good Morning Schaumburg breakfast on August 8 where she was honored with an award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Pictured from left are Stacy Rungaitis, director of the annual fund; Doug Knerr, interim dean of the Evelyn T. Stone University College; Kimberly Gosell, associate vice president of institutional advancement; Lisa Encarnacion, director of external relations; Melissa Bean; J. Michael Durnil, vice president for governmental relations and university outreach; and Eric Tammes, assistant vice president for student services.

Illinois State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-13) shares a laugh with President Chuck Middleton on August 3 at a Summer Biotechnology Institute session which is being held for high school students in Roosevelt University’s science laboratories. Senator Raoul told the students about the importance of their career decisions.