Student Success Stories

The numbers of homeless people she encountered in Chicago's South Loop area made political science major Diana Gaona (right) think about the problem. As a senator with the University's Student Government Association and a program assistant in the University's Office of Student Activities, Gaona wanted to understand and help fellow students understand the reality of homelessness and its causes. Thus, she became student coordinator of a month-long community service and civic action campaign called Raise Your Voice in which students from Roosevelt - and other universities all over the country - reached out to their communities in March. During the campaign, she organized students to work at the Chicago Christian Industrial League on a number of projects including "Suit Yourself," an effort that enabled homeless residents in the League's job training program to obtain appropriate clothing for job interviews. She also organized a panel discussion on homelessness at the University. Gaona, who graduated in May, now goes on to graduate school at DePaul University where she will study public service management. However, Office of Student Activities Director Patrick Green is hopeful that a student or students will pick up where Gaona left off with Raise Your Voice next year.

Twin sisters Kabria and Kamilah Cummings (left) have done a lot of things together. They attended the Henry R. Clissold Elementary School together; they went to Morgan Park High School together; they earned bachelor's degrees in business management together from Columbia College Chicago; and in May they both earned master's degrees together in journalism from Roosevelt University, with 4.0 grade point averages.

"We've always been a pair, and have had similar interests," said Kabria, who in recent years has done substitute teaching at Morgan Park High School, along with her sister, Kamilah. "It's true we've had similar paths," conceded Kamilah, "but we're really two different people."

Indeed, while both Kabria and Kamilah upon graduation plan to work together publishing their own magazine, the two aren't identical twins and will bring different talents and skills to the table. Kamilah plans to be writer and editor of the magazine, the focus of her coursework at Roosevelt; Kabria will do layout and design, the focus of her efforts at Roosevelt. "We've had very different interests and have developed very different skills," said Kabria. "We're not competitive at all, but we push each other when we need to," added Kamilah. Now that's teamwork for the two new twin graduates who undoubtedly will be working together to get ahead!

When Patrick Geanconteri (right) walked across the stage of the Auditorium Theatre to receive his bachelor's degree in history from Roosevelt University on May 13, he had only an uncle, brother and girlfriend to cheer him on. Noticeably missing from the graduation were his mother, who passed away with ovarian cancer in 2003, and Geanconteri's grandmother, who also passed away of the same illness in 2005. Both women were on Geanconteri's mind and close to his heart, however. "I had a lot of support from both my mother and my grandmother.

Their goal for me was to see me get my diploma," said Geanconteri, who began his college journey at Harper College in 1996 and then transferred to Illinois State University in Bloomington before dropping out shortly after his mother was diagnosed with cancer in 1998. Returning to the Northwest suburbs to be closer to her, Geanconteri worked as a waiter before deciding he wanted a better career. He enrolled at Roosevelt in
2004 shortly after his mother's death. "One of the biggest things I've learned is that life goes on after death," said Geanconteri, who completed his coursework, even while his grandmother was dying of cancer. "And I'm proud of myself for making it through and doing well even though I had a lot going on." Next step for Geanconteri will be to work on his certification to become a history teacher. For that, he plans to attend Roosevelt's College of Education.

Marketing major Chris Lavidas (left) was recognized during graduation in May for his leadership skills and entrepreneurial spirit. Lavidas, who started his own business called Breaking Grounds in Drumming last year, also established the student business club, Breaking Grounds in Business, which grew to 45 members. Club members, who met at the Schaumburg Campus, discussed many issues relevant to business students, including the need for motivation and trends in business. The club also sponsored and presented a major student-run event in March called "Working for a Company vs. How To Be Your Own Boss," which featured seven panelists from successful companies and which attracted 60 participants. Breaking Grounds in Business was named the Outstanding Student Organization of the Year for 2004-2005. In addition, Lavidas received the Leaders Evolving and Developing (LEAD) Program Award, the Bronze R Award and was inducted into the Green Key Society. "I would say that Chris Lavidas is one of the most motivated students who has ever gone through Roosevelt University," said Josetta McLaughlin, an associate professor in the Walter E. Heller College of Business Administration and Lavidas' faculty adviser.

After years of alcoholism, drug addiction and trouble with the law, Brian Russo (right) received his bachelor's degree with honors from the University in May. Russo, who stopped attending high school at
age 14, spent more than a decade in riotous, transient living.

He passed his early teenaged years involved with gangs, while he traversed America-getting in trouble all over the country-well into his 20s. "It was a period riddled with debauchery and addiction to be sure,"
said Russo, "But it also instigated my pursuit for meaning in my life and my quest for something to cling to." Russo went back to school for his G.E.D. in 1995 and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1997, but was discharged punitively for disorderly conduct in 1999. Two years later, after three days of drunken stupor, he underwent a conversion in a church in Nevada. "A pastor said some things that made tears roll down my face, and I walked out of that church a different person because Jesus Christ changed my life," said Russo. He returned home to Chicago to complete his education at Roosevelt University. Accepted into the Roosevelt Scholars Program for academic achievers, Russo won the Samuel Ostrowsky Humanities Award in 2003 for an autobiographical piece of short fiction on his experiences. With a 3.95 grade point average, Russo now goes on to study for his Ph.D. in literature at the Institute of Philosophic Studies at the University of Dallas.

Lev Ryanbinin and Inesa Sinkevych (left) met 13 years ago while studying piano at the Kharkov Special Music School in Ukraine. Little did they know back then how much their love for classical music and their dedication to the piano would entwine their lives. Budding pianists when they married nine years ago and moved to Tel Aviv in 2000 to study for undergraduate degrees in piano, Sinkevych, 27, and Ryanbinin, 28, have continued to pursue the same interest but have definitely gone a long way toward becoming seasoned, accomplished pianists by receiving their master's degrees in piano performance from the University in May. Practicing piano for about five hours daily, the couple are students of Solomon Mikowsky, a piano instructor in The Music Conservatory at Chicago College of Performing Arts. Mikowsky's students are renown for winning international piano competitions. For instance, Sinkevych has won an impressive six piano prizes including first prize in the Maria Canals piano competition in Barcelona in 2003 as a Roosevelt student. "My time at the University has been key to helping me improve my piano technique," said Sinkevych. Several things the couple enjoyed most about the University are the quality of its pianos and the availability of those instruments for frequent practice. "We have the right conditions here in which to practice," said Ryanbinin. The two, who often play the same classical repertoire, currently are applying together to piano doctorate programs around the country.

After months of doctor-ordered bed rest, Roosevelt University graduate education student Ashley Schaeffer (right) received two life-changing gifts. The first was a healthy baby boy named Jackson, born March 21, and the second was an advanced degree in elementary education, which she received in May. "It's been extremely hard for me - not knowing whether I would graduate and not knowing whether my baby would be healthy," said Schaeffer, who began having pregnancy complications that forced her to be placed on bed rest last September. "Every chance I had, I would work in the hospital on a laptop. And my colleagues from class were great. They gave me their notes and the assignments. I never could have done it without them," she said. While doctors warned Schaeffer that prognosis for her unborn child was not good, Jackson was born healthy on March 21. "It was the greatest gift I could receive and it's made me so happy," said Schaeffer, who left the hospital shortly after her son's birth. Working tirelessly on her research paper, she finished in time for the May graduation, earning a 4.0 grade point average, and hopes to soon be teaching full-time in a primary school classroom.

Recent English graduate Aaron Vice (left) has received the "Match of the Year" award from Big Brothers Big Sisters for being an excellent mentor and developing a meaningful friendship with a 13-year-old boy from Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood.

Vice and 13-year-old Michael, who has been Vice's 'little brother' for about a year, received the award at a recent Big Brothers Big Sisters event. "I nominated Aaron for this award because he's been dedicated and consistent in working with Michael," said Eren Morales, school program coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters. "It wasn't easy at first," she said of the relationship between Vice and his little brother, which developed over a year's time at Herzl Elementary School in North Lawndale. "But eventually, Aaron won Michael's trust, which has given Michael more self esteem and has improved his attitude." A Roosevelt scholar who graduated in May with a 3.7 grade point average, Vice said he's become a "better overall person and a better communicator" by working about four hours twice a week with the boy. Individual and group activities include board games, kickball, charades, educational exercises and field trips. "Because of this experience, I've learned how to interact with different kinds of people." Vice plans to go to law school in the near future.

Two down and one to go! That's what Helena Winfield (right) and her sisters said when Helena received her master's degree in early childhood education in May. Helena, 27, who left her job in the retail industry to become a teacher, followed in the footsteps of older sister, Ernesta, 31, a long-time teacher who received her master's degree in educational leadership from Roosevelt in May 2004. "She was telling me that I ought to get my teaching degree from Roosevelt," said Helena, who took her older sister's advice. Passing on the good word about Roosevelt University, however, didn't stop there because Helena had a younger sister, LaShawn, 21, who also wanted to teach. "Once I got into the program, I started telling my younger sister that she should consider coming to Roosevelt too," said Helena. "I knew she would like the smaller classes and one-on-one attention I've received from my instructors." Trusting that advice, LaShawn is currently working on her undergraduate degree in early childhood education. "Roosevelt has given all of us the tools we need to be successful and to make our dreams become a definite reality," said Ernesta. Meanwhile, the effort put forth by her sisters is a motivating example for LaShawn. "I am thankful to have two sisters who are Roosevelt alumni, and as such, are positive role models for my life," she said.

Senior biology and pre-med major Nathaniel Thomas (left) has been selected as the 2004-2005 recipient of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate Award. Thomas, a Roosevelt scholar, a Share Fellowship recipient and peer counselor with the University's Counseling Center, was the single Roosevelt student to receive the annual award. "It was a great honor to be chosen as the most outstanding senior at Roosevelt,"
said Thomas, who received the award recently during a ceremony in Springfield. "I'm extremely proud of what I've accomplished so far at the University." Thomas, who hopes to one day become a medical doctor, has been very involved in outreach to students about the University's counseling services and programs and also serves as a mediator between counselors and students. He also is the student voice in a recent "Just Watch Me" radio ad that promotes the University, its programs and services. Thomas expects to graduate in December.

Chicago Tribune Perspective Editor Charles Madigan is the first to admit he didn't need a bachelor's degree to move up the career ladder.

A 35-year newsman, Madigan began his career with United Press International in 1970 at a time when college degrees weren't a prerequisite for getting a job in the reporting field. A foreign correspondent with UPI and a national editor, Washington editor, projects editor, Atlanta correspondent, national correspondent, senior writer and Sunday perspective editor during a 26-year career with the Chicago Tribune, Madigan undoubtedly proved over the years to have the talent and ability to move up the career ladder without a bachelor's degree in hand. Over the years, he won many writing and reporting awards and also published a number of books. Still, he dropped out of college at 19 years of age. Thus, Madigan, 56, recently finished what he started long ago by receiving his bachelor's degree in May in general studies from the University with a 4.0 grade point average. "I could have gotten my degree anywhere, but I have always been touched by the way the faculty at Roosevelt University interacts with students. It's an institution that's been there over the years for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to complete their college education and I'm proud to have gotten my degree at Roosevelt," said Madigan, who writes the "Rambling Gleaner" column at chicagotribune.com and has recently been named as an op-ed columnist for the newspaper.