USF Hosts Annual High School Art Exhibition and Competition |
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The University of St. Francis (USF) Art & Design Department recently hosted its annual high school art exhibition and competition at the USF Art Gallery in downtown Joliet. The exhibition ran from January 15 through 31, and included over 170 entries from students representing 12 regional high schools.
Click here for the winners of the competition, including one Joliet Township High School District 204 student who won the grand prize of a $10,000 USF Art & Design Scholarship.
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Caritas Raises over $230,000 in Scholarship Funds for USF Students |
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USF hosted the 65th annual Caritas Scholarship Ball on Saturday, January 29, 2022. Originally planned as an in-person event, USF pivoted the format to a virtual gala due to COVID-19 case numbers in the region at the time. The event raised over $230,000 in scholarship support for USF students. Special thanks are extended to our Caritas Committee and the presenting sponsors Wintrust Financial, Old Plank Trail Community Bank and D’Arcy Motors. Click here to watch a replay of the live broadcast of the 65th annual Caritas Scholarship Ball.
Thank you for your support of USF students through Caritas and, of course, thank you for being a SAINT.
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(pictured left to right) Estefani Gonzalez ’17, ’21; Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith ’18; Ketura Vimariba (Taylor) ’15, and; Jose Ortiz ’17, have accepted a primary role in supporting the mission of the Multicultural Education Recruitment in Teaching program by serving as the MERIT Core Team at the University of St. Francis. |
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Four exceptional USF alumni have combined their unique talents and shared passion for education to support students of color in the College of Education. Estefani Gonzalez ’17, ’21, Jose Ortiz ’17, Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith ’18, and Ketura Vimariba (Taylor) ’15 have accepted a primary role in supporting the mission of the Multicultural Education Recruitment in Teaching program by serving as the MERIT Core Team.
MERIT is purposeful in all efforts to introduce, engage, and prepare candidates of color on the journey to becoming teachers of color. As K-12 educators actively working in the community, each MERIT Core member brings expertise and vast experience to the team’s primary role; planning meaningful events and structuring valuable support for a new generation of excellent teachers.
USF teacher candidates who participate in MERIT enjoy opportunities to network and develop professionally throughout the year. Practicing teachers and principals of color have shared their journey in education and current positions as part of a panel discussion. A mentoring program matches candidates with educators of color to allow purposeful connections to grow. Professional development opportunities through book studies and presentations are also well attended.
The MERIT program is intended to help recruit, prepare, place, and induct a new generation of excellent teachers - a teacher corps that more nearly matches the demographics of the student population.
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How Can the USF Center for Nonprofit Excellence Help YOUR Organization? |
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USF has officially launched a new initiative to increase exponentially our partnerships with Will County nonprofit agencies. The USF Center for Nonprofit Excellence provides efficient and value-added professional services to Will County nonprofit organizations with limited financial resources, whose mission is aligned with the Franciscan core values of respect, integrity, service, and compassion. This allows the nonprofit organizations to focus primarily on their core, mission-driven objectives in the community.
There are several benefits to what the USF Center for Nonprofit Excellence offers. For our nonprofit peers, you now have available to you a diverse talent pool of subject matter experts with different backgrounds and perspectives, along with an opportunity to learn more about best practices – all at a manageable cost. For USF, we will be able to create new connections within our community while also providing practical experience opportunities for our students.
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Unlock Your Team's Potential at the USF Challenge Center |
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The successful performance of any team depends on effective relationships. If you are looking for a fun, affordable, local option for the team building needs of your department, group or organization, look no further than the University of St. Francis (USF) Challenge Center in Joliet.
Opened in June 2011, the USF Challenge Center offers a variety of programs that emphasize skills and behaviors necessary for effective leadership. Through tailored, action-based learning experiences led by USF’s certified Challenge Course facilitators, teams will practice the interpersonal behaviors needed for high-level performance. Groups can schedule an on-campus program at the outdoor USF Challenge Center (located behind the LaVerne and Dorothy Brown Library on Taylor Street), or you can schedule an off-site program at a location of your choosing. Whatever the setting, USF’s facilitators will utilize a unique mix of portable activities and group facilitation tools to target customized learning outcomes.
Team-oriented games, puzzles, and experiential challenge activities are used to address themes of communication, trust, leadership, diversity, inclusion, dependability and accountability and can be designed for groups of all ages. Newly added in 2018, the center offers high adventure activities of Crate Stacking and Power Pole, each providing an exhilarating physical experience.
Programming is available year-round.
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Corporate Partner Education Program |
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USF partners with companies and organizations locally and across the country to offer tuition discounts to their employees. Discounts apply to graduate and doctoral programs in business, health care, management, nursing, social work, and training and development.
If your company or employer offers tuition reimbursement, this program is one way to maximize the impact of those funds. Contact Lisa O’Brien at lobrien@stfrancis.edu or 815-740-6266 for more information.
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Annual Pat Sullivan Golf Outing |
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Mark your calendars now to join USF on the Joliet Park District's beautiful Inwood Golf Course for the annual Pat Sullivan Golf Outing on Friday, June 3, 2022. More details will follow. Be sure to visit gofightingsaints.com this spring for registration and other event details.
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USF Announces Music at Moser Events for Spring 2022 |
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Dr. Jiafeng Yan, USF faculty member, will perform in USF's Sexton Auditorium on Saturday, April 2, 2022. |
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The University of St. Francis (USF) has announced three spring concerts as part of the Music at Moser series. All performances take place in Sexton Auditorium on USF’s main campus in Joliet. Tickets cost $5 for children, alumni, non-USF students, and seniors; $10 for adults; and are complimentary for USF students and staff with ID. For ticket purchasing options, visit stfrancis.edu/music-at-moser or call 815-740-3395.
“Quasi una Fantasia”: Works for Piano by Beethoven, Medtner, and Others
Jiafeng Yan, pianist
Sat., April 2, 2022, 7:15 p.m.
Beethoven’s classic “Moonlight Sonata” is only one of several deeply moving works to be eloquently performed by USF faculty member, Dr. Jiafeng Yan.
Music in Film
Joliet Symphony Orchestra – Lev Ivanov, conductor
Sat. and Sun., April 23 & 24, 2022, 7:15 p.m.
It is hard to imagine Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Harry Potter, Star Wars, or Downton Abbey without musical themes that have become part of many living rooms and movie theaters. In film, music helps to tell the story and helps us connect emotionally to its characters. Come and hear your favorite tunes and immerse yourself in the world of Music in Film with the Joliet Symphony Orchestra.
Toward A Peaceable Kingdom
The Choral Ensembles of USF – Paul Laprade, Conductor
Sat., April 30, 2022, 7:15 p.m.
Imagine a concert which begins with such works as Mozart’s Dies Irae (from his Requiem) and moves to the peace of Mendelssohn’s Verleih Uns Freiden, Ticheli’s classic Earthsong, and a new setting of the Prayer of St. Francis. USF’s Schola Cantorum and Claritas Master Chorale will lead our audience to a stillness and peace from a dramatic start reflecting the challenges of our lives, in classic works for chorus.
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The USF Art Gallery hosts a variety of exhibitions throughout the year and is open to the public.
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The USF Music at Moser Performing Arts Series offers concerts, plays and performances from an array of backgrounds which changes each semester. World-class music and entertainment is available right here in Joliet!
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Engaging Mind & Spirit is the official magazine of USF. Published and mailed to alumni and friends of the university three times each year, the magazine is a collection of the latest USF headlines, including university successes and alumni/student/staff achievements, as well as information about upcoming events.
Click here to view the latest issue of Engaging Mind & Spirit. Click here to view previous issues.
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University of St. Francis
Community & Employee Relations Office
Dave DiLorenzo, Director of Community & Employee Relations
ddilorenzo@stfrancis.edu
815-740-3625
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