Dear Alumni and Friends of Benedictine University,

We are pleased to share with you an exciting project that will transform the northeast side of the Benedictine University campus.

Benedictine University has secured more than $600,000 to jump-start Phase I of "Renovating Rice" – a campaign to fund the renovation of the Dan and Ada Rice Center. The University is purchasing an entirely new arena flooring system that includes a wood competition floor, a multi-sport surface surrounding the new floor, island basketball hoops and a new scoreboard and message center. Funds to complete the Rice Center renovation will be generated through ongoing fundraising efforts.

With the appropriate external funding, future phases of this project will include a new telescopic bleacher system complete with preferred chair back seating, and a new section of bleachers along the east side of the arena. The addition of the state-of-the-art seating system along with the updates already funded will give Benedictine one of the leading indoor facilities in the Chicago area. When the "Renovating Rice" project is complete, Benedictine University will have a modern arena capable of hosting recreational, community, social and athletic events, including NCAA Division III regional tournaments and competition.

Please stay tuned for updates on this exciting project.

Washington, D.C. Alumni Event
Saturday, November 7
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the
Bethesda Marriott,
5151 Pooks Hill Road,
Bethesda, MD
Please R.S.V.P. to Julie Nelligan at
(630) 829-6077 or jnelligan@ben.edu.

Welcome Wednesday
Wednesday, November 18
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Krasa Student Center Dining Room
For more details, view the Welcome Wednesday flier (PDF) or contact Eric Guthrie at (630) 829-6081 or eguthrie@ben.edu.

M.B.A. Reunion
Sunday, December 6, 2009
2:00 p.m.
Krasa Student Center Fireside Lounge
For more information, contact Julie Nelligan at (630) 829-6077 or jnelligan@ben.edu.

Chicago Blackhawks Game
Sunday, December 13
6:00 p.m.
To purchase tickets, contact Eric Guthrie at (630) 829-6081 or eguthrie@ben.edu.

Eagle Pride!
Cheer on the Eagles at upcoming sporting events!

Updates from University Development

• The Class of 2010 has set a goal of raising $5,000 to go toward the Rice Center renovations. If the seniors make their goal, a row of bleachers in the student section of the new arena in the Rice Center will be dedicated to them. 
• S.T.A.T. (Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow) hosted six distinguished alumni for its first "Eagles of Excellence" dinner. Alumni guests enjoyed a dinner and networking panel with current students.

Updates from Alumni Relations

• Washington, D.C. area alumni are invited to a reception on Saturday, November 7 at the Bethesda Marriott, 5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, Maryland. Please join us from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and meet alumni who live in your area. Spouses and significant others are welcome!  R.S.V.P. to Julie Nelligan, alumni relations director, at jnelligan@ben.edu or call (630) 829-6077 by October 30. We have also reserved rooms at $89 per night if you would like to make it a weekend stay! See you in D.C.!
• The second in our series of "Developing Your Employment Toolbox Workshop" is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18 in the Krasa Center. This presentation will be directed at networking/branding yourself for that next interview. For more information, go to http://www.ben.edu/resources/careerdevelopment/index.html, or contact Lindsey Fritz at (630) 829-6040.
• The Alumni Relations office still has a limited number of tickets available for the Sunday, December 13 hockey game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center. Game time is 6:00 p.m. and tickets are only $25. For more information, contact Eric Guthrie at eguthrie@ben.edu or call (630) 829-6081.
• Mark your calendars for the Red & White Gala on Saturday, February 6, 2010 in the Krasa Center. Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m. along with a silent auction, dinner at 6:30 p.m. and dancing at 8:00 p.m. This gala is for all alumni couples to celebrate Valentine’s Day and raise money for student scholarships. Cost is $80 per couple and includes dinner, cocktails, entertainment and a special gift. To R.S.V.P. or for more information, contact Julie Nelligan, alumni relations director, at (630) 829-6077 or jnelligan@ben.edu.

Student Connection

Benedictine University is the home to many well-rounded leaders and scholars. We would like to introduce you to a student each month to keep you connected to those following in your footsteps, and to update you on what campus life is all about!

Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (S.T.A.T.)

The fall semester has been a busy one for S.T.A.T.  S.T.A.T. now has more than 150 student members and has been working diligently planning events, the Senior Class Gift and getting involved on campus and in the community. Below are some highlights from recent S.T.A.T. activities:

Sophomore Mugging Day – As a sophomore, students are officially considered an alumnus of the University, and S.T.A.T. hosted this event to celebrate the sophomore class and welcome them into the Alumni Association! Each sophomore received a mug, ice cream and root beer floats as well as the opportunity to mingle with John Parker, president of the Alumni Association.

Eagles of Excellence – During this dinner, students were excited to learn more about the alumni seated at their table, and got the opportunity to hear from the other alumni guests during a panel discussion that followed. Distinguished alumni guests included: Joseph Baldino, Ph.D., C99; W. Brand Bobosky, C61; Maryellen Giger, Ph.D., C78; Mary Jo Hazard, C95; Cheryl B. Richardson, Ph.D., C01; and the honorable Jim Ryan, C68. Each alumni guest had a diverse background and unique experiences to share with the students, along with some fun memories of their time on campus. 

Remembering Father Michael Komechak

As many of you know, Benedictine University recently experienced a sad loss in the passing of Fr. Michael Komechak, O.S.B. Fr. Michael was a member of the Benedictine community for 63 years as a student, monk, priest, educator and art curator.

Fr. Michael had an energy and passion for art and he used the halls, offices and classrooms of the University to display the art he so loved. Fr. Michael’s wish was to create a designated art gallery on campus – a central place where knowledge and understanding of artists from around the world could be nurtured. Because the creation of an art gallery was so important to Fr. Michael, he began raising money to fund his vision. Although he solicited a considerable amount of financial support, much remained to be done at the time of his death. The Fr. Michael Komechak, O.S.B. Art Gallery Fund will help create a place, named in his honor and memory, where the art he collected can be appreciated and enjoyed.

If you would like help make Fr. Michael's dream a reality, please contact Jason Leppin at (630) 829-1814 or jleppin@ben.edu.

Report on Local Alumni Participation

Universities depend on financial support and participation from their alumni. The national average for alumni participation fluctuates around 11 percent. 

Alumni participation is defined as financial contributions made in support of the University.

There are currently 21,344 alumni of Benedictine University. Of those, 1,367, or 6.4 percent, made a donation to the University last year. 

Benedictine University hopes one day to meet the 11 percent average. Below you will find a chart that shows how our alumni participation rate is growing or declining each month compared to the previous year.

EXTENDED! The Charitable IRA Rollover provision has been extended through 2009!

The legislation that allows individuals to give directly from their IRA to non-profit institutions has been extended. Please refer to the specifics below to see if you can take advantage of this provision to meet your philanthropic goals. If you have any questions as to how this could impact your individual situation, please feel free to contact Jason Leppin at (630) 829-1814 or jleppin@ben.edu.

• Age Requirement: 70½ years old and older
• Donation Limit: Cannot exceed $100,000
• Eligible Charities: Must go directly to a public charity. Contributions to supporting organizations, donor-advised funds and private foundations, except in narrow circumstances, do not qualify for the tax-free treatment.
• Eligible Retirement Accounts: Distributions can only be made from traditional Individual Retirement Accounts or Roth IRAs. Charitable donations from 403(b) plans, 401(k) plans, pension plans and other retirement plans are ineligible for the tax-free treatment.
• Do charitable contributions from IRAs count toward your annual IRA distribution requirement? Yes, you can give your required distribution to a qualified charitable organization without having to include it in your taxable income.
• Directly to the Charity: Distributions must be made directly from the IRA trustee payable to the public charity.
• No Gifts in Return: You cannot receive any goods or services in return for the charitable IRA rollover.

Ernie visits friends in Kansas City.

Help us show all the places in the world our alumni live and visit. Have a photo taken of yourself with Ernie the Eagle in front of a landmark in your hometown or on your travels.

Download Ernie at www.ben.edu/Ernie and print, cut and attach him to a tongue depressor for his close up. E-mail your Ernie photos to Julie Nelligan at jnelligan@ben.edu, or send via postal mail to Julie Nelligan, Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle, IL 60532.

Keep in Touch!

Married? Have children? Moved? Promoted? Let Benedictine know the exciting life changes that have occurred since graduation by updating your information online!

Connect with old friends and classmates on our social networking pages!

MySpace is a great way to reunite with old friends! Ernie also has his own MySpace page, so check him out!

Get linked professionally to the Benedictine network of your peers. LinkedIn is a great way to advance your career and make beneficial contacts with faculty, staff, alumni and classmates! Link your page to Ernie Eagle's!

Facebook is a great way to reunite with old friends and form new contacts and networks. Become a fan of Ernie the Eagle and join the Benedictine Alumni group. Or you can become a Fan of the Benedictine University page. Click the link to check us out!

Check out the University Development Blog!

Do you want updates on current projects undertaken by the University Development Office? Check out our Blog! Also learn about upcoming events and view recaps of past events. 

Campus Trivia!

Two winners will be selected in a random drawing of all who respond correctly. Each lucky winner will win a Benedictine prize!

Submit your information in the form below:

The correct answer to last month’s trivia question, "What is the name of the Benedictine University Fight Song?" is "Go! Eagles, Go!" 

Winners are:

Jeff Benedek, C03

Patrick Cooney, C84