Dear alumni and friends of the Benedictine community:
We are in the heart of the holiday season, and I offer best wishes and happy holidays to all of our alumni friends from your Benedictine community!
I would like to inform the Benedictine Community of a new campus opportunity. The Benedictine University Campaign for Student Success is a $1.5 million initiative that will provide economic relief for our students and allow them to continue to further their education despite these unsettling times. With the current ups and downs of the economy, Benedictine University cannot ignore the needs of its students. More and more students are unable to obtain the loans they need to cover their tuition and living expenses. Parents of our students are facing hardships too – job insecurity, unemployment and the rising cost of living. The gap between what our students need in financial aid and what they ultimately receive is broadening.
Every day that passes, we hear more and more stories from students who are struggling to make ends meet. Several students are unable to register for the Spring semester because of financial holds on their records. One student is currently working two jobs as well as being a full-time student. Another student is working to pay not only tuition and expenses, but also to send money home because a parent has lost a job. Circumstances like these will only become more prevalent as times get tougher.
Our Campaign for Student Success seeks to raise money for grants to ensure that our students can stay in school and ultimately reach their goals and dreams. We turn to you, those in our Benedictine community, to help us reach our goal and relieve the financial burdens our students are facing.
Give the gift of knowledge.
Happy Holidays,
Charles Gregory
Executive Vice President |
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Benedictine Reaching Out
With the current economic situation, Benedictine University is working hard to develop new initiatives to reach out to the community and our students. Read below to learn about how we may help you!
- A tuition freeze is in effect for current students through Spring 2010 and for incoming freshman until Fall 2011. Read More
- Career Development will host resume writing and interviewing workshops on a monthly basis. Check the coming events to the right for more information.
- Benedictine announces the Displaced Earner Program. Read More
- The Benedictine University Textbook Program has been created to help students in need meet the rising costs of textbooks.
- An eight-week course, MGT 391: Service Learning - Managing Personal Spending and Savings, has been created to help students learn how to manage their finances. Read More
- University Development has stepped up its efforts to help fund student grants.
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Class of 2009 Senior Class Gift!
The Class of 2009 will devote its efforts this year to raising money for student grants. Each of our students can understand how important scholarships are in assuring a student gets through college. In these difficult times, our students want to reach out to their peers and support scholarships for current and incoming students! To give a gift in honor of the Class of 2009 and learn more about this year’s initiatives, contact Jessica Stillo at (630) 829-1811 or e-mail jstillo@ben.edu. |
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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!
Meet Pell Grant recipient Leo Gonzalez |
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Alumni Wanted!
Benedictine University strives to stay connected with its alumni. Connect with current students or fellow alumni by volunteering through AlumNet. AlumNet is a link between students and professional alumni who can help gather career information in a chosen occupation or industry. Students and alumni may contact the Career Development Office to get assistance locating alumni in their field. If you are an alumnus who would like to be a mentor, complete the AlumNet form. |
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Come back to school!
 Benedictine encourages its alumni to keep their window to the University open, and to consider furthering their education at their alma mater. There are currently 11 graduate, two doctorate and 29 graduate certificate programs available.
Coming back to school is always a great idea and a wonderful way to gain even more expertise in your field of interest. To learn more about our programs, visit the Graduate Admissions Web site or contact Jennifer Blair at (630) 829-6311 or jblair@ben.edu. |
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Updates from University Development
- We met with several members of the faculty at a Holiday Meet and Greet.
- We received generous donation from U.S. Bank to support the new Displaced Earner’s Program
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Launching Alumni Online Directory
Early in 2009, we will launch our new Alumni Online Directory. This directory will offer you the opportunity to network with fellow classmates, update your contact information with one easy step, sign up on our Facebook page, donate online through a secure site and much more. Watch this
e-newsletter or the Alumni Web site for up-to-date information. |
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Alumni Career Services
As a Benedictine alumnus, you receive free career services for life. The Career Development Office offers comprehensive services to assist alumni in developing, implementing and evaluating career and life plans. Below is a list of services of which you have access as a Benedictine alumnus. Please visit the Career Development Web site for more information.
Among the services offered by Career Development are:
- Networking opportunities through AlumNet
- Resume referral
- Job opportunities: Career Development posts full-time, degree-required positions on the Illinois Small College Placement Association’s (ISCPA) Web site. Visit www.iscpa.org and click on "Online Career Center." Register as a new alumnus and complete your profile. Once completed, you may search jobs in the database.
- Career seminars and programs
- Individual career counseling
- Career assessment tools
- Career resource library
- Job fairs
- On-campus recruiting
- A job matching system
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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! |
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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 friends with 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!
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National Survey of Student Engagement
Earlier this year, Benedictine University students participated in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), a questionnaire distributed to several thousand students nationally and designed to learn about student participation in the learning process. The results are in. |
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Campus Trivia!
The correct answer to the trivia contest, "What is the oldest building on the Benedictine University campus?" is Jaeger Hall.
Winners are:
Sherri Westphal
Martin Feeney
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Coming Events
Resume Writing Workshops
January 14, 22 and 29 and February 4 and 12
12:30 - 1:20 p.m.
Krasa Center lower level conference room
To register, e-mail career@ben.edu or
call (630) 829-6040.
Interviewing Strategies Workshops
January 15 and 20 and February 5 and 11
12:30 - 1:20 p.m.
Krasa Center lower level conference room
To register, e-mail career@ben.edu or
call (630) 829-6040.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast
January 19, 2009
7:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Krasa Second Floor
Packaging Your Potential
Wednesday, January 21
6:00-7:00 p.m. - Networking
7:00-9:00 p.m. - Presentation
Krasa Presentation Room
R.S.V.P. to jcosimo@ben.edu or
call (630) 829-6037
Ignite Your Life: Women’s Career Symposium
January 24, 2009
For more information, visit www.ben.edu/news/events/wcs.asp.
Red & White Gala (formerly Sweetheart Club)
February 7, 2009
6:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Krasa A, B and C
CareerFest 2009
February 13, 2009
9:00 - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace
$10 early registration at the Career Development office by February 6 or
$20 registration at the door
TeacherFest
A job fair exclusively for teacher candidates who are seeking certified vacancies in the Illinois public school system.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
12:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Drury Lane Theater, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
$10 pre-registration at the Career Development office by February 13 or
$20 registration at the door
College of Science Reunion Dinner
February 20, 2009
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Krasa A, B and C
Career Development/Alumni Relations Networking Reception
March 24, 2009
4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Krasa A, B and C
Caribbean Night
April 30, 2009
5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Coal Ben
President’s Invitational Golf Outing
June 29, 2009
Cress Creek Country Club
12/6/2009
- MBA Reunion
12/6/2009
- M.B.A. Reunion
12/13/2009
- Chicago Blackhawks game alumni event
Eagle Pride!
Cheer on the Eagles at upcoming sporting events!
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