Dear alumni and friends of the Benedictine community:

I hope you are enjoying the new alumni E-newsletter, "CU at BU." I have truly enjoyed hearing from many of you. I appreciate all of your suggestions and comments and encourage you to keep them coming. I have made some new additions to the E-newsletter this month, including a section titled "Eagle Sightings" where you can catch up with some of your favorite coaches and athletes and take a look into what’s happening during each athletic season.

Also new to this E-newsletter is the University Development blog. This blog will allow you to keep in touch with what’s happening in the University Development Office and give you the opportunity to ask questions, post comments and talk with our staff about topics of your interest.

With Eagle pride,

Jessica Stillo Coordinator of Alumni Stewardship and Philanthropy

SAVE THE DATES!

ALUMNI PICNIC – June 28, 2009
GOLF OUTING – June 29, 2009
HOMECOMING – September 18-20, 2009

Join the Alumni Board, 2009 Golf Cart Sponsor, and support the 15th Annual President’s Invitational Golf Outing by becoming a sponsor. All proceeds benefit our students in the form of scholarship dollars. For more information on sponsorships or to reserve your foursome, contact University Events Director Debbie Smith at (630) 829-6080 or dsmith@ben.edu.

Plan to come back to campus this year to take part in our Homecoming festivities. Classes ending in 4 and 9 will be celebrating reunions. To help plan your reunion or to learn more about class reunions, contact Julie Nelligan at (630) 829-6077 or jnelligan@ben.edu.

Alumni Bands: Compete for the chance to play at Homecoming 2009!

Please contact Eric Guthrie at eguthrie@ben.edu to register for "Battle of the Alumni Bands" on April 18, 2009. The winning alumni band will play during tailgating at Homecoming in September 2009.

Updates from University Development

• The Spring Phonathon began January 26.
• University Development launched its first blog at http://benedu.wordpress.com/.
• A new student alumni group is making its appearance on campus – Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT).
• The Eagle Club, a new athletics group is forming for parents, alumni and friends.

Updates from the Office of Alumni Relations

More than 400 people attended a workshop sponsored by Alumni Relations and Career Development titled "Packaging Your Potential: Lessons from a Job Hunter Who Learned the Hard Way" with Rob Sullivan on January 21 on the second floor of the Krasa Center. Many attendees expressed their gratitude to Benedictine University for offering such a helpful workshop to alumni, students, parents and the community.

The Department of History, Philosophy and Religious Studies will hold its annual Alumni/Student Recognition Dinner on Thursday, April 23 on the second floor of the Krasa Center. There will be a dinner and keynote speaker. The cost is $30 for alumni with proceeds going to the department. For more information, please contact Tonia Rucker at (630) 829‑6250 or trucker@ben.edu.

The Alumni Online Directory is scheduled to go live on March 20. Watch the Alumni Web site for more details!

Alumni Baseball Outing

A limited number of tickets are available for the Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians game at 1:20 p.m. on Sunday, June 21 at Wrigley Field. The cost is $35 per ticket including transportation via luxury bus leaving the Krasa Center Parking Lot at 11:00 a.m., or $20 per ticket without transportation.

Student Connection

Benedictine University is the home to many well-rounded leaders and scholars. We 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 today.

Meet Noe Aratani-Mandiberg

Presenting Yourself With Impact: Phone, Letters or Face to Face

The offices of Alumni Relations and Career Development will present a career workshop, "Presenting Yourself with Impact: Phone, Letters or Face to Face," from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4. The workshop will feature Bill Bartlett of Corporate Strategies and Solutions of Naperville, and will be held in Krasa Rooms A, B and C. Feel free to bring anyone you know who might benefit from this program.

To R.S.V.P., please contact Eric Guthrie at (630) 829-6081 or eguthrie@ben.edu.

Opportunities Fair

Are you looking to hire good job candidates for your organization? Are you looking for employment? We can help. The Career Development Office, in partnership with the Office of Student Activities, will host an Opportunities Fair from 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19 in the Dan and Ada Rice Center. The fair is open to current students, alumni and community residents interested in part‑time, seasonal, internship and full-time positions. 

For more information and to register, contact Julie Cosimo, Career Development Director, at (630) 829-6037 or jcosimo@ben.edu.

Eagle Sightings

Alumni Across the Nation

There are several alumni chapters throughout the country. Check below to join a chapter near you.

Florida – Torian Richardson at (727) 244-6878 or torianrichardson@yahoo.com.

California – John McGuinn at (510) 652-7589 or jmcguinn@pacbell.net.

Kansas City – Dan Tira at tirad@umkc.edu. An event is scheduled for Saturday, March 7. To R.S.V.P., please contact Julie Nelligan at (630) 829-6077 or jnelligan@ben.edu.

We want to bring Benedictine University to you. If you are interested in helping us start a chapter in your area, contact Julie Nelligan, Alumni Relations Director, at (630) 829‑6077 or jnelligan@ben.edu.

ATTENTION: All athletes and fans of Benedictine University athletics!

Keep an eye out for the forthcoming "Eagle Club" as a way to become more involved by attending events and supporting Eagle athletics. Updates will be posted in "CU at BU" in the coming months. Contact John Morris, Associate Director for Athletic Advancement and External Resources, at (630) 829-1812 or jmorris@ben.edu with any questions.

Happy Founders’ Day!

Benedictine University celebrates its 122nd anniversary on March 2. The University community looks forward to reflecting on Benedictine’s history, traditions and heritage as we recall those who came before us. 

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!

Check out the new University Development Blog!
Want to follow along with what’s going on in the University Development Office? Have a question you want to ask related to current projects, giving or fundraising? Post questions and comments on the University Development blog.

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!

Campus Trivia!

The correct answer to February’s trivia question, "Which Benedictine athletics coach boasts the most career wins?" is head baseball coach John Ostrowski.