Dear alumni and friends of the Benedictine community:

We are constantly bombarded with negative thoughts about the economy. Not a day goes by that the newspapers, radio, television and Internet do not deluge us with gloom and doom. I have been a trustee for more than two years and am proud to say that Benedictine University is not sitting idly by waiting for things to change.

Our University is one of the first in the country to react to the current conditions by freezing tuition. This move is designed to keep our most valuable resource – our students – connected to the University. Additionally, the Advancement Committee, which I am proud to lead, and the Business Development team have begun to re-allocate energy and financial resources to fund scholarships that will aid tuition and book expenses.

You, our alumni, have an important role in our playbook. Look inside and reflect on your Benedictine experience. When you read Voices, visit the Benedictine Web site or come back to campus, look for programs and initiatives that have meaning to you and contribute what you can to extend the Benedictine experience to those who will carry on the tradition of our fine institution.

Sincerely,

Bill Bartlett Advancement Committee Chair, Board of Trustees

Updates from University Development

• More than 150 alumni attended the College of Science Reunion to support the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum
• The Red & White Gala silent auction secured gifts for scholarships
• The Commitment to Student Success has received continued support from the Benedictine community

Updates from the Office of Alumni Relations

• Caribbean Night is on Thursday, April 23 at 5:00 p.m. in the Coal Ben. Bring your friends and enjoy tropical food, drinks, music and contests. For more information, contact Julie Nelligan, Alumni Relations Director at (630) 829-6077 or jnelligan@ben.edu.

• The annual awards banquet for alumni and friends of the History, Philosophy and Religious Studies department will be held on Thursday, April 23. Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Brian Moran, Ph.D., C83, will be the keynote speaker. The cost is $30 per person. To R.S.V.P., contact Tonia Rucker at trucker@ben.edu.

• The Alumni Baseball Reunion will be held on Sunday, April 26 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the Sports Complex skybox. Come and support our Eagles, enjoy food, drinks and networking with fellow alumni. For more information and to R.S.V.P., contact Julie Nelligan, Alumni Relations Director, at jnelligan@ben.edu or (630) 829-6077.

• Plans are now underway for this year’s class reunions scheduled for Homecoming Weekend, September 18-19, 2009. If your class year ends with either a 4 or a 9, your class will have a reunion. Please contact Julie Nelligan, Alumni Relations Director, at (630) 829-6077 if you want to assist with your reunion. Watch the alumni Web site for more information at www.ben.edu/alumni.

Commemorative Silver Medallions

Each medallion is 1.5 inches in diameter and contains one ounce of .999 pure silver. The obverse side presents a portrait of St. Benedict and the reverse shows the shield of the College/University with the appropriate dates. These treasured medallions commemorate the historyof Benedictine education and should prove to be a store of value.

If you have not already done so, reserve your medallion today. Only 1,000 of each medallion will be made (a minimum order of 300 medals per school name must be placed before medals are made). Each medal is $100 plus shipping. Proceeds will be used for student scholarships. Consult your tax expert on what portion of this contribution is tax deductible.

For more information, call (630) 829-6088 or order directly from the Web site at www.ben.edu/medallions. These medals will make great gifts for alumni, students or yourself!

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 Sarah Littlefield

Eagle Sightings

Legacy Scholarship Program

In response to the current economic times, Benedictine University seeks to reach out to its alumni in a very special way. Many Benedictine alumni desire the benefits of a Benedictine educationfor their children, however many of our alumni have several children and the cost of a Benedictine education can be prohibitive.

For alumni with multiple children attending Benedictine University over a consecutive six-year period, the following tuition structure will be followed:

• The first child will pay the regular tuition rate with appropriate alumni and other eligible financial aid, if available.
• The second child will pay half the regular tuition rate and may also be eligible for other financial aid, if available.
• The third child will receive a full tuition scholarship to Benedictine University.

To be eligible for the Legacy Scholarship, students must complete all appropriate financial aid forms, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and be continuously enrolled to graduation. Any federal and state aid awarded must be applied to tuition only.

Should a student withdraw from the program and have multiple siblings at the University, the family benefit would be reduced by one. As a result, three students would be reduced to two and the above categories would then apply.

For more information, please contact Julie Nelligan, Alumni Relations Director, at jnelligan@ben.edu or (630) 829-6077.

Eagle Club Update

Attention Benedictine University Athletic Alumni, Friends and Fans!

Alumni Online Directory

The Alumni Online Directory is coming soon. This service is free to alumni, and will assist you in finding fellow classmates and networking with alumni in your occupation or field of interest. You will receive a postcard in the mail shortly with your temporary password. You will need this temporary password to log in. Once you are logged in, you may change your password and set up your home page and begin looking for friends and long lost classmates!

Founders’ Day Recap

The University Development and Alumni Relations Offices hosted a Founders’ Day Birthday Bash for students on March 2 in the Krasa Center dining room. Students were asked questions about the history and traditions of the University. All students who attempted to answer received Coal Ben Caramel Corn and a goody bag filled with Founders’ Day treats. The students were excited to take part in Benedictine University’s 122nd birthday!

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.

Please contact Julie Nelligan at (630) 829-6077 or jnelligan@ben.edu. Limit two tickets per person.

Your Gift Matters!

How important are scholarships to Benedictine University students as their families try to weather the current economic crisis? Benedictine received more than 1,000 scholarship applications from current students for the 2009-10 academic year – nearly double the number received for 2008-09. To donate to Benedictine’s scholarship fund, contact Jessica Stillo, Coordinator of Alumni Stewardship and Philanthropy, at (630) 829-1811 or jstillo@ben.edu.

Get Your Eagle Athletics News First

Would you like to receive updates on Eagle Athletics, including upcoming events, game highlights and ways to get involved? If so, contact Keith Bunkenburg at kbunkenburg@ben.edu or (630) 829-6146 to join the Eagle Athletics mailing list.

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!

The Development Blog has been a great tool for the University to connect with the community. We will update you on what’s going on in the Development Office, as well as answer any questions you may have about current projects, giving to Benedictine or fundraising. Check out 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!

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

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

Winners are:

Julie Hecker, C98
Bryan Knutson