Dear alumni and friends of Benedictine University,

It is my pleasure to bring you greetings from the College of Liberal Arts and to share with you some of our latest activities and upcoming projects. Our programs in the arts, humanities and social sciences continue to grow in number and quality along with unique opportunities that enhance the academic experience of our students. Two of our newest programs, Global Studies and Bilingual Journalism, reflect our interest in preparing students for the increasing spread of globalization. Our new and growing Theology major supports the Catholic and Benedictine identity of our University and extends its offerings to surrounding dioceses.

In addition to our new curricular offerings, the College of Liberal Arts prides itself in offering a variety of extracurricular opportunities which are open to all students regardless of their major. Many of you have attended events such as the Open Mic and Poetry Reading hosted by the Department of Language and Literature during Homecoming weekend; the presentation on human rights by our first Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow, Dimon Liu; the blues concert by this year’s artist-in-residence, Fruteland Jackson; or the timely lecture by Marian Wright Edelman, president and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund. These and other activities too numerous to mention showcase the importance of the liberal arts for our students and community. More than ever, a thorough grounding in the humanities, arts and social sciences needs to be the foundation for a successful personal and professional life.

We invite you to participate in next year’s events as your schedule permits. We already have preliminary plans for the following:

• A College of Liberal Arts Homecoming weekend event featuring Chicago author Billy Lombardo, winner of the G.S. Sharat Prize for his collection of short fiction, "The Logic of a Rose, Chicago Stories.”
• Presentations by Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow Kevin F. Quigley, president of the National Peace Corps Association, while he is at the University October 5-8.
• The monthly Concert at Noon series will feature multicultural music throughout the year beginning with a Flamenco Concert in September.

Our individual departments will also hold program-specific events so that you can catch up with faculty and get to know our students. Check departmental newsletters and our Web site at http://www.ben.edu/programs/cola for event information, or contact my office at (630) 829-6247. Please let us know if you have programming ideas. We always welcome your thoughts and assistance.

I look forward to seeing you on campus this coming year. Best wishes for an enjoyable summer!

María de la Cámara, Ph.D. Dean, College of Liberal Arts

Congratulations Class of 2009!

Benedictine University congratulates the Class of 2009! Graduating from college is a major accomplishment and milestone in a person’s life, and we welcome the Class of 2009 to the Alumni Association! This year, Benedictine celebrated the graduation of more than 1,500 students!

We also introduce the Class of 2009 to CU at BU, the Alumni E-Newsletter. As an alumnus, you will receive this e-newsletter every month! We encourage you to keep in touch with the University by attending our alumni events, updating your information and coming back to campus!

Attention Eagle Athletics Fans! 

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies are returning for the 2009-2010 athletic year. To nominate a candidate fill out and submit this form to John Morris, Associate Director for Athletic Advancement and External Resources, at jmorris@ben.edu or submit via mail to the address on the form.

Updates from University Development

• The "Benedictine Challenge" was initiated at the 2009 Commencement ceremony.
• Funds were secured for the Raize Software, Inc. Award in Computer Science and the Raize Software, Inc. Endowed Scholarship Fund.
• The Roth Alumni Award was established.
• A new staff giving program called "Vacation Donation" was implemented.

Planned Giving Survey

The Benedictine Challenge

The Benedictine University Alumni Association introduced "The Benedictine Challenge" to our 2009 graduates. The Alumni Association made an investment in the Class of 2009 by donating $2 to every graduate while challenging the graduates to return the $2 as their first gift to University. The Alumni Association knows how important it is to give back to the University and encourages our newest alumni to include Benedictine in their philanthropic efforts. We hope that each graduate participates in the Benedictine Challenge and realizes the importance of giving back to their alma mater.

Eagle Sightings

Q&A with Benedictine University Head Cross Country Coach/Assistant Track and Field Coach, Molly Remley.
Read more

Alumni Online Directory

The Alumni Online Directory is now live! 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 should have received a postcard in the mail with your temporary password. You will need this temporary password to log in. Once you have logged in, you may change your password, set up your homepage and begin looking for friends and long lost classmates.

Join today at alumniconnections.ben.edu.

Updates from Alumni Relations

• The Annual Alumni Picnic will be held from 12:00-3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 28 at the University. There will be food available for purchase from 12:00-1:30 p.m., or you are welcome to pack your own picnic. There will be games, open gym at the Rice Center, canoe races on Lake St. Benedict and much more! 
• Attention Men’s Soccer Alumni! At 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, Alumni Relations and Men’s Soccer will host the annual Alumni Soccer Game in the Sports Complex. A reception will follow the game at 2:00 p.m. in the Coal Ben. The cost for your T-shirt and food is $10. R.S.V.P. to Eric Guthrie at eguthrie@ben.edu or call (630) 829-6081 by August 15.
• Mark your calendars for the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Reunion scheduled for Sunday, November 15. Benedictine will host Illinois Wesleyan University with the women’s game beginning at 1:00 p.m. and the men’s game at 3:00 p.m. After the game, stay for food and refreshments with fellow alumni in the Rice Center Trophy Room. For more information, contact Julie Nelligan at (630) 829-6077 or e-mail jnelligan@ben.edu.

Eagle Club Update

Attention Benedictine University Athletic Alumni, Friends and Fans!

The new Benedictine Athletics Eagle Club is currently in the planning stages and accepting memberships. We are looking for alumni participation, so keep checking "CU at BU" for upcoming events. The Eagle Club, in association with Alumni Relations, hosted a Track and Field/Cross Country reunion and reception and a Baseball reunion and reception in April. Eagle Club kickoff events will be held September 5 and 19, so keep an eye out for your invite coming in the mail. For more information on joining the Eagle Club, contact John Morris, Associate Director for Athletic Advancement and External Resources, at (630) 829-1812 or jmorris@ben.edu.

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.

15th Annual President’s Invitational Golf Outing

The 15th Annual President's Invitational Golf Outing will be held Monday, June 29 at Cress Creek Country Club in Naperville. Hank Haney will be back this year to offer golf tips on the course as well as speak at dinner. All alumni and friends are encouraged to attend.

Each foursome which includes at least one Benedictine alumnus will compete for the Alumni Cup. The foursome with the lowest score will win the Cup. Not only will your team members' names be inscribed on the plaque accompanying the Alumni Cup, the foursome will be asked to return next year on a complimentary basis to defend its title. Additionally, the members will be able to proudly sport their 2009 Alumni Cup winner wind jacket (second in prestige only to the Master's "Green Jacket").

There is also the opportunity to join the Alumni Board, 2009 Golf Cart Sponsor, as a sponsor of the event. 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 e-mail dsmith@ben.edu.

Our afternoon foursomes fill up very quickly, so be sure to make your reservation soon! For more information, check out the Golf Web site.

Where in the World is Ernie the Eagle?

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 or pick him up at the Alumni Picnic in June. E-mail your Ernie photos to Julie Nelligan at jnelligan@ben.edu or send through postal mail to Julie Nelligan, Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle, IL 60532.

We’ll post your photos on a special site on the Alumni Web page and we will also display a map with all of the photos of Ernie’s travels with Alumni, students and friends of Benedictine University at Homecoming 2009.

Homecoming 2009

You don’t want to miss this opportunity to see old friends, reconnect with your favorite professors and network with the Benedictine community. Bring the whole family because there will be activities for everyone.

Returning this year will be the successful petting zoo, alumni food tent and great music after the football game. Events are also scheduled for Friday evening and Sunday morning.

New this year will be the Benedictine University Homecoming Parade. It will start at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, September 18, followed by the Spread the Red lunch. The parade route will begin at the Rice Center and go up the Memorial Walkway, concluding in the quad. All are invited to come and vote for their favorite float. The top floats will stay in the quad through Saturday.

Make sure you join us at the football game between the Benedictine University Eagles and the North Park Vikings on Saturday, September 19 at 1:00 p.m.

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.

Visit the Homecoming 2009 Web site

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 University Development Blog!

A lot is happening in the University Development Office. 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!

The correct answer to April’s trivia contest, "Dr. William Carroll is Benedictine’s ____ president." is 10th.

Winner is:

AJ Rodino, Class of 1973