Dear alumni and friends of Benedictine University,

I would like to share with you some exciting news regarding Benedictine Athletics and the entire campus community. The University is now exploring a variety of funding options for the renovation of the Dan and Ada Rice Center. We have a comprehensive plan to rejuvenate the building to make it a valuable asset to Benedictine Athletics and our Benedictine family. The three planned phases of the renovations include:

• Phase 1: Renovating the arena to include a new practice floor and competition wood floor, new bleacher systems, new island baskets and scoreboards.
• Phase 2: Relocation and construction of a new all-inclusive fitness center featuring a 7,500-square foot lower level dedicated to cardio and circuit training and a 5,200-square foot strength training mezzanine.
• Phase 3: Constructing a new and modernized entrance and an "Eagle Legends Center" which will include a room dedicated to the Hall of Fame.

The University is committed to beginning this project by earmarking financial resources, and is seeking additional funding from corporate, government and other private entities. The time frame and degree of completion for this project depends on the financial support from all of our constituents including alumni, friends and supporters of Benedictine University.

This is an exciting time for Benedictine Athletics, and I encourage everyone to continue to follow the Eagles by attending one of our events, checking us out online or joining as a charter member of our Eagle Club (the Eagle Club E-Newsletter will be coming to you soon!). To learn more about this project and other Eagle news, please contact John Morris, Assistant Athletic Director, at
(630) 829-1812 or at jmorris@ben.edu.

Enjoy your summer, and I look forward to seeing you on campus this fall cheering on our teams.
Go Eagles!

Mark McHorney Director of Athletics

Updates from University Development

• Faculty and staff have secured funds to assist students with financial aid needs.
• A grant was made to Benedictine University from a donor-advised fund of the Chicago Community Trust.
• University Development secured gifts for current endowed scholarships.
• Benedictine University received a gift of securities.

Planned Giving Survey

Eagle Sightings

Q&A with new Benedictine Athletics administrative staff.
Read more

Eagle Club

Attention Benedictine University Athletic Alumni, Friends and Fans!

The new Benedictine Athletics Eagle Club is currently accepting memberships. We are looking for alumni participation, so keep checking "CU at BU" for upcoming events.

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, Assistant Athletic Director, at jmorris@ben.edu or submit via mail to the address on the form.

Eagle Club kick-off events will be held September 5 and 19, so keep checking the mail for your invitation! For more information on joining the Eagle Club, contact John Morris, Assistant Athletic Director, at (630) 829-1812 or jmorris@ben.edu.

Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (S.T.A.T.) is a campus group dedicated to establishing and promoting a closer bond among alumni, current students, faculty and staff. S.T.A.T. members work to foster a stronger alumni culture at Benedictine University by planning events and programs that get alumni involved with current students.

There are several events and opportunities for alumni to get involved in S.T.A.T, so keep watching for upcoming events and volunteer opportunities listed in "CU at BU." For more information, please contact Jessica Stillo at (630) 829-1811 or jstillo@ben.edu. 

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.
• Attention All Scholar's Program Alumni—we are in the process of planning a reunion to celebrate 25 years of the Scholar's Program. This reunion will include all past and present Scholar's Program faculty and staff as well as all the alumni that can join us. If you are interested in helping with this reunion, please contact Julie Nelligan, Alumni Relations Director, at (630) 829-6077 or jnelligan@ben.edu.

Celebrating Fr. Michael Komechak’s Golden Jubilee

The 50th anniversary of the ordination of Fr. Michael Komechak, O.S.B. was celebrated May 30, 2009. Hundreds of faculty, staff, alumni, community members and friends gathered to honor Fr. Michael. There was a celebratory Mass at the Abbey featuring the abbey schola and trumpeter William Aukstik followed by a dinner in the Krasa Center.

Fr. Michael, who serves the University as curator of the Benedictine art collection, has been a teacher at St. Procopius College and assisted at several parishes in DuPage County including Visitation in Elmhurst, St. Joan of Arc in Lisle, and St. Elizabeth Seton, St. Margaret Mary and Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Naperville. He has been a fixture on the DuPage County art scene and has served as judge at numerous art shows including the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair held in downtown Naperville.

Benedictine University is extremely grateful for Fr. Michael’s service to the University and the community during the past 50 years. 

Homecoming 2009

You do not 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.

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 for more information!

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.

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 dsmith@ben.edu.

For more information, check out the Golf 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!

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. 

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!

Submit your information in the form below:

The correct answer to May’s trivia contest, "What is the new name of the Jurica Nature Museum?" is The Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum.

Winners are:

Corinne Danhauer, C86

Cathy Blanton, C85