Dear alumni and friends of Benedictine University,

The 15th Annual President’s Invitational Golf Outing, held Monday, June 29 at Cress Creek Country Club in Naperville, was a great success! The weather was threatening, but the skies held back and the golfers were able to have a great day on the course.

Hank Haney was our special guest for the second year. He is great about meeting and talking with everyone at the event. He made sure that he looked at each golfer's swing and even tweaked a few. Two of the three winning teams were alumni teams.

The first-place team was comprised of Ben Nachtwey, C02, John Parker, C01, Cory Ferrell and Jen Ferrell. Members of the first-place mixed team were Jay Stuart, Deb Smilski, Brad Lozier and Al Allen, all of Sodexo. The winners of the Alumni Cup were Kyle Gregory, Chad Gregory, Keith Bunkenburg, C89 and Steve Schafer. The winners of the longest drive contest were Melissa Mouhelis and Brad Lozier. Jen Ferrell and Joe Becht, MBA02 won the closest to the pin contest.

Fifteen percent of the golfers this year were alumni, and I would really like to see that number increase next year. Get a team together and come out to challenge Keith Bunkenburg, Benedictine’s men’s basketball coach, for the Alumni Cup. Next year we welcome Natalie Gulbis as our guest. Gulbis is ranked among the top LPGA players and recently appeared on the reality program, "Celebrity Apprentice." Stay tuned for more details.

All of our golfers will have fantastic memories of the day. Photos of the event are posted on our Web site at www.ben.edu/golfphotos. The most enduring outcome of this year's event is that we are able to help students complete their education through scholarships. As a result of the dollars raised and the time invested at this event, Stefan Turcic is able to continue his pursuit of becoming a physician and Lori Puchalski was able to stay in school after the tragic death of both of her parents during her freshman year.

Each of our volunteers conveyed the importance of this fundraiser, and they were so convincing that during his dinner remarks Haney was moved to contribute $6,000 to the scholarship fund. While the final numbers are not yet tabulated, even in this economic climate we exceeded $200,000 in gross income. I encourage you to think about joining us next year either as a golfer, sponsor or both. Watch the Web site at www.ben.edu/golf for more details.

I look forward to seeing everyone at Homecoming 2009 – "Get Wild with Pride" – September 16-20. For more information on this event, please visit the Homecoming Web site.

Sincerely,     

Deb Smith, C08 Director, University Events

Updates from University Development

• Alumni comprised 15 percent of participants in the 15th Annual President’s Invitational Golf Outing.

• Recent alumni giving has increased 42 percent from last year.

Eagle Club

Attention Benedictine University Athletic Alumni, Friends and 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, 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 student 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 become involved with S.T.A.T. Look for upcoming events and volunteer opportunities listed in "CU at BU." For more information, please contact Jessica Stillo at jstillo@ben.edu or (630) 829-1811. 

Alumni Online Directory

The Alumni Online Directory is 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

• Attention Men’s Soccer Alumni! At 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, Alumni Relations and Men’s Soccer are hosting 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 is $10, which includes a T-shirt and food. 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 jnelligan@ben.edu.

GradMed Short-Term Medical Coverage Available

Attention: Benedictine University alumni under the age of 65. If you have lost your health care coverage, regardless of life circumstance, or are between your parents’ health care coverage and full-time employment, our affinity with USI Affinity Collegiate Insurance Resources can help you. This short-term medical care insurance is reasonably priced and offered only to Benedictine University alumni. Some provisions, benefits, exclusions or limitations vary by state. Coverage is underwritten and issued by Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company or Time Insurance Company. Pre-existing conditions are not covered. 

Alumni Spotlight: Andreas Gloor

Andreas Gloor is a recent graduate of Benedictine University who earned a dual degree in Accounting and Finance. He is currently employed as a staff accountant with Grant Thornton LLP.

Read more about Andreas

Class of 1969 40th Reunion Weekend

Everyone had a great time when the Class of ‘69 gathered to celebrate its 40th reunion. Friday night's activities included a meet-and-greet pizza party at the Coal Ben with more than 35 people in attendance. A round of golf at Downers Grove Golf Course was played Saturday morning under sunny skies and pleasant temperatures.

Saturday night's events included dinner and a program at the Lisle/Naperville Hilton. Nearly 40 people attended and shared memories of good times on campus, great stories and those who have passed away. Karaoke and a trivia game rounded out the evening.

Many attended Mass at the Abbey on Sunday prior to attending the alumni picnic. At the conclusion of the reunion weekend, all said their farewells and promised to meet again when they become Golden Eagles.

A special "thank you" to class agents Jim Brusek, Paul Glazer and Jack Steffek for organizing this incredible weekend of fun, fond remembrances and most important, renewed friendships.

Alumni Picnic

The weather could not have been better for the 2009 Alumni Picnic. With the sun shining bright, a bit of wind and the campus looking spectacular, alumni enjoyed an afternoon of food, games and lots of fun. Food was available for purchase in the Coal Ben and many brought their own and cooked on grills. Games included a bags tournament, 4-square, washer toss and more.

Some alumni had not seen the campus since they graduated some 40 years ago and were very impressed with how we look today. One alumnus commented on how wonderful the museum was in its new location. Another thought the Sports Complex was a much-needed addition to the campus and looks forward to coming back for Homecoming this year. Many commented that the Coal Ben was a welcome improvement over the old Ben Hall Pub.

It was a great day to come and enjoy an afternoon on campus. Mark your calendars for the 2010 Alumni Picnic scheduled for Sunday, June 27 – always the last Sunday in June. This picnic will offer some new surprises, so watch the alumni Web site for details.

Homecoming 2009

Do not miss this opportunity to see old friends, reconnect with your favorite professors and network with the Benedictine community. There will be activities for everyone, so bring the whole family. Activities include:

Wednesday, September 16 — College of Business Student Alumni Networking Evening

Thursday, September 17 — College of Liberal Arts presents author Bill Lombardo

Friday, September 18 — Homecoming Parade and Spread the Red Lunch; Student/Alumni Friday Afternoon Club with bags tournament, canoeing Lake St. Benedict and volleyball games; the comedic stylings of Adam Grabowski; bonfire and crowning of the 2009 Homecoming King and Queen

Saturday, September 19 — Donor Memorial Mass and Breakfast; Alumni Baseball Game; State of the Rice Center Address; tailgating; "Ben There, Done That" in the Coal Ben; children's area with petting zoo, Chloe the Clown, arts and crafts and moon jump; Hear You Me alumni band performance; Benedictine Eagles vs. North Park Vikings football game; Hi Infidelity performance; classes ending in a 4 or 9 reunions.

Sunday, September 20 — Alumni Mass at St. Procopius Abbey; brunch with the President and Abbot Dismas honoring the Alumni Award winners

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.

We hope to see you at Homecoming! Check out the Homecoming 2009 Web site for more details!

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 via postal mail to Julie Nelligan, Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle, IL 60532.

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!

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 a fan of 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!

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. 

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 June’s trivia contest, "What is the name of the Alma Mater?" is "Hail, Benedictine!"

Winners are:

Patrick Cooney, C84

Katie Fuentes, C04