Benedictine University’s (BenU) Homecoming Week consisted of multiple events for students, faculty, staff, and families of the BenU community. The kickoff event started on Monday with an ice cream social in Goodwin Hall.
Tuesday night’s program, “The Call to Holiness in the 21st Century: Wisdom of the Saints for Today,” began with Mass celebrated by Fr. Ivan Carrillo and continued with dinner and a panel discussion on the relevance of saints for contemporary life.
Speakers included three nationally acclaimed authors, well known for their books on saints in the Catholic tradition: award-winning independent scholar Jon M. Sweeney, author of St. Francis of Assisi: His Life, Teachings, and Practices; journalist Stephen Kokx, author of St. Alphonsus for the 21st Century; and Benedictine monk Fr. Augustine Wetta, author of Humility Rules: Saint Benedict’s Twelve-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem.
The event was attended by students, alumni, faculty, staff, and guests. It was sponsored by The Sister Judith Ann Heble, OSB Center for Benedictine Values and supported by a generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Daniel F. Rigby.
Another standout event during the week was Margaret (Saul) Gitter’s (’96) “Hope through Horses,” presented by Journeys in Leadership (in partnership with GreenState Credit Union). Gitter, a Benedictine University alum, established Mane Trail Stables in 2012 and has been an equine specialist with over 20 years of experience with horses. She’s always been passionate about the therapeutic and healing benefits of horses and that passion led to her becoming certified in the EAGALA model.
Gitter also was in attendance for the Homecoming game on Saturday and brought her horses on campus to help demonstrate to the Benedictine community how she’s helping in revolutionizing mental health treatment by incorporating the therapeutic presence of horses.
Thursday saw students, faculty, and staff alike celebrate with a picnic in the quad. While Friday continued the festivities with music in the quad and an Alumni Art show presented by the Komechak Gallery in Kindlon. The University also welcomed back the class of ’75 for the Golden Eagle Dinner in Coal Ben.
The Homecoming Tailgate, presented by University Advancement, was the culmination of a weekend filled with excitement. Alumni from various graduating classes returned to campus, joining faculty, staff, and students in celebrating our rich traditions.
The collective enthusiasm for Benedictine University was evident in every cheer and conversation, marking yet another successful Homecoming week filled with pride and community.
