Successful 67th Caritas Event Raises $235,000 for Student Scholarships at USF

2024 Caritas Scholarship Celebration

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) is proud to announce the outstanding success of its recent Caritas Scholarship Celebration held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in the Pat Sullivan Center on the university’s main campus in Joliet. This year’s event, themed “Launching Stars,” brought together members of the USF community in a shining display of generosity that resulted in an impressive fundraising total of $235,000 in support of USF students and student scholarships.

“As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, we renew our commitment to being a ‘welcoming community of learners’ for all of our students. Together, we will continue to shine brightly in our classrooms, in the workplace, and in the communities we serve.  The University of St. Francis is deeply appreciative of this support, which will continue to help us launch our students…our stars,” said Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., USF President.

“Once again, the University of St. Francis community came together to support the tradition of the Caritas Scholarship Celebration in its 67th year. One of the most remarkable outcomes was current USF students participating in the paddle raise on the evening of the event. The incredible generosity displayed by everyone involved supports USF students in pursuing their academic goals,” said Lisa Sampalis, USF Vice President for Advancement.

The event, organized by USF and the Caritas Committee made up of alumni, staff, faculty, and university friends, has been a long-standing tradition at USF and in the Joliet community. Through a combination of games, auctions, and gifts from the heart, attendees demonstrated their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of students.

D’Arcy Buick GMC was the presenting sponsor of this year’s event, including Terry, Sue and Nick D’Arcy, all of whom are Caritas Committee members. Many USF alumni, local businesses and families also sponsored the event. USF is incredibly grateful to D’Arcy Buick GMC, Wintrust, and all of this year’s sponsors for their unwavering commitment to the tradition of the University of St. Francis in our second century. Visit stfrancis.edu/caritas for a complete list of this year’s sponsors and other event details.

For more information about the University of St. Francis and upcoming initiatives at the university, visit stfrancis.edu.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF Recognized in 2024-2025 Best Graduate Schools Rankings

Joliet, Ill. – U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2024-2025 Best Graduate Schools rankings, and the University of St. Francis (USF) was recognized on two lists in the report.

Lists on which USF is recognized includes: Education – one of eleven Illinois schools recognized and Nursing (Master’s) – one of eleven Illinois schools recognized.

“USF offers incredibly valuable, nationally-recognized graduate degree programs, which is certainly validated through recognition from organizations such as U.S. News & World Report,” USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., said.

Visit https://www.stfrancis.edu/masters for a full list of graduate programs available at USF.

Visit https://www.stfrancis.edu/nationally-ranked/ for a comprehensive listing of USF.

Visit https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools to review the U.S. News & World Report 2023-2024 Best Graduate Schools rankings.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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Joliet Symphony Orchestra Announces Final Concert of 2023-2024 Season

Rejoice!

Joliet, Ill. – The Joliet Symphony Orchestra (JSO) is pleased to announce the final concert set of its 2023-2024 Season with Artistic Director & Conductor, Dr. Sean Paul Mills, leading a program of works by Louis Joseph Ferdinand Herold, Johann Nepomuk Hummel, and Antonin Dvorak, and featuring trumpet soloist Gilmar Cavalcante.

Titled “Rejoice!”, the JSO will be performing Louis Joseph Ferdinand Herold’s “Zampa Overture”, Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s “Trumpet Concerto in E-flat Major” with trumpet soloist Gilmar Cavalcante, and Antonin Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 8 in G Major” on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 4 p.m. Both performances will take place in Sexton Auditorium, which is located in the Harold & Margaret Moser Performing Arts Center on the University of St. Francis (USF) campus at 500 Wilcox Street in Joliet.

A native of Brazil, Gilmar Cavalcante is an active performer, teacher, and music entrepreneur who currently resides in East Central Indiana. Cavalcante earned his Doctor of Arts degree from Ball State University (Muncie, Ind.) as well as a Master of Music Performance from Valdosta State University (Valdosta, Ga.) and a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB – João Pessoa Campus, Brazil). With experience in both classical and popular styles, he performs with the Manchester Symphony Orchestra (North Manchester, Ind.) and Anderson Symphony Orchestra (Anderson, Ind.), and teaches at both Manchester University and Anderson University.

New to the JSO this season is a series of free pre-concert discussions titled “Noteworthy.” These discussions will take place 45 minutes prior to each performance and provide audience members with an opportunity to learn more about the composers, selections, orchestra, and soloists as well as ask questions and interact with the conductor and guests.

Tickets for JSO concerts are available through the JSO website at jolietsymphonyorchestra.org, the USF Music at Moser website at stfrancis.edu/music-at-moser/, and at the door beginning one (1) hour before each performance. Ticket prices are as follows: adults, $10 each; seniors, alumni & non-USF students, $5 each; USF students (with a current ID), music educators (with a current ID), and youth (18 & under) are admitted free of charge.

Please join the JSO as it concludes this season of exploration and discovery featuring both familiar and new works for symphony orchestra.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF Presented with Friendship Award by Spanish Community Center

USF presented with 2024 Friendship Award by Spanish Community Center.

Joliet, Ill. – During its annual fundraising dinner on Thursday, March 7, the Spanish Community Center (SCC) in Joliet presented the University of St. Francis (USF) with the 2024 Friendship Award in recognition of the University’s ongoing partnership with and support of the Center.

“The University of St. Francis is a proud, long-time partner of the Spanish Community Center.  As Will County’s only federally-designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, USF is grateful for and encouraging of the SCC’s mission in support of the communities we serve.  We thank the SCC for recognizing this through its Friendship Award,” said USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D.

Sebastian Mireles, USF Donor Engagement and Giving Manager, attended the event (held at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center in Joliet) and accepted the award on the University’s behalf.

“It is a great honor for the students, faculty and staff of USF to receive the Friendship Award. We thank the Spanish Community Center for valuing our friendship and partnership to a degree of such great recognition. Thanks to each and every person from USF that volunteered or participated in any way with or in support of the Spanish Community Center, as this award would not have been possible without you,” Mireles said.

About the Spanish Community Center

Since 1969, the Spanish Community Center (SCC) helps improve the quality of life for Latinos, immigrants, and low-income people through educational and social services. Visit spanishcenter.org to learn more about the SCC.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF Music at Moser Series Welcomes “Soldier Songs and Voices” by Phoebe Hunt

Soldier Songs and Voices

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) Music at Moser series continues in April as Joliet’s university welcomes a special night of songs written in collaboration by U.S. combat veterans and professional songwriters. “Soldier Songs and Voices” by national touring musician Phoebe Hunt will be presented on Tuesday, April 16, at 7 p.m. in Sexton Auditorium. Tickets are available for $15 and may be purchased by calling 815-740-3367 or by visiting stfrancis.edu/music-at-moser. USF students are admitted free of charge with valid USF ID. It is sure to be a moving and memorable night, so share the word with family, friends and neighbors who have served!

Phoebe Hunt is a songwriting mentor at the longstanding songwriting “Reveille Retreat” for veterans at a ranch in Texas, as well as at Soldier Songs and Voices chapters in cities throughout the country. The program, which helps veterans heal from trauma by turning their experiences into song, has been featured in TED Talks and in many national media outlets. For more information on the organization, visit soldiersongsandvoices.org.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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American Red Cross Blood Drive at USF on Tuesday, April 23

April 2024 American Red Cross blood drive

Joliet, Ill. – The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. Help those in need as the University of St. Francis (USF) hosts its next American Red Cross blood drive on Tuesday, April 23, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Assembly Hall Gymnasium at USF’s St. Clare Campus, which is located at 1550 Plainfield Road in Joliet. The drive is open to the community.

For an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org and enter “60435” in the red “Find a Blood Drive” box on the home page. You can save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass. Visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass for more information.

If you are an eligible type O, B – or A – donor, consider making a Power Red donation. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component.

For more information, please visit redcrossblood.org.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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