Tag: College of Arts & Sciences

USF News

USF Students Attend 2023 Illinois Certification Board Spring Conference

2023 ICB Spring Conference
Joliet, Ill. – University of St. Francis (USF) Substance Abuse Counseling (SAC) program instructors, students and alumni attended and participated in the Illinois Certification Board’s (ICB) annual spring conference on March 20 – 24, 2023, at the Westin Northwest in Itasca, Illinois. The conference was attended by over 400 professionals in the substance use disorder field and provided workshops and presentations designed to educate and provide information to these professionals. USF participants included: (current SAC students) Rebecca Giese, Hannah Nevin, Jazmyn Warner, Cameo Dixon, (current MSW and SAC graduate student) Monika Gomez, (SAC graduate) Kirsten Leininger, (SAC program coordinator) Lawrence Dunbar, (CRSS program coordinator) Marcia Van Natta, (CRSS internship coordinator) Patti Ferdon, and (CRSS academic coach) Dr. Marisa Scanlon. USF students were able to attend various workshops to increase their knowledge, network with others in the field, and participate in a job fair. The students also helped staff the USF exhibit table at the conference providing marketing exposure to USF and our programs. During the conference, Lawrence Dunbar, Kirsten Leininger and Monika Gomez presented a three-hour evening workshop titled, “Evidenced-Based Complimentary Modalities of Treatment,” that included hands-on modalities such as play and sandbox therapy, meditation, music and drumming therapy, guided imagery, animal-assisted therapy, mindfulness and Reiki. As part of the conference’s “Student Appreciation Day” and annual luncheon meeting, USF junior Cameo Dixon was presented with the John Reese Scholarship Award, which allows the winner to attend the next annual Spring Conference at no cost. The award is presented to a student of an Accredited Training Program who has shown need and a passion for the field. Also during the conference, current and new ICB Board members were introduced, including:
  • Lawrence Dunbar (current ICB board president) and Marcia Van Natta (current ICB board past-president);
  • Monika Gomez (new six-year term as an ICB board member);
  • Rebecca Giese (new two-year term as an ICB board student advisor)
  • Kirsten Leininger (ratified three-year term as an ICB board member).
About the Illinois Certification Board The Illinois Certification Board (ICB) is a private, non-profit organization that promotes standards for professionals in the addictions whose mission is to protect the public by providing competency-based credentialing of Human Service Professionals. ICB protects the welfare of the public through improvement of quality health care service being provided to the individual, his/her family, and/or significant others by writing and publishing standards, evaluating experience and education, reviewing each application for the respective credential, and upgrading those standards. ICB’s professional standards meet or exceed all international standards for practitioners. The organization also encourages the highest ethical standards for all practitioners. Visit https://iaodapca.org/ for more information. : : 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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USF Art and Design Department to Host Fair and Sale

Art and design fair flier
Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) Art and Design Department will host an Art Fair and Sale on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Marian Hall Abbey Lounge (604 Taylor Street, Joliet, IL 60435). The free event, which is open to the community, is centered around student-produced handmade artworks, crafts, clothing and other items produced that will be for sale. This year, students have created drawings, paintings, photography, screen prints, totes, t-shirts, pins, and other arts related items. Eighteen students from a variety of departments will participate. The items are modestly priced, so come out and support students in this preholiday season. For more information, please contact professor Michael “Chester” Alamo-Costello, MFA, at mcostello@stfrancis.edu. For more information on the USF Art and Design Department, visit stfrancis.edu/art-design. : : 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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2022-23 Fall/Winter Music at Moser Concert Series

Music at Moser Concert Series
Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) Music Department is proud to offer exciting musical performances to the Joliet and Will County communities through the Music at Moser 2022-23 Fall/Winter Concert Series. All performances have open seating and are subject to change. Ticket prices are $5 for children, alumni and non-USF students, and $10 for adults and seniors (unless otherwise noted). To purchase tickets, visit stfrancis.edu/music-at-moser. Musical Miniatures Joliet Symphony Orchestra | Lev Ivanov, conductor Saturday and Sunday, November 12-13, 2022 7:15 p.m. – Sexton Auditorium (Moser Performing Arts Center on USF’s main campus located at 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, IL 60435) Join the JSO as it explores the world in miniatures of America (Gershwin’s “An American in Paris”), Bohemia (Smetana’s “The Moldau”), and other musical worlds. Christmas at the Motherhouse: “Christmas Around the World” The Claritas Master Chorale and USF Schola Cantorum | Paul Laprade, conductor Saturday, December 3, 2022 7:15 p.m. – St. Joseph Chapel (2nd floor of the USF Motherhouse located at 520 Plainfield Road, Joliet, IL 60435) Join our choirs in sounds of Christmas from throughout the world, as heard through wonderful works by Costeley, DesAmours, Johanssen-Werner, Rutter, Mathias, Nelhybel, and many others. *A suggested donation is requested for this concert in lieu of regular ticket prices. JSO Family Concert Joliet Symphony Orchestra | Lev Ivanov, conductor Saturday, January 21, 2023 11 a.m. – Sexton Auditorium (Moser Performing Arts Center on USF’s main campus located at 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, IL 60435) Bring your family and friends to the Joliet Symphony Orchestra’s Family Concert! Past years have included “Meeting the Instruments,” “Exploring Sounds,” and many other musical activities for families—see how the JSO presents music for hands-on learning and enjoyment! : : 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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Masciotra, McDermott to Offer Readings at Heritage Village

Joliet, Ill. – University of St. Francis (USF) College of Arts & Sciences Interim Dean Elizabeth McDermott and USF English instructor David Masciotra will give readings from their recent publications at the Will County Historical Museum’s Heritage Village (located at 249 W. Second Street, Lockport, IL) from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 1. Food and drinks will also be available. McDermott is the author of “Figure 1” and “How to Leave a Farmhouse”, and Masciotra is the author of “I Am Somebody: Why Jesse Jackson Matters,” “Mellencamp: American Troubadour,” “Barack Obama: Invisible Man,” and “Metallica by Metallica”. The event is free and open to the public. Visit willhistory.org/heritage-village for additional information. : : 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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USF Art Gallery Exhibition Featuring Works of USF Alumni

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) Art Gallery in downtown Joliet invites the community to enjoy the creative works of USF alumni. The Alumni Exhibition, which runs through Thursday, September 29, will feature the works of several USF alumni, including: Megan Altmyer (2013); Jessica Baron (2013); Roger Carlson (2006); Jessica Cuevas (2014); Katia Hunt (2019); Sydney Jarrard (2019); Christopher Jones (2015); Dora Moore (2008); Meghann O’Hara (2001); Autumn Panzera (2011); Boris Peshev (2016); Joe Santillo (2017); Egzon Shaqiri (2014) ;Marguerite Stoiber (1973); Lauren Tuider (2020); Odessa Villarreal (2021), and; Ryan Wolfe (2004). The USF Art Gallery is located at 25 E. Van Buren Street in Joliet, is open to the public Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit stfrancis.edu/artgallery/ for more information. : : 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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USF Awarded ComEd Green Region Grant to Support Prairie Restoration

ComEd Green Region Grant award banner
Joliet, Ill. – Once covering over 21 million acres, less than 0.1% of Illinois’ native tallgrass prairie remains. A $10,000 matching grant awarded to the University of St. Francis (USF) and its ‘Reestablishing Illinois Prairie Land: Ongoing Tallgrass Prairie Restoration at Charlotte Codo Prairie in Frankfort, IL’ project through the ComEd Green Region Grant program looks to reverse that trend. The Charlotte Codo Prairie, gifted by the Codo family to USF, is a local prairie restoration site approximately 15 miles east of Joliet. The restoration was initiated by the Codo family in 2014 and is maintained by USF today. Currently, this 47-acre property houses 24 acres of restored tallgrass prairie. Tallgrass prairie fields are used by USF faculty and students for research and educational purposes, including studying biological diversity, learning species identification, and contributing to future restoration practices. Codo Prairie is a site of active restoration. “We plan to expand the acreage of the restored prairie in a multi-year, multi-stage project,” said Chloe Lash, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at USF and project director for the university’s ComEd Green Region grant. “Seventeen acres of alfalfa field on the property will be the next stage of prairie restoration at Codo. While restoring native tallgrass prairie, we also wish to expand public engagement at Codo,” Lash said. The project, supported by $10,000 in matching funds by USF, will be pursued through four stages, including (Stage 1) the establishment of native plant seed gardens, (Stage 2) the expansion of community outreach at Charlotte Codo Prairie, (Stage 3) the harvesting seed from the seed gardens, purchasing seed to supplement harvested seed, and planting of the native seed in the alfalfa field (using current best practices for prairie restoration), and (Stage 4) the planning of controlled burns at the restored site. The ComEd Green Region grant will support efforts for Stages 1 and 2 of this multi-phase project. Lash sees the benefits of this project reaching beyond USF. “This project will not only benefit the University of St. Francis (USF) community but will engage the broader local community in prairie restoration. USF faculty and students will continue to use Codo Prairie for engagement in scientific research and education. Beyond USF, the Codo Prairie Committee is working on establishing approval processes for research by universities and other scientific groups beyond USF affiliates. We are also working on making Codo Prairie more accessible to the public through community partnerships and long-term plans for the property,” Lash said. Ultimately, Lash sees the restoration of native Illinois habitat in Will County as the ultimate goal and is grateful to the ComEd Green Region Grant program for helping USF to embark on that journey. “We are so thankful for the support from the ComEd Green Regions Grant. This award will allow us to build on our educational efforts at the Charlotte Codo Prairie and will support the next stage of prairie restoration at this USF property. Increasing prairieland will support local pollinators, enrich local biodiversity, improve soil health, and assist in climate resiliency research. We are so excited to contribute to restoring native Illinois habitat in Will County,” Lash said. For more information on the ComEd Green Region Grant program, click here. : : 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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