REA C HI N G O U T TO THE C OMM U N IT Y OF ROBERT MORRIS U N IVERSIT Y
S U MMER 2 0 0 9
Welcome to
Robert Morris University
Robert Morris University
Radius
Summer 2009
EDITOR
Nancy Santacaterina Donohoe
ART DIRECTION
CI Design
CONTRIBUTORS
Ann Bresingham
Donald Haynes
Joni Jackson
Marguerite Loew
Amy Tworek
PHOTOGRAPHY
Nancy S. Donohoe
Donald Haynes
Hestoft Photography
Jeff Sing
ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY
Michael P. Viollt – President
Robert Morris University is a
private, not-for-profit baccalaureate
and graduate degree granting
institution. It is accredited by the
Higher Learning Commission of
the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools, 30 N. LaSalle
Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, 312-263-0456.
Radius is published by
Robert Morris University
401 S. State Street
Chicago, IL 60605
For more information, visit the RMU
Website at www.robertmorris.edu
William Shakespeare’s Romeo poses the question, “What’s in
a name?” While he muses that any name as good as another, it
soon becomes obvious that identity is essential to existence. As
individuals, a name held in high regard is a precious facet to who
and what we are. To keep one’s “good name” secures a richness
beyond wealth.
For an institution, a name becomes synonymous with the
character, quality and makeup of what it provides to those it
serves. Robert Morris stands on a reputation that is rich in service
and quality to students throughout Illinois, and to underserved
populations in particular. It has been a process that has evolved,
and continues to do so, as more and better ways are discovered,
learned and put into practice.
It is with this understanding that President Michael Viollt and
the Board of Trustees formally announced that Robert Morris
has officially changed its name to Robert Morris University
Illinois. The journey to this decision took over ten years and
included the input of board, faculty and staff through long-range
planning efforts. The new name gives impetus and purpose for the
University’s focus over the next decade.
The Board promoted the name change to clarify the mission
and the status of the institution and reestablish its position as a
national leader in many different areas. In doing so, Robert Morris
University will have a better standing in drawing faculty, in relating
to corporations and businesses that provide internships and careers
for graduates, with funding sources and in the athletic arenas.
Especially since Robert Morris expanded its presence in downtown
Chicago, it has become aligned with many city and national
universities. As Robert Morris University, those relationships will
grow on a level footing.
Evolution is central to the core of Robert Morris University – and
it has been since its very inception. It is not a casual undertaking,
but a force that continually drives the institution to improve, adapt
and succeed, with each and every student in mind.
Welcome to Robert Morris University Illinois.
Table Of Contents
Letter from the President
Around RMU
Milestones
Alumni Profile: Terrence Lanier
Name Change Celebration
Alumni Profile: Karina Garate
Alumni Profile: Matt Kirouac
Change
Sports Highlights
Dreams of Olympic Glory
Class Notes
Alumni Profile: Laasya Sudhakar
RMU and the Economy
3
4-8
9
10-11
12-13
14
15
16-17
18-19
20
21
22
23
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Robert Morris Community:
I am pleased to report that Robert Morris has officially
changed its name to Robert Morris University Illinois. As
many of you know, the anticipated change was a central
element of our last two long-range plans. Every area of the
University – faculty/staff development, facilities design,
program assessment, organizational structure, and institutional
culture were adapted in preparation. This change will also be
integral to what our new long-range plan has in store.
For some, the terms college and university are synonymous,
and certainly the designation “college” has served many, such
as Dartmouth College and Boston College, well. However,
our Board of Trustees felt that our change to university was
important for three primary reasons:
• While we stand proud of our nearly 100 years of
accomplishments in service to the community, the public
often does not understand our size, scope, mission, and
institutional control.
• Our position as a national leader in time-to-degree,
graduation rates, and in the number of degrees awarded
to historically underserved groups has not been widely
recognized.
• Our ability to expand appropriate faculty development
opportunities, elevate internship opportunities, find
appropriate athletic competition, and open fund raising
doors will be enhanced.
While some institutions take the evolution to university quite
casually, we understand it as a commitment to our students
and the general public. We commit to improving quality
and results in the areas of teaching, research, co-curricular
opportunities, and community service.
Regards,
Michael P. Viollt – President
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» Students
in Free Enterprise
Win First Runner Up in Annual Competition
The efforts of the SIFE chapter at Robert Morris earned the presenting team their highest award in the history of the
organization. Among the notable activities over the past year, the students organized Faculty Denim Days fundraisers,
raising $6000; participated in a Habitat for Humanity project, traveling to New Orleans to work on rebuilding homes;
held two fashion shows and raised $4500 for Reaching Sara, a non-profit organization for children with autism;
collected over $8000 worth of professional attire for inner-city high schools and Robert Morris senior students; and
partnered with State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias to expand financial literacy initiatives at Robert Morris.
SIFE has been actively involved with Junior Achievement through a unique initiative that allows volunteers to teach all
of the units of Junior Achievement’s elementary school programs in an intensive yet impacting one-day effort. Ask the Collegian is a modification of Ask the Expert in which college students work with high school students,
present business concepts and discuss balancing challenges in college life. The 2009 SIFE Attending Team: first row, Diane Allen, Jennifer Kaminski, Maggie
Jimenez, Ricardo Medina, Sara Yang, Eula Eidietyte, Patricia McCarthy and Sharon
Brabson. Second row, Eduardo Tellez, William Butler, Ebony Tucker, Leilani Yats,
Orlando Gomez, Ron Salter, Chandra Parry, Aislin Harris and Marco Alvarez.
» RMU-Springfield On The Air
In April, the Springfield campus welcomed reporters from
Channel 20, the ABC affiliate television station. Three recent
graduates, Stefanie Brake, Matt Stolze and Wesley
Mitchell (who is shown below) were interviewed about
their prospects for jobs and dealing with student loans in
the current economy. Mary Wienhoff and Dennis Mumaw
talked with reporters about our enrollment and the current
offerings at the Springfield campus. Channel 20 also returned
to do a story on the Robert Morris name change.
The 2009 SIFE Presenting Team: Leilani Yats,
Ricardo Medina, Sarah Yang and Orlando Gomez.
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» Robert Morris Honored by State Association
On April 24, Robert Morris received the Distinguished Institution
Award from the Illinois Network for Women in Higher Education
(INWHE) at their annual conference. The 2009 conference,
Leading from Where You Are, was held at the University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign. The organization makes this award, “to
advance its mission and annually recognize Illinois Institutions
that demonstrate, through policies and practices, exceptional
accomplishments in the development of women leaders at
all levels of the institution. Such leadership is exemplified
through the presence of women in leadership roles throughout
the institution, through policies and practices that encourage
women’s advancement and reward their contributions, and
through programs and communications that heighten awareness
of the roles of women in the institution.” Robert Morris was the recipient for institutions enrolling
fewer than 10,000 students, and the University of Illinois
was the recipient for institutions enrolling more than 10,000
students. Robert Morris was recognized for the number of
women in leadership positions in administration and faculty,
for its professional development activities including tuition
reimbursement and development opportunities through the
Chicago Center for Higher Education Studies. INWHE also
considered the University’s Wellness Institute, the fitness centers
and the employee insurance program as integral parts of its
efforts for the professional development of women.
» L
egal Eagles Excel
in Mock Trials
Nine paralegal and law office
administration students
participated in a mock trial
competition sponsored by John
Marshall Law School this spring.
After excelling at the first round
of regional competition, the
group returned for the national
competition and again finished
with major awards.
Students are separated so that
the competing teams consist of
students from different colleges.
The following students represented
Robert Morris: Anthony
Beltran, Brandon Operana,
Janice Watts, Mary Frydrych,
Caroline Lewis, Esmeralda
Cruz, Tesha McCoy, Yesenia
Mata and Laretha Avant.
Attorneys Marguerite Loew
and Ann Bresingham, faculty
members in the School of Business
Administration, taught and
coached the students as they
prepared for the competition. “We
required our students to commit to
attending a minimum
of one training session
per week,” explained
Ms. Loew. “Given the
competitors’ varying
schedules, training
sessions were held
several times a week,
including Saturdays.
Ann held one on one
sessions at the Orland
Park campus and most
students attended
the Chicago training
regularly.”
In both the regional and national
competition, the Robert Morris
students were placed on three
member teams with students
from different schools. Ms. Loew
explained that this worked both
in the Robert Morris students’
favor when they were teamed with
very competent and experienced
members, and it also worked
against them when teamed with
competitors who were not as well
prepared.
At the regional competition, Robert
Morris students placed in the first,
Mablene Kruger, RMU Provost, received the
Distinguished Institution Award for Development
of Women Leaders on behalf of the University
from the Illinois Network for Women in Higher
Education.
second, third and fourth place
teams. At the national competition,
the students placed in the first and
second place teams and won over
$35,000 in tuition waivers to John
Marshall Law School.
“Each of our students competed
very strongly against over 50
other experienced students
competitors from schools across
the country. Most of these schools
sent teams that have more
experience and have competed
for several years,” Ms. Loew
concluded.
5
» New Pastry Kitchen
In April, the Institute of Culinary Arts opened its brand
new Pastry Kitchen to students, faculty and staff at the
Chicago campus. Culinary students prepared for the
ribbon cutting ceremony by baking cookies, miniature
cheese cakes, chocolate brownies and other delicious
sweets. After all, it IS a pastry kitchen!
President Michael Viollt cuts the ribbon and officially opens the new pastry
kitchen on the eighth floor at the Chicago campus with Executive Director
Nancy Rotunno, left and Chef Instructor Andrea Nickels.
The pastry kitchen has large windows along one wall. Other students and
visitors can watch pastry chefs do their magic in the new kitchen.
The counters were filled with
sweet student creations.
Faculty and staff were welcomed by student chefs.
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» Spring Job Fair
The spring Job Fair, sponsored by RMU’s Career Foundations and
Career Services offices, was held on April 8 at the Conrad Hilton
Hotel on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Over 300 students had
pre-registered for the event and more than 40 companies and
organizations were represented. Students had the opportunity to
look their best and present themselves to potential employers.
Given the current economic conditions, people are turning out in
record numbers for job fairs across the country. Jackie Gordon, employee relations advisor, worked on contacting
the companies who usually come to recruit students at the job
fair. “Despite economic hardships, companies are still interested
in participating in our job fairs and meeting our students! They’re
interested in our students’ ability to multitask (work and school) as
well as many of our students’ bilingual skills.“
Students explored all options,
including the Peace Corps.
Representatives from corporations,
government agencies and not-forprofits were at this year’s job fair.
» Representatives from Kurume University of Japan visit RMU
In March, Dr. Janet Davis, dean, Robert Morris College of Nursing and Health Studies, welcomed representatives
from Kurume University of Japan. Kurume is beginning a program in Health Care Management at the undergraduate
level. Dean Koji Ishiuchi of the Kurume Business School contacted Dr. Davis to set up an interview and a tour of
the downtown campus. In his letter of introduction, Dean Ishiuchi indicated that he felt the Health Care Management
program at Robert Morris would be a model case for the representatives to observe. The team traveled to Chicago for
the express purpose of learning about the program.
Toshinori Yui, professor; Kentaro
Kaneta, associate professor, and Koji
Ishiuchi, dean of the Kurume Business
School, with Dr. Janet Davis, dean of
the RMU College of Nursing and Health
Studies, and Courtney Conrad, Faculty,
Curriculum Chair, Certifications;
Director, Center for Global Community
Health Study.
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» Accounting Careers Day Expands
For almost ten years, the School of Business Administration at Robert Morris
has sponsored Accounting Careers Day with the Chicago Public Schools and
the Illinois CPA Society. The event has grown from a gathering of over 130
students who attend a series of workshops at the downtown campus to learn
more about the accounting field, to multiple Accounting Career Days at a number
of campuses. Now, the accounting department is sharing the spotlight with the
business program.
Jim Coughlin, Accounting Curriculum Chair.
Jim Coughlin, Accounting Curriculum Chair, has joined forces with the business program for an Accounting/Business
Careers Day. This year, CPS students not only learned of the variety of careers available with a degree in accounting,
but also the opportunities with a business administration degree. By expanding the focus of the event, more high school
students attended and learned more about these fields for their careers, as well as all that Robert Morris has to offer. » How Sweet it is….
The Robert Morris Institute
of Culinary Arts has formed
a partnership with Callebaut
Chocolate Company. “It comes at
a perfect time,” said Executive
Director Nancy Rotunno, referring
to the opening of the Pastry Kitchen
at the Chicago campus.
The 2009 Culinary Symposium held in
March was a huge success. Over 300 people
attended, including students from all
Robert Morris culinary campuses, culinary
educators and people in the food industry.
In addition, the Institute raised over
$8,000 in contributions to the scholarship
fund and in-kind contributions.
C
allebaut is renown for its excellent
chocolate products, most used in
baking and pastries. The company
will provide scholarships and
donations of food products and will
conduct a master class for students
in the Bachelor of Professional
Studies program. They will make
internships and job opportunities
available to culinary students,
as well as special chef coats for
students in the BPS program.
» RMU Students Make the Top 50
The Illinois Technology Foundation sponsors
an annual event called 50 for the Future.
High school, undergraduate and graduate
students from schools around the Chicago
area are nominated for consideration. Each
nominee must have a B average or greater,
demonstrate an interest and aptitude
in technology with the knowledge and
ability to apply technology, a capacity for
innovative thinking, effective leadership
and communication skills, participation in
community or school activities, and a passion
for his or her work. A panel of 40 judges
from the business, technology and academic
communities is selected by the Foundation –
specifically CIOs from companies, technology
educators and innovators.
This year, the following RMU students were
selected: Bryan Beurskens, and Robert
O’Brien. Members of the undergraduate
awardees were from IIT, DeVry, DePaul, the
University of Illinois, Knox, Truman, Loyola,
Chicago State, SIU and Robert Morris.
» Study Abroad Program Has Best Year Ever
Robert Morris art students are flocking to Florence, Italy, in record numbers. Through a joint venture with Florence
University, twenty students in the graphic design and BPS programs will be spending their next quarter in Italy. Culinary
students have regularly attended the Apicius Culinary Institute of Florence for a quarter of study abroad. Business
students are studying in London and computer studies students in Germany.
8
Also getting into the travel mode, Morris Graduate School of Management students will be taking a 15-day trip to England.
Chef Jennifer Bucko
Lamplough was featured in the
April, 2009 issue of Lake Michigan
Shore magazine. Chef Lamplough,
who recently published her second
cookbook for the American
Diabetes Association, contributed
a lentil soup recipe to the
magazine’s health club page.
Dr. Loay Abu-Salah, Assessment
Chair and faculty member in the
School of Computer Studies,
had a journal publication in the
January 2009 issue of Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Communication Society. IEEE is
the leading organization in many
engineering and science related
fields (www.ieee.org).
Justin Bitner, associate director of marketing, presented a poster
session at the annual conference of the American College Personnel
Association titled, “Social Perspective-Taking: Constructing an Empirical
Measure and Hypothesizing Mediating Effects.” Justin’s research was in
support of the Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership, a national study
that examines the role of higher education in developing capacity for
socially responsible leadership. He completes his Master of Education in
Higher Education Administration at Loyola University-Chicago this month.
Beth Gainer, faculty member, published an academic article in The Teaching Professor
on using Myspace to build community among
students. She also did a book signing at
Borders in the fall on the anthology that
published her essay, “Breaking Barriers,” in
Voices of Breast Cancer.
Margaret Berezewski, associate
curriculum chair and accounting faculty
member, is secretary of the Board of
Directors of the Greater Chicago Chapter of
the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
In February she published an article on Fraud
Education for their membership.
Jill McGinty,
director of Career
Foundations,
completed her MBA at Robert Morris.
Lizette Gallegos, Career
Foundations advisor at the
Chicago campus, completed her
MBA at Robert Morris and will
be moving to the role of Career
Management faculty.
Facebook…Myspace…LinkedIn…Robert Morris University is there…are you?
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A leader in service
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Alumni Profile: Terrence Lanier ‘07
When Terrence Lanier decided to attend Robert Morris, he
already had a number of years of invaluable experience
behind him. He had been married, had a son and had served a
tour of duty in Kuwait, another in Iraq, and spent some time
in Japan. He started his first year of college with a leg up
in maturity, work in electronic avionics, and the rigorous
training of the Marine Corps.
Starting at the Lake County campus,
Terrence was older than most other
students in his freshman class. He knew
he wanted to major in computer studies –
an interest that rose from his days at
Mather High School on Chicago’s
northwest side where he discovered
electronics circuitry, “I like
technology,” he said.
Jan Bednarz, a career advisor,
recognized the leadership skills in Terrence
from the outset and he took advantage of
the opportunities for leadership roles as
an Eagle Scholar and a tutor. “Jan took
great care of me while I was at RMU,”
Terrence said. As internship possibilities
became available, Jan passed on the word
to Terrence and he made great use of her
resources.
Terrence took an internship with the
Lake County Chamber of Commerce
in Gurnee. As a Waukegan resident,
it worked out well, enabling him to
balance classes and his workload at the
Chamber, both within driving distances.
“I worked on a database for LCCC,”
he explained. “They had lots of lists
and member information that needed
to be organized.” Additionally, it was a
good place for getting to know all the
businesses connected with the Chamber.
After completing his associate degree, he
went on to complete his bachelor’s with a
concentration in networking.
Pomeroy IT Solutions is a Waukegan
company that has been working closely
with Robert Morris, particularly with the
Lake County campus. Pomeroy provides
technical assistance for the health care
industry. Their analysts provide tech
assistance for individuals who work in
health care settings such as hospitals or
clinics and they also provide information
for people with questions about their
health care insurance.
Jan Bednarz had developed a strong
relationship with Pomeroy as a good
resource for computer studies students.
Cultivating that relationship has paid
off for both RMU and Pomeroy. Right
now, five graduates are employed there
and Terrence Lanier has proven to be
the shining star for both organizations.
Through Jan’s efforts, Terrence
interviewed for a position with Pomeroy
as a Help Desk Analyst. Not only did
Terrence get the job, but he has continued
the technical problems they may be
encountering with their computers.
In addition to the technical knowledge
needed in dealing with the hardware,
he has found that he also deals with
the psychological and emotional
circumstances people find themselves in
when they are unable to do their work.
“I often hear things like, ‘all week it’s been
happening,’ or ‘it was working fine before,
then just stopped’ – we try to educate the
customers as well as fix their problems.”
Obviously, clients are not in a positive
frame of mind when they must resort to
the help desk. “They are not happy when
they call,” he said. “We start out by trying
to put them at ease – then it is easier
to communicate. If you start thinking
positive, you are going to do something
positive.”
Pomeroy gives clients the chance to
evaluate the service they get from
their analysts. “We have a pretty good
track record,” Terrence continued. “I
understand it is 96% positive. People can
sense that the help desk really cares about
their problems. And you have to have that
approach. Without customers, we don’t
have revenue or a business.”
“Jan took great care of me while I was at RMU,” Terrence said.
As internship possibilities became available, Jan passed on the
word to Terrence and he made great use of her resources.
with the company, was promoted to
trainer and in January, was named the
Help Desk Analyst of the Year by the
Help Desk Institute at the 2009 Annual
Conference and Expo.
“It really felt good,” said Terrence, when
talking about the recent recognition.
“I am honored to receive it.”
In his position, Terrence helps individuals
in a variety of ways to help solve
His hard work over the past five years has
paid off. The RMU program prepared
him well for a career in an industry
that is destined to grow in the future.
He works in a great environment with
supportive co-workers and for a company
that values its employees. And he finds
that he continues to learn more each day.
“It’s nice to be recognized, but it’s also
important to stay humble. I count my
blessings every day.”
11
President Michael Viollt unveils the new
Robert Morris University logo with the help of
EagleMan and EagleWoman, the new RMU
mascots, during the new name celebration held
in the State Street Gallery at the Chicago.
Name Change
Chicago firemen get
their RMU t-shirts.
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The new introduction on
the Robert Morris website
had students logging on
to check it out.
Students help with a video
documenting the name
change celebration.
Staff members Genise Guest, Halina Miros and
Irma Hernandez helped distribute t-shirts and
RMU M&Ms to passersby in the Loop.
President Viollt and current students model new RMU sweatshirts.
An eagle ice sculpture decorated the buffet table.
The administrative offices
arranged for a buffet of goodies.
Faculty and staff all wore their new RMU polos as part of the celebration.
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Alumni Profile: Karina Garate
A filled calendar…
a full life
Karina Garate seems to thrive on activity. Few students are as able
to keep as many balls in the air
as she does – and then look for a
couple more to toss, just to keep
things interesting.
A native of Ecuador, Karina moved to
the US after a positive experience as an
exchange student in high school. She was
interested in the hospitality and travel
business and ended up getting a job in
customer service with American Airlines.
Over the years, AA has turned out to be
an anchor in her career decisions and in
helping her mold her approach to the
business world.
“I knew I wanted to complete my college
degree,” she says, but she didn’t have the
direction toward a solid goal. “I took classes
at community colleges and also had credits
from studying in Ecuador, but I didn’t know
how much would count towards a degree.”
She confided in a friend that she wanted
to finish college, but wasn’t sure where to
go. “When my friend suggested RMU, I
thought there was no way I could afford a
private college. But she said, ‘they’ll work
with you – check it out.’” Karina met with
an admissions counselor at the Bensenville
campus and was amazed to find out how
many credits transferred.
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So, while continuing her job at American,
getting married, and having a baby,
she managed to complete her Bachelor
of Business Administration degree. “I
thought my bachelor’s would help me get a
managerial position with the airlines and I
was definitely headed in that direction,” she
continued. But when the airline industry
started to have problems, she took a second
look at that goal. Staying in customer
service turned out to be a good decision. “I
have the health and travel benefits so I can
visit my family in Ecuador pretty often.”
Also, as she was completing her degree she
applied for a position as an administrative
assistant at the RMC campus and worked in
student records.
Her boss is Diane Allen, director of
education at the Bensenville campus. She
is totally amazed at all that Karina not
only has aspired to, but accomplished. “I
supervise and work closely with her every
day. She has an enthusiasm for new learning,
an eagerness to take on more responsibility
and a real sense of personal and professional
confidence. I knew the day I interviewed
Karina that she was the right person for the
job. She has accomplished so much and I
know she has a bright future. We’re proud to
have her as a Robert Morris alumna.”
Karina feels Diane has been not only a boss
but also a mentor and a friend. “She has
supported me all the way, especially with
the MBA program.” That’s one of the other
balls in the air – Karina receives her MBA
in June.
Now, as a single mom and with her graduate
degree completed, she begins another
chapter. She recently started her own
business: a franchise of Notaria Ecuador, a
company that provides legal and financial
services to the Hispanic community on
Chicago’s north side. “I have a partner and
we got things going in March. Much of the
practice involves legal services but we’ve
added financial programs and workshops
that help immigrants learn how to handle
their personal finances, how to use credit
and learn business operations.” Notaria has
filled in a lot of space on Karina’s calendar,
so much so that she rarely has a day when
she isn’t working somewhere. She spends
weekends at Notaria, still works part-time
at American Airlines, full time at Robert
Morris and is completing the last of her
graduate classes.
“It’s a great program,” Karina said of the
Morris Graduate School of Management.
“There’s been a lot of work and it’s
challenging, but the instructors are
always available. The best part has been
the teamwork, doing group projects and
interacting with others. That’s how life is;
we really learn by doing. I also learned a
lot from my work at American. Customer
service is not always something you can
learn in school, but it’s so important in a
business.”
To say the past four years have been busy
for Karina is an understatement, but she
periodically takes a break “to relax, get my
energy back and spend time with my family.
All along, I wanted to do this for my son. It
hasn’t been easy, but there is always a way if
you want to do it.”
Alumni Profile: Matt Kirouac
Creating
a Career
“I’ve always enjoyed creative
writing, and I never thought
to combine the two, but
that’s what I did.”
Matt Kirouac started out as a student in the Institute of Culinary Arts program, thinking that
someday he would be a chef with his own restaurant. It didn’t take too many classes in the
Robert Morris kitchens before he realized that, while he enjoyed all aspects of culinary arts,
he wasn’t cut out to be a chef. “I thought, ‘this is not for me,’ but I still had a real connection to cooking and food.”
As any expert in the kitchen will tell you,
when one dish doesn’t work out, create
another; but if you like them, use some of
the same ingredients. And that is exactly
what Matt did.
Sticking with the program, he learned as
much as he could about the industry. With
an associate degree in culinary arts, he
acquired a solid foundation for what would
eventually be a different take on a culinary
career. “I’ve always enjoyed creative writing,
and I never thought to combine the two, but
that’s what I did,” Matt explained. Dining
out, trying different cuisines, exploring
Chicago neighborhoods that are rich in
cultural backgrounds — all these pleasures
made up a sort of hobby. And he liked to
write about it. He took these interests and
started seeking outlets on the internet that
would use his commentary, and a freelance
career was born.
Hungry Magazine received one of Matt’s
restaurant critiques and the editor liked what
he read. He invited Matt to send in some
additional stories and eventually, Hungry
started using them. “The editor became a
coach, a mentor for me,” Matt continued.
“I decided to complete my BBA with a
concentration on hospitality management
and I ended up doing an internship at the
magazine. Going for my bachelor’s seemed
like the natural path to take.” Mixing the
food experience with the business program
resulted in the exact college experience Matt
was looking for.
While a junior and senior, Matt managed
to combine his full schedule of classes
with his freelance work, internship and
work as editor of The Eagle, the student
newspaper at Robert Morris, as well as a
student editor for The Egg, the university’s
literary magazine. He credits Eagle advisor
and faculty member Paul Gaszak with
providing “incredible encouragement. We
developed a great rapport working on the
paper.” Chef Jen Bucko Lamplough
was also a go-to instructor for Matt in the
culinary program. “She was always happy to
give me contacts in the food industry and
helped me get into Plate Magazine.”
With such a solid college background in
culinary arts and writing, Matt’s career
choice seems like a natural. He has just taken
a position as Social Marketing Manager with
Restaurant Intelligence Agency – a public
relations firm that specializes in promoting
restaurants, chefs, companies and people
in the food industry. RIA provides the
latest information specifically for the media
on everything from chef profiles to menu
changes to culinary trends. “The job fits
with everything I have been doing as an
undergrad,” Matt explained. “It’s the most
perfect transition.”
Matt spends time dealing one on one with
chefs, talking with managers and updating
information on restaurants for the RIA
website. With his background in culinary,
he knows what questions to ask and when
to ask them. “Chefs appreciate that I
understand their schedules,” he continued.
“Our main audience is the media and they
have found the online information to be a
great resource.”
While Matt Kerouac considers himself to be
more of a writer than a chef, he has taken
the experiences, talents and opportunities
he has developed and turned them all into a
career that appears to be especially prepared
for him. Sounds like there is still quite a bit
of the chef in him, after all.
15
The Robert Morris Constant:
Change
By Amy Tworek – Dean, CCHES and Assessment
Like the university, Management Institute at RMU has evolved. Eight years
ago, President Viollt recognized the need for Robert Morris to identify and
develop talented leaders to advance this evolution. This led to the birth
of Management Institute, a formal, competitive program designed to expose
current and potential leaders to the inner working of the college.
16
“The group engages in an experiential activity
designed to provide a kinesthetic learning
experience about the power of having a shared
e
vision to achieve organizational goals.”
As additional training needs were
uncovered, the Center for Applied
Leadership was established to facilitate
and develop new programs through an
advisory board. After two name changes,
The Chicago Center for Higher Education
Studies (CCHES) now houses the current
Management Institute program along with
graduate coursework in higher education
and a variety of other programs.
What started as a training program has
evolved into graduate level coursework
that incorporates current readings in
higher education and a simulation project
exposing participants to the highest
level of decision-making at a university.
Graduates of the current Management
Institute program receive credit
through the Morris Graduate School of
Management and are recognized annually
at the fall commencement ceremony. The
program is offered in a modular format
with four over arching themes: Leadership,
Curriculum, Managing for Results, and
The Emerging Student.
The 2009 cohort will complete the
program in August. This past March,
participants met at the Schaumburg
campus for a session on Leadership
Theory and Development with
Dr. Linda Mast, Associate Dean of
the Morris Graduate School of
Management. In the accompanying
photos, the group engages in an
experiential activity designed to provide a
kinesthetic learning experience about the
power of having a shared vision to achieve
organizational goals. Applied education is the prevalent
philosophy at Robert Morris. When
employees become students, they have
the opportunity, for a time, to walk in the
shoes of our students. They learn the latest
techniques and study the most current
information. They become better prepared
in delivering the best service possible, for
any need a student may encounter.
2009 Management Institute Cohort
Ashley Bateman Caity Leeds
Julie Meller
Erena Meshkova Halina Miros
Deirdre Rawls
Jeff Sing
Lloyd Taylor
Pam Westerholm Elizabeth Wheeler
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
OP
DP
LC
CH
CH
Financial Services Advisor
Assistant Director of Financial
Planning
Director of Bookstore Operations
Student Services Advisor
Director - Institutional Scholarship
Budget
Branch Librarian
Career Services Advisor/Faculty
Operations Coordinator
Executive Assistant
Student Advisor
The simulation is set up with a central
table displaying a series of wooden objects
that are to be hooked and stacked by
the participants using ropes and pulleys.
Under the direction of a selected CEO,
participants receive specific, concrete task
instructions as they act as senior managers
of a specific organization. To further
complicate matters, participants do not
have an understanding of the objectives,
nor are they allowed to view the team
progress. After the participants and the
CEO fail to make progress, the simulation
is modified so that the participants face
the table and are given the objectives
of the task. From there, the group of
participants is quickly able to achieve the
goal of hooking and stacking the objects,
and naturally communicate among
themselves to work together.
In the case of the Management Institute
team, Lloyd Taylor was nominated by his
peers to serve as the CEO, which he did
with passion and dedication.
Spotlight: The Original Management Institute Group. Where are they now?
Diane Allen
Paula Diaz
Lennor Johnson
Janice Kaushal
Courtney Kohn
Catherine Lockwood
Jill McGinty
Lauren Miller
Dennis Mumaw
Mary Wienhoff
2002
Program Director, Chicago
Curriculum Chair, English
Director of Telecounseling, Bensenville
Director of Administration, DuPage
Associate Registrar
Academic Advisor, Chicago
Academic Recruitment Specialist
Director of Education
Academic Advisor, Springfield
Director of Administration, Springfield
2009
Director of Education-Bensenville
Dean, Division of Science & Humanities
Dean of Admissions, Chicago
Dean, Institute of Art & Design
Dean of Admissions for MGSM
Sr. Vice President for Enrollment
Associate Dean of Career Foundations
Director of the Freshmen Year
Experience/Faculty
Dean of Admissions
Director of Administration, Springfield
17
Robert Morris UNIVERSITY
Sports Highlights
Both the familiar and the new were on display for Robert Morris Athletics in
the 2008-2009 winter season as both the Chicago Men’s Basketball team and the
Women’s Hockey team did what Eagle fans have come to expect, and the Men’s &
Women’s Bowling teams continued to make strides onto the national stage. New
coaches for several of the Men’s Hockey teams and the Chicago Women’s Basketball
team looked to turn around the recent fortunes of those programs.
Coach Al Bruehl’s Men’s Basketball
team captured both the Chicagoland
Collegiate Athletic Conference regular
and tournament championships, sweeping
through the league undefeated. This was
the third time the Eagles have turned that
trick under Coach Bruehl. Robert Morris
entered the Buffalo Funds-NAIA National
Championship Tournament as the #9 seed
and advanced to the National Semi-Finals
for their fifth appearance in the Fab Four
in seven seasons. They fell to eventual
national title winner Rock Mountain
College (MT). All-CCAC selections Kenny
Page (Indianapolis, IN) and Reggie
Bunch (Racine, WI) stepped up their
game in the national tournament, earning
all-tourney honors.
Reggie Bunch
Kenny Page
The Springfield Eagles Men’s Basketball
team failed to reach the United States
Collegiate Athletic Association National
Tournament for the first time in the
program’s history, but Coach Scott
Eades’s recruiting efforts have already
landed several new players to help rebuild
the team. Junior center Ephrem Davis
(Bolingbrook, IL) grabbed a spot on the
first-team USCAA All-American squad.
First-year coach John Natanek saw
a chance for the team’s return to the
NAIA National tournament for his Chicago
Women’s Basketball team disappear when
senior Chanel Jones-Delas (Toronto,
Ontario) tore her Achilles’ tendon in the
third game of the season. Despite that
loss, junior Jessica Harris (Chicago,
IL) garnered her third straight spot on
the All-CCAC team, joined by sophomore
Jerita Gordon (Chicago, IL). Coach
Natanek has already signed five top
recruits in what promises to be a short
rebuilding phase.
18
Jessica Harris
The Springfield Women’s Basketball team
had one of the most successful seasons
in the program as Coach David Heeb
led them to a 23-9 record. The Springfield
Lady Eagles took fifth place in the USCAA National Championships after entering
the tournament as the #1 seed. Lindsey
Rogers (Quincy, IL) and Stephanie
Brake (Independence, KY) were both
members of the All-American team, and
both were also honored as Academic
All-Americans. Her performance in the
classroom also earned Jasmine Mack
(Alton, IL) a slot on the USCAA AAA team.
The Men’s & Women’s Bowling teams
continued their dominance in the United
States Bowling Congress Academic
All-American listings as Robert Morris
led the nation in Bowling AAAs for the
third straight season. Both teams also
qualified for the USBC Intercollegiate
Team Championships and were ranked
among the nation’s top ten teams
for most of the season. Coach Dale
an invitation to the ACHA national
tournament, finishing out the Top 16.
Bud Hickey’s Maroon Squad reached
the Central Regional and advanced to the
second round, just one win from a berth in
the national tournament. The White, under
Coach Ryan Spencer, had their best
season in several seasons and defeated
several teams that held wins over the
Maroon.
The Springfield Eagles Men’s Hockey
program is looking forward to the future
after a very tough 2008-2009 campaign.
New coach Corey Clarks takes over
the helm after a successful career in Des
Moines as a youth coach.
Men’s Basketball Coaches From left to right:
Head Coach Al Bruehl, Asst. Head Coach Aubrey Volius
and JV Coach Condric Sanders.
Lehman was nominated for Coach of the
Year, and sophomore Chris Bardol
(Brockport, NY) was an All-American for
the second time. Freshman Samantha
Kelly (Hoffman Estates, IL) qualified
for the USBC Singles Championships
when she topped the sectional individual
competition.
Bridget Katz
time in the championship game. Two-time
national champion Robert Morris came up
short, falling to the Lions 3-2 to finish as
national runner-up for the third time.
Bridget Katz (Cambridge, MN) and
Hope Fullum (Thunder Bay, Ontario)
were named to the All-Tournament team. Katz scored six goals in the tournament
for the Lady Eagles, and Fullum led an
RMU defense that allowed just four goals
in five games. The ACHA championship
game was the final contest in the
outstanding careers of four Robert Morris
seniors: Jackie Holmes (Carol Stream,
IL), Ashley Hangsleben (East
Grand Forks, MN), Jessica Zalesky
(Farmington, MN), and Pam Roeder
(St. Cloud, MN). Each has been a major
contributor to the development and
success of the program, one of the best in
the country.
Pam Roeder
Under interim Coach Chris Chelios,
the Women’s Hockey team made a
thrilling run to the American Collegiate
Hockey Association Women’s Division
National Championship finals. Despite
entering the tournament as the fifth
seed, the Lady Eagles reached the title
game for the fifth straight year. They fell
to a familiar opponent: their arch-rival
Lindenwood University (MO). Those two
teams met for the fourth consecutive
On the Men’s Hockey side, first-year
coach Chico Adrahtas put his RMU
Gold team back into the national picture,
but the Eagles were not able to wrangle
The inaugural season of Peoria Eagles
Men’s Hockey turned out to be a surprise
to the ACHA world as Coach Jim
Sanchez led his first-year team to a
.500 record and put two players - Bowe
Vanderbloom (Cheyenne, WY) and
Josh Sandburg (Lansing, MI) - on the
MACHA All-Star team.
Lyndse Melhorn
Another first-year team stepped onto
the stage with a bang as Coach Justin
Merriss’s Women’s Swimming & Diving
team made an appearance at the NAIA National Meet in St. Charles, MO. Nancy
Espinoza (Tinley Park, IL) was the
Eagles’ lone individual qualifier, earning
a spot in the national meet in both the
100 Meter and 200 Meter Butterfly. Two
of RMC’s relay teams—the 200 Meter
Medley and the 200 Meter Freestyle—also
qualified. Espinoza was joined on those
relay teams by Samantha Grear
(Chicago, IL), Elizabeth Hoffer
(Plymouth, IN), and Lyndse Melhorn
(Charleston, SC).
With established programs
continuing their records of success
and others making stride, the future
looks bright from Robert Morris
Winter Sport teams in 2009-2010.
19
Dreams of Olympic Glory
from Marketing 305
The RMU students’ ideas meshed well
with the city’s efforts and they suggested an
opportunity to support and reinforce RMU’s
brand building efforts – particularly in light of
the name change from Robert Morris College
(RMC) to Robert Morris University (RMU).
The effort to bring the Olympics of 2016 to Chicago has been employing the
volunteerism of the likes of the city’s mayor, area philanthropists, local politicians,
sports stars and even President Obama. Members of our citizenry have varying
opinions on bringing the games to the City of Big Shoulders, but one thing is
certain. It is going to take a monumental marketing campaign to get everyone from
International Olympic Committee to John and Jane Q. Public on the same page of
supporting the idea of the Olympics in Chicago.
Perhaps the Chicago contingent should expand
their efforts by bringing the fresh ideas of
students into the fray. Given the chance, an
innovative suggestion may be all the city’s
proponents need to turn the corner and win
the bid.
Over the winter quarter, a class of RMU
marketing students took on that challenge and,
while their proposal remains a team project, it
definitely has some merit and possibilities that
deserve consideration.
A team of undergraduate students enrolled
in a Principles of Marketing course, Curtis
Crotty, Kyle DeSantis, Blessilda
Eval, Ricardo Guzman, Sparkle
developed
and presented to their instructor and
classmates, a marketing plan for Chicago
2016. According to Dr. Joni Jackson,
class instructor, the students delivered an
outstanding presentation in which they
proposed two concepts for promoting
awareness and building public support for
bringing the Olympics to Chicago. While both
concepts were creative (and feasible), one of
Mabry and Kameeca Pinkney,
20
the more intriguing ideas was an awareness
campaign that involved a mini-Olympics
among athletes (and non-athletes) at RMU
and other local universities.
The students’ idea was to involve athletes – not only those in college – at Chicago
universities for a three-day event. The
competitions would include aquatics, beach
volleyball, track and field and gymnastics. The
rules would be based on Olympic standards,
medals would be awarded and local sponsors
would help fund the event. The marketing
students proposed that the participation would
increase support and encouragement from
students – an important and often overlooked
market – and give athletes an experience of
Olympic glory.
It is well understood that the Chicago
2016 Olympic Committee seeks to raise
awareness and support for the city’s Olympic
bid. They have determined that part of the
effort should include college awareness and
youth sports development campaigns –
as they have suggested on their website,
www.chicago2016.org.
Their proposal also looked for ways to
showcase the team’s marketing talents to
an external audience, in this instance,
the Committee. While there are several
opportunities they could have explored, they
proposed two: an actual student presentation
of the mini-Olympics plan to the Committee,
or the creation of a marketing video for the
Committee in which the students presented
their plan for the mini-Olympics.
The students figured that the costs for
preparing their proposal under either option
were relatively minor; any initial costs would
be limited to faculty and staff time for review
and a dry-run of the presentation. If the
second option was to be used, there would
be production costs in preparing the video. If
the concept of a mini-Olympics sparked the
interest and support of the Committee, they
would then explore opportunities for funding
and create a budget for the project.
The team concluded that while the costs for
their proposal were minimal, the potential
benefits for RMU are significant. Presenting
their proposal would give them an opportunity
to showcase their talents and strengthen
the university’s position as a career-focused
institution. By translating a class project into
an actual client engagement, they are able
to highlight their core strengths, experiential
learning. They would demonstrate how –
through their coursework – they are acquiring
skills that are highly valued by employers, such
as critical thinking, writing and interpersonal
skills. And finally, highlighting student
successes enhances RMU recruitment efforts
as they demonstrate to potential students the
variety of ways in which students gain the
knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
Class Notes
1968
Bill DeWitt rem
embers his years
at the
Carthage campus:
Morris Court…Fall
of
’67 Food Fight…Ra
msey Lewis…tearin
g
down Old Main…
the Keokuk Donut
Shop…Woodbine
movies…keggers all
day
Saturday…NJC Ba
sketball road trips…
Mrs. T…Fountain
Lake…two years of
non-stop fun.
1971
Barbara Litt
le Wicks
1973
ing in Bowen, Illino
is.
In November,
was elected
to Congress,
representing
Illinois’ eleventh
district. For the
past ten years, she
has served in the Ill
inois
State Senate and wa
s the first woman
elected to Majority
Leader in Illinois
history.
1987
Bonnie Blan
chette
writes: I am
an 1987 graduate fro
m RMC from the
medical assistant pr
ogram. I went back
to school and receiv
ed my degree in
radiography (x-ray
technician) in 2005
and
I specialize in mamm
ography. I am
divorced and have
2 children, Bode 81/2
yrs old and Brooke
7 yrs old (going on
14).
I live in Bourbonn
ais, IL., where I gre
w up,
and living in my gra
ndparents farm ho
use
in the country. It wo
uld be nice to know
what my classmate
s are up to these da
ys.
Hopefully most of
them still are work
ing
with the way the eco
nomy is today.
1995
1999
Sharon Youe
ll Morrison,
Debbie
Halvorson
Emergency Manag
ement Agency in
Springfield as a tra
iner/Disaster Respon
se
Specialist. He obtai
ned his Bachelor of
Science degree from
MacMurray College
in 1991.
pursuing a doctorat
e degree in Educati
onal
Leadership with a co
ncentration in High
er
Education at Argosy
University.
ing, Texas.
1977
Tasia Ba
inois
rr, BBA grad, ha
s her own
business with ACN,
a tele-communicati
ons
services and produc
ts provider.
2008
Melissa Vale
ra Cumba, BB
A
in Health and Fitne
ss Management, ha
s
relocated to Califo
rnia.
Colzette Ho
y, BBA grad, is
is now living in Irv
Moser graduate, is
liv
1988
Doug Downey
is working at Ill
Lawrenc
e J. Coyne wr
ites: “Since
graduation I earned
an MS degree in
Computer Science
from Governors Sta
te
University. I am no
w working as an
electronics compon
ent merchandiser at
Fry’s Electronics in
Fishers, Indiana.
New York,
N.Y. - On the
heels of earning
honors for
the National
Basketball
Association
Developmental
League 2009
Rookie of
the Year, former Ro
bert Morris Men’s
Basketball star Oth
yus Jeffers
was
signed by the Golde
n State Warriors. He
played in the NBA’s
development leagu
e
and is trying out for
NBA teams.
2006
Shamika Sang
ster is th
e Assistant
Director of Regiona
l Accounting with
the
Arthritis Foundatio
n.
2007
Ivan Baraja
s receiv
ed an award
from the Cicero Ch
amber of Commerc
e
for his volunteer wo
rk in the town of
Cicero. Ivan is a Br
anch Manager with
Metropolitan Bank
.
Alumni Travel
A number of Robe
rt Morris alumni
have contacted the
university
through the websit
e regarding the
possibility of group
travel and alum
trips. If you are als
o interested in
pursuing this oppo
rtunity, email us
at: alumni@robertm
orris.edu
Standing beneath the
portraits of Dr. Moser
and
Mrs. Jean Wright are
RMU Program Direc
tor
and Student Advisor
Adeline Sangineto,
left, Janet
Cummings of Lake
Forest (center) and Be
rnadette
Kizior of Indian He
ad Park. All three are
former
Moser faculty. “Ms Sa
nge” gave the ladies
a tour of
the downtown campu
s.
in memory…
Susan Lamb Cappellin
Anthony Danner
21
A design for living…
Laasya Sudhakar left her native India at the age of seventeen to study in America.
She found that the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago had the program of study in
one of her long time passions: fashion design.
Leaving her family, native
language, and comfort level
behind, she arrived in Chicago,
undeterred by the culture shock
and determined to pursue her
dream. “I even lost my Indian
accent,” she said, sounding and
looking like any of the thousands
of Chicago college student
studying in the Loop.
As an international student, at
IIA, Laasya found a part time job
that complemented her studies.
She worked at the Apparel Mart
for an apparel representative
and became even more exposed
to the clothing industry by
working trade shows for different
manufacturers. Through her
undergraduate work at the
Institute, she learned the most
recent software used for creating
clothing styles on a computer.
A talent that started out with
pencil and paper drawings, now
became second nature with a
mouse and a screen.
to take the lead on a project that
included the conversion to a new
computer design system. It was the
most recent version of a program
Laasya learned at the Institute.
The interview went well – so much
so that Laasya got a phone call
to return to the office before she
got to the airport for her flight
to return to Chicago. Once she
got back to AVA offices, the main
question they had for her was,
“When can you start?”
Alumni Profile:
Laasya completed her bachelor’s in December of 2007. With her
degree and a further developed talent, she knew she now had the
tools to work toward something she had always wanted: her own line
of clothing. But she also knew she needed more education when it
came to the business end of such a venture.
“Morris Graduate School had what I needed. I told my friends
I wanted to get my MBA, and started up as soon as I could,” she
explained. Enrolling in the accelerated program, Laasya completed
her MBA in ten months, still managing to juggle the intensive
coursework with her part-time job.
As it turns out, holding on to that job was a great decision.
She maintained her contact with the apparel reps and when one
of them saw her recently, he knew she was right for a job that was
opening up – only it was in New York. Within a week, Laasya
made arrangements and was on a plane out of Chicago, headed
for an interview.
The job was with AVA Knits, a company that designs and produces
sweaters and knit tops for women. They were looking for someone
22
To say she is excited about the
sudden turn in her life, especially
considering the economy, is an
understatement. “I’m so glad to
have a job in my field,” Laasya
continued. “I think the project will
put me in a good position to know
all the departments of the company.
I’ll get to help people learn the
new program and I’m comfortable
with that. I will definitely be using
Laasya Sudhakar
a lot of what I learned in graduate
school, especially in my Leadership
and Organizational Change class.”
That class happened to be taught by Dr. Linda Mast, associate
dean of Morris Graduate School. “It has been exciting to watch
Laasya go through this whole experience,” Dr. Mast said. “Whenever
we offered any opportunities for networking or meeting other
students, she has always been there – and it has obviously worked
well for her.”
Laasya found the program at Morris specifically suited her needs.
“I really liked the way the program was put together. The flow of
classes really helped – each one prepared me for the next. It was a
very well-rounded experience.” She also found that Dr. Mast’s class
offered a different technique of learning – the conversations allowed
for a lot of give and take between students and instructors.
Laasya’s fellow graduate students are happy for her success and big
move to New York, though it is obvious they hate to see her go. She
feels the decision to get her MBA – before she turned 22 – was a
great experience. “If you have the opportunity, I say, go for it. The
knowledge that goes with it is always useful, no matter what you end
up doing.”
Following President
Viollt’s discussions
with the Board and
Senior Management
Team regarding his
analysis of the external
environment, the
President’s Council took
the message out to all
employees of RMU in
a series of town hall
meetings. The purpose
of these meetings was to
explore the ramifications
of the current economic
crisis on the University.
For institutions across
the country, the
situation has caused
varying degrees of
change – some negative,
some positive – but few
schools in the United States are
emerging completely unscathed.
The Economic
Crisis and RMU
jobs, but detrimental
to higher education.
Additionally, part-time
jobs are not nearly
as plentiful, making
it more difficult for
students to work their
way through college.
It is important,
however, to keep
the downturn in
perspective. This
recession has
garnered the most
media attention ever,
with a never-before
experienced immediacy
of communication,
adding fuel to the
fire. Some interesting
statistics shared at the
RMU meetings include the fact that
in prior recessions, the conditions
could be described as much worse:
during the recession of 1988, there
were 280 bank failures; in 2009,
there have been 24. Mortgage rates
in 1970 were 15% and in 1980, they
were 21%. Today, they are at 5%.
Much has been broadcast about
subprime mortgages, when in fact,
they only make up eight percent of
all mortgages.
“Robert Morris continues to look and plan
ahead, working to avert conditions that
could have a negative effect on student
opportunities and programs.”
Many community colleges are
experiencing dramatic increases in
enrollment. Some reasons include
the surge in unemployment that
propels individuals into training for
new or improved occupations and
the reasonable tuition rates that are available.
Institutions that focus on
preparation for careers with current need, such as teachers or nurses, are also experiencing
more student applications.
Robert Morris also realized a
positive enrollment start in February,
and the campus discussions focused
on how the institution can continue
to grow. Financial assistance has
always played a major role in
enrollment, particularly at private
schools. Robert Morris has always
taken pride in its efforts to go the
extra mile, especially for students
who might not have considered the
fact that some form of grants or aid
might be available.
But the tentacles of the economic
crisis have also reached into
financial assistance, having a
significant impact on higher
education across the country.
Even subtle changes can affect
enrollment numbers. For example,
an earlier cutoff was imposed on
Monetary Awards (MAP) and awards
were also reduced. There have been
cuts in private loans and many
corporations are ending or reducing
tuition reimbursement programs as
a way to cut costs – a move that is
certainly much preferred to cutting
While the ongoing difficult
economic climate affects nearly
every aspect of American life, it is
important to remember that it takes
approximately three to four years to bounce back after the start of a recession, and the United States’
economy is still the largest in the world.
CONTINUED ON BACK PAGE »
23
401 S. State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60605
800-RMC-5960
www.robertmorris.edu
Editor: Nancy S. Donohoe, 312-935-6715
ndonohoe@robertmorris.edu
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23
Robert Morris continues to look and
plan ahead, working to avert conditions
that could have a negative effect on
student opportunities and programs.
With careful consideration by the
Board of Trustees and the work of RMU
employees, steps that intervene on
problematic issues can head them off
or turn them around. The University is
working to provide MAP replacement
through contributory dollars and
scholarship monies, establish college
loan alternatives, and it has made
strategic budget cuts – many through
natural attrition.
To further develop its reputation for
preparing students for high quality,
needed careers, RMU has expanded
career development curriculum for
students at the undergraduate level –
from associate degree students through
the bachelor’s level. Additionally,
providing a well-rounded experience
for all students at RMU includes
continuing and expanding a variety of
programs and opportunities. Currently
there are over 700 student athletes
and the number climbs each year. And
with nearly 400 students enrolled, the
Morris Graduate School of Management
is one of the fastest growing graduate
schools in Illinois.
Working from positions of strength can
also provide for the future. A plan for
a new campus in Elgin will focus on
the Business Administration program,
one of the most successful and cost
effective programs that RMU offers.
“There are a number of changing
factors to consider as we plan for
the future,” explained Mablene
Krueger, provost. “The economy,
demographics and other educational
opportunities that are available to
potential students will all come into
play. We know that the number of high
school graduates is going down while
the size of the workforce and that
of those in retirement are going up.
But there remains a critical need for
career-focused, professional education
at all levels – associate, bachelor’s and
master’s programs and for affordable
education for first-generation students.“
As RMU weathers today’s economic
storms, it is doing so with conservative,
thoughtful planning combined with
an energetic approach to future
opportunities. It is an ongoing,
continually evolving process toward
making Robert Morris University the
college of first choice in Illinois.
We’d love to hear from you. Send us your news.
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Mail to: Robert Morris University, Alumni Office, 401 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60605 or email to: ndonohoe@robertmorris.edu
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