WebExtra

BenU News
WebExtra
Benedictine Remembers | Fr. Theodore Suchy, O.S.B.
School, he came to St. Procopius
College, joined the monastic community
and professed his monastic vows on
June 24, 1962. He was ordained to the
priesthood on May 27, 1967.
But those who knew him best say the
Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum was only
part of his life.
Fr. Ted earned bachelor’s degrees
in Philosophy and Biology from
St. Procopius College and a Master
of Science degree in Biology from
Indiana University in 1970. He taught
both English and Science courses at
St. Procopius and later at Benet
Academy. He also served as the director
of Kohlbeck Hall and as chaplain and
associate campus minister.
“Many people have suggested that
his life’s work was the museum,”
said Mary Mickus, who worked with
Fr. Ted for more than 18 years
before her retirement two years
ago. “I would say he certainly was
dedicated to the museum, but his
life’s work was being a monk and
serving God in everyday life.”
Fr. Theodore Suchy, O.S.B., a monk
of St. Procopius Abbey for more than
50 years, died suddenly of a fall at
the abbey on October 28. He was
71 years old.
“Many former students will feel his loss
and think back to his gentle, sometimes
not so gentle, prodding and guidance,”
Mickus said.
David Suchy was born in Cary, Ill., on
December 4, 1940. After graduating
from Crystal Lake Community High
The death of the noted biologists,
Frs. Hilary and Edmund Jurica, O.S.B.,
in the early 1970s left Fr. Ted in
charge of the Biology department at
Benedictine, and a major portion of his
life’s work was the preservation and
enhancement of the legacy bequeathed
to him by those educational pioneers.
“While the Jurica brothers had amassed
a vast collection of animal and plant
specimens, turning these collections
into a museum was a whole other
matter, one that was Fr. Theodore’s
accomplishment, and one that without
him might not have taken place,” said
Fr. James Flint, O.S.B., treasurer
of St. Procopius Abbey.
Fr. Ted’s health deteriorated during
the last eight years of his life, but
he gracefully battled the Parkinson’s
disease that robbed him of the power
of speech and left him increasingly
unsteady on his feet.
“He really loved the courtyard at the
abbey, and for several decades had
taken it under his wing, planting and
tending ground cover and bushes,”
Fr. James said. “It was a source of
relaxation for him, one he stuck with
even as his health grew worse. I can
remember him out there, raking leaves
while supporting himself with a walker.”
Fr. Ted, who was recently named
curator emeritus of the museum, will be
remembered as a quiet man with a wry
sense of humor, gentle by nature but
firm when necessary.
“When he said something funny,
there was always a twinkle in his
eye while he watched to see if you
got his joke,” Mickus said. “He was
generally quiet, but never shy about
making his point. Once he decided
on a path, it was very difficult to get
him to change his mind.” l
webextras | BENEDICTINE VOICES | W2013
F
r. Theodore Suchy, O.S.B.,
and the nature museum that
bears his name became nearly
synonymous during the more
than 40 years he served as curator.
1
WebExtra
BenU News
Hail Benedictine: Our Song
M
ost universities have
a special song that its
community sings
to celebrate the shared
connection with the institution. This
song, typically referred to as the “alma
mater,” is a thread that weaves through
the decades to connect alumni, current
students, faculty, staff and friends of
the university to the university. An alma
mater is passed down each year to
the next generation, and it serves as a
revered custom for special occasions.
webextras | BENEDICTINE VOICES | W2013
In 1996, Fr. David Turner,
O.S.B., wrote the words
to our alma mater,
“Hail, Benedictine,”
which has
been sung at
homecoming
events, honors
convocations,
Department of
Music concerts
and many other
ceremonies. When
Illinois Benedictine
College became Benedictine
University, Fr. David was inspired to
write the alma mater in one sitting,
pairing his lyrics with one of his
favorite melodies, “Now We Must
Leave Thee.” He initially learned the
song at the University of Minnesota
while completing a Ph.D. in Educational
Psychology, and later adapted the
melody from the 1989 edition of the
Phi Delta Theta songbook, “Phis Sing,”
which he had edited.
It is fitting that Fr. David, C59, is
the author of our alma mater. He
completed seminary studies in 1963 at
St. Procopius Seminary and has served
Benedictine in a number of capacities,
including as an associate professor of
education, dean of academic services,
in University Ministry, working in
institutional research and as assistant
provost for mission and identity.
Keep listening for the alma mater, and
when you hear it, join Fr. David and
the rest of the Benedictine University
community in song:
—Allen Legutki, Ph.D.
2
Hail, Benedictine! Alma mater true.
We raise our voices in loyalty to you.
Our minds and our spirits will
spread your message wide.
We’ll be ever faithful with you as our guide.
Hail, Benedictine! Carry us through strife.
Seeking God’s glory, always in our life.
We praise and salute you, as our model true.
Hail, Benedictine! Hail to you!
l
BenU News
WebExtra
New Amenities, Programs
and Growth Strengthen
University’s Future
While some schools are cutting back,
Benedictine University is investing in the future.
Fueling the expansion in physical facilities and academic
offerings at Benedictine is a phenomenal growth in
student enrollment during the past decade. Recently, The
Chronicle of Higher Education ranked Benedictine as the
fastest-growing campus in the United States among private
nonprofit research institutions from 2000-2010.
Construction of the renovated Benedictine University
Library included the conversion of the previously unused
lower level of Kindlon Hall into a repository for the
University’s extensive collection of more than 101,000
non-reference volumes. The second floor of the library has
been designated as the “Reading Room,” featuring a soft
furniture area, study tables and a computer lab.
The third floor houses the “Study and Research Center”
and contains the library’s vast collection of reference
material as well as offices for three Information Technology
technicians and six library staff members.
webextras | BENEDICTINE VOICES | W2013
Last fall Benedictine unveiled a number of new amenities
designed to serve students and enhance their collegiate
experience with the addition of a $3 million project in
Kindlon Hall that includes a renovated library and four
additional classrooms. Also debuting were new football
locker and golf practice facilities at the Dan and Ada Rice
Center and the new Neff Welcome Center at the main
entrance to campus.
3
WebExtra
BenU News
Other University enhancements include the new $1.7 million Borsellino Family
Football Center, a locker and meeting facility for the school’s football team, and the
$600,000 state-of-the-art indoor Bartlett Golf Center.
The Borsellino Family Football Center is a 4,100-square-foot locker facility
located on the west side of the Rice Center that incorporates new exterior
construction and renovation of two indoor racquetball courts, which had served
primarily as storage for the past 10 years.
The center includes 120 hardwood lockers, a “chalk-talk” multimedia area and a
“Champions Room” honoring former Benedictine greats.
The Bartlett Golf Center occupies the former weight room area on the mezzanine
level of the Rice Center and contains interactive golf simulators complete with
12-foot-wide screens, and two 360-degree systems of infrared beams that provide
exact and immediate ball-flight statistics with live and fluid 3-D environments and
multiple camera angles.
The center also includes a putting green and chipping area—making it a truly
exceptional facility.
Benedictine unveiled the
$2.5 million Neff Welcome
Center during an open house
ceremony for University faculty,
staff and students, guests,
local dignitaries and the
monks of St. Procopius Abbey.
Anchored by the historic Neff
Farmhouse, one of the oldest
stone structures in DuPage
County, the Neff Welcome
Center provides a pleasant
blending of the University’s
past with its present. More
than 100 years ago, the founding monks of the University purchased the farmhouse
and 108 surrounding acres in Lisle to expand their vision for a Roman Catholic
institution guided by Benedictine values.
webextras | BENEDICTINE VOICES | W2013
Located near the College Road entrance on the eastern edge of campus, the
2,700-square-foot center serves as the new home for the University’s freshman
enrollment operations and the formal starting point where students and their families
can learn more about the University.
4
A lounging area and an adjacent meeting room where students can schedule a
meeting with an enrollment advisor are located near the entrance to the center, and
a series of historic photographs and other memorabilia from the University’s past
adorn the center’s walls.
An Alumni Plaza, complete with a limestone bench and commemorative brick from
the Class of 2012, lines the entryway to the center.
BenU News
WebExtra
For nearly 20 years, the electronic sign on
the corner of Maple Avenue and College
Road has been passers-by’s first visual contact
with the University. The sign provided information
on open houses, sporting events, visiting lecturers,
concerts and community news.
But parts for the aged sign were increasingly
difficult to find, necessitating the construction of
a new LED message center that will continue to
provide passers-by, students, staff and visitors with
the latest University and community information.
In fall 2012, Benedictine welcomed more than
800 new traditional undergraduate students,
including a record 497 freshmen—an increase
of nearly 62 percent from just 10 years ago.
webextras | BENEDICTINE VOICES | W2013
That growth, in turn, has made more funds available to offer improved
facilities, stronger academic programs and financial assistance to students in
need. Benedictine’s growth has also attracted a loyal base of donors, whose
generosity has enhanced the University’s ability to provide more scholarships
to students. l
5
BenU News
WebExtra
webextras | BENEDICTINE VOICES | W2013
$1.2 Million
Grant to Prepare
More Teachers in
Math, Sciences
6
B
enedictine has been preparing
students for successful careers
as scientists, mathematicians
and health professionals since
its founding decades ago.
Now, with the aid of a $1.2 million
Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship
Grant from the National Science
Foundation (NSF), the University will
concentrate on addressing one of
the country’s greatest challenges—
regaining its competitive edge in
the sciences—by preparing students
to become high-quality math and
science teachers.
Improving America’s STEM (science,
technology, engineering and
mathematics) education has been
one of President Barack Obama’s top
priorities. The president proposes to
train 100,000 highly qualified math
and science teachers over the next
decade to prepare the country’s future
workforce to fill an anticipated 1.2
million new STEM jobs by 2018.
The National Academies, a science
and technology advisory organization,
has warned that the United States will
continue to be at risk of falling behind
foreign competitors unless it improves
the quality of math and science
education. The World Economic Forum
currently ranks the United States 48th
out of 133 developed and developing
nations in the quality of math and
science instruction.
“People are bemoaning the state of
science in this country,” said Bart Ng,
Ph.D., dean of the College of Science
at Benedictine. “Part of it is because
the people who are very good at it
have alternatives. Few college students
who are strong in science or math go
into the teaching profession. Those
who do don’t stay there very long
because their skills pay much more
in STEM industries.”
Beginning in January 2013, the College
of Science will step up recruitment
efforts for students with strong
backgrounds in physics, math and
chemistry and who are considering
WebExtra
BenU News
teaching as a profession as part of
the NSF initiative, “Expanding and
Strengthening the Secondary STEM
Teacher Training Program.”
As many as 110 students who have
reached junior and senior status,
as well as professionals seeking
alternative teacher certification who
show a strong interest in the program,
will be eligible to receive up to
$10,000 annually to apply toward
tuition for a maximum of two years if
they agree to work in a “high-needs”
school for at least two years for each
scholarship awarded.
“These types of awards continue to give
back several fold,” said Don Taylor,
Ph.D., provost and vice president for
Academic Affairs at Benedictine. “For
every new pre-service teacher in
science or math who is supported by
scholarship funds from the grant, that
teacher will have the opportunity to
impact hundreds of future students in
their own classrooms.”
Allison K. Wilson, Ph.D., professor of
Biological Sciences, is the principle
investigator of the project. Andrew
G. Wig, Ph.D., associate professor
of Physics and Engineering; Niina J.
Ronkainen, Ph.D., associate professor
of Chemistry; Thomas G. Wangler,
Ph.D., professor of Mathematics; and
John F. Zigmond, Ed.D., an instructor
in the College of Education and Health
Services, are co-principle investigators.
Currently, there are shortages of
qualified grades 6-12 chemistry,
physics and mathematics teachers in
the Chicago Public Schools system,
throughout suburban Cook County
and across the nation. Without strong
teachers in these subject areas, more
students will likely struggle in college,
or worse—decide against pursuing
a career in the sciences, according
to Wilson.
“The necessity of students learning a
solid foundation in the sciences at
the middle and high school levels is
essential,” Wilson said. “Benedictine
University’s strong tradition in the
sciences, combined with its teacher
education program and the availability
of these scholarships, will help address
this need.”
The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship
Program, named after the founder of
the computing company Intel, seeks to
encourage talented science, technology,
engineering and mathematics majors
and professionals to become K-12
mathematics and science teachers.
In awarding the grant to Benedictine,
reviewers pointed to the University’s
tradition of innovation in the sciences;
its history of receiving grants from
the Howard Hughes Medical Institute
supporting education outreach
initiatives; and its recognition by the
Congressional Office of Technology
and Advancement as one of the most
productive undergraduate institutions
in the country for the rate that its
science graduates go on to earn
doctoral degrees.
Grant reviewers also cited the large
number of undergraduates who
declare science as their major, and
the partnerships Benedictine has
established with area elementary,
middle and high schools as part of
other academic initiatives. l
webextras | BENEDICTINE VOICES | W2013
The financial awards will be made
available to students for the five-year
period of the grant, or until December
2017. Students will also be paired
with mentor teachers at local schools,
who will receive a small stipend for
coaching and training graduates as they
transition from student-teachers to firstyear teachers.
7