Campus Buzz
Catch up with what's happening around campus at RMU!
On June 15, Robert Morris University will be hosting a one-day boot camp for veterans on how to start and run their own businesses. START AND RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS: A BUSINESS BOOT CAMP FOR VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES will be a the Chicago location. It is free of charge. This Business Boot Camp will give vets and their families end-to-end training in how to start and run a successful business. Participants will learn from trusted experts in relevant fields - insurance, law, accounting, sales and tech. All Veterans and their Families are welcome. For more information, http://www.profitandlaws.com/bootcampforvets/
PLANET AT RISK - Call for Entries for the Film Festival 2014 hosted by Robert Morris University. Chicago has a wealth of talent and energy, especially on its college campuses. RMU is pleased to offer an opportunity to showcase local talent and further solidify our vast creative community. This inaugural festival will highlight student work from local universities and colleges in the Chicago loop area, and will provide students an opportunity to be recognized and awarded for their accomplishments. In conjunction with Unesco's 2013 environmental focus, "The Mathematics of Planet Earth 2013", students will submit short works that have been created around the theme. Winning films will screen at the Gene Siskel Film Center on February 12, 2014. An awards ceremony will follow the screening. For more information, go to the Film Festival's website.
At its Annual Conference and Assembly Meeting in Orlando, Florida, USA, April 16-19, 2013, the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) elected new members to its Board of Directors and Board of Commissioners. The IACBE is pleased to announce that Mr. Larry Nieman, Dean of the School of Business Administration at Robert Morris University-Illinois in Chicago, Illinois was elected as the Great Lakes Regional Assembly Director of the Board of Directors of the IACBE. The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) was founded in 1997 and is nationally-recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The IACBE is the leader in mission-driven and outcomes-based programmatic accreditation in business and management education for student-centered colleges and universities throughout the world.
Robert Morris University inducted the second class of the Gamma Omega Chapter of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society with a ceremony in the auditorium at the Chicago campus on May 15. Tau Sigma is an honor society that recognizes and promotes the academic excellence and involvement of transfer students. Vice President Katie Suhajda and chapter advisers Katie Langesen and Adam Morris welcomed students, family members and friends. The following students were inducted into the society: Heather Alexander, Marija Bekavac, Denise Bracken, Rodolfo Ceja, Monica Changuan, Kyle Dicksen, Matthew Gasn, Salvador Gutierrez, Angela James, Barbara Kalata, Celita Lockhart, Cristian Malva, Keith Mayer, Jerusha McLaughlin, Eralda Mihali, Rolando Reyes, Zachary Riberdy, Shantenae Robinson, Kyle Sartoris, Stephen Schmidt, Tanesha Thomas and Ronald Tucker.
Robert Morris alumna Jean Norris sponsored a special event at RMU last week on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – a book signing reception, silent auction and presentation, all of which benefited the foundation. Appetizers were from the Healthy Calendar Diabetic Cooking by Jen Bucko Lamplough, chef instructor at Robert Morris University A diabetic who has successfully managed her disease for the past 25 years, Jean has found inspiration and support from her family, and especially from other diabetics. In witnessing her journey, her son Michael and husband Vince Norton, encouraged her to tell her story – and the stories of others – as a way to do something in support of research dedicated to the cure of diabetes, and to help others dealing with the disease. And that, is how the idea for the book No Sugar Added - Straight Talk from Those Living with Diabetes was formed.
Dr. Denise Gray, nursing faculty, created an art project with a group of our nursing students to boost their self-confidence. At our recent Nursing Pinning Ceremony, Dr. Gray gave each student an original framed artwork she created using each student’s personal mantra. The celebration was a joyous event for students and their supportive families. Dr. Gray submitted an example of her creative arts in nursing to Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing. Her artwork was deemed “exceptional” and was chosen for a poster presentation at their biennial convention in Indianapolis this November.
On Wednesday, May 8, the Robert Morris University Veteran's Club, Warriors to Scholars, officially opened the student Veteran's Center on the seventh floor in the Student Center. Guest speaker for the event was Rodrigo Garcia, assistant director of the Illinois Department of Veteran's Affairs, who spoke to the student veterans about completing their college educations and making use of government benefits.
The Veteran's Center provides a space for student veterans to meet, study, work on class projects, use computers and share friendships with other veterans. It is also the hub of Warriors to Scholars, where members share information on upcoming events and build involvement in veteran activities.
James Flagg, the RMU Admissions Counselor who works with veterans, is also a member of Mayor Rahm Emmanuel's Committee on Veteran Affairs for the City of Chicago. He has helped make RMU's commitment to serving veterans grow at several different levels, reaffirming our designation as a Veteran Friendly Institution, and active participant in the Yellow Ribbon Campaign.
When Robert Morris alumni participate in a good cause, they'll so to any height to be successful. Recent RMU grad Chris Fryzek was among a group of select, brave and height-defying individuals who rappelled down the Wit Hotel in Chicago to raise funds for respiratory diseases. He surpassed his goal and raised over $1200 in memory of his grandfather. Way to go, Chris!
Name the Eagle!! Our contest to name our mascot is running now! Head over to our Facebook page to post name suggestions and vote!
Have you remembered your ID everyday? The Eagle ID checkpoint is in full effect at the Chicago campus. Don't be like the eagle!
Week ten is always finals week at RMU. Students in the School of Business Administration and Media and Technology are getting their final group presentations ready and students in the College of Nursing and Health Studies may be taking exams for certification. Students in the Institutes of Culinary Arts and Art and Design have also been working hard to demonstrate their prowess in the kitchen and their abilities in the form of portfolios – all for review before passing.
Culinary students in the Garde Manger class held the final buffet in the dining room under the direction of Chef Ang and much to the delight of parents, friends, faculty and RMU staff. Stations featuring sushi, Mexican dishes, Asian specialties and yummy desserts provided visitors with a fabulous lunch – all created by culinary students. In the main kitchen, student chefs were creating a plated meal for a tasting by chef instructor Jon Sherman. They worked in teams and had to follow a specific menu. Clean up is also part of the exam!
For students in graphic arts, portfolio review is an opportunity for faculty and peers to observe a quarter of design work and photography. Students begin their portfolios at the beginning of the program and add their best work each quarter. The review enables them to highlight outstanding work and end up with a portfolio to use as they start their job searches before graduation.
With hugs, handshakes and pins...RMU's Surgical Technology students from the Chicago and DuPage campuses celebrated the near-completion of their program with a Pinning Ceremony. The "pin" symbolizes the official welcome to their profession. An inspiring keynote address was delivered from the Surgical Technology Program Director, Doctor Mendes and Provost Krueger was on hand to congratulate all students.
The Robert Morris University Men's Bowling Team gathered together to sign the bowling shirts they wore during the 2013 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championship game, which they won over McKendree College in Lincoln, Nebraska on April 20. "We're each signing everyone's shirts, then having them framed," said team member Marshall Kent. Coach Dale Lehman joined in the signing frenzy - another milestone for the RMU Eagles Bowling Team!
Our intracollegiate volleyball teams faced off on Friday! Our Orland Park and Springfield battled and had a blast!
Keynote speaker Chef Mario Morales, executive chef for Groupon, kicked off the symposium by challenging culinary students and alumni to think broader and bigger when it comes to being creative in the kitchen. “There are no bad ideas,” he said as he jumped into a brain storming session with the audience on how to make a better hot dog. He encouraged everyone to think differently and share your limitations with others in order to create a more collaborative environment. “Saying ‘I don’t know’ builds credibility,” he continued. “’I don’t know’ leads to ‘I’ll find out.’ You may be in a position to teach, but also let yourself be taught. The rest of the symposium included sessions by private Chef Gary Walker, underground restaurateurs Chef D’Andre Carter and Heather Bublick of Feast and Imbibe, Chef Peter Rios of Alliance Bakery and Chef Brian Huston of Publican. Chef Kendal Duque of American Junkie, a James Beard nominee, conducted the last session with an inspiring account of his life’s journey to his remarkable success as a noted chef. In between the sessions, attendees enjoyed the Culinary Expo with products and services from culinary companies and individuals around the Chicago area.
Be sure to look on Twitter and Instagram under #symposium2013 for awesome pics from the attendees. Go to facebook.com/rmuculinarysymposium for lots of photos!
The Culinary Symposium Vine video
An article about the Symposium and our alumnus Tommy Zarlengo can be found here.
Life Source conducted a Blood Drive at RMU on Monday afternoon in the 8th floor Fitness Center and RMU students really stepped up to support the cause. Organized by Kenosha Roberts, there was a steady flow of volunteers throughout the day, ready and willing to donate. "This has been an outstanding turnout," said a representative from Life Source. "It's really important to keep the blood supply levels up for a large city like Chicago. We're really grateful that so many RMU students are helping out. Some have even asked when we'll be back to do another drive."
Robert Morris University is a private, not-for-profit associate, baccalaureate, and master's degree-granting institution, accredited by the Higher learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60604, 312.263.0456). RMU serves over 7000 students interested in getting an education that meets the demands of today's business, graphic arts, health care, culinary and technical world at its main campus in Chicago as well as at locations in Arlington Heights, DuPage, Elgin, Orland Park, Bensenville, Schaumburg, Springfield, Peoria and Lake County.