ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Graduate Nominated by President Obama to National Library Board

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Graduate Nominated by President Obama to National Library Board

Suzanne E. Thorin earned a bachelor's degree in music education from ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½. (Syracuse University photo)

Suzanne Thorin C'63, earned music education degree from University

CHICAGO (March 16, 2012) – nominated , a 1963 graduate of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ College (now ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½) to the . Thorin, who holds a bachelor's degree in from ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, is currently dean of libraries and at Syracuse (N.Y.) University.

Thorin is one of three people nominated by the president to serve as an advisor to the on general policy and practices, and on selections for the , according to a Syracuse University . The board includes the IMLS director, deputy directors, and 20 members of the general public with expertise and commitment to libraries or museums, the release said. She was nominated for a term that ends in December 2015.

"These dedicated individuals bring a wealth of experience and talent to their new roles, and I am proud to have them serve in this Administration. I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come," President Obama said.

Thorin was born in and grew up in Detroit. She attended ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ College from 1959-1963. While here, she sang in the 16-voice choir at the , Chicago. After graduation from ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, she attended the University of Michigan where she earned a master's degree in music history. Thorin returned to Chicago where she taught music for four years, first at Marshall High School and then at Senn High School.

Thorin returned to the University of Michigan for a second master's degree in library science, and moved into music librarianship and then, administration. She grew up as a member of the , and later became a member of United Methodist Church. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ is affiliated with the ECC. Her late brother David, and her sister Christina, Hoffman Estates, Ill., both graduated from ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ College. David also graduated from .

In her role at Syracuse, Thorin also serves as a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet and oversees the . Previously, she was the Ruth Lilly university dean of libraries and associate vice president for digital libraries at Indiana University. Thorin was formerly chief of staff to the and the official U.S. representative for the G-7 electronic libraries project, one of eleven G-7 pilot projects for the Global Information Society.

Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .

Author tomgabrysiak

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Mourns Loss of Jimmie Alford, Nonprofit Leader, Teacher, and Alumnus

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Mourns Loss of Jimmie Alford, Nonprofit Leader, Teacher, and Alumnus

The Chicago Better Government Association presented Alford its Lifetime Achievement Award in October 2012.

Alford was University executive-in-residence, Axelson Center leader, contributor

CHICAGO (December 19, 2012) — Jimmie R. Alford, who for 50 years devoted his life to the betterment of nonprofit organizations throughout the United States, died suddenly December 18, following an apparent heart attack at his Chicago home. Alford, a ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ alumnus, was founder and chair of the , and he was executive-in-residence at the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ School of Business and Nonprofit Management (SBNM), where he taught graduate courses and workshops.

A memorial service for Alford is planned for 2:00 pm, Saturday, December 22, at , Chicago. , president of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, will speak. Visitation will precede the service at 1:00 pm.

Alford, 69, was well-known nationally. The Alford Group, which he founded in 1979 to serve the nonprofit sector, quickly grew into one of the premier consulting firms in the United States. It has served more than 3,000 nonprofit clients since its creation. He was twice recognized by as "one of the 50 most influential people in the nonprofit sector." This past October, the presented Alford its lifetime achievement award.

Alford's legacy is the many people he touched through his life and work, Parkyn said. "He loved people. Jimmie devoted his life to the nonprofit sector because here he found an avenue through which to care for others. Because he loved others, he lived a life consistent with the mission of his alma mater. Through his uncompromising care for the well-being of others, Jimmie modeled the mission of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½: his life was one of 'significance and service.'"

Dr. Wesley E. Lindahl, dean of the School of Business and Nonprofit Management (SBNM), said Alford was an important leader in the school and a frequent speaker on nonprofit topics. Lindahl recalled Alford's recent presentation on nonprofit trends before a large audience University Club, Chicago, as part of the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Breakfast Series. "His recent speech will stay with me as I remember Jimmie," Lindahl said. "He was able to speak with authority about the nonprofit sector, and the audience was taken with his knowledge and connections to the field. Jimmie was one of the most networked people I’ve ever known. He used his connections across the city of Chicago to continually strengthen the nonprofit organizations that serve those in need. We will miss him tremendously."

Alford was also an influential leader with the University's , which works to enhance the nonprofit sector through education, service, and resources. He was a founding member of the advisory board for the Axelson Center. Each year, the University presents an award that bears his name: the . These awards are presented to two nonprofit organizations at the Axelson Center's .

"Jimmie welcomed me when I began at the Axelson Center in 2007," said , director of the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management. "He opened so many doors for me in introducing me within numerous networks of nonprofit leaders in Chicago."

Rogers said in recent years Alford enjoyed spending time with his family and teaching. "He loved to teach, and share his knowledge and experiences with others. He often mentioned how he talked with or met with individuals who sought his counsel as they navigated through various stages of their careers. I often used him as a sounding board to discuss various ideas for Axelson Center programs." Just last week, Rogers said, she spoke with him about a presentation at the 2013 Axelson Symposium. Now, she and others are thinking about how best to honor Alford's numerous contributions to the University, the Axelson Center, and the nonprofit community.

Alford was born in Madisonville, Ky. He graduated from ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ in 1967, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology. In 2006, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University, and served on the , completing his term in 2010. He also was a board member at Aurora University, Aurora, Ill., and had been awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by the school.

Alford served with the before he founded The Alford Group, and was an early advisor to the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, Bloomington. He was a longtime member of the (AFP), and in 2009, was the recipient of the prestigious Chair’s Award for Outstanding Service, given to individuals for exceptional service to AFP, the fundraising profession, and the philanthropic community.

Alford was active as a volunteer with , Chicago, and was senior advisor to the Better Government Association. Last month, Alford and his wife, Maree Bullock, were presented the 2012 "Spirit of Youth" award by the , a Chicago organization that recognized their work to keep runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe.

Alford is survived by his wife and their three children, Ann (Sean) Reardon, and Joshua, Chicago; Alan, Breckenridge, Colo.; and two grandchildren. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, be sent to benefit the Jimmie R. Alford Scholarship at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ (designate "Jimmie R. Alford Scholarship Fund").

Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .

Author tomgabrysiak

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ School of Adult Learning Helps Busy Dads Finish Degrees

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ School of Adult Learning Helps Busy Dads Finish Degrees

The University's School of Adult Learning offers evening and online classes to busy students, including dads, who want to complete degree programs.

Dads testify to program's flexibility, faculty understanding, family support

CHICAGO (June 13, 2012) – Ramiro Medrano appreciates that he's been able to include his daughter in his classroom studies, and says his family life has been enhanced. Anthony Isla said his professors were understanding, and enthusiastically talks up his degree program with colleagues. Clinton Frank said convenience and family support helped him finish a degree, and he sees greater career opportunity with his longtime employer.

Thanks to ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½'s (SAL), all three dads have made substantial progress toward or completed bachelor's degree programs, each after years of on-and-off college study elsewhere. They have managed to balance the responsibilities of being fathers, employees, and students with help from their families and a program that works and is facilitated by caring and understanding faculty.

"This is at the core of why we have an adult-degree completion program," said , associate professor and SAL dean. "Education is important, and so are other priorities. We have to recognize that and offer a program that allows people to balance all of those." It helps that many SAL faculty have been adult learners themselves, experiencing the same pressures of being parents, employees, and students, he added.

Medrano is studying in SAL and expects to finish his degree in 2013. He is senior facilitator at , and volunteers at his church. Medrano and his wife are parents of a daughter, 9, and a son, 3, and the family resides in Mount Prospect, Ill.

More than 25 years ago, Medrano came to ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ as a Young Life volunteer, and began to follow his call to youth ministry. Knowing of the University's Christian, multicultural, and urban core values, and recalling his earlier experience, Medrano returned to ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ with a group of youth he was working with, and challenged them to go to school in the city on a diverse campus. "Afterwards, I thought, 'it's time for me to go back and finish what I first started in 2006,'" he said. "If I'm asking students to come here, then I had to be part of the diversity of which I referred. I looked into SAL and I thought it was a great way to connect the dots." The SAL's evening classes were ideal, Medrano said.

Medrano's family life was enriched, too. "The sharing of caregiver responsibilities for my children with my wife has been a great blessing for me," he said. He was able to include his daughter in a psychology course exercise. In another course, he involved his children in learning about plant and animal life, and this summer Medrano will share jazz and classical music selections with his daughter, part of a musical connections class.

Medrano has participated in other University offerings such as the program and the recent conference, things he's passionate about. And he may pursue a master's degree in social work. "I really have appreciated my time at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½," he said, adding that he'd like for part-time adult students to have more on-campus opportunities.

Students can select from seven majors offered by the School of Adult Learning.

Isla learned about the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ SAL program when his wife, a bilingual teacher, got a notice in the mail for a continuing education program at the University. He knew about ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, but never considered attending until prompted by the mailer to take a look. Isla had attended college in the 1990s, but stopped and went to work during the growth of the dot-com industry. The Islas are parents of three girls, ages 6, 3, and 1. He works in information technology in the . With support from his family and extended family, Isla entered the SAL three years ago, and recently earned a bachelor's degree in .

SAL professors were very much aware of Isla's family and work responsibilities. "They were accommodating. If you needed more time, they were understanding of the circumstances of an adult student," he said. Isla's ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ degree program was tough, but worthwhile. "There are easier routes to get your degree. I think ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ is more challenging than other adult programs. If you want to learn something, I definitely think ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ is the way to go."

Having a college degree to back up his IT experience has given Isla more career options, and he tells his police department colleagues about ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½'s SAL whenever he can. Most need college degrees to advance in the department. "I've had this conversation with numerous people. I'm a big advocate for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½. I've always recommended it as a route to go to if you want to finish your degree," he said.

Frank, who attended many different colleges previously, earned a bachelor's degree in business administration after 18 months of study in SAL. He is a product manager with , Chicago, a company he's been with for 19 years. Frank lives in Grayslake, Ill., with his wife and two daughters, 14 and 5. He attended several SAL classes at the University's , and took others at the University's Chicago campus or online.

"I've been lucky enough to move up with experience and knowledge of the business," he said. "But in the last few years, I've been running out of runway without a degree. The competition was getting tough. Some people in my position have master's degrees, and I didn't want to miss an opportunity because I didn't have a degree." What attracted Frank to ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ was the University's Christian emphasis, small classes, and convenient satellite location, all with solid support from his family and colleagues.

The SAL's 7-week quad structure allowed him to complete two classes per semester. Knowing the instructors personally helped Frank remain engaged in school, even while he and his family attended to a close relative living out-of-town who was ill during much of that time, he said. Like Medrano, Frank was able to include his older daughter, who will enter college in a few years, in a strategic management class.

Frank may return to the University for an advanced degree, possibly an MBA. "If I'm going to work on a master's degree, I won't even look anywhere else," he said.

Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .

Author tomgabrysiak

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Confers Degrees at 2012 Winter Commencement Convocation

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Confers Degrees at 2012 Winter Commencement Convocation

Degrees were presented December 14 to ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ graduates at Winter Commencement.

245 students expected to earn graduate and undergraduate degrees

CHICAGO (December 17, 2012) — Before a full house in the and a significant audience watching a , ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ presented degrees December 14 at its 2012 convocation. The University expected to confer undergraduate and graduate degrees to 245 students.

Bachelor’s degrees were presented to an anticipated 168 students representing a wide range of and the . Master’s degrees were presented to an expected 77 students from the School of Business and Nonprofit Management, , , and .

In his charge to the graduates, the president of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, , cited the biblical stories of creation in Genesis and Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke. God stopped on the seventh day, according to the creation story, and Mary paused to ponder after the shepherds left the manger, he noted. In both cases, each stopped to claim as holy the creation and the infant Jesus, Parkyn suggested. The same can be said of significant life events, such as graduation, he observed.

“On this night we stop, ever so briefly, to mark learning, to mark your life as a student, as holy. We stop to ponder, we stop to remember, we stop to claim the act of learning as holy, and to claim as holy all you have learned,” the University president told the graduates. Graduation is “a sacred moment in your life, even as each day of the past years of learning at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ has been a holy time,” Parkyn added.

The convocation included Scripture and prayers, choral performances by the , a graduation litany, and presentation of degrees by University deans. Students led the procession with the flags of countries and territories in which graduates were born, are citizens, or have been residents. The flags included those of the United States, Brazil, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Nigeria, Palestine, the Philippines, Romania, Serbia, and Sweden. The commencement program included a benediction from , read by graduates in nine languages, including Arabic, Hebrew, Mongolian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, and Swedish.

The University began its commencement with a recognition of the tragic school shooting earlier in the day at , Newtown, Conn. “As an educator, I have always thought the adventure of learning is meant to give life, yet today for 26 people, school became a place where life ended,” Parkyn said. “I’m also reminded as an educator of the … individuals who died having dedicated their lives, like many in the room tonight, to helping students fulfill their dreams.” The president’s comments were followed by a moment of silence and prayer.

Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .

Author tomgabrysiak

Zipcar Comes to ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

Zipcar Comes to ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

Zipcar's location on the University campus is at the corner of Kedzie and West Foster Avenues, Chicago.

Cars available for University students, personnel, area residents

CHICAGO (March 21, 2012) – , a national company that makes it possible for qualified drivers to rent cars for short-term use, now has a car located on the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ campus available to Zipcar .

Zipcar representatives will be on the University's Chicago campus beginning this week to answer questions and assist people to become Zipcar members. The company will also send information to University students and personnel to help introduce the program.

"We want to be good stewards of the urban environment," said , ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ executive vice president and chief financial officer. "There are two reasons why we wanted this — stewardship and sustainability. If we can provide cars this way to people who need them, we can reduce our carbon footprint in this part of the city. We can also provide students with a tool to access the city."

Zipcar operates nationally on some 250 colleges and university campuses, including ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ and other college campuses in the Chicago area.

Zipcar service expansion on the campus could ultimately help relieve crowded campus parking lots, provided students, faculty, and staff choose to access the available cars, Balsam said.

Presently, a Zipcar is available on the University campus at 5141 N. Kedzie. Zipcars are also located at a nearby location at Kimball and Lawrence Avenues, Chicago.

Zipcar was founded as a new category in urban transportation, designed "to offer a convenient, flexible, affordable, and sustainable solution" for occasional urban drivers seeking alternatives to high costs and challenges of owning a car in a city, said Jessica Margolis-Pineo, Zipcar public relations associate. Zipcar operates on some 250 colleges and university campuses, some of which are in the Chicago area. Members can also use Zipcars in other areas of country where Zipcar operates, she said.

Drivers must be at least 21 years of age, and have a Zipcar membership to use its cars. Members can drive cars starting at $7.75 per hour or $72 a day. Each trip includes gasoline, insurance, and up to 180 free miles. Thanks to Zipcar's with Ford Motor Co., a portion of the membership fee will be waived for the first 100,000 new University members nationally who sign up, plus the company will offer $1 off the hourly rate for the first 1 million hours of use on any of the new Ford vehicles at participating colleges and universities.

Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .

Author tomgabrysiak