By Lizet Gonzalez

Loyola University Chicago’s Graduate School has been awarded with the 2013 Award for Excellence and Innovation in Graduate Education at the 69th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS).

Mastering the Humanities, was the title of the winning proposal that examined the effective ways to grow, diversify, and sustain humanities education.

The 69th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools was held in Minneapolis, and a $2,500 award was granted to Loyola.

Here is a portion of the press release posted by Loyola University Chicago:

Loyola University Chicago Graduate School Wins
Excellence and Innovation Award

Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools Honors Loyola’s Humanities Proposal

Loyola University Chicago’s Graduate School was presented with the 2013 Award for Excellence and Innovation in Graduate Education at the 69th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The purpose of the award is to encourage, recognize, and reward excellence and innovation in domestic and international graduate education at both the graduate school and program level.

The winning proposal, Mastering the Humanities, examines effective ways to grow, diversify, and sustain humanities education – a pillar of Jesuit education – with the ultimate goal of maximizing career outcomes for graduate students in the humanities.

“We are excited and honored to be the 2013 recipient of this prestigious award. I would like to extend my thanks to MAGS and Educational Testing Service (ETS) for sponsoring the award, and to members of the Awards Selection Committee for their diligent and dedicated work,” said Dr. Samuel Attoh, dean of Loyola’s Graduate School. “The award will go a long way in helping us identify effective strategies for improving the career prospects of our humanities students. I would also like to thank our hard working staff, particularly Pat Mooney-Melvin and Susan Clarke for putting this proposal together.”

The award, comprising of a $2,500 grant, is sponsored by ETS and MAGS. The grant will be used to collect and analyze data pertaining to students’ experiences with career pathways and gauge the faculty’s ability to integrate disciplinary training with career pathways, transferable skills, and curricular design. The Graduate School plans to create a Graduate Student Humanities Institute that will provide a venue for programming and activities designed to: explore the importance of humanities in contemporary life, provide workshops and mentoring opportunities that prepare humanities students for multiple career pathways, encourage interdisciplinary efforts involving humanities faculty and students in collaborative research, and house a post-doctoral teaching fellows program.

About Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools
The Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) is a regional affiliate of the Council of Graduate Schools. MAGS member colleges and universities are accredited institutions of higher education in the central U.S. that offer graduate programs leading to masters, specialist, and doctorate degrees. According to our Constitution, MAGS shall have as its primary purpose the consideration of mutual problems among the member institutions, relating to graduate studies and research. It will cooperate with other agencies for this purpose by dissemination of information, improvement of standards, encouragement of research, and assistance to institutions embarking on graduate programs.

• Employee and commuter permit holders may also park in the Fordham Garage (6455 N. Sheridan) and the West Loyola Lot (1236 W. Loyola)
• Daily parkers may park in the Main Parking Structure and Fordham Garage

On the same day Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill designed to crack down on “flash mobs” on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, 12 people were arrested for public disturbances along the upscale shopping district.

Flash mobs have been an ongoing problem for the past two years in the Gold Coast neighborhood, which includes Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus.

Using social media, the mobs gather in the Gold Coast and cause disturbances, including thefts from stores and attacking passersby, typically stealing their mobile devices, police said.

Here is a portion of the latest flash mob story from ABC-7 Chicago:

A heavy police presence was out along the Magnificent Mile Saturday night after complaints of rowdiness on the street.

Police say eleven juveniles and one adult were taken into custody for recklessness and obstructing traffic.

“There was like a huge riot going on – someone held up a phone and the police knocked it out of her hand – that’s all I saw, though. I’m scared for my safety,” said witness Martha Nulu. “I never know what’s gonna happen, and I usually come downtown thinking it’s a safe area so … kind of scary.”

Police say there were no fights or other violence connected with Saturday night’s arrests.

Those arrests come on the same day a new state law was passed to crack down on people who use social media to organize groups for so-called “flash mobs.”

Governor Pat Quinn signed the bill into law Saturday along Michigan Avenue.

It comes in response to an uptick in such crimes in that area in recent months.

The school will host the Loyola Bike Commuter Challenge Pit Stop on Wednesday and Thursday, where students, faculty and staff can learn about the Bike Commuter Challenge and get registered, consult with experienced commuters to identify best bike commute routes to/from campus, learn safe bike riding techniques, get maps, tips and tricks, and learn about incentives from the “Drivelesslivemore” campaign to log commutes and win prizes.

Details below from the university:

May 22 and 23, 8:30 am to 10:00 amLoyola Bike Commuter Challenge Pit Stop . SW lawn of Cudahy Science Building Lakeshore Campus Stop by the Loyola Pit Stop on May 22 or 23rd to learn about the annual Bike Commuter Challenge (aka Bike to Work Week) and how you can join other Loyolans for a week of commuting to campus by bicycle.  This will give you plenty of time to put air in the bike tires and grease up the chain – the Challenge officially starts June 8th. At the Loyola “Pit Stop” you can: Learn about the Bike Commuter Challenge and get registered Register your bike with Campus Safety Get help on how to prepare for the bike commute to campus Consult with experienced commuters to identify best bike commute routes to/from campus Learn safe bike riding techniques Get maps, tips and tricks Learn about incentives from the “Drivelesslivemore” campaign to log commutes and win prizes Drive Less Live More and the Bike Commuter Challenge is brought to you by the Active Transportation Alliance. The Bike Commuter Challenge is a great way to celebrate the region’s Bike to Work Week, June 8 – 14, 2013. Sign up with Loyola’s team and join us! Questions? Contact - Gina Lettiere glettie@luc.edu - April Whitworth awhitworth@luc.edu The Loyola Pit Stop on May 22 and 23rd is a collaboration of Loyola colleagues and students working together to educate and promote non-vehicle modes of transportation to campus. Check out Loyola’s new Campus Transportation website!

Those who donate blood will receive two free tickets to Laugh Factory Chicago, Chicago’s premier stand-up comedy club.

Here are details of the blood drive from 49th Ward Ald. Joe Moore:

Dear Neighbor,

The Chicago Math and Science Academy, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, is sponsoring a Community Blood Drive this Saturday, May 18th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the school located at 7212 N. Clark Street (across from Touhy Park, just south of the City of Chicago firehouse).

You don’t need a special reason to give blood.   You just need your own reason.  Some of us give blood because we were asked by a friend (or our alderman).  Some know that a family member or a friend might need blood someday.  Some believe it is the right thing we do.

Whatever your reason, the need is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply.  And you’ll feel good knowing you’ve helped change a life.

It’s also good for your health. When you donate blood, you receive a mini physical to check your:

• Pulse • Blood Pressure • Body temperature • Hemoglobin

What can you expect? When giving blood come prepared:

• Have a light meal and plenty to drink • Bring your donor card or driver’s license/state ID • Bring the names of the medications you’re taking

In addition to the satisfaction you’ll feel in helping others, you’ll receive two FREE tickets to Laugh Factory Chicago, Chicago’s premier stand-up comedy club.

I hope you’ll consider donating.

Sincerely,

Joe Moore

By Cheryl Hwang

Loyola University Hospital nationally ranked No. 18 in the cardiology and heart surgery specialty by U.S. News & World Report rankings for the 2012-2013 year, two rankings above last year’s.

According to the Department of Medicine, this year is the tenth year in a row for Loyola’s heart program to be nationally ranked by U.S. News.

The ranking and the consistent high satisfaction reviews by recently discharged patients at the hospital are helping maintain Loyola’s high reputation in the medical field.

Here is the rest of the article in the news archive for Loyola’s Department of Medicine:

Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood is ranked 18th in the nation in Cardiology and Heart Surgery, in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals 2012-2013. Last year, Loyola was ranked 20th.

This is the 10th year in a row Loyola’s heart program has been nationally ranked by U.S. News.

The magazine ranked 11 Loyola specialties high-performing, meaning they are among the top 25 percent of hospitals in these specialties. Loyola’s high-performing specialties are cancer; diabetes and endocrinology; ear, nose and throat; gastroenterology; geriatrics; gynecology; nephrology; neurology and neurosurgery; orthopaedics; pulmonology and urology.

Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park, a member of Loyola University Health System, is high-performing in two specialties, orthopaedics and urology.

The rankings were published by U.S. News in collaboration with RTI International, a research organization based in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Highlights of the 2012-13 rankings will appear in the U.S. News Best Hospitals 2013 guidebook, to go on sale in August.

The complete rankings and methodology are available at http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals.

Michael Dantley

Loyola University Chicago has named a new dean for the School of Education, Michael E. Dantley, EdD, a longtime professor at the Miami University in Ohio.

Here is the announcement:

Dear Colleagues,

Father Garanzini and I wish to share the good news that Michael E. Dantley, EdD, of Miami University in Ohio, has been named the new dean of the School of Education (SOE). Dr. Dantley succeeds Terry E. Williams, PhD, acting dean, who will return to the faculty in the School of Education later this summer.

Dr. Dantley has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, including academic appointments in the School of Education, Health and Society at Miami University and, more recently, university leadership positions at Miami. From 2004–2008 Dr. Dantley served as interim associate dean and, subsequently, associate dean of Miami’s School of Education, Health and
Society. From 2008–2011 he served as Miami University’s associate provost and associate vice president for academic affairs. Currently, Dr. Dantley serves as the chair of the Department of Educational Leadership in Miami’s School of
Education, Health and Society. In addition, Dr. Dantley’s professional experience includes more than a decade of both teaching and administrative appointments, including principalships, in the Cincinnati public school system.

As associate provost and associate vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Dantley had responsibility for the supervision of student academic services, including admission, advising, and retention. He also co-directed a university-wide initiative on undergraduate retention, developed an evaluation process for departmental program reviews, and served on both the University’s
Council of Academic Deans and its Senate. As associate dean, Dr. Dantley directed processes for faculty searches and hiring, faculty promotion and tenure, and faculty development. He also served on the school’s NCATE Steering
Committee and directed graduate programs for the division.

Dr. Dantley holds a BA in history and education from the University of Pennsylvania, a MEd in educational leadership from Miami University in Ohio, and an EdD in educational administration from the University of Cincinnati. An accomplished
scholar, Dr. Dantley currently serves on the editorial boards of a number of educational journals, including the Journal of School Leadership and Education and Urban Society. His research interests focus on leadership, spirituality, and social justice, and he is currently pursuing research that explores new ways to conduct qualitative research and spirituality and the link between principals’ moral development and the ways these principals define and demonstrate their commitment to social justice. Dr. Dantley will officially begin his appointment at Loyola on July 1, 2013.

Sincerely,

John
Pelissero, PhD
Provost

By Elizabeth Grande

Loyola University plans to host the 2^nd Annual 5K Run/Walk and Children’s Hero Hustle on June 9 to support children suffering from severe illnesses.

The run/walk will begin at 9 a.m. and then be followed by the Children’s Hero Hustle.

A variety of characters and sports mascots will entertain children 4 and under in a 50-yard dash and children 5 and over in a 100-yard dash during this year’s Children’s Hero Hustle.

Participants will receive T-shirts and ribbons along with refreshments and entertainment for their help collecting proceeds to benefit the Ronald McDonald Children’s Hospital.

Here is more information about this event from Loyola Medicine:

When Barbara Earnest was 14, her pediatrician noticed abnormalities in an X-ray and CT scan she underwent during a bout with pneumonia. Her doctor recommended that she go to the hospital for further testing, which revealed that she had Hodgkin lymphoma. Faced with this daunting diagnosis, Earnest’s father chose Loyola’s Ronald McDonald® Children’s Hospital for his daughter’s care.

“My Dad chose Loyola due to its outstanding reputation and the fact that it is an academic institution,” Earnest said. “I continue to visit Loyola for regular scans and tests and am so grateful for all of the love and care that I receive there.”

Thanks to the care she received at the Ronald McDonald® Children’s Hospital, Earnest has been cancer free for more than a decade. She will volunteer at Loyola’s Health, Hope & Heroes 5K Run/Walk to support other children who are suffering from illness. Race proceeds will support the Ronald McDonald® Children’s Hospital.

“These kids deserve the best care and attention,” Earnest said. “It is my privilege to participate in this race and give back to the place that enabled me to have so much success in my life.”

The race will take place at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 9, on the shared campus of Loyola University Medical Center and Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital located at 2160 S. First Ave. in Maywood, Ill.

The 5K Run/Walk will be followed by a Children’s Hero Hustle at 10:30 a.m. Area sports mascots and characters will be on hand to entertain kids as they race. Children ages 4 years and younger will run a 50-yard dash; children ages 5 and older will run a 100-yard dash. Kid’s activities also will be held at the finish line area from 9 – 11:30 a.m.

Race participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt, and children will get a t-shirt and custom-made ribbon. Entertainment and refreshments will be provided following the race.

For more information about race logistics, registration and fundraising visit http://www.loyolamedicine5k.org.

It’s graduation weekend at Loyola University Chicago.

That means plenty of caps and gowns, diplomas…and cars.

With multiple graduation ceremonies, parking is expected to be tight at Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus in Rogers Park.

So the university has issued the following announcement:

Loyola Community,

Due to the 2013 Commencement ceremonies taking place May 9–11 on the Lake Shore Campus, usage of the Main Parking Structure will be restricted to graduating students and their guests. During this time, faculty and staff members can park in the Fordham Garage and West Loyola Lot (1236 W. Loyola).

Because parking is extremely limited on the Lake Shore Campus, we strongly encourage you to take public transportation on Thursday and Friday. We expect the parking facilities available to faculty and staff members to fill up very quickly on these days.
Please contact Campus Transportation at 773.508.7036 if you need help with transportation arrangements.

Sincerely,

Sarah Camargo Manager, Campus Transportation

By Keagan Hynes

Loyola University Chicago is hosting the second annual University Walking Challenge.  Loyola faculty and staff members will compete against one another to see who can walk and log the most miles.

Participants will use WalkingWorks to log their miles, but can keep track of their miles with a pedometer or apps such as logyourrun.com or mapmyrun.com.

Walkers will compete for the top five spots, which include prizes such as a $200 Fleet Feet gift card, a fall semester membership to one of the university’s fitness spaces, FitBit Activity trackers and a $75 massage gift card.

The competition is a “fun way to add a little competition within the University… The challenge is a great initiative to get people up and walking around, we want to get people motivated,” said Renee Jackson, from the Department of Human Resources.

Learn more about how to register and read the full statement here:

Spring is sprung, and Loyola faculty and staff members will hit the pavement for the second annual University Walking Challenge from May 6 through June 16.

Throughout the six-week period, Loyola faculty and staff members will compete against each other to see who can log the most miles. Similar to last year, participants will use the WalkingWorks website to log their mileage. For those who do not own a pedometer, apps such as mapmyrun.com or logyourrun.com can be used to track mileage. Once tracked, participants will then log the information on theWalkingWorks website.

Jackson says this year’s competition will have more social media interaction to encourage competition.

“Every week, if you log miles and you ‘like’ our Facebook page or follow us onTwitter, you’re eligible to win a $25 dollar gift card,” Jackson says. “It will be fun to follow along with social media and see people come together through the competition.”

Registration for the 2013 University Walking Challenge is now open and will remain so through Sunday, May 5. To learn how to register, click here.

For more information about the University Walking Challenge and other wellness initiatives, visit the Human Resources website here.