News Archive 2021
Read the latest Alumnae/i in the News here. Have you spotted a Rosary College/海角社区 alumna/us in the news? Let us know at alumni@dom.edu.
Disability Lead Fellows: Delilah Orizaba 鈥16, MSW 鈥19 and David Gayes 鈥14
December 8, 2021
Two Dominican alumnae/i have been selected to participate in Disability Lead's 2022 Fellows Institute: Delilah Orizaba 鈥16, MSW 鈥19 and David Gayes 鈥14. Read more.
Brigham Avery 鈥04 debuts 鈥楬ollywood & Ivy鈥 on Chicago Cubs鈥 TV network
December 2021
Brigham Avery 鈥04, sports journalist and podcast host, recently debuted his newest project titled 鈥楬ollywood & Ivy鈥. A monthly, one-hour television show featuring celebrity fans of the Chicago Cubs, 鈥楬ollywood & Ivy鈥 premiered December 2 on Marquee Sports Network. Read more.
Lubna Saleh 鈥12 鈥嬧媟eceives scholarship from Hadley Foundation
December 2021
Lubna Saleh 鈥12 received a scholarship from the Fore Hadley Foundation, an organization supporting people impacted by congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), toward tuition at the University of Michigan where she is pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in public health. Read more.
Emily Cukier MLIS 鈥20 joins WSU as science librarian
November 30, 2021
Emily Cukier MLIS 鈥20 is the new science librarian at Washington State University. She will give a presentation on campus titled 鈥淒ata Disasters: Lessons from Notorious Mistakes in Spreadsheet History,鈥 on December 3. Read more.
Dr. Andrea Jamison MLIS 鈥08, PHLIS 鈥21 enjoying new role at ISU
November 22, 2021
Dr. Andrea Jamison MLIS 鈥08, PHLIS 鈥21, assistant professor in the School of Teaching and Learning, joined Illinois State University in Fall 2020. Having spent 17 years in elementary classrooms and libraries in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Calumet City School District, Andrea is embracing her new role at ISU. Read more.
Marie Molde, RD, MBA 鈥11 interviewed by CBS Sunday Morning
November 21, 2021
Marie Molde, RD, MBA 鈥11 was interviewed by CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Ben Tracy in a story titled 鈥淎lternatives to meat: A plant-based diet鈥. Marie is a food industry expert, speaker, and researcher. Read more.
Dr. Seth Wyatt Fallik 鈥08 visits campus prior to book award
November 2021
Prior to being honored with a book award, Seth Wyatt Fallik 鈥08 visited his alma mater to speak to two criminology classes. As a student-athlete at Dominican, Seth served as captain of the men鈥檚 soccer team that appeared in the NCAA鈥檚 Elite Eight in 2006. Read more.
Michael D. Ruggiero 鈥91, MBA 鈥94 honored by The Wall Street Journal
November 2021
Michael D. Ruggiero 鈥91, MBA 鈥94 has been recognized by The Wall Street Journal as one of the top wealth advisors in the country. Last year, Michael was named a Five Star Wealth Manager by Fortune magazine. Read more.
Patrick Osborne 鈥94, MAT 鈥08: Lifelong Learning
This story appeared in the Fall 2021 Dominican Magazine
Patrick Osborne 鈥94, MAT 鈥08 emigrated from Ireland when he was 18 years old. He did so for one reason: the 鈥減lethora of opportunity鈥 in America. Today, as President of the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA), Patrick says he鈥檚 training tomorrow鈥檚 鈥渟urgeons of steel.鈥 Read more.
Conrad Sewinski 鈥12: Called to Serve
This story appeared in the Fall 2021 Dominican Magazine
Last year, while on deployment on a military base in Jordan, Conrad Sewinski 鈥12 flew a U.S. flag over the base and dedicated it to Dominican. 鈥淭he experiences I had at Dominican made me a better person. The least I could do is dedicate a flag to a school that鈥檚 done so much for me.鈥 Read more.
Elaine Low 鈥07: Award-winning Journalism
This story appeared in the Fall 2021 Dominican Magazine
Elaine Low 鈥07 is a senior entertainment business reporter at 滨苍蝉颈诲别谤鈥檚 new Los Angeles bureau, where she covers the evolution of Hollywood in the streaming age. Read more.
Dominique Bryant 鈥07: Volunteer of the Year
This story appeared in the Fall 2021 Dominican Magazine
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) selected Dominique Bryant 鈥07 as the 2020 Volunteer of the Year. She is a financial operations project specialist and has been with BCBSIL for seven years. Read more.
Stephanie Kitchen MLIS 鈥05: A Passion for Books
This story appeared in the Fall 2021 Dominican Magazine
Stephanie Kitchen MLIS 鈥05 purchased Chicago bookstore City Lit Books, which closed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stephanie, a longtime resident of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, reopened the bookstore on June 26, 2021. Read more.
Ashley McCall MAT 鈥14: A Golden Moment
This story appeared in the Fall 2021 Dominican Magazine
Ashley McCall MAT 鈥14, a third-grade teacher at Chavez Multicultural Academic Center in Chicago, was presented with the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Read more.
Doug Pryor 鈥嬧婱BA 鈥12 appointed to Governor Pritzker鈥檚 administration
September 27, 2021
Doug Pryor MBA 鈥12 has been appointed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to serve as a Member on the Enterprise Zone Board. Doug currently serves as the Vice President of Economic Development for the Will County Center for Economic Development. Read more.
Carlos Carrillo 鈥02 wins 100th match at Dominican聽
September 15, 2021
Carlos Carrillo 鈥02, women鈥檚 head soccer coach at 海角社区, starred as a player from 1998-2002 before aiding the men's soccer program as an assistant coach for seven seasons. Read more.
Zach Musil MLIS 鈥13 appointed Tinley Park鈥檚 Library Director
September 13, 2021
Zach Musil MLIS 鈥13 has been appointed the director of the Tinley Park Public Library. He previously served as Tinley Park's assistant administrator and interim director. Read more.
Governor Pritzker appoints Crystal Caison 鈥90 to IWCC position
August 31, 2021
Crystal Caison 鈥90 has been appointed by Governor J.B. Pritzker to serve as an arbitrator with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission (IWCC). She currently serves as a senior public service administrator with the Illinois Department of Employment Security and a panel arbitrator for the State of Illinois. Read more.
Matthew Toles 鈥97 promoted to senior vice president at PNC Bank
August 20, 2021
PNC Bank announced the promotion of Matthew Toles 鈥97 to senior vice president, sales and client experience manager for PNC Retail Banking in Greater Chicago and Wisconsin. Matthew brings almost 24 years of financial services experience including retail and business banking to his new role. Read more.
Dr. Lara Luetkehans MALIS 鈥92 to serve as interim provost at IUP
July 20, 2021
Indiana University of Pennsylvania announced that Dr. Lara Luetkehans MALIS 鈥92, dean of IUP鈥檚 College of Education and Communications, will serve as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. Read more.
Virginia Picchietti 鈥87, PhD, honored for teaching excellence
July 15, 2021
Virginia Picchietti 鈥87, PhD, was honored with the Excellence in Advancing Global Learning Award from the University of Scranton. She is a professor of Italian in the Department of World Languages and Cultures and joined the faculty at Scranton in 1995. Read more.
Jen Jazwinski MLIS 鈥08: two-time 'Jeopardy!' winner
July 13, 2021
Jen Jazwinski MLIS 鈥08 is a youth services librarian for the Algonquin Area Public Library District. She recently earned over $60,000 during two victorious "Jeopardy!" appearances. Read more
Bryan Manandhar MBA 鈥06 named Business Banking Officer at Brookline Bank
July 7, 2021
Brookline Bank announced that Bryan Manandhar MBA 鈥06 has been named Business Banking Officer covering Newton and Chestnut Hill in Massachusetts. He has 17 years of banking and financial services experience. Read more.
Carl Sirotzki 鈥76 named interim pastor at Kearney's Family of Christ Church
July 7, 2021
Carl Sirotzki 鈥76 has been named interim pastor at Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Kearney, Nebraska. Since being ordained in 2015, he has served congregations in southeast Wisconsin and northeast Nebraska. Read more.
Margaret Burke MAT 鈥11 named Assistant Principal at Franklin Elementary in Park Ridge
July 1, 2021
Margaret Burke MAT 鈥11 has been hired as the new assistant principal at Franklin Elementary School in Park Ridge. Margaret, a 2021 Illinois Golden Apple finalist, will begin her new position on July 27. Read more.
Gilbert Allen MSW 鈥17 publishes book on rising up from racism and poverty
July 1, 2021
Gilbert Allen MSW 鈥17 and his brother, Michael, have released a book titled Brotherly Love, a children鈥檚 book that centers on the brothers鈥 story growing up as Black men in poverty with drug-addicted parents and rising up to become a school principal and social worker. Read more.
Lynn O鈥橫ara 鈥78 promoted to Vice President at NNDA
June 22, 2021
Northern Nevada Development Authority (NNDA) announced that Lynn O鈥橫ara 鈥78 has been promoted to Vice President of Administration and Programs. Lynn has been with NNDA for the past four years as Director of Communications. Read more.
Dr. Maxine Davis MSW/MBA 鈥13 joins Rutgers鈥 School of Social Work
June 16, 2021
Dr. Maxine Davis MSW/MBA 鈥13 is joining the Rutgers School of Social Work as an assistant professor and Chancellor鈥檚 Scholar for Inclusive Excellence in Intimate Partner Violence Prevention and Intervention. Read more.
Rashim Lettsome 鈥08 named head basketball coach at McHenry County College
June 1, 2021
Rashim Lettsome 鈥08 is returning to McHenry County College (MCC), this time as the Scots' head men鈥檚 basketball coach. He played at MCC from 2004鈥2006 before transferring to Dominican. Read more.
Frank Murray MLIS 鈥10 named Evergreen Park's library director
May 25, 2021
The Evergreen Park Public Library Board of Trustees recently voted to hire Frank Murray MLIS 鈥10 as library director. He has served as director of Itasca Community Library for the past two years. Read more.
Matthew Steward MBA 鈥07 elected Schaumburg Township Trustee
May 18, 2021
Matthew Steward MBA 鈥07 has been elected as a Schaumburg Township Trustee. He currently works as a staff attorney at a Chicago legal malpractice insurance carrier and serves as an Adjunct Professor at 海角社区. Read more.
Ivana Sedia (Gentile) 鈥11, MBA 鈥16 launches language translation business
May 14, 2021
Ivana Sedia (Gentile) 鈥11, MBA 鈥16 is the founder of Unida Translation, which delivers both spoken and written word translation services in over 125 languages for projects in the certified, legal, government, medical, and technical fields. Read more.
Joanna Bertucci 鈥06, MLIS 鈥09 appointed director of Park Ridge Library
May 5, 2021
Joanna Bertucci 鈥06, MLIS 鈥09 has been appointed as the new director of the Park Ridge Public Library effective June 1, 2021. She served as the operations manager of the River Forest Public Library since 2016. Read more.
Matt Walsh 鈥97, MSPED 鈥99 named head basketball coach at Conant
May 4, 2021
Matt Walsh 鈥97, MSPED 鈥99 has been named head boys basketball coach at James B. Conant High School. He was previously the head coach at Schaumburg High School from 2009鈥2014. Read more.
Kara Brown MBA 鈥17 leads fast-growing company in Atlanta
April 23, 2021
Kara Brown MBA 鈥17, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lead Coverage, has announced that the Atlanta Business Chronicle recognized Lead Coverage as a "2021 Pacesetter". Lead Coverage landed 90th on the exclusive annual list, which represents the most comprehensive look at private business growth within the Atlanta metro area. Read more.
Eugene Giudice MLIS 鈥07 Receives Librarian Award
April 10, 2021
Eugene Giudice MLIS 鈥07 was awarded the Advocate of the Year Award by the Private Law Librarians and Information Professionals Special Interest Section (PLLIP-SIS) of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). Read more.
Principal Sergio Gonzalez MAT 鈥13, MAEA 鈥17 welcomes students to 'modernized' Northwood Middle School
April 2, 2021
A principal at Northwood for two years, Sergio Gonzalez MAT 鈥13, MAEA 鈥17 said the remodeled campus is 鈥渘othing like he鈥檚 ever experienced." The modernized school is designed to enhance student-teacher and social-emotional learning. Read more.
鈥嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧婫ary A. Piazza 鈥81, PhD, joins Auburn University's Pharmacy Department
March 26, 2021
Gary A. Piazza 鈥81, PhD, a highly respected cancer investigator with more than 30 years in the field, has been named the department head and professor for the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy鈥檚 Department of Drug Discovery and Development. Read more.
Lauren Blanford MLIS 鈥13 innovates school library during pandemic
March 24, 2021
Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Lauren Blanford MLIS 鈥13 to rethink almost every aspect of her job at Emerson Elementary School in Elmhurst. Among her colleagues, Lauren is known for her ingenuity and for finding ways to bring the world of books to children learning at home. Read more.
Aaron Novasic 鈥14 joins Gardi & Haught, Ltd. law firm
March 19, 2021
Schaumburg-based law firm Gardi & Haught, Ltd. announced the hiring of attorney Aaron Novasic 鈥14. For the last three years, Aaron has practiced law at Goldstein Bender & Romanoff in Chicago. Read more.
Stephanie Rossi Pedersen 鈥08 Launches Fun Learning Tool for Children
March 9, 2021
Stephanie Rossi Pedersen 鈥08 has launched Squixy, a fun learning tool to help children learn multiplication. Pedersen, who received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in American Studies and a certification in elementary education, is the chief learning officer for the product and a fifth-grade teacher for Komarek School District 94 in North Riverside. Read more.
Elizeth Arguelles 鈥20 honored as a聽"Global Woman of Excellence"
March 8, 2021
Elizeth Arguelles 鈥20 has been recognized by US Congressman Danny K. Davis as one of the 鈥Top 20 Global Women of Excellence 2021.鈥 She is an advocate for social responsibility and a Lead Organizer with , an organization that develops young community leaders and promotes peace in Chicago. Read more.
JLL Employee Story: Jose Bahena 鈥18 takes pride in giving back to his community
March 4, 2021
In addition to dedicating time at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Jose Bahena 鈥18 helps support New Life Centers, a non-profit organization that provides mentoring, education, sports and street outreach for at-risk youths and young adults living on the west side of Chicago. Read more.
Joyce Colander 鈥68, MALS 鈥69 leaves legacy at Beverly Library
January 26, 2021
Joyce Colander 鈥68, MALS 鈥69 retired as manager of the Beverly branch of the Chicago Public Library in November 2019. She worked at the Beverly branch for 41 years. Read more.
After 20 years with CFECI, Joan Dixon 鈥73 retires as President and CEO
January 11, 2021
Joan Dixon 鈥73, President and CEO of Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, is retiring in June after 20 years in the role. Joan never intended to run an organization that manages and administers millions of dollars in endowed funds. Read more.
Artwork by 鈥62 alumnae getting new life in rural Wisconsin
In this image from 1964, Sr. Joeann Daley, OP, 鈥62, MFA 鈥81 and Kathleen Stagney 鈥62 are seen creating the mosaic at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Endeavor. They were teaching at Catholic schools in suburban Chicago and were recruited to spend the summer making the mosaic. Read more.
Richard Jesuit 鈥86 launches Fresh Coat Painters Franchise
January 5, 2021
Experienced business leader Richard Jesuit 鈥86 has launched a new business, Fresh Coat Painters of Plainfield. This new franchise offers residential and commercial painting services to Southwest Chicago. Read more.