News Archive 2022

December 20, 2022
Vicki Rakowski MLIS ’10 will join the Forest Park Public Library as its new executive director. Rakowski is currently the executive director of the Barrington Area Library District, a position she has held for six years, but she began her library career at the Forest Park Public Library 14 years ago as a youth services reference assistant. Read more.

November 30, 2022
Dr. Jonathan Dompeling BMS ’15 is joining Stormont Vail Health to practice as an emergency medicine physician. He grew up in the Chicagoland suburbs and earned a Bachelor of Medical Science from Dominican in 2015. Read more.

November 18, 2022

Dr. Carmen Ayala MBA ’87 has announced plans to retire at the end of her current contract, which concludes on January 31, 2023. As the capstone of her nearly four-decade career in education, Carmen was the first woman and the first person of color to serve as superintendent for the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Read more.

This article appeared in the November 2022 issue of the Dominican Magazine

A student internship with MB Financial, arranged through Dominican University, led to a job offer for Dahlia Mijarez ’16. Now, Mijarez is an assistant vice president at Fifth Third Bank, and she’s recently earned a spot on the 2022 “Latinos 40 Under 40” list amassed by award-winning Chicago publisher Negocios Now. Read more.

This article appeared in the November 2022 issue of the Dominican Magazine

Ellen Bendry’s mother, Ellen Hill ’24, was among the first students to attend Rosary College when it opened in 1922. Read more.

This article appeared in the November 2022 issue of the Dominican Magazine
Over the course of her career as an artist and educator, Anne Loquercio ’52, MFA ’53 taught a wide-reaching group of students. “My teaching career ranged from kindergarten to the university,” Loquercio shared. Read more.

This article appeared in the November 2022 issue of the Dominican Magazine
Jim Revelle, MCR ’16, Samar Kullab, MS ’20 and Brian Manjarrez ’15, MSW ’19 are using their degrees in unique ways to support well-being. Read more.

This article appeared in the November 2022 issue of the Dominican Magazine
Watching her mother cook homemade meals and her father cultivate crops on his farm, Marie Molde RD, MBA ’11 embraced healthy nutrition early in life. It’s led her to a career as a registered dietitian, wellness expert and advocate for Americans to eat more plant-based foods. Read more.

This article appeared in the November 2022 issue of the Dominican Magazine
The crossroads of faith and schooling have long been identifiable for Marilyn Rhames ’96. A journalist turned educator, Rhames, a Christian, formed a consulting firm aimed at connecting faith-based nonprofits with public schools to create partnerships supporting education and positive principles, but that are also Constitutionally permitted. Read more.

This article appeared in the November 2022 issue of the Dominican Magazine
A senior year course in religion and literature sparked Noah Groll’s interest in studying theology post-graduation — and overseas. After working in estate planning for an Oak Park law firm, Groll ’21 was accepted this fall to the Master of Studies in Theology program at the prestigious University of Oxford. Read more.

This article appeared in the November 2022 issue of the Dominican Magazine
It was during her sophomore year at Dominican University that Vicki Whooper ’11 found her calling as a stage manager. Whooper is now riding a wave of professional success, serving as an assistant stage manager of Broadway’s A Strange Loop, which took home the Tony Award this year for Best Musical. Read more.

This article appeared in the November 2022 issue of the Dominican Magazine
Being named 2021 Librarian of the Year by the Illinois Library Association after weathering two years of pandemic challenges was “a ray of light” for Northbrook Public Library Director Kate Hall ’01, MLIS ’02. Read more.

This article appeared in the November 2022 issue of the Dominican Magazine

Dominican University Athletics inducted its 2022 Hall of Fame Class as two graduates, Darcy Kammeier ’10 and Lio Tovar ’11, were among those enshrined in recognition of their excellence during their time on campus. Read more.

This article appeared in the November 2022 issue of the Dominican Magazine

Receiving special recognition during Reunion 2022 were Vanessa Jackson ’03, recipient of the Caritas Veritas Award; Kathryn Klem Large ’71, recipient of the O’Keefe Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Award; and Portia A. Anderson ’12, recipient of the Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award. Read more.

October 28, 2022
Tim Radway ’05, MBA ’14 has been promoted to chief operating officer at W. Capra Consulting, an IT consultancy focusing on the retail industry. Tim has nearly two decades of professional experience, with expertise across finance and operations, sales, and accounting. Read more.

October 27, 2022
Alena Rivers MLIS ’17 was recently named executive director of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association. Alena joined the American Library Association in 2017 as deputy director and began serving as interim executive director of ALSC in September 2021. Read more.

October 14, 2022

Dominican's status as a premier Catholic Hispanic-Serving Institution is celebrated in a piece published by the U.S. Department of Education. Written by Verónica Gutiérrez MBA ’22, the piece looks at how the university offers Latine students the resources to help them succeed. Read more.

October 7, 2022
Joslyn Bowling Dixon MLIS ’09 has been named the new executive director of the Oak Park Public Library. She has a 20-year career in libraries, a career that began in Hazel Crest. Read more.

October 6, 2022
Louise Rider MLIS ’13 has been promoted to executive producer at noted audio post-production company Another Country. She has been an integral team member at Another Country since landing as an assistant engineer back in 2008. Read more.

August 31, 2022

A new exhibit at Chicago’s Field Museum highlighting scientists who are women and people of color features Lynika Strozier ’11. Lynika, who passed away in 2020 from complications of COVID-19, worked in the Field Museum’s DNA lab. Read more.

August 31, 2022

Jamie Headley ’90, MBA ’96 has been appointed Director of Business Development at Seraph. She has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing and operations leading turnarounds, recoveries, and start-ups. Read more.

August 23, 2022

Aarika Miller ’13, MSW ’16 has been named the head coach of Maine West High School’s competitive dance team. She is also a licensed clinical social worker with a background focusing on interpersonal and community violence. Read more.

August 19, 2022

Eugene Giudice MLIS ’07 was recently named a fellow of the Special Libraries Association, a nonprofit global organization providing support and career development for information professionals. Read more.

August 18, 2022

McHenry County College is hosting an exhibit titled re | process by artist Julie Weber ’06 through Sept. 9 in its art galleries on the Crystal Lake campus. Julie is a Chicago-based visual artist and educator working conceptually within the framework of photography. Read more.

August 9, 2022

Eric Bailey MLIS ’09 is the new director of the Waupaca Public Library. He grew up in Waupaca, Wisconsin and previously was the director of the public library in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Read more.

August 8, 2022

Jermaine Lawrence Anderson ’04 is the executive director of I Am A Gentleman, a nonprofit youth mentorship and leadership program for young people ages 13 to 21 who are from under-resourced communities in the city. Jermaine started a graphic design business in grade school and regularly shared his story as a public speaker before forming the nonprofit. Read more.

June 29, 2022

Dr. Caleb Navarro ’18 is featured in an interview with OneGoal, an organization that works with high schools to provide students with college and career planning services. Caleb, who was a bio-chemistry major at DU, earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Roosevelt University. Read more.

June 29, 2022

Jazmen Moore MAT ’15, a doctoral candidate at the University of Washington, was recently named among the scholars for the 2022 cohort of the National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowship Program. Read more.

June 27, 2022

Rebecca Yowler MLIS ’13 was featured by USFigureSkating.com for her unique life as a librarian, Christian minister and competitive adult figure skater. Read more.

June 14, 2022

Amy Phillips PhD ’12 has been named the new director of the Loveland Public Library. Amy joined the library as adult services division manager in June 2013 and added the role of collection management manager in 2018. Read more.

June 13, 2022

Vicki Whooper ’11 is on the crew of the hugely successful Broadway musical A Strange Loop, which was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and won Best Musical at the 75th Tony Award Ceremony. She serves as the show's Deck Stage Manager. Read more.

June 11, 2022

The Caritas Veritas Award is presented to an alumna/us whose life reflects Dominican University’s motto, Caritas Veritas, a search for truth through charity or service. The award was presented at Reunion 2022.

June 11, 2022

The O'Keefe Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Award, named for Ruth McGrath O’Keefe ’35, is presented to a dedicated alumna/us for her/his life-long advocacy of Dominican University. The award was presented at Reunion 2022.

June 11, 2022

The GOLD Award recognizes an outstanding Graduate of the Last Decade who has shown leadership in a career or occupation and in volunteer service. The award was presented at Reunion 2022.

June 9, 2022

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) announced the hiring of Victoria Hernandez ’14 as the new Cancer Programs Administrator. She recently worked for Rush Medical College as the Education Coordinator of Medical Student Affairs. Read more.

June 6, 2022
T.J. Tyrrell ’01 has been appointed President of The Cary Company. T.J. has been with The Cary Company for 26 years and has served as vice president of marketing and operations since 2012. Read more.

June 3, 2022

Colby College announced the election of six new members to its Board of Trustees, including Tionna Haynes MSpEd ’17. Tionna currently serves as director of special education at Urban Preparatory Charter High School’s Bronzeville campus. Read more.

May 25, 2022

The Board of Directors of the Illinois Library Association (ILA) unanimously approved the promotion of Cyndi Robinson MLIS ’97 as the organization's next executive director. Cyndi currently serves as ILA’s deputy director and has been with ILA for nearly 22 years. Read more.

May 23, 2022

ZwitterCo recently announced Peter Ingarra ’03 as vice president of sales to accelerate growth as the company continues its rapid expansion. Based in Boston, ZwitterCo provides innovative filtration solutions to wastewater problems. Read more.

This story appeared in the Spring 2022 Dominican Magazine

Amid a national reckoning over racial profiling and police brutality, Dr. Seth Wyatt Fallik ’08 is conducting research that could help shift the dynamics between law enforcement and communities of color. Read more.

This story appeared in the Spring 2022 Dominican Magazine

The way Lubna Saleh ’12 sees it, challenging life experiences typically affect people in one of two ways: they either go into hiding or get fired up to create change. Lubna counts herself in the latter category. Read more.

This story appeared in the Spring 2022 Dominican Magazine

In 1964, Sr. Joeann Daley, OP, ’62, MFA ’81, and Kathleen Stagney ’62 spent the summer in a small town in Wisconsin, creating a mosaic to honor the migrant workers who came every year from Mexico, the West Indies and beyond to work on nearby farms. Read more.

This story appeared in the Spring 2022 Dominican Magazine

When Gilbert Allen MSW ’17 was 15 years old, his older brother Michael adopted him to remove him from an untenable home life. The brothers made a pact: if they made it through the chaotic situation they were in, they would write a book and dedicate it to their younger selves. Read more.

This story appeared in the Spring 2022 Dominican Magazine

Growing up, Dr. Andrea Jamison MLIS ’08, PHLIS ’21 was an avid reader. But in the economically disadvantaged schools she attended on the West Side of Chicago, she had limited access to books that reflected her own experience. Read more.

This story appeared in the Spring 2022 Dominican Magazine

As a full-time social worker in the Chicago Public Schools system, Valerie Groth MSW ’08 worked with a heavy caseload of students affected by poverty, homelessness or violence. Valerie dreamed of building a school that could provide the trauma-informed services her students needed, but she did not know where to begin. Read more.

May 20, 2022

Erin Doerr ’00, MBA ’01 was sworn in as Des Plaines Park Board President following one year of serving as a Park Board Commissioner. Her tenure with the Des Plaines Park District began in 2019. Read more.

May 17, 2022

It takes guts for someone to quit their steady day job to launch their own business. But that’s what Chris and Katherine Valleau MAT ’04 did when they started Exit Strategy Brewing Company. Read more.

May 12, 2022

An author, mentor and co-owner of a consulting firm focused on equity and inclusion education, Gilbert Allen MSW ’17 is the recipient of DU's Young Father Mazzuchelli Award. Read more.

May 10, 2022

Dominican's future Welcome Center now has benefactors and a name. In her inauguration address on April 7, Dr. Glena Temple announced that the center, to be created at Lewis Hall, will be named for Cindy Gizzo-Killips ’82 and Kevin Killips ’79, who are supporting its development. Read more.

May 6, 2022

Stephanie Mickley ’95 has been hired as the girls' basketball head coach at St. Bede Academy in Peru, Illinois. Stephanie is also a board-certified family nurse practitioner with Associated Gastroenterology Consultants. Read more.

April 23, 2022

Karen Danczak Lyons MLIS ’97, Evanston Public Library’s executive director, has announced she plans to retire in June. Karen joined the Evanston library a decade ago, after spending 19 years with the Chicago Public Library system. Read more.

April 7, 2022

Kate Hall ’01, MLIS ’02 recently spoke with the Daily Herald about being named the 2021 Librarian of the Year by the Illinois Library Association. She has served as executive director of the Northbrook Public Library since January 2015. Read more.

March 22, 2022

After graduation, Allison Quinn ’07 started her journalism career in Russia. While she no longer lives overseas, Allison is working diligently to tell the stories of families at the forefront of the war in Ukraine. Read more.

March 17, 2022

Richard Green ’15 has been promoted to growth and development director at Northwestern Mutual's Rosemont office. He joined the firm as an intern in 2014 and converted to a full-time financial representative upon graduation with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Read more.

March 11, 2022

Negocios Now announced its 2021 listing of 40 prominent Latinos under the age of 40 in Chicago. Dahlia Mijarez ’16 and Berto Aguayo ’16 were selected to the prestigious list for their leadership in the Chicago metropolitan area. Read more.

Feb. 28, 2022

John Schu MLIS ’10 is the Bookelicious children's librarian and a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University. He is also a former school librarian, elementary school teacher, and ambassador of school libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs. Read more.

Feb. 24, 2022

Arthur Wieckiewicz ’15 has been named WGN’s Teacher of the Month. He is a social studies teacher at Fenwick High School. He also coaches the school’s e-sports and debate teams. Read more.

Feb. 21, 2022

Kellie Case ’96, MBA ’16 has been promoted to president of The Camelot Company, a full-service customs brokerage and freight forwarding company located near O'Hare airport in Chicago. Read more.

Feb. 17, 2022

Marilyn Rhames ’96 is a graduate student at the University of Arkansas, author and speaker. Throughout her career, Marilyn has leveraged tenets of Christianity to advocate for policies that promote educational justice for children and families living in fragile communities. Read more.

Feb. 9, 2022

Doug Pryor MBA ’12 has been named the president and CEO of the Will County Center for Economic Development (CED). He joined the CED in 2017 as the Vice President for Economic Development. Read more.

Jan. 27, 2022

Genna Mickey MLIS ’14 has been promoted to director at the Sugar Grove Public Library. Genna previously held the position of assistant director and has worked at the library since 2015. Read more.

Jan. 7, 2022

Valerie Groth MSW ’08 appeared on The Ellen Show to tell her inspiring story of founding Ryan Banks Academy. At the end of Valerie’s segment, guest host tWitch surprised her with a special appearance from her students as well as much-needed gifts from premium art supplies company Arteza. Read more.

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