Donor Stories Archive 2016

October 2016

Professor Richard (Ric) Calabrese’s connections to Dominican University span his entire career—and the better part of his life. From first setting foot on the campus of Rosary College in 1967 until today, he would have it no other way.

He was 25 years old, with two master’s degrees to his credit and on his way to earning a doctorate, when he accepted the position at Rosary to teach courses in the departments of both English and Communications. “When I started at Rosary,” he recalls, “there were only a handful of lay faculty here, the majority of the faculty and staff were sisters. But the culture was palpable – within a few weeks, I was so taken with the Caritas of this place. The sisters, they never just said good morning to you. They said good morning, they gave you a hug, they asked about your weekend, they truly cared about you.”

It was not only the sisters with whom Ric felt an immediate connection – it was also the students. Then, as now, many of his students were the first members of their family to go to college. “Dominican is great at helping first-generation students,” Ric reflects. “I was a first-generation student, so I could relate to and work with these students. I realized I could not only teach them, but also be a mentor to them.”

Now in his 50th year at Dominican University, Ric has become a leader among the university community, serving on multiple committees, including the board of trustees, and as the first Marshall of the University. He has been honored with the Excellence in Teaching Award and the Distinguished Service Professorship. Ric’s influence has extended far beyond our River Forest campus. He has participated in international service trips with students to Mexico and El Salvador, and taught in France, Poland, and India.

All good things must come to an end, however. At the conclusion of the current academic year, Ric will retire. To continue his legacy, his will includes a provision for a gift to Dominican in support of scholarships for first-generation students. Even though the number of Sinsinawa Dominican sisters on campus has declined over the years, Ric feels that the culture they created still remains. Asked why he chose to include a gift to Dominican in his estate plans, Ric says, “It was a natural inclination. It has to be something you do out of love. I came to Dominican because of the mission. I stayed because it never felt like work. I am going to be 75 this year. I have spent two-thirds of my life here. This is home."

May 2016

Jeff Goldone ’80 and Russina Rusev Grady ’81 met on Labor Day 1977 – their first day at Rosary College. They both fondly remember spending their first night on campus talking in Coughlin Hall with a small group of new friends. Hours later, they watched the sunrise together from Coughlin Lounge, not knowing that the friendships formed that first day would continue nearly 40 years later.

Fast forward back to campus in June 2015 when Jeff and Russina attended the opening reception at Alumnae/i Weekend. As Russina recalls, “When I noticed the Mazzuchelli Heritage Society ribbon attached to Jeff’s nametag, I asked him what it meant. He told me he was a member of the Heritage Society because Dominican University was in his will. I told him I was a member then, too, but I hadn’t informed the university yet! My husband and I had added Dominican to our will when we created our trust.” After learning that Jeff was being recognized as a member of the Mazzuchelli Heritage Society because he had made Dominican aware of his planned gift, Russina was inspired to do the same.

Three and a half decades after their initial conversation, Jeff and Russina are happy knowing that by including Dominican in their estate plans, they are allowing future generations of students to receive the same opportunity-rich education they did so many years ago. “Rosary was where I wanted to pursue my college education, but I was 100% dependent on scholarships. This was an opportunity given to me, and I believe it’s my role to provide a similar opportunity to future Dominican students,” says Russina. Jeff agrees, noting “if I can provide a financial means for someone to get an outstanding college education more easily, then I feel I’m making a meaningful difference in someone’s future--and in the future of our society.”

Jeff and Russina both feel that their time spent at Rosary ultimately played a significant part in shaping their personal and professional lives. In 2014 Jeff launched his own consulting firm focused on dining services and training, and is currently preparing to become a deacon in his church. “Dominican played a key role in making me successful professionally,” he says, “as well as molding me into a humble and caring human being in my private life.” For Russina, working in global travel management for 30 years enabled her to use many of the skills she learned while pursuing majors in French Studies, international business and economics. Now as a member of the Donor Services team at the Lions Club International Foundation, she reflects on her years as a student: “Rosary was the first place where I really felt encouraged to achieve whatever I dreamed to do. It was also where I met some of my dearest lifelong friends, and for that, I will always be truly grateful. Making a gift to Dominican through my estate seemed like the right thing to do. I was inspired by Jeff to tell Dominican about my gift, and I hope I can inspire others to do the same."