Established in 2011, URSA was created to expand opportunities for undergraduates to lead or collaborate on research projects alongside faculty mentors. Now in its fifteenth year, the event has grown into a cornerstone of BenU’s academic calendar, and the 2026 symposium proved to be one of the most vibrant yet.

From noon-4:30 p.m., Goodwin Hall hosted a packed schedule of oral presentations across three rooms (211, 212, and 213), with three concurrent time blocks running from noon until the late afternoon. Topics ranged from police perceptions of community-oriented policing and the role of music in Native American identity to existentialist analyses of eating disorders, echo chambers on social media, CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors, and the racialized lens of medical illustration. The presentations reminded all in attendance that URSA interprets “scholarship” in the broadest possible sense.

Meanwhile, the first-floor lobby transformed into a bustling gallery of discovery during the poster session, held from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Poster topics ranged from Wolbachia bacteria in arthropods and the neurotoxic effects of microplastics on the brain to AI-driven goose deterrent systems for Lake St. Benedict, the relationship between personality traits and social deduction games, and a winter clothing drive supporting survivors of domestic violence.

Students from the natural sciences presented research findings on large-format posters, while peers from the humanities and arts displayed original creative work, including visual art installations and descriptions of original musical compositions.

Faculty, staff, and students filled the hallways and session rooms, offering thoughtful questions and enthusiastic support. For many presenters, URSA served as a vital “dry-run” for larger regional conferences later this spring. But for all involved, the event was a celebration of what happens when BenU students are given a stage to share their curiosity.

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Sponsored by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered through the Lilly Network of Church-Related Colleges and Universities, the Lilly Faculty Fellows Program is designed to nurture faculty leadership, strengthen the integration of faith and learning, and support the development of mission-centered teaching and campus programming. Fellows participate in multi-year cohorts that provide structured mentoring, attendance at national Lilly conferences, collaborative seminars, and resources to design high-impact projects that advance institutional mission, faculty formation, and student learning.

As Lilly Faculty Fellows, Drs. Granic and McCarthy will lead a campus initiative titled “Serving Together: Benedictine Leadership Through Community Action.” The project brings together faculty from the humanities and the sciences on both the Lisle and Mesa campuses to model interdisciplinary leadership grounded in the Rule of St. Benedict and Catholic Social Teaching. Through a series of presentations, roundtable discussions, and collaborative workshops with academic mentors and community partners, the initiative will generate innovative curricular approaches that integrate ethical reflection, service learning, and evidence-based inquiry. Faculty participants will work across disciplines and across ����TV’s Lisle and Mesa campuses to develop assignments that encourage students to practice deep listening, hospitality, shared decision-making, and responsible action for the common good.

This recognition is especially meaningful for BenU as a Catholic institution rooted in the Benedictine tradition. The Lilly Faculty Fellows Program directly supports the University’s mission by fostering faculty leadership that integrates intellectual rigor, moral formation, and service to others. Drs. Granic and McCarthy’s project reflects core Benedictine values—Community, Ora et Labora, Respect for Persons, and Stewardship—while strengthening collaboration across disciplines and campuses. Their work will help form students not only as skilled professionals, but as ethically grounded leaders inspired by faith, reason, and a commitment to the common good.

����TV congratulates Drs. Granic and McCarthy on this significant achievement and looks forward to the lasting impact their Lilly Faculty Fellowship will have on faculty, students, and the wider University community.

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Over the years, he has maintained research collaborations and visiting faculty appointments with those two institutions, as well as the Synchrotron Radiation Center associated with the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Dr. Marin maintains a vibrant research agenda, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications. As a spectroscopist truly working at the boundary between physics and chemistry, Dr. Marin’s work has ranged from ultrafast photophysics to radiation-induced fast kinetics, radiation- and photo-induced radical chemistry, and vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy. He has served on various committees and in many roles for the American Chemical Society (ACS), both at the local and national level, including Chair of the Chicago Section and member of the National ACS Council.

A strong supporter of the liberal arts tradition in Catholic higher education, Dr. Marin enjoys exploring the “great questions” that lie at the interface of science, theology, and philosophy. To that end, he also serves as Vice President and founder of the Chicago area chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists. In his spare time, Dr. Marin is busy is a semi-professional musician, and serves as musical director, arranger, and bassist for the Nite Hawks jazz combo, the Tim Marin Orchestra, and the Chi-Town Showstoppers R&B/soul band.

“I am honored to be elected to this role. The Lilly Network has been a true friend to ����TV, generously supporting programs that bring our Catholic and Benedictine mission to life,” said Dr. Marin. “Serving on their National Board is a meaningful way for me to give back and to express my gratitude for the remarkable generosity they have shown both to the University and to my own professional journey.”

Dr. Marin’s appointment as a Lilly Faculty Fellow is a point of great pride for BenU. His selection reflects the very integration of rigorous scholarship, faithful exploration, and dedicated service that we strive to embody as a Catholic and Benedictine institution. Dr. Marin’s work in advancing scientific discovery and in thoughtfully engaging the dialogue between science and faith exemplifies our commitment to educating the whole person and contributing to the greater good. We are confident he will bring valuable insight to the Lilly Network and are delighted to see his exceptional contributions recognized in this national forum.

Founded in 1991, the Lilly Network (formerly the Lilly Fellows Program) seeks to strengthen the quality and shape the character of church-related institutions of higher learning through a variety of fellowships and regranting efforts. The Lilly Network is based at Christ College, the interdisciplinary honors college of Valparaiso University in Northwest Indiana, and is sustained by the generous support of Lilly Endowment Inc. ����TV joined the Lilly Network in 1999.

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The official notification arrived confirming that the program has been granted the maximum five-year initial accreditation, a significant achievement that reflects the program’s high quality and rigorous standards.

“Receiving the news that the DNP in Executive Leadership program received its initial CCNE accreditation is a testament to all the nursing faculty, staff, and administrators who collaborated to launch ����TV’s first doctoral nursing program,” said BenU Professor and Graduate Program Director for Nursing Alison Ridge, DNP, RN, CNE. “I am incredibly proud of the work our doctoral students and recent alumnae (cohort 1 graduated in August) are doing to improve patient and population health. They are exceptional leaders who are well positioned to advance nursing and shape healthcare now and into the future.”

The accreditation process is a comprehensive review of a program’s curriculum, academic support, faculty, and student and program outcomes.

Receiving accreditation demonstrates that BenU’s DNP program meets the highest national standards for nursing education and provides students with exceptional preparation to become transformation leaders of nursing practice and healthcare.

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The schedule commenced on Wednesday with Journeys in Leadership with BenU alum Kelly Carlson, MBA, ’91, and continued on Friday with the Alumni Achievement Awards. Saturday, Oct. 4, featured both academic and traditional activities. The morning began with the return of the Organizational Developlment (OD) Lecture Series featuring David Jamieson, PhD, a nationally-recognized thought leader in OD, who led a session on building adaptive organizations and leading change with clarity.

Following the lecture, the focus shifted to the annual Homecoming Tailgate in the Rice Center Parking Lot. Alumni from various classes, including the honored Golden Eagles from the Class of 1975, gathered at tents hosted by the Goodwin College of Business and Liberal Arts, the College of Science and Health, the Black Alumni Network, the Eagle Club, and BenU Library and Archives. The Homecoming football game against Rockford began at 1 p.m., where the Eagles secured a decisive 42-9 victory.

In addition to the tailgate and football game, there was also a dedicated evening event for the Golden Eagles. Classmates and guests gathered in The Pub at Coal Ben for music, dinner, and camaraderie. The class of 1965 had a similar event on the fifth floor of Kindlon Hall as well.

The weekend served as a successful occasion for the ����TV community to celebrate tradition and reinforce connections between the University and its alumni.

To view photos from this year’s Homecoming, click on the link

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The ����TV (BenU) community came together for an inspiring evening to celebrate the remarkable achievements of its alumni at the annual Alumni Achievement Awards ceremony. The event was a powerful testament to the enduring impact of a Benedictine education and the incredible paths our graduates forge in the world.

The evening began with warm opening remarks from President Joseph J. Foy, PhD, and a reflective prayer, setting a tone of gratitude and community. Guests enjoyed a dinner that provided a chance for fellowship before the awards presentation.

The ceremony honored three exceptional individuals whose lives and work beautifully reflect the University’s core values of community, hospitality, and stewardship.

Rising Star Award

Reenie Baidya | Class of 2019 | Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

The Rising Star Award recognizes an outstanding alum whose achievements and leadership signal a bright future. They repesent “the ones to watch.”

Visionary Award Recipient

Daniel Laspisa | Class of 2013 | Environmental Science 

The Visionary Award honors an exceptional alum whose foresight and transformative action has reshaped their industry and created a lasting, positive impact. They don’t just see a better future; they build it, inspiring and improving the lives of all those they touch.

Distinguished Award Recipient

Daniel Hebreard | Class of 2007 | Partnership in MBA

The Distinguished Award recognizes an alum who has reached the pinnacle of their career and personal endeavors. You represent the enduring power of our Benedictine values as the guiding force for professional excellence and a life dedicated to meaningful contribution.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening. We extend our deepest congratulations to our award winners. Your journeys stand as a testament to the values cultivated here at ����TV and the profound, positive impact you have on our world.

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Over the next five years, the BenSTEMS program will provide scholarships, mentoring, leadership opportunities, career-readiness programming, and research experiences to academically talented students with significant financial need. By addressing both financial difficulties and the academic “chokepoints” that often hinder student success in STEM, the initiative seeks to expand access, improve retention and graduation rates, and prepare graduates to thrive in high-demand fields.

“With BenSTEMS, we are not only investing in our students’ futures but also advancing the University’s mission by supporting those students with the greatest financial need,” said Darya Aleinikava, PhD, Professor of Physics and Principal Investigator on the grant. “We are creating pathways for talented young scientists and engineers who might otherwise be unable to pursue their aspirations.”

The BenSTEMS program builds on ����TV’s long-standing strengths in science education, combining its liberal arts foundation, Catholic intellectual tradition, and commitment to inclusive excellence. Students in the program will benefit from a cohort-based model that emphasizes community building, peer mentoring, faculty engagement, and opportunities to connect with alumni and industry partners.

Beginning in their first year, participants will be supported through tailored coursework, professional development workshops, and access to undergraduate research projects at BenU and partner institutions, including regional national laboratories and industry sites.

A distinctive element of the grant is its research and evaluation component, which will study the impact of combining financial support with academic and social interventions. The findings will not only inform future programming at ����TV but also contribute to the national conversation on how to better support students from low-income backgrounds in completing STEM degrees.

“This grant represents a transformative investment in our students,” said Kate Lang, PhD, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Through BenSTEMS, BenU will be able to reduce financial obstacles, foster a sense of community, and prepare the next generation of scientists, innovators, and problem-solvers who will make a difference in society.”

By equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and professional networks they need to succeed, BenSTEMS will help ensure that ����TV graduates are well-prepared for careers in research, technology, engineering, education, and other high-demand areas where STEM expertise is vital.

Stay tuned for more information about BenSTEMS and how to apply.

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As campus minister, Abbott Hugh was a strong advocate for finding a more suitable and central location for a University chapel, and he more than once suggested that the former “main reading room” in Lownik Hall would be ideal for the purpose. The building itself has a storied history. The groundbreaking for Lownik Hall took place on October 17, 1959, four months after Abbot Hugh took his monastic vows. Named in 1969 for Theodore Lownik, former Chair of the Board of Trustees, the building was intened to replace the library located in the basement of the former Benedictine Hall. After the library collections moved to Kindlon Hall in 2001, Lownik Hall housed various administrative offices.

At last, in 2024, Abbot Hugh’s dreams were realized with the relocation of St. Benedict Chapel and Campus Ministry to this building. To honor Abbot Hugh’s role and advocacy, David Rausch, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, commissioned a stoneware holy water font from Brother Kevin Coffey, OSB. A long time teacher of fine arts, Brother Kevin took his monastic vows before Abbot Hugh in 2001. He chose Scriptural themes of water and baptism, signifying life and renewal, for the font. The Noah figure depicted bears the face of Abbot Hugh, a permanent tribute to his vision and service.

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The USA Deaf Volleyball program has a storied history, with the women’s team participating in every Deaflympics since volleyball was added in 1969. The men’s team, however, has faced challenges due to the sport’s historically lower popularity among male athletes. After missing the 2021 Deaflympics in Brazil, the team was reestablished in 2023, capitalizing on the recent surge in men’s volleyball interest.

Under the leadership of Head Coach John Macko and Assistant Coach Ben Campman, the team has risen in prominence, placing second at the 2025 US Open and fourth at the Deaf World Championships—their best finish in history. With an average age under 25, the team is one of the youngest in international competition, signaling a bright future for USA Deaf Volleyball.

Campman, who has worked closely with Radomski, praised the ����TV athlete’s dedication and skill.

“From the moment Chris joined, we could see we had a cornerstone of our program. He has an incredible job making himself a well-rounded player, excelling not just in hitting but also in defense,” said Coach Campman. “I’ve had discussions with him in the past about what motivates him and what he enjoys, and he just loves high level volleyball. I’m so glad he is having this opportunity to play against international opponents at one of the highest levels in the world. He wants this, and with him on the team, we have the potential to do some really special things.”

Mike Stevens, Head Coach of ����TV (Lisle campus) Men’s Volleyball, also commended Radomski’s work ethic and leadership.

“Chris is the best teammate,” Stevens said. “He has an uncanny ability to make you laugh and a work ethic that makes him dangerous on the court. He anchors our offense and competes every time he steps on the court, in the weight room, or in the classroom. We’re all extremely proud of him and are excited for him to compete on the international stage..”

Radomski’s journey to the Deaflympics highlights both his personal determination and the growing opportunities for deaf athletes in volleyball. The BenU community looks forward to cheering him on as he competes among the world’s best in Tokyo this fall.

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Based on the information provided in their Niche profile, qualified students across Illinois and the U.S. who meet ����TV’s enrollment criteria will immediately be notified that BenU would love for them to join its incoming class. 

“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to help students see their potential and take that next step with confidence,” says Matt Jones, ����TV Executive Director of Enrollment. “By removing additional barriers to access, we’re inviting more students to belong to our community and truly become the best versions of themselves.“

Direct admissions programs are rapidly expanding nationwide and increasing in popularity as more forward-thinking colleges look to adopt a modernized, student-friendly process. These programs help break down barriers to enrollment, encouraging more students (especially Pell Grant-eligible, first-generation, and underrepresented students) to pursue higher education.

Every year, one in two college-bound seniors creates a profile on Niche, and more than 50 million people rely on the platform to research and choose their best-fit college. With Niche Direct Admissions, a , students who meet criteria set by the institutions will instantly know their acceptance status, receive scholarship offers upfront, explore detailed information about the college, and begin the enrollment process, all within their Niche account.

This program allows ����TV to expand its reach beyond traditional regions, helping more students discover and connect with institutions outside their home state.

“Niche is changing how colleges connect with students and build their future classes,” says Luke Skurman, Founder and CEO of Niche. “Niche Direct Admissions provides admissions teams the tools to deliver the speed, transparency, and personalization today’s students and families expect.”

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