Latest news with #ElmhurstUniversity
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Elmhurst U names health department after longtime nurse, and more
Longtime critical care nurse Diane Tyrrell has been honored by Elmhurst University, which dedicated the Diane Tyrrell Department of Nursing and Public Health during a ceremony at the university's new Health Services Building. The 45,000-square-foot facility, which opens in the fall, will be a hub for the public health and nursing programs, as well as the occupational therapy and communication sciences and disorders programs. Tyrell, a critical care nurse for 45 years, was named Nurse of the Year at University Hospitals Cleveland medical center in 1988. Her husband, Trustee Emeritus Thomas Tyrrell, an alum, has joined her in supporting Elmhurst University for nearly 50 years. He joined the university's board of trustees in 1990 and was a trustee until 2011, including leading the board from 2002-07. He was given the university's Founders Medal in 2007. The Tyrrells also have supported athletics and the Tyrrell Fitness Center, the Annual Fund, campus improvement projects and student scholarships, including the Diane M. Tyrreel Clinical Nursing Endowed Scholarship Fund. 'We are so inspired by how Tom's love for Diane and his alma mater came together to create this generous gift, which will benefit our students and faculty for years to come,' President Troy VanAken shared in a news release. Hinsdale students were among winners of Metra's 18th annual Safety Contest, in which students across the Chicago area used their creativity to educate the public about the importance of being safe around railroad tracks and crossings. In this year's contest, which had a theme of 'See Tracks? Stay Back,' students competed for up to $500 Amazon gift cards for their original artwork. Winners will be featured in Metra's 2026 safety calendar and on its Saturday/Sunday/holiday day passes. Students in fifth through 12th grade could enter hand-drawn or digital artwork, and children in kindergarten through fourth grade entered hand-drawn posters. First-place winners were recognized at a recent Metra board meeting. For hand-drawn posters, Leah Wong, a seventh-grade student at Hinsdale Middle School, and Conner Jaoran Jia, a ninth-grade student at Hinsdale Central High School earned first place. First-grade student Juno Zhao of Lane Elementary School in Hinsdale, and Michael Chen, ninth grade, at Hinsdale Central, were named second-place winners. Third-place winners included Logan Ho, a kindergartner from Madison Elementary School in Hinsdale; Nathan Macrie, third grade, and Grace Fu, second grade, both at Madison Elementary School in Hinsdale. Studying Arabic language and culture is a little easier for Tinley Park resident Mikala Marcussen-Abuharb, Elmhurst University's first student to be accepted into the Critical Language Scholarship program. After finishing the program, Marcussen-Abuharb becomes a priority candidate for the CLS program in Jordan the summer after her senior year at Elmhurst. She'll be a junior this fall. The U.S. Department of State offers the fully funded summer program for undergraduate and graduate students to learn languages that offer 'strategic importance to the United States' national security, economic prosperity, and engagement with the world,' according to a university news release. Its acceptance rate of less than 10% makes it the most competitive foreign language scholarship program in the country. She is one of 20 students who will learn one academic year of university-level work in the eight-week program, which started June 16. She'll also work with a private language instructor. Marcussen-Abuharb served the U.S. Navy for six years as a machinist's mate second class stationed in South Asia and the Middle East after high school. Her husband, a native Arabic speaker from Jordan, sparked her interest in the language. 'We live in a predominantly Arabic-speaking area of Tinley Park, and I have witnessed the inequities in health care access created by language and cultural barriers,' she said via the release. 'My goal is to become a dentist for the Arabic-speaking population, to bridge this gap. I also seek fluency, to converse and better understand the culture of my new family in Jordan.' Donuts with Dads takes place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 16 at the Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E. Maple St. Fathers can enjoy coffee and the sweet treats while spending time with their children of all ages at the library. Different activities take place each month. Details are at or 630-986-1976. Paul Connery, of Downers Grove, was promoted last month to partner at the personal injury law and medical malpractice firm Levin & Perconti in Chicago. Before joining the firm, Connery was a Cook County state's attorney for four years, working in the Narcotics Prosecutions Bureau. He also was part of the team that started the Chicago Prostitution and Trafficking Intervention Court in Chicago. After that, he spent time defending product liability cases and tort claims at a defense firm. Connery, who has a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a law degree from the Loyola University School of Law, also does volunteer work, serving on the board of directors for Life Span, an organization that serves victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence in the Chicago area. Adults 21 and older who love music from the 1990s should plan to attend Cantigny Rewind, featuring live music with the Boy Band Review tribune group, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at Cantigny Park, 1515 Winfield Road in Wheaton. Attendees are invited to dress in throwback attire, snap photos at themed spots, play childhood games and experience creative cocktails and mocktails with a DJ set from Airro Music. The park's beer garden and cafe will offer a variety of hot meals, cold sandwiches and grab-and-go snacks. Upgraded tickets include early entry at 7 p.m., premium parking, four drink tokens and access to a private bar. Before Aug. 9, regular tickets cost $40 and upgraded tickets cost $115; on the day of, tickets cost $45 and $135 respectively. Information is at or 630-668-5161.
Chicago Tribune
12-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Elmhurst University announces endowed chair in STEM, more
A married couple who have ties to Elmhurst University have established a $1.5 million estate commitment to create its first endowed faculty chair in science, technology, analytics and mathematics. The donors hope the endowed chair will help the university attract and retain brilliant scholars in mathematics and the sciences, highlighting 'the importance of faculty research, which at Elmhurst usually includes students, as well as the role of excellent teaching in shaping students' academic experience and long-term career goals,' according to a news release. 'Their commitment will leave a lasting impact by empowering Elmhurst faculty to innovate and discover through scholarship, and by inspiring our students to become the next generation of leaders in the critical STEM fields,' Troy Van Aken, university president, shared in the release. An alum who earned a degree in economics at Elmhurst is one of the donors and both have had distinguished careers in STEM fields – joining biotechnology and health care analytics in their early days. The endowed chair, once funded, would be awarded to a faculty member in the School of Science, Technology and Mathematics. La Grange Park officials and staff will host a State of the Village reception from 5 to 7 p.m. May 22 at Thirty North at Plymouth Place, 315 N. LaGrange Road. The evening will highlight La Grange Park's accomplishments and progress in the last year. All residents, business owners and community members are invited. RSVP by emailing sbakalich@ Those 21 and older with an interest in learning more about wine are invited to Blind Taste Race with Anfora Wine Merchants from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 22 at Cheney Mansion Greenhouse, 220 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park. Participants can test their senses as they discover how to taste wine using all of the senses, starting with a pop of the cork to smelling its bouquet and enjoying it on the palate. Leaders will cover tasting basics, after which each table will work together to match each win with its correct set of descriptors. Admission includes light appetizers. If weather allows, the event will take place on the patio. Tickets cost $37 to $46. This program is offered by the Park District of Oak Park. Visit to register. Plant aficionados are invited to a plant sale hosted by the Darien Garden Club from 9 a.m .to 1 p.m. May 17 at St. John Lutheran Church, 7214 S. Cass, Darien. Perennials, annuals and native plants will be sold, as well as houseplants, herbs and vegetables. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. Information is at Fulton Chamber Players perform at 6 p.m. May 20 at First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, 150 S. Ashland Ave., LaGrange. The performance is free. The Fulton Music Society aims 'to transform what music means in the 21st century by nurturing thoughtful, well-rounded students through dedicated music study. We are working to connect the dots between student life and the professional world by emphasizing skills and experiences that translate beyond their instruments,' its website notes. Information is at The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association presents The Best of Broadway at 1:15 p.m. May 19 in the second-floor ballroom of its building at 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. It's part of the Monday Enrichment Series. Jacquelyne Jones and Devin DeSantis, accompanied by JoAnn Daughtery on piano, will perform selections from Broadway musicals. Although admission is free, donations are appreciated. Monday Enrichment programs feature art, literacy, science, music and social sciences. Information is at
Chicago Tribune
25-03-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Elmhurst University's Holocaust Service of Remembrance program focuses on helpers
Historians have studied for decades the issues of who rescued Jews during the Holocaust and why they risked their lives to do it. Rebecca Carter-Chand, director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's Programs on Ethics, Religion and the Holocaust, will discuss the evolution of the study of rescue and the motivations of rescuers on April 6 at Elmhurst University. The lecture, 'Understanding Rescue During the Holocaust,' part of the university's 35th Annual Holocaust Service of Remembrance and Lecture, will be held at 7 p.m. in the Founders Lounge of the Frick Center Chapel, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Admission is free but reservations are encouraged at 'Earlier studies, starting in the 1980s, were coming from social scientists and ethicists mostly,' Carter-Chand said. 'They viewed rescue less as a historical phenomenon and more as a psychological phenomenon. They were really interested in how rescue could be attributed to a person's ethical predisposition or something that they called the empathetic personality or as a result of someone's individual piety or theological commitment.' Carter-Chand said that recently there are two newer approaches to the study of rescue. 'One is more of a focus on circumstances rather than motivation,' she said. 'The second is more a focus on Jewish agency and self-help.' In terms of circumstances, Carter-Chand indicated that people often helped Jews who were in their social or professional circle, or if they were asked to help by someone in their religious community. Sometimes the rescue was a continuation of work the rescuers were already doing. Carter-Chand cited the case of Catholic convents that ran schools where they were able to take in Jewish children and thereby hide them. Through her own research, Carter-Chand reported, she discovered that the Salvation Army was able to hide Jews in women's hostels that were already set up. Carter-Chand agreed that empathy could have played a part in the rescues based on circumstances. Studying the issue of rescue during the holocaust is important because 'There's so much mythology around rescue,' Carter-Chand said. 'People think that it happened a lot more often than it did. It really is the rare exception rather than the norm. And there's the mistaken idea that most Christians must have been rescuers. Also, people think that this topic is a good place to look for inspiring people today to have compassion or a strong moral compass.' She added that it shows people did know what was happening during the Holocaust. 'Also, it helps to better understand the experience of Jews and the strategies that they used, for people who are trying to survive persecution,' Carter-Chand said. She noted that the topic of rescue is a special interest of hers. Her research leads her to explore 'the rescuer's side but also understanding the experience of those people being rescued,' she said. 'It's a way to study the history where people are interacting with each other — Jews and gentiles — in a very personal, grassroots kind of way. Also, I'm drawn to it because of how it's misunderstood and there's this mythology around it. I'm always compelled to show this history in a more accurate way.' Carter has done other lectures on this topic, in addition to the upcoming one at Elmhurst University. 'I find overall audiences are very receptive to learning about this history including the painful and maybe unflattering parts,' she said. 'And also talk about the times when maybe aid was given and it wasn't so altruistic. Maybe the nuns in charge baptized the kids that were under their care. Maybe other people took payment and profited from rescue. Although it might seem like a very uplifting part of this history, it brings a lot of difficult questions when you start to dig into it.'
Chicago Tribune
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Elmhurst University Jazz Festival unites musical masters with students over 4 days of concerts
Elmhurst University's annual Jazz Festival, one of the oldest and best-known collegiate festivals in the region, will bring together musicians from area high schools and colleges, as well as Germany's WDR Big Band with music director Bob Mintzer as it returns for its 58th edition over four days, Feb. 20 to 23. Even for those unfamiliar with the finer points of jazz, the flashing brass, the driving beats of guitar, bass and drums, the soaring voices of the singers and the sheer energy and talent of the young players offer thrilling musical experiences in the beautiful setting of the Hammerschmidt Chapel on the Elmhurst University campus. The lineup of featured artists also includes the Yellowjackets and guitarist Dave Stryker, who will perform with the WDR Big Band during the four-day festival on the Elmhurst University campus. In addition, the Jazz Festival will welcome guest artists including drummer Danny Gottlieb, trombonist Ryan Keberle and saxophonist Alexa Tarantino, all of whom will perform with the renowned Elmhurst University Jazz Band. Those top artists are a great draw for jazz aficionados, but the festival also welcomes those new to jazz, according to festival director Chris Parsons. 'It's a great opportunity to see (and hear) some great college musicians from the Midwest,' Parsons said. 'In addition, it's a great learning and educational experience for everybody.' Parsons, who began volunteering with the festival as a high school student 20 years ago and is now in his third year as director, credits the festival with his decision to become a professional musician. 'Eventually, the bug bit me,' he said. 'I was hooked.' Gottlieb, Keberle and Tarantino will also serve as adjudicators, taking the stage after school performances to offer critiques and honors, along with performing themselves. The festival begins Thursday, Feb. 20, with the High School Invitational, bringing high school groups from Chicago, the suburbs and even Indiana. The invitational ends with a performance by Danny Gottlieb, Ryan Keberle and Alexa Tarantino with the Elmhurst University Jazz Band. Participating high school bands include Naperville Central, Oak Park and River Forest, Glenbard East in Lombard, St. Charles East, Addison Trail, Fenton in Bensenville, Whitney M. Young in Chicago and Lake Central in St. John, Indiana. Alexander Stombres, music department chair at Addison Trail High School, said it's a valuable outing for the students in his school's Jazz Ensemble. 'My philosophy as a music educator is to get kids exposed to the masters of jazz,' he said. 'At the Festival, you get to work with the best jazz musicians in the world.' Stombres said the opportunity to interact with those top musicians has a lasting effect on his students. 'They come back energized and excited.' Performances by college and university bands begin on Friday, Feb. 21. That evening's feature performance will be the WDR Big Band from Cologne, Germany, described by Downbeat magazine as one of Europe's finest large jazz ensembles. Performing with them will be the Yellowjackets, a Grammy Award-winning American jazz fusion band that has been performing and recording for more than 40 years. On Saturday, Feb. 22, a clinic and master class with Gottlieb, Keberle and Tarantino begins another day of college performances, followed that evening with a concert by the WDR Big Band and Dave Stryker, hailed by The Village Voice as 'one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years,' according to a University release. On the final day of the festival, the program features more college and university performances and concludes that afternoon with a performance by the WDR Big Band with Bob Mintzer. Among the colleges sending bands to the festival are Kansas City Kansas Community College, Columbia College Chicago, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Northwestern University, Olivet Nazarene University, The Ohio State University, Purdue University, Ashland University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Joliet Junior College, College of DuPage, Harper College, Hillsdale College and Elmhurst University. The Elmhurst University Jazz Festival is a forum for jazz education, with acclaimed artists gathering with the next generation of musicians to explore and perform music, according to event organizers. Students have access to some of the best musicians in the business and can talk with them about their work and artistry, gaining professional connections and insights. Elmhurst University students run the festival, giving them relevant, firsthand experience and a professional edge in a highly competitive marketplace. 'The jazz world is small but mighty,' Parsons said. 'We want to welcome everybody.' This year's sessions and featured performances will take place in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel in the center of the Elmhurst University campus, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Some performances also will be live streamed. Information and tickets are at
