A MESSAGE FROM... Our Alumni Leaders
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Dear CSU Alumni Family,
One of the most poignant things to come from the unusual experience of the past 18 months has been our renewed appreciation for relationships and community. These are things many of us previously took for granted. Connecting with one another has proven to be crucial to our health and our physical well-being. We stand proud knowing that our Cougar Family has remained together and steadfast despite the distance, the heartbreak and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It makes us both proud to be Cougars.
As alumni of Chicago State University, we have a shared experience on campus and shared history of 160-plus years that bring us together. Through the strength of our campus community, we have overcome obstacles. We've been challenged and supported by families, friends, neighbors, coaches and professors - the village of support in our own lives - that helped us through college and beyond. We humbly serve as alumni leaders knowing our lives and professional career were shaped by our time on our campus.
We look forward to the upcoming academic year at CSU with excitement to bring this strong community of alumni together once again. We hope you will join us on this journey as we look forward to connecting with you at events in the coming months. With campus re-opened, we plan to connect with one another socially, lift each other up professionally, and unite our shared experiences toward an even more brilliant future together.
As a community of alumni, we are stronger together.
Sincerely,
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Lazarus Goosby '09
President
CSU Alumni Council Advisory Board
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Yvette Warren '01
President
CTC/CSU Alumni Association
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Dr. Richard Glass '98 - Cougar Champion and Mentor
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An experienced education leader, Dr. Richard Glass '98 has devoted his career to improving access and outcomes for Black students across the greater Chicagoland area. Dr. Glass currently serves serves as Chief Executive and Education Officer for Ryan Banks Academy, an independent school for scholars grades 7 through 12, that combines a high-quality, future-facing STEAM curriculum with an integrated social-emotional education in order to propel student into the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and world-changers.
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"I feel that it is my responsibility as both a CSU Alum & Black Male Educator to engage with collegiate scholars, in an effort to increase graduation rates and help them to realize their academic and professional goals."
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This past academic year, Dr. Glass served as a mentor and champion for current CSU students participating in the Rise Scholarship program. "I feel that it is my responsibility as both a CSU Alum and Black Male Educator to engage with collegiate scholars, in an effort to increase graduation rates and help them to realize their academic and professional goals." The pilot year of the Rise mentoring program paired CSU students with CSU alumni and a community champion from an esteemed local business with the goal of supporting each scholar's personal and professional growth through their first year of college.
Dr. Glass explains, "As an educator, I realize the importance of having access to high-quality educational programming, connecting with faculty and community members to serve as mentors, and cultivating mentoring relationships throughout the college journey in efforts to increase the likelihood of success." The Rise mentoring program was just one facet of Chicago State University's larger "Cougar Commitment" Initiative to increase retention and graduation rates, and prepare students for career success following completion of their degree.
Alumni contributions like Dr. Glass' continue to strengthen our entire campus community. Dr. Glass proudly volunteers as a mentor to pay forward the blessings of his experience on CSU's campus. "Chicago State University is a much-needed institution for students of color. CSU provided a strong academic foundation, which allowed me to access highly-selective graduate programs. Most importantly, the relationships that were developed with faculty and fellow students helped to affirm me as a Black man. I felt safe and supportive throughout my educational journey."
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The Chicago State University Educators Fund
The Chicago State Educators Fund recently presented $7,000 in donations to Chicago State University. Professor Roxanne Stevenson, CSU Director of Bands, accepted $3,000 designated for the purchase of marching band uniforms, while Dean Carolyn Theard-Griggs received $4,000 to support students in the College of Education. The presentations occurred in the President’s Conference Room on campus.
The Chicago State Educators Fund was organized by Frank Horton, a CSU alumnus and former principal at South Shore High School, the late Lillie Kinnard, Chandler, a retired Chicago Public School guidance counselor, and like-minded CSU alumni whose goal is to support Chicago Public School alumni while they are CSU students to meet their academic goals, achieve economic self-sufficiency, acquire empowerment skills, enhance positive self-esteem and secure meaningful employment through a commitment of mentoring and financial support.
The Fund has awarded $5,000 each to eleven CSU students since its inception, a total of $55,000.
Fund committee members have organized a variety of fundraisers including The Battle of the Divas featuring Terisa Griffin at the DuSable Museum of African American History.
According to Horton, “COVID threw us off schedule. We could not organize fundraisers in either 2020 or 2021 and look 2022 to replenish the coffers so we can continue to support CPS alumni attending CSU.”
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Q&A WITH: Tiffany Sardin
Head Coach, CSU Women's Basketball
Your playing career brought you from Chicago to Virginia, all the way to Portugal and now back home. How has your travel and experience shaped you as a coach and as a leader?
I remember a saying I once came across, "experiences are to grow", I love learning and I certainly see myself as a lifelong learner. To stop embracing experiences halts learning, and stifles growth. Great leaders value the learning opportunities from interacting with new people and experiences. Just as we want our players to work on their craft, I model the same as the leader of our program, not only in my past experience, but in those that lie ahead, so I can continue working on my craft as well. Working on our craft is embracing the experiences that support growth. It is this very mindset that has shaped my career and continues to guide me in simply being my best for them, our program and institution.
Part of #OurChampionshipEra is improving facilities, including the debut of a state-of-the-art weight and equipment facility. How do new investments like this improve the student-athlete experience and the women's basketball program?
First, huge thank you to our AD Elliott Charles, Jacob Ross and facilities for bringing this state of the art resource and space to CSU athletics. You hear so much about the student athletes experience and how it influences continued growth; this is a step in the right direction. Having this prepared environment provides our women the confidence and support in knowing they are able to receive the right training program to be able to compete at the Division 1 level while staying healthy. This investment is an instrumental part to our athletes development off the court and fields. We love the new weight room.
What do you see as the most exciting opportunities for you and the women's basketball team in the next seasons ahead?
The most exciting thing we are looking forward to is welcoming the new women of the program and continuing to build on the foundation we laid this year. Also, we will be able to have our team on campus for summer school and workouts, preseason training and many other exciting opportunities that will open up more growth. We missed these times together last season because of Covid restrictions. In addition, our team will get to bond and engage in activities and fun experiences as we put in the important work of building culture and team chemistry.
How can CSU Alumni best support Cougar Athletics?
I believe of utmost importance is being visibly supportive and coming back. The women's basketball door is always open for alumni. We want to rebuild and connect with as many alumni as possible. I know CSU has a strong alumni base, and having their support can certainly make a huge difference in the growth of our program and impact athletics as a whole. Alumni we want to hear from you!
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Cougar Congratulations!
Major General William J. Walker '90 - Appointed United State House of Representatives Sergeant-At-Arms
Annette Nance-Holt '87 - Appointed Chicago Fire Commissioner
LaTanya McDade '98 - Selected as Superintendent, Prince William County (Virginia) Public Schools
Alderman Michelle Harris '06 - Appointed Floor Leader by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot
Cynthia E. Nance '86 - Awarded the 2021 Hancher-Finkbine Alumni Medallion recognizing her leadership and loyalty.
Gayle Porter '10 - Published "Freed Faces, Our Past Americans: Collaborations to Create, Digitize and Describe the “Former Slaves in Freedom” Collection"
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Lifting Our Voices for CSU!
"As a 2017 graduate of Chicago State University with a Master’s Degree in Public Health degree. My degree has enabled me to understand the correlation between various diseases, at-risk populations and the importance of Health Program Planning. I am also a front line worker who is able to provide health promotion and disease prevention information to those at greatest risk of COVID-19. I am grateful for the opportunity to have completed my MPH degree. Thank you CSU for your mission, vision, and unwavering presence in our community! - Tiffany Wilson '17
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Remembered with Love
Paul Bruce '72
Jesus "Chuy" Negrete
Betty Lou Haywood '71
Linda Diane Gray Murray '80
Mary T. Werselles '80
Gerald F. Murray '64
Alice M. Gigliano '79
Elizabeth "Lisa" Parsons
James Joseph Krenek '69
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SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE
Share your significant accomplishments (i.e., promotions, new jobs, retirements, special recognitions or honors) with your fellow alumni!
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UPDATE MY ALUMNI PROFILE
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Chicago State Foundation | 9501 S. King Dr., ADM 126, Chicago, IL 60628 | csu.edu
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