Mercy Matters Newsletter September 2022
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1846, ³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ is Chicago's first
Catholic university. Today, the University serves approximately 3,250 students from
over 20 different states and 9 different countries, offering high-quality undergraduate
and graduate programs and leadership and service opportunities, educating students
for competence, character and career success.
Stay up to date with ³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ News!
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Message from the President
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Dear ³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ Community:
We have so much to celebrate as we begin a new semester at Saint Xavier. We welcomed
nearly 660 first-time, first-year students to campus this fall, as well as many new
faculty and staff members, including Dr. Natalie Page, chief diversity officer.
As an expression of institutional mission, ³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ launched its inaugural Day of Service,
featuring more than 750 first-year students, staff and faculty who engaged in projects
to meet pressing community needs while building a sense of belonging among members
of our extraordinary campus. In the coming weeks, we will celebrate National Hispanic
Heritage Month, which includes our second annual Fiesta de la Familia, honoring ³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæâ€™s
core values of hospitality and diversity in all of its forms.
As you can see from the stories below, we are thrilled to share that ³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ remains the
most affordable Catholic institution in Illinois and continues to earn impressive
accolades from U.S. News & World Report (2023), including top rankings for:
- Best Value
- Best Regional University
- Social Mobility
- Diversity
A tradition of innovation intended to drive student engagement, learning and success
remains integral to Saint Xavier’s DNA. We are excited to share an update about new
co-curricular opportunities emerging from our esports initiative.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the exciting events planned for Homecoming
Week. These celebratory events fill me with pride for those who have come before us
as well as gratitude for all those who continue to support the transformative work
of this incredible university.
Our remarkable history, inspiring mission, engaged community, talented students, great
campus traditions and generous alumni, donors and friends comprise the ties that bind
us together. I hope you enjoy reading about how we continue to animate our purpose
and nurture our community in the pages ahead.
Sincerely,
Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D. President
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³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ Welcomes Natalie Page as Inaugural Chief Diversity Officer

³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ (³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ) proudly welcomes Natalie Page, Ed.D., as inaugural chief
diversity officer (CDO). In her role, Page will facilitate the Office of Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion as a hub that champions, organizes and ensures diversity, equity
and inclusion (DEI) among the University community. Read more.
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³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ Ranks on 2023 List of Best Colleges

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³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ continues to receive annual accolades from U.S. News & World Report, receiving
national recognition in the areas of nursing, diversity, social mobility, business,
and more. ³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ is consistently ranked among the best colleges in the Midwest. Read more.
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³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ to Host 2022 Homecoming

³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ will kick off the annual Homecoming celebration with a variety of events and activities
for students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends. Read more.
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³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ Recognized as 2023 College of Distinction

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³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ has been recognized nationally and regionally among the 2022-2023 Colleges of
Distinction for the sixth consecutive year, honored for its mission-driven, student-centered
transformational educational experience. Read more.
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³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ Computer Science Students Earn Outstanding Project Award at Research Expo

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Four ³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ students recently earned an Outstanding Project Award for their Research
Expo project, "Project PARKA," an app they developed that detects the number of empty
and occupied spots in the ³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ parking lot. Read more.
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³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ Announces Head Coach for Esports Program

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³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ selects Lemar Daniels as head coach of the new esports program that will begin
competition this fall for the 2022-23 season. Esports, or electronic sports, are multiplayer,
organized video games played competitively. Read more.
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³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ Holds 2022 Cougar Trax

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³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ recently welcomed incoming students to campus last week with annual traditions
Cougar Trax and New Student Induction. This year, first-year students participated
in an inaugural campus-wide service project. Read more.
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³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ Celebrates Latinx Heritage Month

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The ³Ô¹ÏÁÔÆæ community is celebrating Latinx Heritage Month September
15 through October 15 with a variety of events, discussions, games, workshops and
more. Read more.
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Important Dates to Remember
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