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INSIDE RMU 
March, 2012
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401 S. State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60605
312-935-6800
In this issue:
Gift-in-kind for IAD
Grants for New Students
Campus NewsProclamations
Nurses' Pinning
New Student Organization Blend 2 is Here! ...and more! |
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 "March" A Caribbean airflow shampoos the brook. The deepsea deepwarm look of sky wakes green below amid the rinds of snow. Though all seems melt and rush, earth-loaf, sky-wine, swept to bright new horizons with hill-runnel, and gash, all soaked in sunwash, far north, the ice unclenches, booms the chunks and floes, and river brims vanish under cold fleece: the floods are loose! The sullen torn old skies through tattery trees clack, freezing stiffens loam; the worn earth's spillways then relearn how soaring bliss and sudden-rigoring frost release without all lost. -- Margaret Avison |
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News from Around RMU Campuses...
Congratulations to the following recipients of RMU Board of Trustees Proclamations:
The following were recognized for group or individual efforts at this month's Senior Managers' meeting:
Lisa Sharpe, curriculum chair in the Institute of Art and Design, who received the Outstanding Dissertation of the Year award from Roosevelt University.
After a rigorous application process, RMU students Nefertia Tobar and Tyra Howard were selected to complete their internships in the John Marshall Law School Undergraduate Fair Housing Internship Program. Ann Bresingham and Marguerite Loew have worked with these students in the paralegal program.
Patricia McCarthy and Robert Tenuta were recognized for developing a program for training other faculty members. HEI 511: Strategies for Teaching at the Graduate Level is a program for faculty teaching in the Morris Graduate School of Management.
Chefs Cheryl Corrado, Bryan Flower, Jon Sherman, Mark Wroczynski, John Daschler, Jori Orsini, Dean Nancy Rotunno, Nick Jarmuz, Amy Keck and Maria Garcia, all part of the Institute of Culinary Arts, were recognized for the opening of Eyrie, an RMU student-run restaurant in Oak Park. Another special note about Eyrie: only open since October, Eyrie has already won the Diner's Choice Award!
Robert Morris is pleased to recognize College of Nursing and Health Studies faculty members Barb Dionne, Kendra Uhe, Blase Romence, Frank Fegan, Adam Wilson and Dean Janet Davis for the publication of "Precepting the Medical Assistant Practicum," an article in the Journal of Allied Health.
Welcoming the Community to RMU
In February, RMU welcomed art students from several south suburban high schools to the State Street Gallery at the Chicago campus. The intra-high school art competition is an event that RMU has sponsored for several years, and it is a great opportunity for students and teachers to visit the campus, meet faculty and enjoy the beautiful gallery. Art students received awards for their entries at a ceremony attended by parents, friends and teachers.
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From left to right: Anjelina Ruiz, Austin Black, Melanee Pickrell, Cristina Perez, Stephanie Mills and Caroline Petres
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Nurses Receive Pins Robert Morris University extends congratulations to six students who completed their nursing studies in the College of Nursing at Health Studies at the Chicago campus. The winter quarter was the final classroom phase before the students take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The following students received their pins from Nursing Director Barbara Bunton: from Chicago, Austin Black (60613), Stephanie Mills and Cristina Perez (60645), Melanee Pickrell (60611) and Anjelina Riz (60655); from Brookfield, Carolina Petres. Each quarter, more students complete the program and prepare for the NCLEX-RN. Most of the graduates have already landed positions with hospitals or clinics that they will begin once they pass their exam. The last class of nurses had a 100% pass rate on the licensure exam. Harassment Awareness Training The Office of Human Resources will be conducting the University's annual harassment and discrimination awareness training the week of March 12-16, 2012.
All RMU faculty, staff and graduate assistants should either attend a live training session or participate in a webinar. Following is a list of training dates and locations and the dates of webinars. Employees may attend training at whichever campus location is most convenient for them.
Questions should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at 312.935.6688. Live Sessions Monday, March 12 @ 11:00 AM (Chicago, Auditorium) Tuesday, March 13 @ 2:00 PM (DuPage, Room TBA) Tuesday, March 13 @ 3:00 PM (Bensenville, Room TBA) Tuesday, March 13 @ 3:00 PM (Springfield, Room M219) Tuesday, March 13 @ 4:00 PM (Chicago, Auditorium) Wednesday, March 14 @ 2:00 PM (Orland Park, Room TBA) Thursday, March 15 @ 9:00 AM (Chicago, Auditorium) Thursday, March 15 @ 3:00 PM (Peoria, Room 106)
Webinars* Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 1:00 PM
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 6:00 PM
* Invitations to register for webinars will be emailed to employees in March. |
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Have the Courage to Quit...
The Office of Human Resources and the Wellness Institute are pleased to announce that  Robert Morris University will be offering the Courage to Quit tobacco treatment and smoking cessation program to its employees. Courage to Quit is an evidence based cessation program that provides participants with the information, practice skills, and support to help them reach their smoke-free goals. Courage to Quit will be free of charge to full-time and part-time employees of RMU and will be co-facilitated by Dr. Caroline Nawara, Director of the Wellness Institute and Sandy Grice, MSW.
Courage to Quit requires participants commit to attending all three sessions of the program. All sessions will be at our Chicago location and will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on the following dates:
Friday, March 16
Friday, March 23
Friday, March 30
In addition to the group sessions, program participants will also have the option of scheduling additional one-on-one sessions with Dr. Nawara.
Those interested in joining the Courage to Quit program should contact Gregory Tall in the Office of Human Resources via phone (312.935.6706) or email (gtall@robertmorris.edu) no later than Friday, March 2. Program participation is limited.
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Software Gift for the Institute of Art and Design
In early February the RMU Institute of Art and Design received a very generous gift from Ansca Mobile, the makers of Corona software. Through the efforts of instructor Mike Kelly, we received 100 "seats" of programming for game and app design. Mike became familiar with Corona's product and found it superior to many others he worked with. He approached the company and explained the needs of the students in IAD and the conversation resulted in the contribution to RMU. With this software, students can create games and/or apps as part of the interactive program design component of the curriculum. Additionally, games and apps that students create can be downloaded and sold under the ownership of RMU.
Mike used this video from Good Morning America to inspire his students: Bubble Ball
Congratulations to Mike Kelly and all RMU art students as they explore and experiment with this new software. Here's a link to Corona's website that explains what they do: Corona
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Call for Submissions
Add news from your campus to Inside RMU
The more people participate, the more news we share with everyone at RMU. So, if you have some photos, articles or ideas for the April issue of Inside RMU, send them by March 15 to ndonohoe@robertmorris.edu.
Just about everyone has a camera in their cell phones, so get some shots of activities going on at your campus and send them in. When one campus has a great idea, we can share it with others. Make sure to identify the participants and explain what is going on. Thanks, and Happy St. Patrick's Day.
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Fight for Air Climb - There is Still Time to Join the Team
 On January 1, 2012, Robert Morris University became one of just six institutions of higher education in the State of Illinois that are 100% tobacco-free. Now comes an opportunity for every employee to be involved in our ongoing campaign for a tobacco-free community.
You are invited to be part of a special fundraising event to benefit the American Lung Association in Illinois. The Fight for Air Climb is a "vertical race" that involves participants climbing the stairs to the top of one or more buildings at downtown Chicago's Presidential Towers. The event will take place on Sunday, March 11, 2012. Robert Morris University is forming a team (RMU to the Top) of stair climbers and you are welcome to join.
The funds we raise will enable the American Lung Association to continue its work to educate kids on how to manage their asthma and to not use tobacco, to research cures and better treatments for lung cancer and other lung diseases, and to advocate for better policies to protect all of us from the harmful effects of air pollution and secondhand smoke.
This event is open to all employees of the University. Those interested in participating are responsible to pay an event registration fee and fulfill an individual fundraising goal. If you are interested in joining the RMU team, please visit the RMU team page online at Fight 4 Air to register. If you are unable to participate as a climber, you can still support the cause by making a tax-deductible donation by visiting the RMU team page. If you have questions, please contact Gregory Tall in the Office of Human Resources at 312.935.6706.
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BLEND 2: A NEW COOKBOOK FROM THE INSTITUTE OF CULINARY ARTS
Nearly two years ago, Brad Hindsley, an RMU alumnus, expressed an interest in creating a cookbook to Executive Director Nancy Rotunno. He was more than a little excited when Rotunno simply told him to "run with it." Hindsley joined forces with Shelley LaMantia for layout and design, solicited recipes from administration, faculty, students and staff, tested every recipe in the RMU kitchens, and convinced Cooks for a Cause to get on board to promote the book.
In less than a year, Blend, RMU's first cookbook, hit the shelves of the university's bookstores and completely sold out. It included all types of recipes, including several that were judged award winning in a University competition. In May of last year, RMU presented the Greater Chicago Food Depository with a check for $27,000 which included RMU employee contributions and proceeds from the sale of Blend.
Right on schedule, Blend 2 is hot off the press. This edition is a collection of cocktail and hors d'oeuvres recipes, once again from students, staff and faculty. Each copy is $10 and proceeds will go to Cooks for a Cause and the RMU Study Abroad Scholarship Fund. Students in the RMU culinary program may spend a quarter studying at Apicius International School of Hospitality in Florence. Robert Morris would like all culinary students to have this opportunity, and the scholarship fund provides some assistance.
Supplies of Blend 2 are in RMU Bookstores and they are also available online at www.robertmorris.edu on the Institute of Culinary Arts page.
Brad Hindsley and Cooks for a Cause are proud of Blend 2 and hope, as in the past, to sell out of copies. They make great gifts!
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Know Someone from These Suburbs?
Grants Available at Bensenville Campus
 Individuals living in the communities of Northlake, Schiller Park, Franklin Park, Bensenville and Addison are eligible to receive an economic development grant totaling $3,000 per year toward a bachelor's degree in Management or Accounting at RMU's Bensenville campus. Fall classes begin September 24, 2012. There is no time like the present to apply to Robert Morris, because grant dollars are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, RMU has a long-standing partnership with community colleges, so the transfer process is a seamless transition. An associate degree guarantees transfer of course credit and junior standing at RMU. Transfer students with an associate degree are entitled to the Two Year Tuition Guarantee. Also, pass along information about upcoming events for people in these communities - Save the Date: The College of Adult Continuing Studies in Bensenville is holding events you and a friend or relative may be interested in attending: March 15, 2012, 6 pm: Trends in Business, Accounting & FinanceLocation: Bensenville campus, 1000 Tower Lane (RT. 83 & Thorndale) April 3, 2012, 7 pm: "Don't Be Afraid of the Numbers!" Location: Addison Public Library, 4 Friendship Plaza, Addison Learn about trends and career opportunities in Accounting May 8, 2012, 6 pm: Writing for Impact Location: Bensenville campus, 1000 Tower Lane (RT. 83 & Thorndale) Free workshop series in writing skills and techniques To RSVP for these events or for more information, please contact the Director of Admissions in Bensenville at 630-787-7805 or dallen@robertmorris.edu. |
RMU Women form Organization
We are excited to announce the University Women's Club of Robert Morris University (UWC)! The goal of the UWC is to provide a networking forum for the students, alumni, administration and faculty of Robert Morris University. Although the UWC was organized by women, we welcome everyone from the RMU community, past and present, to join our network. The UWC is proud to announce our first event: . 
We look forward to hosting networking events featuring engaging speakers, and we hope you utilize these events to facilitate the building of relationships! Please watch for our hosted events, or join our members in attendance at university events to be hosted in the near future. Connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook: LinkedIn, Facebook |
Transfer Center Redesigned to Serve Students
 At last month's Senior Managers' Meeting, Nancy Johnson and Dennis Mumaw provided managers with a tour and explanation of how transfer students will be introduced to RMU. The offices formerly occupied by Career Services near the Congress entrance, across from the Bookstore, now make up the Transfer Center. Students from community colleges and other universities who are interested in transferring to RMU meet with admissions counselors and advisers who can quickly evaluate their transcripts and get them on a path to acceptance and registration.
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How About Some Green Food
for St. Patrick's Day? 
(from Weight Watchers...)
It's really easy being green...and you don't have to be Irish to enjoy some healthy foods that just happen to be the right shade when you celebrate St. Patty's Day. Weight Watchers has a great selection of green dishes from guacamole to pesto sauce - and all created with healthy eating in mind.
You might be looking forward to some classic corned beef and cabbage on March 17, but you can also enjoy some "tastin' of the green" with these great dishes: Green Foods
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RMU Students Receive Panduit Scholarships
Cisco Networking Academy and Panduit Corporation are pleased to announce the 2012 Panduit Excellence Scholarship recipients. The awards are part of Panduit Corporation's focused effort in the Chicago region to provide education support to Cisco Networking Academy students studying at academies participating in the "Adopt-an-Academy" program.
A total of nine individual academy students will each be awarded a $1,500 USD scholarship to be used towards their CCNA Exploration course tuition, certification, or related education materials.
Scholarship recipients were selected by a team of representatives from Panduit and Cisco Networking Academy. They are enrolled in the CCNA Discovery or Exploration course at RMU, are pursuing CCNA certification and are interested in a professional career in the ICT/networking field.
Chris Nassar of the Institute of Technology and Media reported that the following students received this year's Panduit Scholarshps: Alvaro Marroquin, Ana Kostic, Darrell Millar, Michael Partida and Steve Gaeding. Additionally, seventeen RMU students were teamed up with mentors from Panduit, Cisco and Sentinel. This is the only mentor program in the country that has three companies working together for these externships. Congratulations to our students and our ITM faculty!
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Enjoy the Benefits
A TIAA-CREF IRA is your tax and retirement advantage 
Opening and contributing to a TIAA-CREF IRA may help you save on your income taxes right now. Additionally, the money you set aside has the opportunity to grow through tax-deferred investing and the power of compounding until you are ready to retire. Act now to:
1. Maximize your contributions: In both 2011 and 2012, you can contribute up to $5,000 to a Traditional IRA. But if you're 50 or older, that maximum rises to $6,000 in each tax year to help you catch up. This can help reduce your current income taxes if you meet certain income guidelines. And your retirement savings may grow faster as you pay no taxes on earnings.
2. Consolidate your assets: Roll over multiple accounts to a TIAA-CREF IRA to simplify planning. Plus, you get powerful benefits including excellent service from experienced consultants, low costs and account portability
3. A Roth IRA can offer you special tax-free income advantages: Whether you convert an existing Traditional IRA to a Roth, or open a new Roth, you may benefit from special tax considerations and increased access to funds when you need them.
Take advantage of this valuable tax savings and retirement planning opportunity before April 17.
It is important to review your retirement and financial plan regularly to help ensure you are on the right track to meet your goals. RMU has asked TIAA-CREF to reach out to participants who are nearing and/or considering retirement to review issues such as current allocations and retirement options. You can make an appointment with Don Cheval, our TIAA-CREF Financial Consultant by calling 312-345-5605. A consultation can help you answer such questions as:
* Will I have enough to retire?
* How and from where do I draw retirement income?
* How should I invest during retirement?
* What estate planning issues might I confront?
Let TIAA-CREF help improve your opportunity for retirement security.
Please note that all TIAA-CREFF investment products are subject to market and other risk factors. Investment products are not FDIC insured, are not bank deposits or bank guaranteed, and may lose value. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Robert Morris University and its employees specifically disclaim any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred directly or indirectly as a consequence of the use and application of any information provided regarding your account. Use of this service is at your own risk.
TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, registered investment adviser and member FINlRA/SIPC.
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Attention RMU Employees:
How you can contribute to Inside RMU...
- Please send articles, suggestions and photos so we can share news from all campuses.
- What is going on at your campus? Send in pictures of faculty, staff and students.
- Please alert Nancy Donohoe, 312-935-6715 or ndonohoe@robertmorris.edu if you know of an employee who is not receiving Inside RMU.
- What are you planning for this spring - a vacation getaway?
- Are you ready for St. Patrick's Day?
March Birthstone: Aquamarine
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