A representative from Fairmont Hotels spoke to RMU students about Fairmont job opportunities around the world.

Over the past year, Robert Morris University has promoted efforts in forming partnerships with corporations and businesses in the areas around its campuses. Betty O'Leary, RMU director of corporate sponsorships, is spearheading this program and explains the rationale behind the program:

"First of all, the partnerships are created to help build and reinforce the awareness that RMU is a private, not-for-profit, accredited university that offers baccalaureate and graduate degree programs," she said. "We identify organizations that support education, align with RMU programs and may have a connection with our campuses in their community."

The partnership effort brings programs into RMU with opportunities of creating ICenter projects, providing faculty and staff speakers for company training seminars, offers onsite workshops for employees, encourages companies to present and recruit on RMU campuses, and helps employees recognize degree possibilities at RMU with their employers' tuition reimbursement programs.

RMU builds corporate awareness about continued education at the University by participating in company benefit fairs, partnering with REACH, and other corporate promotional events.  Corporate partners receive regular updates on educational opportunities at RMU.

In addition to Fairmont (shown above), partnerships have been formed with Hyatt, Mesirow Financial, Omni Hotels, Edwards Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, University Club, Prudential, Verizon, Starbucks, Baxter, Caremark, Walgreens, Abbott Labs, UPS, and many others. 

If your company is interested in forming a corporate partnership with RMU, a representative from human resources should contact Betty O'Leary at boleary@robertmorris.edu. 

RMU Alumna Wins Peace Corps Photo Contest

 

Leslie Surrett, a 2007 alumna of RMU who has been serving in Peace Corps Morocco since 2010, has won a second place award out of 500 entries.  

 In advance of the 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C., the Peace Corps announced the winning images for the Peace Corps AIDS-Free Generation Photo Contest.  Peace Corps volunteers, returned Peace Corps volunteers and Peace Corps staff submitted over 500 photo entries.

"These photos portray the inspiring work Peace Corps volunteers do to help toward creating an AIDS free generation." said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams (returned Peace Corps volunteer, Dominican Republic, 1967-1970).   

Photographs were judged based on creativity and impact in the following categories: education and prevention; treatment, care and support; reducing/eliminating stigma and discrimination; and photographic technical merit. Alicia Keys, co-founder and global ambassador for Keep a Child Alive, selected the winning photographs from these categories and a fifth "People's Choice" photo was chosen by the number of 'likes' the photo received on social media.  Keys made the winning announcement through Twitter. 

Army Sgt. Sharia C. Leal, RMU 2006 Alumna, has been named Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for the U.S. Army Public Health Command Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

Selection was based on the individual's exemplary duty performance, job knowledge, leadership qualities, teamwork, significant self-improvement, personal achievements, notable accomplishments and community service and support.

Leal is a training noncommissioned officer assigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground near Aberdeen, Md. She has served in the military for four years and is a graduate of Thomas Kelly High School in Chicago. Congratulations, Sharia! 

Sometimes it takes a little longer to achieve a goal, only to find that it might not take as long as you thought to achieve another one.

As soon as Dan Caruso of Lombard was old enough to get a job, he landed one at JC Penney in Yorktown. Working part time throughout high school provided some steady income, and he was grateful to find something in retail - a field that actually held his interest. His work at Penney's enabled Dan to experience different departments, different duties and as the years went by, he became known as a valued and trusted employee.

With the prospect of graduation from Glenbard North High School coming up, Dan knew that the cost of college would fall squarely on his shoulders. If he wanted it badly enough, he had to figure out a way to pay for it. Luckily, the College of DuPage provided the answer. For a pretty reasonable tuition rate, he was able to attend classes and continue working at Penney's - his plan was to save as much money as he could to pay for his junior and senior years at another university.

"It took me four years to get my associate degree," he explained wearily, remembering trying to schedule classes and work. "Because of my job and interest in retail, I chose to study marketing and took quite a few courses at COD that really applied to the work I was doing." Having to support himself and pay tuition meant getting as many hours as possible at the store, but still have time for classes and homework. By this time, Dan experienced quite a lot as a JCP employee. He spent shifts in different areas of the store, and eventually landed squarely on his feet, in the shoe department.

With his associate degree in hand, he started to look at other universities to complete his bachelor's, but found that most of them expected him to repeat many of his COD courses, some at a higher level, and once again extending his time in college beyond the norm. "When I checked out RMU and found that my associate degree would transfer right in - and that I could finish in less than two years by attending classes year 'round, I was a little skeptical. My first thought was, 'OK, what's the catch?'" But that other shoe didn't drop. "I finished my bachelor's in 18 months," he said, not without some well deserved pride in his accomplishment. "It couldn't have worked out better." Dan completed his BBA in February of 2011, and paid for all of his college tuition on his own.

About six months before graduation, Dan received another affirmation for all his hard work: he was promoted to department manager, a position he still holds and enjoys.

"That's not to say I don't have my eye out for another opportunity at JCP or somewhere else," he adds. "But for right now, things are good."

Give Back, please...

You can make a difference for an RMU student.

Robert Morris University Scholarship Fund

Alumni Office

401 S. State Street

Chicago, IL  60605

Thanks for your help. 
Thanks for saying yes to RMU.
Thanks for giving back.

• RMU FOOTBALL - September 1, 2012 - kick off at 1:00 p.m. - The RMU Eagles take on Olivet College of Michigan in their first home game of the season at Morris Field, 2123 S. Goebbert Rd. in ArlingtonHeights.  
• Carthage Alumni - Classes of 1968 through 1972 - Reunion planned for June, 2013.  Contact jerry.polo@yahoo.com for more information.
• FALL QUARTER BEGINS:  Sept. 24. Contact an RMU Admissions Counselor at 800-762-5960 to make this year YOUR year!