The first week of Advent is underway! On our campuses, Jesuit colleges and universities are marking the season and preparing for Christmas in a variety of ways:
Prayer: Faculty and staff at Saint Louis University will have the opportunity to participate in an Advent Twilight Retreat next week, while Xavier University has issued online Advent prayer resources.
We will continue to share Advent resources in upcoming issues of AJCU Higher Ed News! Please submit yours by writing to Deanna Howes Spiro: dhowes@ajcunet.edu.
News from Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Gifts and Grants: Gonzaga University received a $576K grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support its Gonzaga Family Haven program; Le Moyne College received a $525K grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to fund its Healthcare Advancement Resource Center; Loyola University Chicago was named among several Chicago universities to receive a $51M grant from the Institute for Translational Medicine to improve healthcare equity; and Spring Hill College received a gift from an anonymous donor to fund a nursing simulation lab.
Academic Updates: Santa Clara University was named the newest member of the American Talent Initiative; Seattle University announced a new 'Project Pivot' to provide scholarships for recently laid-off current graduate students and prospective students in tech; and the University of San Francisco's Thacher Gallery announced educational programming surrounding its new exhibit of panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt.
Stories of Service: Loyola University New Orleans' student food pantry was profiled in The Times-Picayune; Regis University was profiled by Denver's local NBC affiliate for its work to educate incarcerated individuals; and students from The University of Scranton were featured on Scranton's local Fox affiliate for a Thanksgiving community service project.
Mission Matters: In honor of tomorrow's Feast Day of St. Francis Xavier, we're excited to share a brand-new video from Xavier University's Center for Mission and Identity. Click on the link below to watch 'St. Francis Xavier and the Crab'--you'll enjoy seeing him presented in a whole new light!
Sports Shorts: Finally, if you are planning to watch Team USA take on the Netherlands in the World Cup tomorrow morning, you will see a former Fairfield University goalkeeper among its players! Click here to learn about Matt Turner; go Team USA!
Upcoming Events Across the Jesuit Network
Here's what's happening on campus and online over the next few weeks:
Tuesday, December 6: Advent Evening of Prayer (online event hosted by the Ignatian Spirituality Center)
Wednesday, December 14: NYC Winter All-Jesuit Happy Hour (in-person event in NYC hosted by Fordham University for all young #JesuitEducated alumni)
On Saturday, December 17, all Jesuit alumni and friends are invited to participate in Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery. This year, all volunteers must register individually through the ANC website; for details on the meet-up location for Jesuit alumni and friends (and post-event reception!), please write to info@ajcunet.edu. Wreaths Across America is also being held across the country! Le Moyne College invites alumni and friends in New York and Massachusetts to participate as well; click here to learn more.
AJCU Higher Ed News is a weekly e-newsletter that features the latest news and information from Jesuit colleges and universities. To submit a story or subscribe, please send an e-mail to Deanna Howes Spiro (dhowes@ajcunet.edu).
