Career Choices Abound for Roosevelt Paralegal Studies Alums

43 Pages·2011·14.1 MB·English

NONPROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
430 S. Michigan Ave.
ROOSEVELT
Chicago, IL 60605-1394 UNIVERSITY
Address Service Requested
A FORMULA
INSIDE:
FOR SUCCESS
Lettuce Entertain You’s
Bob Wattel P 6
College of Pharmacy welcomes its first class. Meet the Met Quartet P 38
PAGE 26
Professor David Faris on
Roosevelt’s College of Pharmacy welcomes its inaugural class.
Become a fan at: Facebook.com/RooseveltUniversity PAGE 26 social media in Egypt P 44
Fall 2011 Cover.indd 1 10/16/11 11:00 PM
ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL2011
CONTENTS
CREATING A LEGACY
Grant Pick (1947-2005)
food or money, to “The Morning Mouth” about
controversial radio announcer Mancow Muller.
When Pick spoke to journalism classes, students
would often ask, “Where is the news peg?” to
his stories. He would reply, “There is no news
peg. The people are the news.”
Nineteen of his stories are collected in the post-
humous 2008 book The People Are the News: Grant
Pick’s Chicago Stories, edited by his son and laced
with photos by his wife. In his introduction to
the book, author Alex Kotlowitz writes: “Grant
Pick is a Chicago treasure.” He was “... someone
who found poetry in the quotidian, who saw the
Roosevelt University is pleased to announce the
extraordinary in the ordinary.”
Grant Pick Endowed Scholarship in Journalism.
This scholarship was established at Roosevelt The father of John and Emily, Pick was firmly
by Pick’s wife, Kathy Richland Pick, an accom- committed to public education and school reform.
plished photojournalist and portrait photographer He was active in the Chicago Public Schools’ local
whose photos often accompanied Pick’s articles councils and wrote about education and school
and were the visual distillation of his writing. reform for The Reader and Catalyst.
Grant Pick (BA, ’70) was a well-known figure Kathy Pick said: “Grant had an insatiable curios-
among Chicago journalists. He majored in his- ity about Chicago and its neighborhoods and he
tory at Roosevelt University where he studied felt his four years at Roosevelt, which drew its
with professors Elizabeth Balanoff (history) and students from every corner of the city, were for-
Frank Untermyer (political science). According mative in his understanding of people. Roosevelt
to his wife, “Grant felt his history instruction held a special place in Grant’s heart.”
was excellent and was the foundation for his
It is fitting that the Grant Pick Endowed Scholar-
career as a journalist.”
ship has been established at Roosevelt University
After obtaining his master’s degree from North- where it will give support and encouragement
western University’s Medill School of Journalism, to young journalism students in perpetuity.
Pick’s first job was at the Chicago Lung Association
To view Kathy Richland’s photography, go to
writing its newsletter. He then began freelance
www.kathyrichland.com.
writing for various publications in the Chicago
area, including a new start-up weekly called the
Chicago Reader. In the early 1990s he joined its
For details on how to create a legacy for yourself,
staff and wrote profiles until his untimely death a family member or a loved one with a direct
in 2005 at the age of 57. gift or through your estate plan, contact:
Pick would find story ideas as he walked around Denise Bransford GO LAKERS!
Chicago neighborhoods observing people and Assistant Vice President, Planned Giving
looking for interesting subjects to write about. Roosevelt University Roosevelt breaks ground
His profiles always contained telling details 430 S. Michigan Ave., Room 827 on Goodman Center
PAGE 49
that defined and revealed his characters. His Chicago, IL 60605
subjects ranged from “The Rag Man of Lincoln Phone: [phone]
Park,” about a homeless Korean War veteran Fax: [phone]
26 A FORMULA 10 CASE STUDIES 38 THE MET QUARTET
who scavenged dumpsters, too proud to ask for [email protected]
FOR SUCCESS Paralegal Studies Metropolitan Opera stars
Meet members Program paves way take CCPA’s voice program
of the College for amazing careers. to new heights.
of Pharmacy’s
inaugural class.
COVER BOB COSCARELLI
A FORMULA
FRoosOevelt’sR Colleg e Sof PhaUrmacCy welcComesE its inSauguSral class. PAGE 26 ILBPsMNoeroeoctSbetifau eItWD lcst emhasE oetE:et r eMnd Dlti eeaaPt rv i 6tnQia d iuE n F a g a Yrytropeisutt ’oPPsn 43 84
ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL 2011 1
Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 4 10/16/11 11:05 PM Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 1 10/16/11 11:08 PM
FFAALLLL 22001111 FFEEAATTUURREESS
DEPARTMENTS
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE 4
UNIVERSITY NEWS 49
14
FIGHTING FOR CHANGE
Schaumburg Campus
leads way on domestic
violence prevention.
34
HITTING HER
HIGH NOTE
Alumna Amy Beth
Kirsten, whose caricature
is at the left, recently
won a prestigious
Guggenheim Fellowship.
Roosevelt unveils plans for Goodman Center.
44
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT 61
FACULTY ESSAY
FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT 62
Assistant Professor David
FUNDING HIGHLIGHTS 63
Faris describes recent
6
changes in the Middle East. PLAYING HIS CARDS RIGHT Bob Wattel (BB, ’61) heads marketing for SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT 64
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.
ALUMNI NEWS 65
20 CHAPTER EVENTS 66
LIFE IMITATES ART WHERE RU? 70
Roosevelt alumna IN MEMORIAM 71
© 2007 NICHOLAS SCHUTZENHOFER
shares memories about
artist Marc Chagall.
2011 HONOR ROLL 73
ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL 2011 VOLUME 16, NUMBER 3
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 74
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR 75
PUBLISHER | Lesley D. Slavitt EDITORIAL BOARD
34
EDITOR | Thomas R. Karow James Gandre Provost and Executive Vice President HONOR ROLL 76
Thomas R. Karow Assistant Vice President, Public Relations
CREATIVE DIRECTOR | Patrick J. Lytle
Patrick J. Lytle Assistant Vice President, Marketing
ASSOCIATE EDITOR | Laura Janota
Charles R. Middleton President
WRITERS | David M. Faris, Courtney Flynn, Lesley D. Slavitt Vice President, Government Relations and University Outreach
Laura Janota, Thomas R. Karow
Patrick M. Woods Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Chief Advancement Officer
DESIGN | Right Angle Studio, Inc.
Roosevelt Review is published three times a year by
PHOTOGRAPHY | Nadim Avdi, Charles Cherney, Roosevelt University. There is no subscription fee.
Bob Coscarelli, Nathan Mandell, Steve Woltmann Roosevelt University
430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605 Facebook.com/ Marc Chagall
ILLUSTRATION | Dave Cutler [phone] | www.roosevelt.edu RooseveltUniversity
2 ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL 2011 ROROOSOESVEEVLTE RLTE RVIEEVWIE W| |F AFALLL L2 021011 1 33
Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 2 10/16/11 11:09 PM Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 3 10/16/11 11:10 PM
PRESIDENT’SPERSPECTIVE PRESIDENT’SPERSPECTIVE
THE AMAZING ENTHUSIASM OF YOUTH BY ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT CHUCK MIDDLETON
I DOUBT THAT even a single Now, I am one who believes in the importance of public
don at the emerging English ceremony and ceremonial occasions generally as a way to
universities at Oxford and bring communities together. Such moments serve to remind
Cambridge five centuries ago us all, old timers and new arrivals alike, that each of us is a
could have envisioned Roos- part of something bigger than ourselves. They make clear
evelt’s annual all-University that we are part of an ongoing tradition that both predates
Convocation. our arrival on campus and will long survive us.
Here, in the Auditorium Theatre, Perhaps most important, they remind us of the sobering
we gather like those ancient fact that our thoughtful and dedicated stewardship of that
faculty members in medieval tradition is vital to its future well-being. History, or at least
England did, to celebrate indi- historians, will judge how well we fulfilled our responsi-
bilities. For now, we must do our best and write the record
vidual and collective successes
that they will assess.
of the past year. We also matriculate into the University all
our new students. Some are freshmen just starting college, As I ponder our students during these moments of community
some transfer students joining us after successful starts renewal, many notions come to mind. For instance, I know
elsewhere. Then there are the new graduate students who that despite their outward bravado and all the cheering and
seek advanced degrees to speed them on their individual smiles and energy they exude, many are secretly just a little
journeys. apprehensive. They wonder if they really have it in them to
succeed like we are telling them they will.
It’s a happy time. The faculty — refreshed from a summer
of research, writing and creative activity — is all decked I also cogitate about how our faculty and staff will come
out in caps and gowns. They are a visual reminder of the to know so many of these new students in powerful and
ancient origins of the ceremony itself. Their regalia, with enduring ways. Their lives as professionals here in our
all the varied colors and designs, also serve to inspire the special place are strongly impacted by those relationships
students to study hard so that they can return to this place and in many ways define them. There may be better jobs or
in the future wearing their own academic garb and to receive careers, but being a faculty or staff member at a university
their respective degrees. is great work, if you can get it.
In case they miss the point, we happily point it out to them This year, I ended my remarks by giving the new students
several times over the course of the festivities. a charge for their future. I advised them to ask themselves
this: “How will I change the world?” Changing the world in
We also make the time to introduce the new staff and the new
some way or ways is what Roosevelt people do. Preparing
faculty who are joining the Roosevelt community. I marvel
our graduates to succeed in those endeavors is what our
at the accomplishments of these new colleagues, who share
degree programs are fundamentally designed to accomplish.
in appropriate ways the enthusiasm for the moment that is
more loudly expressed by the undergraduates. The students tell me that this question gives a big purpose
to earning their degree and that it doesn’t take away from
There are speeches and much cheering by the students who
all the other purposes, such as having a successful career
are genuinely happy to be here. Most of all, I appreciate their
and making money, which also motivate them. But it’s the
patiently listening to my homily about our traditions and
unique aspect of the Roosevelt tradition and it’s a unifying
how we will change their lives. I have evidence that they
principle that binds us all together.
are patient because I speak last and they know that food
It takes energy and commitment, vitality and purpose to
awaits us at the lobby picnic as soon as I am finished. But
bring these aspirations to fruition in the time span of a
they still listen attentively and do not wiggle.
degree program. But if you were to come to campus next
Visually the occasion is also a delight. The students wear August when we welcome the next class, you will see that
Roosevelt University T-shirts with the new logo splashed our students have an abundance of all those virtues, and
across the front, and each college issues special stick-on you will be able to bask in their enthusiasm as I do.
patches to identify its students. This year the new phar-
Their enthusiasm is infectious and gives one faith in the
macy students, who had just successfully completed their
long term. Thus, they already have helped shape our future
first round of final exams for course work begun in July,
by just being their enthusiastic selves.
wore deep green shirts that were different from the rest.
This served as a reminder, as if one were needed, that this Chuck Middleton welcomes your comments.
new program is already a vital part of Roosevelt’s future. Email him at [email protected].
4 ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL 2011 STEVE KROPP RROOOOSSEEVVEELLTT RREEVVIIEEWW || FFAALLLL 22001111 55
Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 4 10/16/11 11:10 PM Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 5 10/16/11 11:11 PM
BOB WATTEL [BB ,’61]
PLAYING
HIS
ALUMNUS BOB WATTEL HELPED BUILD THE
LETTUCE ENTERTAIN YOU EMPIRE THROUGH
INNOVATIVE GIFT CARD AND FREQUENT
DINER CLUB PROGRAMS. BY TOM KAROW
CARDS
RIGHT
6 ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL 2011 ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL 2011 7
Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 6 10/16/11 11:11 PM Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 7 10/16/11 11:12 PM
e’re expanding and we’ll need someone This year that creativity was recognized when Melman
to run our corporate office. Why don’t won the Outstanding Restaurateur Award “for high national
you do that?” standards in restaurant operations and entrepreneurship”
That question asked 37 years ago from the James Beard Foundation. The Beard awards are
by Jerry Orzoff resulted in Roosevelt considered to be the Oscars of the food and beverage industry.
alumnus Bob Wattel becoming a senior During an interview in his office on Sheridan Road in
executive of Lettuce Entertain You, Inc., Chicago, Wattel pointed to scores of framed menus from
one of the nation’s most innovative restaurants Lettuce has operated since 1971, restaurants
and successful restaurant companies with 5,000 employees with such colorful names as Jonathan Seafood, Fritz That’s
and more than 80 restaurants in six states. It! and Lawrence of Oregano. “Many are closed now,” Wattel
At the time, Orzoff (who died in 1981 at the age of 45) said. “Concepts change and leases expire, but they all had
and his partner, Richard Melman (currently founder and good runs.”
chairman of Lettuce), were operating three restaurants Although sales at Lettuce Entertain You slipped during the
in the Chicago area, including Great Gritzbe’s Flying Food, recession, they have rebounded strongly this year, especially
where Wattel was working as the third-shift manager, often at its high-end restaurants. Wattel believes people who were
getting home at three or four in the morning. saving money by eating at home have now decided it’s time
“I hated the hours and I had come to the conclusion that to go out and enjoy a good meal.
managing a restaurant was not for me, especially since I Throughout its existence, Lettuce Entertain You has
had three young children,” Wattel recalled. “I was ready to worked to maintain a reputation for quality service. “If you’d
take another job when Jerry and Rich created the position.” ask me who are the most important people in our company,
Wattel, who now has the title of “founding partner” at I’d say the servers because they touch the customer,” said
Lettuce Entertain You, first met Melman at Roosevelt Univer- Wattel, who oversees customer service. “We’re always look-
sity where they were business students. Both enjoyed sports ing for personable employees. We believe 49 percent of an
and were members of the Praetorians, a fraternity where
they participated in intramural athletics. Wattel graduated Founding Partner Bob Wattel in
in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. CHEW ON THIS: his Lettuce Entertain You office
on Sheridan Road in Chicago.
After Roosevelt, the former classmates remained close
friends and Wattel was one of the first people to work for
Melman and Orzoff in their newly formed restaurant com-
pany. In 1968 Melman was the best man at Wattel’s wedding.
“The best part of going to Roosevelt was that I met Bob individual’s makeup should be technical skills like knowing Cards are sold in $25, $50 and $100 increments and are used
Wattel,” Melman said. “He has now been my partner at the menu and prices, but 51 percent should be emotional like debit cards until the value has been fully redeemed. The
Lettuce Entertain You for 37 years and has been invaluable skills — being able to deal with customers. An unfriendly concept is particularly popular in November and December
to me. Over the years he has done just about every job in server can ruin a meal.” because participants receive an additional gift certificate
the restaurants from watching the pennies and paying the If a dining experience turns out to be unpleasant, it is which is redeemable during the winter.
LETTUCE ENTERTAIN YOU OWNS OVER 80 RESTAURANTS,
bills, to being the head buyer, to managing a restaurant, and Wattel who often deals with upset patrons. “We always ask His third innovation is a direct mail piece which is sent
WITH LOCATIONS IN ILLINOIS, MINNESOTA, GEORGIA,
eventually to heading up our marketing department. I’m NEVADA, ARIZONA, WASHINGTON, D.C., AND CALIFORNIA. them to give us details about the problem so we can cor- once a year to approximately 200,000 homes in the Chicago
proud to call Bob my longtime friend and partner.” rect it,” he explained. “Then we may say, ‘Thanks for the area, providing those who eat at the restaurants with certifi-
During the past 40 years, Lettuce Entertain You, Inc. feedback. Here’s a $25 certificate so you can
OOFF RREESSTTAAUURRAANNTT OOWWNNEERRSS SSTTAARRTTEEDD
has enjoyed remarkable growth and a stellar reputation for go back and try us again.’ Turning a negative
TTHHEEIIRR IINNDDUUSSTTRRYY CCAARREEEERRSS AATT “ The best part of going to Roosevelt
excellence. It now owns or manages some of Chicago’s most EENNTTRRYY--LLEEVVEELL PPOOSSIITTIIOONNSS into a positive is what it’s all about.”
popular establishments like Shaw’s Crab House, Scoozi!, L20, The Roosevelt alumnus, who also is respon- was that I met Bob Wattel.”
Wildfire, Mon Ami Gabi and Tru. In addition to the Chicago sible for marketing, is particularly proud of
area, the company’s 55 partners operate restaurants in Min- three successful ideas he created to encourage – LETTUCE ENTERTAIN YOU FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN RICHARD MELMAN
neapolis, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Santa Monica, Calif., diners to try the firm’s various restaurants.
Scottsdale, Ariz. and Atlanta. The Frequent Diner Club was started a dozen years ago cates or frequent diners’ points. “We have had an unbeliev-
RESTAURANT INDUSTRY SALES ON A TYPICAL DAY IN 2011
The vast array of unique restaurants under the Let- and now has 100,000 members. Participants who join for able return on this piece,” Wattel said. “The results are well
tuce umbrella has been a major reason for the company’s $25 get points every time they eat at a Lettuce restaurant. beyond what anybody who does direct mail has achieved.”
JOBS GENERATED FROM EVERY ADDITIONAL
success. “Rich (Melman) is still our creator,” said Wattel, a The points can be redeemed at other Lettuce restaurants What’s next for the Lettuce executive? Work. Wattel said
MILLION DOLLARS IN RESTAURANT SALES
soft-spoken Chicago native who still enjoys going to work or for wine, spa packages or trips. he still loves what he is doing and has no immediate plans
every day. “He has a knack for listening to what people say Wattel also developed the Lettuce gift card program which for retirement. “It’s been a great run and I plan to continue
and knowing what the market will bear.” makes it more convenient for people to use the restaurants. doing what I am right now,” he said.
SOURCE: NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
8 ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL 2011 ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL 2011 9
Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 8 10/16/11 11:13 PM Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 9 10/16/11 11:13 PM
Graduate working
on BP case
Career choices abound for Roosevelt paralegal studies alums.
Samantha Heinritz, who
received her certificate
in paralegal studies from
BY LAURA JANOTA | Roosevelt University Paralegal Studies Director Carrie
Roosevelt in 2010, never
Lausen remembers a time when few people understood the job of a paralegal.
imagined she’d be employed
That isn’t the case anymore. Four decades after the University’s Paralegal
by one of Chicago’s largest
Studies Program, previously known as the Lawyer’s Assistant Program, was
law firms and would be
founded, and 35 years since it was approved by the American Bar Associa-
contributing to the largest
tion (ABA), the paralegal profession is stronger than ever.
legal case in American history.
Through the year 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting that
employment of paralegals will grow by 28 percent, which is a much faster Hired by Kirkland and Ellis
rate than most occupations are growing in these uncertain economic times. LLP in August 2010, Heinritz,
“It’s been a tough job market for law firms as clients have been cutting 26, is a member of one of
back,” said Eric Baker, president of the Illinois Paralegal Association and a three teams of paralegals
2006 graduate of Roosevelt’s Paralegal Studies Program. “We are now seeing assisting more than 200
more paralegals starting to get hired, as well as being called on to take on attorneys at the law firm
more duties.” preparing for trial in a case
More than 10,000 students have graduated from Roosevelt’s program about last year’s BP oil spill
which offers post-baccalaureate certificates in as little as four months and in the Gulf of Mexico.
bachelor’s degrees with a concentration in paralegal studies.
“It’s cool to be able to say that
Working under the supervision of lawyers, paralegals draft legal docu-
I’ve worked on the biggest
ments; they conduct legal research; they interview clients and witnesses for
case in American history and
legal cases; and they assist lawyers in all areas of litigation. “There’s very
that I’ve been able to read
little lawyers do that paralegals can’t do,” added Lausen, noting that while
some of the confidential
a paralegal might be the contact for a pending case, he or she can’t set legal
documents that are involved
fees or give legal advice, which are the lawyer’s responsibility.
with the case,” said Heinritz.
With a team of professional instructors, including judges, lawyers and
practicing paralegals, Roosevelt’s Paralegal Studies Program provides course Two other 2010 graduates
work in ethics and professionalism, commercial law, civil law, pre-trial from Roosevelt’s Paralegal
litigation, legal research, trial and post-trial litigation, legal technology, Studies Program – Jeff
intellectual property and legal writing. McMurray and Kristine
Roosevelt also has a strong internship program and many students are Bompadre – also were hired
able to gain full-time employment following their internships. “We’ve had last year as paralegals by
a lot of great experiences with our Roosevelt interns,” said Beth Fawver Kirkland and Ellis. “We
McCormack, a partner with the Chicago law firm of Kamerlink, Stark, have had opportunities
McCormack and Powers. “We’re willing to give them as much responsibility to be involved with very
as they can handle.” extensive and detailed cases
A case in point is Rachel Boehm, a Roosevelt paralegal studies intern who while working for Kirkland,”
was hired by the law firm after she graduated in 2007. Today, she is a law clerk said Bompadre. “The last
at the firm and also a student at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. year has given us amazing
The many different career paths that graduates of the Roosevelt program learning experiences and
have taken is truly impressive. “Our graduates have gone on to become opportunities that would be
lawyers, professors and even judges. The sky’s the limit on what a paralegal hard to find elsewhere as
can do with his or her career,” said Lausen. On the following pages are some an entry-level paralegal.”
of their success stories.
10 ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL 2011 ROROOSOESVEEVLETL RTE RVEIEVWIE W | |F FAALLLL 2 2001111 1111
Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 10 10/16/11 11:14 PM Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 11 10/16/11 11:15 PM
Illinois judge got his Early graduate shines as state insurance commissioner Alumna founds paralegal
start at Roosevelt training program
Susan Voss was one of the first gradu- “Roosevelt was a good stepping stone
ates of Roosevelt’s Paralegal Studies for me and good base upon which
When Illinois 17th Circuit Court Kristine Condon always wanted to
Judge J. Edward Prochaska Program, earning her certificate in 1976. to build my career,” said Voss, who teach, but she didn’t anticipate her
graduated from college Today, she is president of the National previously worked in government training as a paralegal would lead to
with a bachelor’s degree in Association of Insurance Commis- service as legal counsel for the Iowa founding an ABA-approved program
history and political science sioners and insurance commissioner attorney general, the department for budding paralegals at Kankakee
in 1975, he didn’t know what for the state of Iowa, dealing with of transportation and the Iowa Community College in Kankakee, Ill.
he wanted to do with his life. everything from regulating insurance Department of Revenue, where
Her journey began in 1984 when
companies to handling the nation’s she wrote tax legislation and other
He tried the restaurant the college graduate couldn’t find
new health care reform policies. laws for the Iowa state legislature.
business. He did a short stint a job as a teacher. Instead, she took
as a salesman. Then one a job as a paralegal in New Lenox,
day, he got to talking with a Ill. If she wanted to move up in the
friend who had gone through job, Condon’s supervisor told her
Roosevelt’s Paralegal Studies she’d need more education. Condon
Program. It was a conversation entered Roosevelt’s program in
that changed his life. 1985, and the rest is history.
“It was a like a light went “I remember being told ‘You’ve
on for me,” said Prochaska, got to be a strong writer, you have
who entered the program in to have strong communication
1982. “From the moment I skills, you’ve got to be able to stay
stepped into those classes on time and on task, and you’ve
I was convinced that I’d got to be able to keep a lot of
finally found my niche. I pucks in the air,” said Condon. “I
knew the law was for me.” can tell you today that everything
I learned in that program, I used,
After graduating, Prochaska
and continue to use today.”
went to work as a paralegal for
Shell Oil Co. in Houston, where After graduation, Condon became
he worked on discovery for a first deputy clerk for the Illinois
Supreme Court in Chicago. However,
class-action antitrust litigation
she still wanted to teach so she
case involving charges of price
became a full-time instructor in
fixing on gasoline by the big oil Graduate becomes federal prosecutor
the Roosevelt program and also
companies. While he was there,
took other part-time paralegal
he got his law degree at the
Former UPI reporter springboards to new heights teaching jobs with area colleges. Anastasie Senat received her bachelor’s of Homeland Security’s Immigration
University of Houston and soon
degree in broadcast communications and Customs Enforcement Division.
after returned to his hometown When United Press International has developed beyond his wildest “I always figured that I would in 1997, but didn’t want to live in
“There are lives you’re dealing
of Rockford, Ill., where he joined shut its doors, leaving James dreams researching and assisting make my legal and teaching small towns to gain the experience
with. There are families to consider.
a law firm. In 1996, Prochaska Fisher without a reporting job, in writing opinions today as a backgrounds come together,” she’d need for a career in TV.
It’s challenging work because you
was appointed associate judge he mulled what to do next. law clerk to Illinois Supreme said Condon. “I just didn’t know
“Roosevelt’s Paralegal Studies have to balance factors and make
in the 17th Circuit. Then in 2006, Court Justice Charles Freeman. how it would come about.”
he ran on his own and won “I had always wanted to go to law Program was an excellent way to the right recommendation,” said
election as a 17th Circuit judge. school, but I didn’t know if it would After law school at Chicago Kent After joining Kankakee Community learn about law,” said Senat, who Senat, who handles deportation
be worth it, and I thought it would College of Law, Fisher clerked College in 1998, Condon, who also enjoyed living on campus in downtown proceedings and trials, including
“When I look back on things, be a good idea to see if I would like for U.S. District Court Judge has a master’s degree in corporate Chicago. “The program had great a number of high-profile cases.
I realize that it was Roosevelt it before making a commitment Elaine Bucklo in Chicago and training and development, proposed connections with law firms in the
In the Roosevelt tradition, Senat
University that was a watershed to it,” said Fisher, who joined then Illinois Supreme Court starting a paralegal training area,” added Senat, who landed
is committed to social justice
event in my life,” Prochaska Roosevelt’s program in 1992. Justice Mary Ann McMorrow. program. Today, she is professor of a paralegal job with the Chicago
and community service. The
said. “It was only a four-month corporate and continuing education law firm of Winston and Strawn.
Fisher became intrigued by “I would tell anyone who’s daughter of Haitian immigrants,
program, but it changed and coordinator of the college’s
what he was learning in the Civil interested in the law that the After going to law school, Senat was she co-founded the Haitian
the trajectory of my career, Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies
Procedure class taught by Lewis paralegal program at Roosevelt selected for the U.S. Attorney General’s American Lawyers Association. The
and I would tell anyone who Program. Currently, she is also
Nixon, a Cook County Circuit Court is worth looking at,” said Fisher. Honor Graduate Program, making her group has helped victims of the
is interested in the law to working on a doctoral degree in
judge and Roosevelt adjunct. He “You can take so many different eligible for a position with the U.S. earthquake in Haiti. She is also a
consider the program.” community college leadership.
also realized he had a knack for directions once you get started, Department of Justice. Today, she is a board member at large for the Black
legal writing, a skill that Fisher and I’m a good example of that.” prosecutor with the U.S. Department Women Lawyers’ Association.
12 ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL 2011 RROOOOSSEEVVEELLTT RREEVVIIEEWW || FFAALLLL 22001111 1133
Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 12 10/16/11 11:16 PM Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 13 10/16/11 11:17 PM
SCHAUMBURG CAMPUS MAKES DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE AWARENESS A TOP PRIORITY.
BY LAURA JANOTA
14 ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL 2011 ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL 2011 15
Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 14 10/16/11 11:17 PM Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 15 10/16/11 11:18 PM
UNDERGRADUATE PSYCHOLOGY
MAJOR RUBY NAVA IS A SURVIVOR
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND
SCHAUMBURG CAMPUS PROVOST by all police departments in the Northwest
suburbs is being considered. As a starting
DOUGLAS KNERR IS A BELIEVER point for numbers of domestic violence inci-
dents in the region, the alliance estimates
IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
there are more than 20,000 cases a year – a
number that is based on the experience of a
Though they’ve known one another only
Cook County family court judge at the Dis-
for a short time, the two are working
trict 3 courthouse in Rolling Meadows, Ill.
together so that Roosevelt’s Schaumburg
“Many people think that this is an issue
campus community can have a positive
that is only for and about women, but in
impact on domestic violence, one of the
reality it affects families and children
most disturbing issues confronting the
women have experienced
into the next generation, as well as our
Northwest suburbs and beyond.
domestic violence in their lifetime.
senior citizens,” said Rita Wiley, a found-
Knerr, who is committed to having the
ing member of the alliance and a legislative SOURCE: THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Schaumburg Campus make a difference in
aide to state Rep. Sidney Mathias, who is
issues of importance to the community,
also an alumnus of Roosevelt University.
established a partnership between the
For the past two years, the Northwest Sub-
campus and the Northwest Suburban Alli-
urban Alliance on Domestic Violence has
ance on Domestic Violence.
held regular meetings at the Schaumburg
Nava, who comes to the issue through per-
Campus. In addition, Roosevelt students have
of Americans know a victim
sonal experience (see related story), is work-
engaged with the group and the issue, and
of domestic violence.
ing with fellow students, faculty and alliance
were responsible for the planning and execu-
members to raise awareness about domestic SOURCE: ALLSTATE FOUNDATION NATIONAL
tion of an ambitious program held Oct. 27 on POLL ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006.
violence and its impact.
the Schaumburg Campus in conjunction with
“We are about advocating for violence preven- national Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Annual health-related costs
tion,” said Illinois state Senator Matt Murphy,
Among highlights, the event featured a of domestic violence exceed
who co-chairs the Northwest Suburban Alli-
keynote address on domestic violence by
ance on Domestic Violence, a 10-year-old, not-
Wendy Cohen, senior policy advisor on
for-profit whose members include social-ser-
women’s issues to Illinois Attorney General
vice providers, counselors, police chiefs, law-
Lisa Madigan; exhibition of the Clothesline
yers, judges and others dealing with domestic SOURCE: THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Project, featuring T-shirts made by survi-
violence cases and abuse survivors.
vors of domestic violence; skits involving
“Because of our partnership with Roosevelt domestic-violence scenarios; and a memorial
University, we have been able to reach out celebration in which Nava told some of her
to students and a large campus community own story, encouraging all in attendance to
about an issue that is a major societal con- recognize and remember an abuse survivor.
cern,” said Murphy.
“I am interested in doing as much as I can to
Reliable statistics on domestic violence in advocate for better awareness on this issue,”
the suburbs aren’t easy to come by, in part said Nava, a senior who wants to be a domes-
because there has been no uniformity in tic violence counselor after she graduates in
how incidents are reported. It is an issue that the spring of 2012. She joined the alliance in
police chiefs and court officers who are mem- December after a friend told her the group
bers of the alliance have been discussing, and was considering partnering with Roosevelt.
a proposal for a uniform reporting method
“I remember going to the meeting and being
introduced to Provost Knerr,” recalled Nava,
who brought along fellow psychology major
Katrina Smidt. During the meeting, the two
publicly expressed a desire to get involved.
16 ROOSEVELT REVIEW | FALL 2011 TIM TEEBKEN RROOOOSSEEVVEELLTT RREEVVIIEEWW || FFAALLLL 22001111 1177
Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 16 10/16/11 11:23 PM Fall 2011 Alumni Magazine Revised.indd 17 10/16/11 11:23 PM