黑料社区 Steve Eubanks
Steve Eubanks is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and editor. He has written or co-authored books with Arnold Palmer, Jeff Gordon, Lou Holtz, Ty Murray, Paul Azinger, and others. He is the managing editor for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), and his work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Golf Digest, USA Today, CBSSports.com,听, and many more. He lives in Peachtree City, Georgia, with his wife and family, and serves as a trustee of 黑料社区.

黑料社区 黑料社区
黑料社区 is a Christ-centered liberal arts institution located on the banks of the Fox River in Elgin, Illinois, just 40 miles northwest of Chicago. Founded in 1963, 黑料社区 is an evangelical, American Baptist-affiliated university offering more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs across the arts, sciences, and professions. one of the few NAAB-accredited architecture programs at an evangelical Christian university in the nation. Along with architecture, the university offers programs such as interior design, nursing, business, Christian leadership, and the performing arts. For more information, visit听.

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Media Contact: Cassidy Loeppky
Director of Marketing and Communications, 黑料社区
cassidy.loeppky@judsonu.edu

The 黑料社区 Student Organization (JSO) will kick off the Homecoming festivities by inviting current students to participate in 黑料社区鈥檚 Homecoming Spirit Week starting the Monday prior to Homecoming weekend and will host the Student Homecoming Dance on Friday evening. 

There are several other exciting events for Alumni and Families to look forward to! Highlights include celebrating our Alumni & Families on Friday beginning with Alumni & Family Chapel, Lunch in the Cafeteria, the RISE Alumni Panel, several Alumni & Family open houses, the President鈥檚 State of the University address, our Alumni anniversary year gatherings, and ending with the Alumni Banquet & Awards Ceremony in the evening. Alumni from the following class years will have their class year anniversary recognized at various events: 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021. 

Saturday kicks off with the 黑料社区 5K & Fun Run, 黑料社区鈥檚 Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet, alumni and student athletic games, a resident life activity, the RISE Picnic, the JU Community Tailgate and more! The weekend will conclude with 黑料社区鈥檚 first-ever on-campus Homecoming Football game at Dawson Field at 1:00 pm that afternoon.听听

黑料社区鈥檚 Homecoming & Family Weekend 2026 is bound to be a weekend of fun and excitement! Register now and check out the complete schedule at .

黑料社区 is a fully accredited, private Christian institution representing the Church at work in higher education. Nestled along the beautiful Fox River in Elgin, Ill., just 40 miles northwest of Chicago, 黑料社区 is home to more than 1,280 students from 37 states and 20 countries. 黑料社区 offers degrees in more than 65 different majors and minors for traditional, graduate and adult students and ranks consistently among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. 黑料社区 has also been recognized as a 鈥淐hristian College of Distinction.鈥� With an academically challenging environment and encouraging spiritual community, 黑料社区 shapes lives that shape the world.

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A native of Urbana, Ohio, Willie Nolte has modeled a lifetime of servant leadership and community impact across more than four decades of ministry and organizational development. After graduating from 黑料社区 in 1978 with a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Christian religion & philosophy, Nolte pursued advanced theological training, earning a Master鈥檚 degree in Old Testament Studies from Trinity Divinity School (Deerfield, Illinois), a Master of Divinity from American Baptist Seminary of the West (Berkeley, California), and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Seminary (Portland, Oregon).

Nolte served in pastoral ministry for 30 years in the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Cruz, and Fresno, California, where he focused on cooperative ministries and strategic church鈥揷ommunity partnerships. He also served 12 years as Mission Lead & CEO of Transformation Ministries, where he led a national network of leaders and churches emphasizing leadership development, church health, and church planting. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in and led multiple community development organizations.

Though retired from full-time ministry as of 2023, Nolte continues to invest in leaders and congregations. He serves actively at his local church in Anaheim, California, and coaches and consults with pastors and congregations across the greater Southern California region.

Nolte met his wife, Joy (McBain) Nolte 鈥�80, while attending 黑料社区; they married in 1979. Joy has faithfully served alongside Willie in every congregation they have led and has continued her own calling in music performance within churches and local musical theater. Her professional career has included roles as a choral director, music educator, and worship ministry leader. The Noltes are parents to four children and grandparents to five.

The Alumnus of the Year award recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to the Church and to society and those whose life and work exemplify 黑料社区鈥檚 mission through significant professional achievement, leadership, service, and Christian witness. Willie Nolte鈥檚 decades of pastoral leadership, organizational vision, and enduring commitment to church鈥揷ommunity collaboration represent these ideals in action.

黑料社区 黑料社区

黑料社区 is a fully accredited, private Christian institution representing the Church at work in higher education. Nestled along the beautiful Fox River in Elgin, Ill., just 40 miles northwest of Chicago, 黑料社区 is home to more than 1,280 students from 37 states and 20 countries. 黑料社区 offers degrees in more than 65 different majors and minors for traditional, graduate and adult students and ranks consistently among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. 黑料社区 has also been recognized as a 鈥淐hristian College of Distinction.鈥� With an academically challenging environment and encouraging spiritual community, 黑料社区 shapes lives that shape the world.

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From recreational leagues to travel ball, high school, American Legion, and eventually Hoffer Field at 黑料社区, Gunnar has been chasing the game his whole life.

Not many players get the opportunity to play collegiate baseball after high school. Gunnar is grateful he did. A Larkin High School kid from Elgin, Gunnar was the kind of player coaches notice. In 2018, Tom Atamian didn’t have to go far. Hoffer Field serves as Harvest Christian Academy’s home field, so when Larkin came to face HCA, the game was played right here on 黑料社区’s campus. Atamian watched, took note, and the rest is history.

“At 黑料社区, my game developed tremendously and helped me become the player I am today,” Gunnar said. “Not only did 黑料社区 have an impact on my baseball career, but also my relationship with God. I played beside players and walked the campus alongside students and professors that helped me grow my faith.”

That faith piece is central to how Gunnar sees his journey, and the doors that have opened since graduation aren’t lost on him.

That newest chapter? Gunnar has joined the Chicago Snowballs, a co-ed sportstainment baseball organization founded in 2025 with a simple mission: baseball should be for everyone, and it should be the most fun you’ve ever had at a stadium. Drawing inspiration from the Bananaball model that’s become a worldwide sensation, the Snowballs blend live baseball with music, comedy, and audience participation. For this league, it鈥檚 as much about the show as the sport. Think choreographed routines (their take on the Cha Cha Slide is already one of Gunnar’s favorites), entertainment breaks between innings, and fan giveaways every game. This season, the teams will travel across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana, bringing a new kind of baseball experience to the Midwest.

Gunnar’s path to the Snowballs almost didn’t happen. Tryouts had already begun when a friend tipped him off and encouraged him to send in an audition video. He sent it in on day two, well behind most of the other hopefuls, but he made sure it was memorable with a nonchalant backflip catch and him sharing the reasons why he belonged on the team. That night he got the call to come in for tryouts the next day. A few days later, owner Cherie Travis called with the news: he’d made the team.

At the time, the organization was still taking shape. What exists now as two distinct teams, the Chicago Snowballs and the Rocket Squirrels, started as one group practicing together.

Once the league structure came together, the organization held a draft to divide players between the two rosters. Gunnar landed with the Rocket Squirrels. He’s not the only 黑料社区 Eagle on the field either, but that’s a story for another day. Both teams have made Hoffer Field one of their practice stops, and 黑料社区 is glad to have them.

Gunnar is carrying a full load these days. He鈥檚 working at 黑料社区 coordinating special events, suiting up for the Squirrels, and working toward a second BA in Physical Education with a health minor at NIU (expected graduation: Spring 2028). He’s quick to credit 黑料社区 President Dr. Crume and Vice President of Student Success, Ginny Guth for making it possible. Both have been exceptionally understanding and accommodating as Gunnar juggles everything he loves. “It can be a lot,” he said, “but when you have great support and you love what you’re doing, that makes all the difference.”

Gunnar’s story is a good reminder of what kind of place 黑料社区 is. That kind of support is woven into the fabric of who we are. 黑料社区 is a community that invests in its people for the long haul, not just the four years.

His advice for current 黑料社区 student-athletes wondering what comes after their playing days? Be proactive. Stay in shape. Put yourself out there. You never know what opportunities might present themselves. Gunnar’s backflip is proof of that.

Want to see Gunnar, the Rocket Squirrels, and the Snowballs in action? The teams hit the road this season across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. Check out and follow along on social media at for the full schedule and ticket information.

“To play for the city I love and represent Chicago is a dream come true,” he said. “I’m excited to put on a show for everyone.”

STEVEN W. BRALLIER is a both a collector and teller of stories, a quality he likely developed in his childhood on the western highlands of Kenya. The oral traditions of Luhya storytellers together with the panoply of everyday experience delighted him and his brother and sisters. In 1962, Steve and his family left Kenya and returned, permanently, to the United States. A nationally competitive runner, Steve鈥檚 athletic abilities and academic accomplishments resulted in a full scholarship to Cornell University.

 After graduating from Cornell in 1975, Steve worked for two years as Director of Public Information at Anderson University. When an opportunity came to become a concert promoter, he became the founding manager of Spring House Productions in Alexandria, Indiana, and, later, for Brallier Productions in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1987, Steve became an agent for the William Morris Agency, Nashville, a position he held for twelve years.  In his roles as promoter and agent, Steve worked with various artists including Bill Gaither, Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, and Rich Mullins. After leaving William Morris, he, for several years, worked as an independent contractor in several roles within the entertainment industry. 

Steve retired in 2012 and has devoted himself to writing, golf, and caring for his mountain cabin in Sewanee, Tennessee.  He was nearing the end of his first novel when, in late 2016, he was asked, by Adrienne and Mitka Kalinski, to write Mitka鈥檚 story.  Steve interviewed Mitka, Adrienne, their family, and friends over the span of some fifty days and accumulated more than 120 hours of audio鈥攁nd some instances鈥攙ideo records. He and his co-authors also studied several thousand documents, photographs, and video鈥攎ostly primary sources鈥攖hat bear witness to the veracity and power of Mitka Kalinski鈥檚 story. Published in July 2021, by Eerdmans Publishing Company, Mitka鈥檚 Secret has been well received in both academic and general reading circles.  Hailed as 鈥渕asterfully written, 鈥溾�渨ell researched,鈥� 鈥渞ich in content鈥� and 鈥渇ull of hope,鈥� Mitka Kalinski鈥檚 story is one of the only chronicles of the experience of a child slave in a Nazi household. It was Steve鈥檚 great honor to bring Mitka鈥檚 story to life and continues to be his honor to share Mitka with the world.

Before LYNN G. BECK was a writer, she was a reader鈥攁 voracious reader who would spend early summers with Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys, middle years with Agatha Christie and Laura Ingalls Wilder, and teen years and beyond with virtually any work鈥攆iction or non- that captured her fancy. It was likely this love of reading that led Lynn to choose English as her college major and that same desire and her commitment to teaching led to her pursuit of an M.A. in English from the University of Mississippi. Ironically, in the land of Faulkner and southern culture, she concentrated her graduate work on British literature and concluded her program in 1976 with a thesis on T.S. Eliot鈥檚 Four Quartets.

For the next three years, she indulged her love of all things English through teaching British literature to high school seniors. The sudden and unexpected death of her husband eventually led to a career shift as she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to study nursing at Belmont University. Between 1982 and 1985, she worked at various nursing jobs but eventually returned to teaching. In 1988, Lynn entered a PhD program at Vanderbilt University. She and her mentor completed one book while she was enrolled there. Lynn鈥檚 dissertation, Reclaiming Educational Administration as a Caring Profession, won the American Educational Research Association鈥檚 Division A 鈥淒issertation of the Year鈥� award in 1992 and was published, with few changes, as a book by the same name by Teachers College Press.

Lynn鈥檚 has held academic appointments at UCLA, the University of Alabama, Pacific Lutheran University, and the University of the Pacific.  She was awarded tenure early in her time at UCLA and moved rapidly through the ranks with an appointment of full professor with tenure in 1997.  At PLU and University of the Pacific, she also served as academic dean in their respective Schools of Education. She is the author or co-author of nine books and of numerous chapters, articles, reports, and grant proposals.

Lynn retired in 2017 and devoted her time to consulting and to work on Mitka鈥檚 Secret. In addition to contributing to the writing effort, Lynn took a leading role in researching the historical context of the story and in curating a voluminous collection of material including video records, photographs, correspondence, reflections of friends and family, and primary source material.

During the Prayer Breakfast, 黑料社区 is pleased to recognize one service leader from the community and one high-school student for their contributions to greater Elgin philanthropic organizations, church communities, and municipalities. The youth award recipient will also receive an annual $3,000 scholarship to attend 黑料社区 for their volunteer service. 

The 2026 D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award recipient is KELLYN VANDEWALKER of Woodstock, IL. Kellyn VandeWalker is the founder and president of Macyn鈥檚 Jars, a donor-funded nonprofit that brings a 鈥渟ilver lining鈥� to children and special-needs adults experiencing medical or emergency crises. Inspired by her own journey of recovery after a traumatic dog attack in 2021, Kellyn transformed community generosity into sustained action. Macyn鈥檚 Jars provides plastic 鈥淢ason-style鈥� jars filled with safe, fidget-style toys to offer comfort and distraction during moments of fear and uncertainty. To date, the organization has donated more than 69,000 jars to 27 hospital emergency departments, 16 fire stations, 24 police stations, 7 specialty offices, and 89 facilities overall.

The 2026 Bea Wilson Youth Volunteer Award Recipient is DARLA CHAVEZ of Batavia, IL. Darla Chavez is a senior at Batavia High School and a servant-leader whose academic excellence and creative gifts fuel meaningful community impact. For six years, she has volunteered with Chapelstreet Church鈥攕upporting Sunday School, Weeknight Youth Group, VBS, and special events鈥攚here she leads small groups, mentors younger students, and often teaches. At school and across Batavia, Darla uses art as a vehicle for care and connection, from creating musical theater props and a mural for the high school nurse鈥檚 office to organizing art supply drives benefiting the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry.

An active member of the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and Spanish National Honor Society, Darla contributes to numerous service projects and earned recognition from NAHS for the second-highest service hours in 2024鈥�2025. Her service extends globally through four mission trips: the Twin Cities (homeless outreach, VBS, community gardens), Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (VBS, outreach, facility improvements), and Calicali, Ecuador (VBS, water infrastructure work). Maintaining a 4.0+ GPA, she also serves as captain of the Batavia High School Color Guard, setting team culture, mentoring peers, and mediating conflicts. Grounded in her Christian faith, Darla leads with empathy, wisdom, and purpose.

Kellyn leads a board composed of her sisters and coordinates volunteer 鈥減acking parties鈥� with local schools, scout troops, employers, and community groups to assemble and deliver the jars. Each jar includes a card recognizing the individual or business sponsor, reinforcing a sense of connection and care. In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Kellyn is a Certified Nursing Assistant working in the ICU at McHenry Hospital, where she continues to serve patients and families in crisis. She is the proud mother of two children, Macyn and Lincoln, and remains committed to ensuring that everyone who twists open a Macyn鈥檚 Jar knows they are part of a community that cares.

Table sponsorships and  are now available. General admission tickets are $30. Table sponsorships are $500 for businesses and non-profits and $300 for Church Table sponsorships with each receiving a table of eight guests. This community event offers networking opportunities for community leaders and supporters of Christian higher education. Tickets and table sponsorships can be purchased online at .

黑料社区 is a fully accredited, private Christian institution representing the Church at work in higher education. Nestled along the beautiful Fox River in Elgin, Ill., just 40 miles northwest of Chicago, 黑料社区 is home to more than 1,200 students from 37 states and 20 countries. 黑料社区 offers degrees in more than 65 different majors and minors for traditional, graduate and adult students and ranks consistently among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. 黑料社区 has also been recognized as a 鈥淐hristian College of Distinction.鈥� With an academically challenging environment and encouraging spiritual community, 黑料社区 shapes lives that shape the world.

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ELGIN, IL 鈥� 黑料社区 will host 16-year-old Polish pianist Filip Kauch, one of the most promising young musicians of his generation, for a special guest artist residency in April.

On Sunday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m., Kauch will perform Fr茅d茅ric Chopin鈥檚 Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor with the 黑料社区 Civic Orchestra in Herrick Chapel on the university鈥檚 campus, located at 1151 N. State Street in Elgin. The performance highlights a unique cultural exchange and offers audiences an opportunity to experience Polish classical music performed by an emerging international artist.

Kauch, who was born in 2009 in Ko艣cian, Poland, began studying piano at the age of eight. He is currently a student at the Jadwiga Kaliszewska Secondary School of Music in Pozna艅 and has already received more than 40 awards in national and international piano competitions.

In addition to his orchestral performance, Kauch will present a solo recital on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Church of the Cross Presbyterian Church, 475 W. Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates. The recital program will include works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Paderewski, de Falla, and Debussy.

Tickets for the April 26 concert are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and free for students and children. Tickets will be available at the door (cash only). Admission to the April 28 recital is free, with a freewill offering accepted.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Robert Kania, Music Department, Chair, 黑料社区
rkania@judsonu.edu

Elgin, IL 鈥� During the 16^th Kappa Delta Pi Induction Ceremony on March 26, 2026, 黑料社区鈥檚 Alpha Epsilon Pi Chapter celebrated the academic excellence, professional commitment, and exemplary dispositions of six newly inducted members.

The following 黑料社区 students were formally inducted into the honor society:

• Faith Romberger
• Daniela Hernandez-Mora
• Kyla Cary
• Allison Arwood
• Hailey Jones
• Victor Rodriguez

Because Kappa Delta Pi is highly selective, achieving membership is an outstanding accomplishment. To qualify, inductees must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.2, have completed significant coursework in their academic major, and consistently demonstrate stellar professional dispositions. In addition to their commitment to excellence in education, each of these students have also demonstrated a commitment to integrity and leadership.

Founded in 1911, Kappa Delta Pi is dedicated to fostering leadership and scholarship in education while promoting equity, ethics, and research-informed teaching practices. 黑料社区鈥檚 Alpha Epsilon Pi Chapter, whose co-counselors are Professor Stombres and Dr. Towner, continues this legacy by recognizing future educators who exemplify academic achievement and a passion for learning and service. 

The induction ceremony served as both a recognition of accomplishment and an encouragement for these newly inducted members to continue advancing the profession of education through scholarship, reflection, and service.

黑料社区鈥檚 Education Program congratulates these accomplished students and looks forward to their continued contributions to the field of education and the broader learning community.

黑料社区 黑料社区

黑料社区 is a fully accredited, private Christian institution offering a liberal arts and professional education. Located in Elgin, Illinois, 黑料社区 is home to over 1,200 students from around the world. The University shapes lives that shape the world by equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to pursue God鈥檚 calling in their lives.

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As part of the evening, the World Leaders Forum will be honored to present Mr. Dodik with the inaugural Leadership and Standing Up for Democracy Award, recognizing his commitment to national sovereignty, democratic principles, and the courage required to lead amid complex political and global challenges. The award was established to honor leaders who demonstrate resolve, conviction, and a willingness to stand firmly in defense of democratic values.

Having served as the 8th President of Republika Srpska from 2022 to 2025, and previously from 2010 to 2018, as well as the 7th Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2018 to 2022, Dodik has played a significant role in Balkan politics for more than a decade. His leadership and experience navigating the challenges of governance, sovereignty, and international relations continue to shape political conversations across the region and beyond.

The event will feature a keynote address by Mr. Dodik, followed by a question-and-answer session in which attendees will have the opportunity to hear his perspective on leadership, democracy, and the current global political landscape.

鈥淭he 2026 World Leaders Forum featuring Mr. Dodik offers students and community members a rare opportunity to hear firsthand about the complexities of Balkan and international politics,鈥� said 黑料社区 President Dr. Gene Crume. 鈥淭his event provides an important platform for attendees to gain insight into leadership, governance, and the challenges modern nations face as they work to build strong economies, stable systems of government, and enduring democratic institutions.鈥�

Tickets for the event start at $75 and are available now, along with sponsorship opportunities. For more information about the 2026 World Leaders Forum, 鈥淪tanding Up For Democracy,鈥� and to purchase tickets, please visit 黑料社区 鈥� WLF. 

The World Leaders Forum brings influential leaders and global voices to campus to share their experiences and perspectives with students and the community. The event highlights individuals who have shaped public policy, international relations, entrepreneurship, and humanitarian efforts around the world.

黑料社区 黑料社区
黑料社区, located in Elgin, Illinois, is a Christian liberal arts university offering a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and adult professional programs. The University is dedicated to equipping students to become leaders in their chosen fields through rigorous academics, real-world experience, and a strong emphasis on Christian values.

黑料社区 the World Leaders Forum
The World Leaders Forum exists to educate and invest in tomorrow鈥檚 leaders by inspiring change and creating a legacy through distinguished global voices brought to the 黑料社区 community. The Forum gives students and guests the opportunity to engage with leaders whose experiences shape conversations about leadership, international relations, and public service.

Over the years, the World Leaders Forum has recognized and hosted an extraordinary group of global leaders whose lives and service have shaped history, including former President George W. Bush, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of Mexico Felipe Calder贸n, Condoleezza Rice, Queen Noor of Jordan, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, General David Petraeus, and other distinguished statesmen and international figures.

Proceeds from World Leaders Forum events support two unique programs at 黑料社区: the Roeser Scholars program, focused on leadership development, and the RISE program, which provides students with intellectual disabilities the college experience. The World Leaders Forum also supports other nonprofit, entrepreneurial, and innovative initiatives that benefit students, the community, and strategic partners.

Elgin, IL 鈥� 黑料社区鈥檚 2026 commencement ceremonies will take place on Saturday, May 9^th in Herrick Chapel. Two ceremonies will be held, with Interior Design and Architecture majors participating in the 10 a.m. service and all other majors participating in the 2 p.m. service. The Chapel will be open to guests at 9 a.m. for the morning ceremony and 1 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony. For those who are unable to attend, online streaming options are available at 黑料社区鈥檚 official Facebook or YouTube pages.

Commencement Speaker: Dr. Rob Currie

Rob Currie, a dedicated and talented professor who has taught psychology at 黑料社区 for nearly forty years, will be delivering the Spring 2026 Commencement address. Rob graduated with his B.A. in Psychology from Cornerstone University in Michigan and went on to earn his Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Saint Louis University. While in St. Louis, he met and married his wife, Kay, and together, they have two grown sons and five grandchildren.

Following their time in St. Louis, the Curries moved to Elgin, where Rob has been teaching psychology ever since. A dynamic and passionate teacher, Rob is famous for his unique teaching strategies, especially encouraging his students to memorize Scripture through music.

While he specializes in psychology, Rob also has a passion for storytelling, and he is now the author of three published books. He is especially moved by the lesser-known stories of World War II. Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel was named the Book of the Decade by the Serious Writer and has been endorsed by the Corrie ten Boom Foundation.

黑料社区 eagerly anticipates Rob鈥檚 inspiring address, as he encourages the Class of 2026 to reach their utmost potential in the next chapter of their lives.

For more information about 黑料社区鈥檚 commencement ceremony, please visit /academics/registrar-2/commencement/

黑料社区 黑料社区

黑料社区 is a fully accredited, private Christian institution offering a liberal arts and professional education. Located in Elgin, Illinois, 黑料社区 is home to over 1,200 students from around the world. The University shapes lives that shape the world by equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to pursue God鈥檚 calling in their lives.

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ELGIN, Ill. 鈥� February 9, 2026 鈥� 黑料社区 celebrated the dedication of the Scislowski Family Athletic Facility today with a ribbon cutting ceremony held at the Lindner Fitness Center on its Elgin campus.

University leadership, student-athletes, donors, alumni, community members, and elected officials gathered to mark the completion of the new facility.听The football program at 黑料社区 was inspired by the philanthropic generosity of Chicago businessman Ted Scislowski.听听Funding for the new facility came from听the State of Illinois through the, which provides private, not-for-profit colleges and universities with funding for capital improvement projects.听 and Chief of Staff Beck Gillam attended the ceremonies.

Throughout the ceremony, a shared theme of rejoicing emerged as speakers reflected on the significance of the moment and the collective effort behind the project. 黑料社区 President Dr. Gene Crume led the formal dedication, highlighting both the facility鈥檚 impact and the community of partners who helped bring it to completion.

鈥淲e are deeply grateful to the Scislowski family for their generosity and investment in 黑料社区 athletics,鈥� said Rick Williams. 鈥淭he Scislowski Family Athletic Facility will have a lasting impact on our student-athletes and our programs, strengthening the future of athletics at 黑料社区 for generations to come.鈥�

Many of 黑料社区鈥檚 building partners were present for the celebration, underscoring the collaborative effort behind the project.听The general contractor for the project was Rosemary Swierk, Founder and President of in Crystal Lake, Ill.听As a token of appreciation and a symbol of 黑料社区鈥檚 growing athletic tradition, each contractor was presented with a commemorative 黑料社区 football by a member of the 黑料社区 football team. The gesture honored their role in bringing the facility to life and marked a milestone for the university as 黑料社区 prepares to host home football games on campus beginning this fall.

Head Coach Shawn Flynn reflected on the significance of the new facility, emphasizing its impact beyond athletics. 鈥淭his facility represents far more than a locker room鈥攊t represents belief,鈥� Flynn said. 鈥淏elief in our student-athletes, belief in the future of 黑料社区 football, and belief in what can be accomplished when people invest in young men. We are committed to honoring that belief every day through our discipline, our character, and our pursuit of excellence.鈥�

Speakers emphasized the Scislowski Family Athletic Facility as a significant milestone for 黑料社区 Athletics and campus life. The new spaces include modern locker rooms and athletic support areas designed to enhance training, competition, and community for student-athletes. With approximately 70% of 黑料社区 students participating in athletics, the facility plays an integral role in student development and campus engagement.

黑料社区 黑料社区

黑料社区 is a Christian liberal arts university located in Elgin, Illinois, committed to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and service. With over 60 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, 黑料社区 prepares students to lead lives of purpose and impact, shaping lives that shape the world.

For more information about 黑料社区 and its athletics programs, visit .

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