Alumni Features

  From the moment she set foot on Lewis University’s campus, Samantha Renovato ‘10 knew she had found more than just a school - she had found a community grounded in values that mirrored her own. Drawn to Lewis by its Lasallian commitment to justice and service, Samantha was inspired not only by the beauty of the campus but by its culture of care and connection. “Although I’m not religious - I'm more spiritual - the Lasallian values truly resonated with me,” she reflected. As a first-generation college student, her path wasn’t always linear, but it was transformative. She initially enrolled as a psychology major, but it was an introductory course in Human Resource Management, recommended by her advisor, Dr. Greenwood, that shifted her career trajectory. That one class opened the door to a field she quickly grew passionate about and led her to pursue a double major. Outside the classroom, Samantha found purpose and leadership through involvement in LASO and Delta Sigma Pi. These...

  Lewis University alumnus and United Airlines pilot, Leigh Agustin '16, reflects on a journey that began as a commuter student and has led him to fly international routes, fulfilling a lifelong dream. He chose Lewis University for its renowned flight school, located conveniently close to home, allowing him to balance his education and personal life. "My experience at Lewis was incredible. The smaller classes meant professors truly knew me, which made a huge difference in my education," he recalls. These close-knit connections not only enriched his academic journey but also shaped lifelong friendships. In fact, four of his Lewis classmates stood by his side as groomsmen at his wedding. Graduating from Lewis gave him a competitive edge in the aviation industry. "The flight program covered every aspect of professional aviation, preparing me well for my career. I felt ready, and that confidence helped me secure a position with United Airlines." After spending...

  Marc Pozdol '88 had no idea how much his life would change when he decided to tag along with friends on a campus visit to Lewis University. Coming from a low-income, single-parent household on Chicago’s Southside, higher education initially seemed out of reach. But that visit proved to be life-changing. Marc recalls, “It was transformative in providing me a window to what could be… Lewis was a beacon to another path that would allow me an opportunity that I’d never considered.” Thanks to financial assistance, Marc’s dream of becoming a Flyer became a reality. Moving into the residence halls gave him a new sense of freedom, and despite being away from home, he quickly found comfort in the community Lewis offered. His hands-on learning experiences at the university’s airport kept him motivated, especially with faculty who genuinely cared about his success. That supportive environment became the perfect foundation for Marc to excel in both aviation and academics. Though his pass...

  "My life story consists of seasons where I was either the initiator of strategic career moves or the strategic career move chose me. Lewis University chose me," stated Dr. Okey Enyia, a 1999 biology alumnus. Influenced by his father, Dr. Samuel Enyia, a retired professor at Lewis, Okey highlights how Lewis prepared him for his future by providing a solid educational foundation coupled with enriching social opportunities. The smaller community at Lewis gave Okey the chance to develop meaningful relationships with faculty and staff.   These mentors impacted both his education and career paths. "Lewis was intentional about creating spaces for students of color to build community. This was particularly crucial for me, as a Biology major, often being the only or one of the few Black men in the classroom," stated Okey. During his sophomore year, he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he received life-changing support, camaraderie, and mentorsh...

From her earliest days, Carolyn Brodnicki Serdar '99 '02 had a unique connection to Lewis University. "As a high school student, I volunteered behind the scenes at the Philip Lynch Theater. I fell in love with the faculty, staff, and students, as well as the theater program curriculum," she recalled. Lewis University was already part of her life, as her parents worked at the university, and frequent visits to the campus made her appreciate its beauty and community. At Lewis, Carolyn found a place where she could challenge herself and discover her vocation through supportive experiences like campus ministry and the theater program. She immersed herself in campus life, engaging in various clubs, organizations, and activities that forged deep friendships. "Some of my favorite activities included joining the Peer Ministry program and starting the college’s first LGBTQ+ club," she says. Her involvement in the Koinonia retreat, the church choir, and a service tr...

On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, Lewis University’s Aviation and Transportation Department experienced a “blast from the past!”   Roger Hougham, who turned 95 years old in August, returned to campus to revisit his aviation roots.   Hougham attended Lewis from 1954 to 1955 and served as a flight instructor at Lewis from 1955 to 1956.   He and his friends, Bill Arbogast (who also attended Lewis and served as a Certified Flight Instructor in the 50’s), and Doug Reeves, all with the Prairie Aviation Museum in Bloomington, Illinois, made the trip to Lewis in honor of Roger’s upcoming birthday. Roger Hougham served in the United States Marines Corps in air traffic control in the early 50’s. He earned single-engine certification during that time.   He then spent a year as an aviation student at Lewis, and then a year as a flight instructor. In 1956, he joined Delta Airlines.   Upon his retirement from Delta in 1989, he had flown more than 27,000 hours both domestically and...

Lights, curtains, action! Traci Gaydos ’02 came to Lewis University to study Theatre and Music. While pursuing her BA in Theatre, she stumbled upon Stage Management. Stage Management was the springboard for her successful career in event production because it provided her with a transferable skillset. “My Lewis Experience was exactly what I needed for that time in my life: highly connected instructors who met my individual learning style and needs, and a department full of folks cheering each other on to success on and off the stage,” explains Gaydos. After graduating from Lewis and interning at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, Traci applied to the University of Illinois’ MFA program in Stage Management.   After completing her MFA, she continued in opera and theatre production roles until she landed the Production Manager and Marketing Director role for the University of Northern Iowa’s Theatre Department. Traci stayed in Cedar Rapids for three years before being selected to serv...

Fostering community through service has been part of Lewis University’s mission since its inception. Lewis alum, Garret A. Eisin MSN, RN ‘68 ’93, exemplifies these values through his vocation as a Registered Nurse whose passion is to help our nation’s heroes.  Garret’s story began in 1968 when he graduated from Lewis University with his Sociology degree. By 1969, Garret had enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a medic at Letterman Army Medical Center, San Francisco. After serving as a medic, he enrolled at Saint Xavier University School of Nursing and graduated with a BSN in 1974. Eisen then began his nursing career as a Registered Nurse at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, where impacted the lives of his patients through his dedicated service. He later returned to Lewis and graduated in 1993 with a Master’s in Nursing. Eisin acknowledged the important role Lewis played in his life in better preparing him to live out his calling as a nurse. Garret stated, “My education at Lewis Un...

Tatiana Machado-Griffin '14 was inspired to pursue her studies at Lewis University when a dear friend recommended the Organizational Leadership M.A. program. Knowing she wanted to expand her expertise and further her career, Tatiana reviewed the program and settled on studying three concentrations. She was especially grateful for this opportunity as an international student to advance her studies abroad, finding it deeply meaningful in creating experiences that allowed her to pivot her career and pursue new roles. She credits, “The M.A. in Organizational Leadership program not only helped me in establishing a career but also helped me become more deeply connected with people in my growing community as an immigrant in the United States.”  Her time as a Graduate Assistant in the offices of University Advancement and International Students offered hands-on experience which helped her further her skills in interpersonal relationships and communication with people from all o...

As a little girl, Areli Delgado ‘12 was always a bit shy but always had large dreams. However, the shyness went away when she started her studies at Lewis University, and her dreams were within reach. The moment Areli stepped foot on campus for her campus tour, she was immediately attracted to the layout thinking “it wasn’t too big, nor too small - it was just right.”  Delgado was a first-generation student at Lewis University who sought higher education with much excitement. Delgado stated, “It was a huge accomplishment for my family to see me get a bachelor’s degree. My mom was a single parent, and she was obviously overwhelmed seeing her only child get a degree.” Originally from Mexico, Delgado and her mother moved to the United States when she was just a year old. Her heritage always has been a part of her; she participated in LASO, Latin American Student Organization, during her time at Lewis. She credits the confidence she gained in her involvement with LASO an...

  Imagine pulling up to Starbucks, putting in your order and learning that someone surprised you and covered the cost of your order in the drive thru. The question then crosses your mind about if you should pass it on, in hopes that many people continue to do so after you. How many people would that touch? How many days were brightened? How many lives were impacted? For Bridget Terrones ’12, giving back to her alma mater is similar to this exciting concept.     When Bridget (Folliard) Terrones reads the words of the Lewis University Mission, she sees things that are also a part of her own personal mission. It’s those connections that have inspired her to establish an annual scholarship and ignite a change in the lives of future Flyers.   “Just as Lewis seeks to provide to a diverse student population through programs for a professional education, I too desire to support diverse students in their educational pursuits, specifically women. According to the Wall...

Growing up, Elliott’s father was a private pilot and aviation enthusiast.  Sharing his passion with Elliott, they would build and fly remote control planes and go to airshows together.  Elliott was exploring careers during high school, and learned about the Lewis University aviation program and was eager for the opportunity to pursue the dreams he had as a young boy.   In 2018, Elliott graduated from Lewis with a double major in Aviation Maintenance Management and Aerospace Technology. He received a minor in Unmanned Aircraft Systems and has his Airframe and Powerplant license. He is also a private pilot. Elliott is currently employed as a mechanic for a private corporate jet.   In 2020, an opportunity presented itself that would take his love of aviation to a new height.   He and his father purchased a privately owned, public use turf airport, which was likely to close like others in the area. Their desire was to save Camp Lake Airport in Salem, Wisconsin and r...

Women's History Month: Linda Mitchell '88  After leading a life of service, Linda Mitchell ’88 is taking action to pay it forward to the next generation of leaders at Lewis. “This is an inspiring time for women to be able to stand up and take pride in their accomplishments. It’s an avenue for all women to say, ‘This is worth supporting and I want to share it with the world.’ Women were put down for too many years – unable to show or prove what they were capable of. I am able to give back and should not be discounted. I recognize that I have a powerful voice in this world that can make a difference,” says Linda. Linda was born and raised in a small town in North Dakota. After high school, she traveled a bit before finding her passion for nursing as well as her soulmate, James. After getting married, the two moved to Chicago where Linda kickstarted her nursing career at Christ Hospital. During that time, Linda and James began to build a family. But it wasn’t until after th...

According to the 2019 Annual Business Survey (ABS), approximately 18.3 percent (1.0 million) of all U.S. businesses are minority-owned. Born and raised in Chicago, Jesse Steward Jr. '14, Founder and CEO of Alexander James Straight Bourbon Whiskey, has broken down barriers and pushed the limits to build his legacy as a Black entrepreneur. "I credit the Lasallian standards and morals that are emphasized on campus; integrity and character shape who you are, not only as a person, but also as an entrepreneur." Jesse has fond childhood memories of his grandfathers who would get together for a glass of whiskey, share family stories and talk about history. One day years later, while enjoying a drink with them, Jesse decided that he wanted to make his own whiskey - to continue the tradition of storytelling and share the legacy they had built many years ago. Fast forward to 2017, a few months before his son was born, when he began to solidify plans for this dream. He knew he was ...

Black History Month Alumni Spotlight: Jaylen Bush '21 For Jaylen, Black History Month has always been about celebrating the beauties of Black Excellence. Black Excellence is a mindset, and those we highlight this month had, or have, that mindset, according to Jaylen. "Through adversities and tragedies spanning from the darkest days of, not only American history but of our world’s history, Black Americans have fought tirelessly to make all peoples question: 'What kind of country, what kind of world, are we going to be?'" It is Jaylen's hope that we all use this as a time to reflect on ways to, not only celebrate, but also spread beauty and love throughout the world. For him, this is something he is committed to each and every day - especially as he begins his career and paves his own path for excellence. Growing up, Jaylen took part in after-school programs that were sponsored by the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP). This connection led him ...

For Lewis alumnus, Bill Heiden '84 , a Catholic education has been an integral part of his life since grammar school. Growing up, Bill attended St. Christopher Catholic School and Marist High School and eventually went on to earn his bachelor's degree in biology at Lewis. Today, Bill works as a middle school teacher at Annunciation Catholic Academy in Altamonte Springs, Florida.  Both as an educator and Catholic educator, Bill tries to incorporate his real world learning experiences into his classroom. Having worked as a research chemist, for 30 years, alongside people in sales and marketing, he recognizes the importance of blending these experiences into his lessons.  "I always felt my Catholic education and rigor better prepared me for college and career," says Bill. "I felt that I could take on the challenges and expectations of my employers and jobs. At the same time, at Lewis, I was able to be more involved and enjoy the extracurricular activities, because I...

If you put a challenge in front of Cristian Palacio '21, you can bet he’ll accept it. The 2021 graduate of Lewis University isn’t one to back down. In part, that’s what drew him to become an ammunitions specialist in the U.S. Army from 2014-2018 – which, as he quickly learned, dealt heavily with logistics.   That path eventually led him to Lewis – where he received his degree in supply chain management with a focus in logistics.  “What drew me to supply chain was how interesting it is to see all the parts work together to get a product from raw materials to the consumer,” said Cristian. “After my time in the Army, I had a good understanding of what the supply chain industry was like and I found it both challenging and rewarding.” While studying at Lewis, Cristian was heavily involved in the Office of Veteran’s Affairs, taking part in programs that were established to assist and connect with other veteran students.  “Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we held several event...

Future alumna and current Lewis University art student Rachel '22 aspires to be an artist one day - with a focus on illustration or sculptures. Rachel has had the opportunity, through the art program here at Lewis, to use her creativity to embrace unorthodox ways of expressing emotion through art. "One of the biggest things that influences my creativity is the materials that I work with, especially ordinary everyday objects. I'm constantly noticing qualities in objects; what kind of feeling is attached to the shape and how they could be repurposed for art, whether it be a head or a nose or a mouth. Another thing that influences my creativity is human emotion and how to portray it through inhuman objects. I like to draw out a viewer's emotions in unexpected ways through my sculptures and characters. I want people to see not only the bright and zany exterior, but also sense underneath that there's an emotional awareness the sculptures have that they can empathize wit...

Every year on November 11, we stop to honor and celebrate all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. For Jim Belmont ’94 , U.S. Navy Captain who has served for the last 27 years, it is a day of vulnerability. “Although Veterans Day celebrates all veterans who served in any capacity, to me, it symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice of the millions of individuals who served in the Armed Forces, no matter what branch, and haven’t been  able to come home. Only 1% of the population serves and can call themselves a veteran. We don’t do this for the praise, we do it because it is what is in our hearts. But getting a moment where someone comes up on the street or in a supermarket and says thank you for your service means a lot. Veterans Day gives us the opportunity to let our guard down for that moment and enjoy the praise from those we serve and protect.”  After graduating from Lewis in May 1994, Jim sought after a non-traditional path and immediately enlisted in the U.S...

Lewis alumna Georgi Presecky ’17 was surrounded by some of the best storytellers growing up – her parents. Georgi’s mom was a teacher, and her dad was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune for more than 30 years. Both avid readers, they instilled the love of words in her at a young age. “The written word has always been my passion,” said Georgi. “I love classic novels and great TV and have written in a journal every single day since I was 13 years old.” After earning a perfect score on the English portion of the ACT in high school, Georgi knew that storytelling was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. Fast forward to 2017 after graduating from Lewis, she began managing social media and outreach for  FF2 Media, a website promoting the work of women in film. Once the pandemic hit and theaters closed, Georgi was forced to pivot careers. She now works for Patch where she writes daily newsletters for residents of Oak Park, Forest Park, and Lakeview and assists in news conte...