University
Updates
Lewis Aviation Program Expands to La Salle University in Philadelphia
Demonstrating another strength of the Lasallian Global Network, Lewis University is partnering with La Salle University to provide specialized aviation coursework for La Salle’s new Bachelor of Science in Aviation Administration program, enrolling its first cohort in Fall 2025.
This collaboration allows La Salle students to benefit from Lewis’s renowned expertise in aviation education while pursuing their degree at La Salle. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that requires 120 credit hours, combining 80 arts and sciences and business administration credits from La Salle, with 40 aviation-specific credits from Lewis University.
Students will take core aviation courses virtually through Lewis while completing their business and liberal arts coursework in person at La Salle’s Philadelphia campus. Students in the Aviation Administration program will also have the ability to participate in a brief on-site, residency experience on the Lewis campus in Romeoville.
This mutually beneficial partnership strengthens Lewis University’s position as a national leader in aviation education and showcases the collaborative spirit of our Lasallian mission.
Lincoln Academy Honors Irena Ilic as 2024 Student Laureate
The Lincoln Academy of Illinois honored Lewis University student Irena Ilic as a 2024 Student Laureate. In the spirit of Abraham Lincoln, Student Laureates are honored for their leadership and service on campus and beyond in the pursuit of the betterment of humanity, and for overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.
The top students representing Illinois’ colleges and universities were honored during a special ceremony hosted by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois on Saturday, October 26 at the University of Illinois Springfield’s Performing Arts Center.
As the president of Lewis University’s Student Senate, Ilic works to ensure different communities across campus are represented.Ilic, who is a senior majoring in History and International Relations, joined the Student Senate to help voice student concerns and to make Lewis a better place. She is excited to be a voice for the student body and help to resolve issues.
Ilic is an exemplary student who consistently makes the dean's list. She is Editor-in-Chief of The Flyer Newspaper student staff. She was born in Croatia and is currently from Willow Springs.
Accounting Students Attend IMA Leadership Conference
For the third consecutive year, Lewis University’s Accounting Program participated in the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Annual Student Leadership Confrence, from November 7-9 in Anaheim, California. Assistant Professors of Accounting, Drs. Iyad Rock ’15, and Ting He, accompanied six students to the conference.
The conference offered students opportunities to connect with top companies, including eBay, Johnson & Johnson, Cummins, and the IRS Criminal Investigation during dedicated networking sessions.
The six students included Prem Sagar Baluguri, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Finance; Natalie Borcean, a junior majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting; Sravya Chigurupati, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Finance; Anna Domina, a junior Accounting major minoring in Spanish Language and Culture; Odalys Ochoa, a senior majoring in Accounting with a minor in Psychology; and Yousef Tabani, a freshman majoring in Accounting.
The experience would not have been possible without the generous support of Ron Plankis, an Accounting alum from the Class of 1973 and partner of Marcheschi Plankis & Pogore LLP, whose significant donation to the accounting program provided the resources necessary for the students’ participation.
Jet Fuel Review Launches 28th Issue
The 28th issue of the Jet Fuel Review Lewis University's student-run and faculty-advised literary journal is available online. The Fall 2024 online journal features work by Lewis University students and faculty as well as international artists. The work includes poetry, fiction, nonfiction, book reviews, interviews, artwork and eBooks .
The magazine has been recognized as a SUPERIOR magazine by the National Council of Teachers of English. This year, schools in 46 states and five countries nominated 422 student magazines. Magazines from middle school, high school, and higher education were welcomed for the 2024 contest.
Editorial staff include managing editor Samuel McFerron, assistant managing editor Katharine Svehla, social media editor Lauren Raimbault, along with Kate Goranson, Catherine Fatigato, Liam Jarot, Hannah Tubacki, Sam Poyner, Arista Brozovich, Mukhabbat Fayzullaeva, Jimena Araiza and Batule Alzoubi.
Mentors include Drs. Simone Muench, chief faculty editor and advisor, and Jackie White, reader and consultant.
Lewis alumni who supported the journal this semester include Patricia Damocles '20, Andrea Y. Rodriguez '20, Kasia Wolny '19, Zakiya Cowan '19 and Stephanie Karas '21.
First Year Writers Showcase Available Online
Each semester, the First-Year Writing program invites program faculty to nominate student writers whose work shines for features like idea development, critical thinking, organization, voice, creativity, language use, and writing and research processes. At the end of each semester, a faculty panel reviews the nominated works and selects writers to be featured. The pieces reflect a variety of genres, including Narrative, Profile Writing, and Research Argument. Selections represent writers enrolled in ENGL 10300 The Essay; ENGL 11100 College Writing 1; and ENGL 11200 College Writing 2.
The authors and their written work are featured on our website. We hope you enjoy meeting these writers and listening to their voices and ideas through their written work.
Rome Studies Return for Lewis University Students
Lewis University students have returned to Lasallian Universities Center for Education (LUCE) in Rome. Almost half of the 21 students for the Spring 2025 semester are first-generation college students.
The students are studying and experiencing a cultural immersion as they live and study in the Generalate, the motherhouse of the global De La Salle Christian Brothers network headquartered in Rome. Coursework includes Lewis course offerings from the College of Business and Social Work programs.
Leveraging Rome's rich historical and cultural landscape, the program also includes educational excursions to Florence, Naples, and other significant sites. The curriculum is designed to enrich students' academic and personal growth, featuring courses such as Italian Language, Italy Today, and Art Appreciation. These courses are taught by local Italian faculty.
LUCE offers full-semester programs for students from around the world. Its programs are designed to develop Lasallian international study abroad experiences and enrich the sense of belonging in the worldwide Lasallian community.
St. Augustine Students Win at Illinois LSAMP Symposium
Lead student investigator Md Mehedi Hasan and student Ava Lopez from the Computer Information Systems program at Saint Augustine College at Lewis University won first place in oral presentation and second place in poster presentation at the 2025 Illinois Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Symposium on March 1 in Lisle, Ill.
“Secure Ex: An Al-Powered Real-Time Weapon Detection System for Enhanced Public Safety” leverages machine learning techniques to train a computer vision model for accurate weapon detection. SecureEx, an intelligent security surveillance camera system, triggers an alarm to immediately alert residents or store occupants.
The symposium participants included students from eight public and private universities, four regional community colleges, the Field Museum and one Federal Laboratory. They presented their research through poster or oral presentations highlighting current research activities and engagement in STEM fields.
Juvenal Nava, director of the St. Augustine Computer Information Systems program, served as research advisor to the project. Part of the research was also funded by the National Science Foundation.
Cyber Defense Team Hacks The Competition
The Lewis University Cyber Defense Club finished among the top teams at the Cyber Statecraft Initiative's 2025 Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge Regional Competition on February 1-2 in Austin, Texas.
David Simeone, Alex Florczyk, Isaac Birgen, and Thomas Juricek were on the student team who represented Lewis University. Adjunct Professor Matthew Kwiatkowski, chief information security officer at Fermilab, coached the team.
They were challenged to respond to a fictional but realistic cyber threat scenario by developing and presenting policy solutions considering legal, security and private sector implications.
Lewis University’s Cybersecurity program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity. By participating in competitions like the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge, students gain valuable hands-on experience and develop critical problem-solving abilities.
2025 Celebration of Service and Lasallian Awards
On Wednesday, April 16, the 33rd Annual Celebration of Service took place to honor employees who were recognized for 10, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service, and for retirements in the past year. In addition, the Office of Mission and Identity presented the University’s annual Lasallian Awards to dedicated members of our campus community.
Lasallian Awards
The De La Salle Medallion for Exemplary Volunteer Service honors faculty and staff members who perform outstanding volunteer service at Lewis University or in the community. Recipients are evaluated on quality of service, initiative, uniqueness of contribution, and effect of service on the nominee.
The 2025 De La Salle Medallion for Exemplary Volunteer Service recognized Dr. Hyeseong Lee, Assistant Professor, Elementary Education/Special Education.
The 2025 De La Salle Medallion for Exemplary Volunteer Service recognized Dr. Hyeseong Lee, Assistant Professor, Elementary Education/Special Education.
The De La Salle Medallion for Excellence in Community Engagement honors a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in engaging Lewis students in community-based learning. Honorees actively and effectively engage students in the community, connecting learning and community engagement over the course of multiple semesters; collaborate well with partners in the community and members of the Office of Community Engaged Learning; demonstrate excellence in community engagement implementation as evidenced by feedback from students and community partners; and advocate for community-based learning pedagogy and course designation among colleagues and deeper understanding of community engaged learning throughout her/his respective discipline and college.
The 2025 De La Salle Medallion for Excellence in Community Engagement recognized Dr. Laurette Liesen, Professor, Political Science.
The 2025 De La Salle Medallion for Excellence in Community Engagement recognized Dr. Laurette Liesen, Professor, Political Science.
The Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award honors an educator who exemplifies the ideals of Saint John Baptist de La Salle. Nominees must have been a faculty or staff member at Lewis University for at least five years, work with the educational community to foster Gospel values in the lives of faculty, staff and students, and see Lewis University as a place of educational excellence that shares in the teaching mission of the Catholic Church. The recipient of this award characterizes in his or her life the spirit of Saint John Baptist de La Salle and demonstrates an enthusiasm for the Lasallian educational Mission and tradition.
The 2025 Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award recognized Dwight Devries, Superintendent of Grounds.
The 2025 Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award recognized Dwight Devries, Superintendent of Grounds.
Student Excellence In Mission Ceremony
The following students were honored on April 30 for their commitment to our Lasallian Mission.
De La Salle Medallion Recipients:
Orjuan Melhem ’26 - De La Salle Medallion for Excellence in Faith Development
Raven Robinson ’25 - De La Salle Medallion for Excellence in Service and Community Engagement
Carli Rodack ’28 - De La Salle Medallion for Excellence in Justice Advocacy
Ayesha Shafiuddin ’25 - De La Salle Medallion for Excellence in Interfaith Cooperation
May 2025 Commencement Weekend Honorees:
Nathaly Galvez ’25 – Fr. Aquinas Colgan Award Recipient
Jayme Moime ’25 – Lasallian Student Speaker
Participants of the La Salle Summer Program for Leadership and Global Understanding were recognized as well.
