For Immediate Release 

River Forest, IL — The Oak Park Reparations Task Force in partnership with Dominican University in River Forest will host a series of open forums to gather feedback from citizens on reparations for local Black Americans.

Focus groups, geared toward Black residents of Oak Park, will take place Tuesday, May 24 and Thursday, May 26 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St.

A Wednesday, May 25 session will take place virtually.

A childhood of challenging circumstances, including poverty and his parents' drug use, ultimately influenced Gilbert Allen’s desire to become a social worker.

“I think my upbringing and seeing a lot of parents from my community struggle with drug addiction and kids coming from poverty shaped my mind to really care for people who are going through challenges,” Allen said.

Three members of Dominican University’s Class of 2022 were interviewed by Oak Park-based Wednesday Journal for a piece highlighting local college graduates.

Trey Cowan, a marketing major; Chelsea Zhao, a Dominican Star reporter and digital journalism and informatics major; and Mack Gonzalez, a history and secondary education major, were each featured in the May 11 story, entitled “Class of ’22 looks back at college experience and ahead to the rest of their lives.”

Dominican University’s future Welcome Center now has benefactors and a name.

In her inauguration address on April 7, Dr. Glena Temple announced that the center, to be created at Lewis Hall, will be named for Cindy and Kevin Killips, who are supporting its development. 

“The Cindy and Kevin Killips Welcome Center will further elevate the campus visitor experience, connect prospective students and families to our mission, and model our relationship-centered approach to a rigorous, high-quality education,” Temple said.

When the pandemic shut down live performances two years ago, Rose Guccione began questioning her future on the stage.

“As time went on, I was wondering if I should just plan to not perform anymore,” acknowledged Guccione, an actress, opera singer and adjunct instructor in Dominican University’s Theatre Arts and Music Department.

River Forest, IL  – The founder of a nationally accredited museum dedicated to Mexican art and a legal advocate for economic and racial justice will receive honorary degrees from Dominican University in River Forest during 2022 commencement exercises.

Carlos Tortolero, president of the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, and Audra Wilson, president and CEO of the Chicago-based Shriver Center on Poverty Law, are scheduled to accept Doctor of Humane Letters degrees on May 8.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike’s appearance at Dominican University’s Black Achievements Ceremony was featured in an article published by Pioneer Press and the Chicago Tribune.

The article, which appeared online on May 2, focuses on Ezike’s speech to students, in which she congratulated them for their success and resiliency and encouraged them to “continue being that example of Black excellence.”

When Iyleah Hernandez learned from Dominican University President Dr. Glena Temple that she was the recipient of the school’s highest student honor, the news came with momentary skepticism.

“I didn’t believe her at first,” Hernandez said, laughing. “I said, ‘You can’t tell me this on April Fool’s Day, come on!’ But she said it was legit.”

Dr. Ngozi Ezike spoke of her ties to Dominican University and celebrated graduates, calling them their “ancestors’ wildest dreams,” during the 2022 Black Achievements Ceremony on April 25.

Ezike, the ceremony’s keynote speaker, shared that she brought her four children to the campus every Saturday for Igbo language classes.

“Routinely and religiously we came here, and they shared not just the language, but the culture of the Igbo people so we would know the culture, pass it on to our children and make sure it persisted,” Ezike said of the instructors.

Prayer Childress had largely given up writing poetry as a pastime when she registered for a creative writing course during her sophomore year.

But here, Childress found her creative voice again — which, in turn, led to a rare opportunity.

Childress, a senior who is preparing to receive a bachelor’s degree in psychology, was invited to write a poem for the April 7 inauguration of Dominican University’s 11th president, Dr. Glena Temple.

It was Childress’ former Introduction to Creative Writing professor, Dr. Maggie Andersen, who put her name forward for the honor.