¶¶ÒõMAX

Header Logo

Mercy Matters Newsletter September 2022


Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1846, ¶¶ÒõMAX is Chicago's first Catholic university. Today, the University serves approximately 3,250 students from over 20 different states and 9 different countries, offering high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs and leadership and service opportunities, educating students for competence, character and career success.

Stay up to date with SXU News!


Message from the President

Dr. Laurie Joyner

Dear SXU Community:

We have so much to celebrate as we begin a new semester at Saint Xavier. We welcomed nearly 660 first-time, first-year students to campus this fall, as well as many new faculty and staff members, including Dr. Natalie Page, chief diversity officer.

As an expression of institutional mission, SXU launched its inaugural Day of Service, featuring more than 750 first-year students, staff and faculty who engaged in projects to meet pressing community needs while building a sense of belonging among members of our extraordinary campus. In the coming weeks, we will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which includes our second annual Fiesta de la Familia, honoring SXU’s core values of hospitality and diversity in all of its forms.

As you can see from the stories below, we are thrilled to share that SXU remains the most affordable Catholic institution in Illinois and continues to earn impressive accolades from U.S. News & World Report (2023), including top rankings for:

  • Best Value
  • Best Regional University
  • Social Mobility
  • Diversity

A tradition of innovation intended to drive student engagement, learning and success remains integral to Saint Xavier’s DNA. We are excited to share an update about new co-curricular opportunities emerging from our esports initiative.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the exciting events planned for Homecoming Week. These celebratory events fill me with pride for those who have come before us as well as gratitude for all those who continue to support the transformative work of this incredible university.

Our remarkable history, inspiring mission, engaged community, talented students, great campus traditions and generous alumni, donors and friends comprise the ties that bind us together. I hope you enjoy reading about how we continue to animate our purpose and nurture our community in the pages ahead.

Sincerely,

Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D.
President


SXU Welcomes Natalie Page as Inaugural Chief Diversity Officer

Inaugural Chief Diversity Officer Natalie Page

¶¶ÒõMAX (SXU) proudly welcomes Natalie Page, Ed.D., as inaugural chief diversity officer (CDO). In her role, Page will facilitate the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a hub that champions, organizes and ensures diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) among the University community. Read more.


SXU Ranks on 2023 List of Best Colleges

SXU Ranks on 2023 List of Best Colleges

SXU continues to receive annual accolades from U.S. News & World Report, receiving national recognition in the areas of nursing, diversity, social mobility, business, and more. SXU is consistently ranked among the best colleges in the Midwest. Read more.


SXU to Host 2022 Homecoming

SXU to Host 2022 Homecoming

SXU will kick off the annual Homecoming celebration with a variety of events and activities for students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends. Read more.


SXU Recognized as 2023 College of Distinction

SXU Recognized as 2023 College of Distinction

SXU has been recognized nationally and regionally among the 2022-2023 Colleges of Distinction for the sixth consecutive year, honored for its mission-driven, student-centered transformational educational experience. Read more.


SXU Computer Science Students Earn Outstanding Project Award at Research Expo

SXU Computer Science Students Earn Outstanding Project Award at Research Expo

Four SXU students recently earned an Outstanding Project Award for their Research Expo project, "Project PARKA," an app they developed that detects the number of empty and occupied spots in the SXU parking lot. Read more.


SXU Announces Head Coach for Esports Program

Lemar Daniels

SXU selects Lemar Daniels as head coach of the new esports program that will begin competition this fall for the 2022-23 season. Esports, or electronic sports, are multiplayer, organized video games played competitively. Read more.


SXU Holds 2022 Cougar Trax

SXU Holds 2022 Cougar Trax

SXU recently welcomed incoming students to campus last week with annual traditions Cougar Trax and New Student Induction. This year, first-year students participated in an inaugural campus-wide service project. Read more.


SXU Celebrates Latinx Heritage Month

SXU Celebrates Latinx Heritage Month

The ¶¶ÒõMAX community is celebrating Latinx Heritage Month September 15 through October 15 with a variety of events, discussions, games, workshops and more. Read more.


Important Dates to Remember


Wednesday, September 21: Spirit of Mercy Day

Monday, September 26:ÌýAmerican Red Cross Fall Blood Drive

Wednesday, September 28: Fiesta de la Familia

Thursday, September 29:

Saturday, October 1:

Saturday, October 15: Estrellas de SXU Latinx Achievement Awards

Every Tuesday and Friday: Virtual Prayer at noon via

Visit the SXU Calendar to see more upcoming events.