Xavier University

Women of Excellence Hosts First Giving Circle Event

View a slideshow from the event

Xavier University President Michael J. Graham, S.J., hosted the inaugural Women of Excellence Giving Circle event at his apartment on June 24. Graham introduced Women of Excellence and the Giving Circle to women serving on the board of trustees and the president's advisory council. "Women of Excellence was created because we recognize a need to clearly address the fact that Xavier has and continues to change. It fills a vital need by identifying what we do here at Xavier that might be of particular interest to women, by looking at the ways that women can and are interested in becoming involved with the university, and by making those connections happen."

Women of Excellence members, Mary Beth Clary and Melissa Lueke assisted Graham in explaining just how the Giving Circle works. Intended to attract members who are Xavier and Edgecliff alumnae, parents and friends, the Giving Circle provides a unique opportunity for women as donors to collectively decide where to direct their combined gifts and make a greater impact on programs and services offered at Xavier. Members of the Giving Circle commit to a minimum gift of $1,000 in a fiscal year. The impact of these gifts grows exponentially when the contributions are united in support of the University and directed through a collective voice.

Faculty, staff and student groups at Xavier are encouraged to apply for grants through the Giving Circle to help fund special projects that will assist them in furthering the mission of Xavier, "to engage and form students intellectually, morally and spiritually, with rigor and compassion, toward lives of solidarity, service and success." The annual distribution of funds to selected campus programs is determined through a voting process by the Giving Circle members. Each member is entitled to one vote to select the projects and/or programs to which the grants are awarded.

Guests at the June 24 event are joining as members and have committed to hosting their own informal gatherings in an effort to widen the Giving Circle. These events are designed to inform potential members of the purpose of the Giving Circle and about grant recipients. If you are interested in attending or hosting a future event, contact Leigh Ann Fibbe at 513-745-3969 or fibbe@xavier.edu.

Web Site Launched

Women can now check out all the latest happenings at the new Women of Excellence web site, www.xavier.edu/wox. Check out campus events and news stories of interest to women. Sign up to be a mentor, join our Giving Circle, give us suggestions for events, tell us your stories, read about women of interest and more.

Women Mentors Needed

Women of Excellence, in conjunction with the University's Career Services Center, is assisting in the creation of a Universitywide mentoring program. The program is not a traditional mentor program whereby a mentor counsels and nurtures a student on academic growth or personal direction. Rather, it goes beyond these fundamental activities by initiating professional networking and career connections.

As a mentor, you select your mentee based on interests and similarities, with the nature of the relationship driven by your available time and the student's needs. It's an opportunity for you to share your personal and professional experience, knowledge and skills with a Xavier student who is preparing to enter the real world, to act as a coach and role model with the intent to promote your student's personal and professional growth, and to advise and impact the next generation of leaders.

For a more detailed list of goals, objectives, suggestions and information about becoming a mentor, contact Bethany A. Kilgore at the Career Services Center
at 513-745-3764 or kilgoreb@xavier.edu.

Upcoming 40th Anniversary

Next year Xavier will celebrate 40 years of women at Xavier University—1969 through 2009. And we want to hear from you. Please help us plan the celebration by providing your ideas on speakers and feature events to help celebrate the legacy of women at Xavier University.

Send your feedback and suggestions via e-mail to Norah Mock at mockn@xavier.edu.

Share Your Successes

The goal of this newsletter is to promote Xavier Women of Excellence—this means you. We encourage you to share your achievements and let us know if you have questions or suggestions for Women of Excellence by sending an e-mail to Norah Mock at mockn@xavier.edu.

Be sure to bookmark the Women of Excellence page, www.xavier.edu/wox, for the latest news about events and programs.

Have a happy, safe and relaxing summer.

Upcoming Campus Events