Dominican University: A Legacy of Achievement and Notable Alumni

Dominican University, formerly known as Rosary College from 1922 to 1997, stands as a private Catholic university in River Forest, Illinois. Affiliated with the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, Dominican University offers a wide array of academic programs, including bachelor's and master's degrees, certificate programs, and a PhD in information studies. The institution's roots trace back to 1848, with the establishment of St. Clara Female Academy in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, chartered by Rev. Fr. Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli, O.P. The university's commitment to academic excellence and its emphasis on values such as study, reflection, community, and service have shaped countless successful alumni who have made significant contributions across various fields.

A Foundation of Excellence: The Honors Program

Dominican University's Honors Program stands as a testament to its commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity and leadership skills in its students. The program provides students with opportunities to achieve their most ambitious intellectual, personal, and professional goals.

Key Benefits of the Honors Program:

Intellectual Stimulation: Honors courses are designed to constantly stimulate students' minds, encouraging them to think critically and explore new ideas.
Skill Development: The program challenges students in the classroom, allowing them to develop new skills and ways of thinking.
Networking Opportunities: Students build strong networks of meaningful connections that can lead to internships and career opportunities.
Personal Growth: The Honors Program helps students develop not only as college students but also as individuals ready to take on the world after graduation.

Student Testimonials:

Emma Woodhouse: "Whether in the classroom or on the softball field, Emma Woodhouse set a standard for excellence while at Dominican. Among her many accomplishments, Emma earned the university’s highest student honor, the Mulroy Award, for her outstanding academic abilities and leadership skills. An aspiring physician, she credits Dominican for strengthening her work ethic."
Marcos Hernandez: "Dominican and their Honors program helped guide me through my journey as a first-generation college student." After managing a Fifth Third Bank branch for three years, Marcos Hernandez, who received a bachelor’s degree in international business, turned to entrepreneurship, starting his own business consulting firm.
Isabela Flores: "As part of Dominican’s honors program, Isabela Flores found ways to continue her passion for learning while discovering new avenues to spark her curiosity. She also built a strong network of meaningful connections that helped her land a top internship with the global investment firm Guggenheim Partners."
Ryan Barnett: "Being in the honors program at Dominican is really helpful for whatever you want to do after you graduate, whether that's looking for a job or continuing your education."
Vincenzo Cerasuolo: "Grateful" is how Vincenzo Cerasuolo feels for his time in Dominican University's honors program. While here, the program challenged him in the classroom, allowing him to develop new skills and ways of thinking, he says.
Kat Moreno: "My brain was constantly stimulated by the honors courses. In the honors program, learning never stops."

Notable Alumni: Champions of Excellence, Leadership, and Service

Dominican University boasts a diverse and accomplished alumni network, with graduates making significant contributions in various fields, including healthcare, business, education, social justice, and the arts. These alumni embody the university's core values and serve as inspiring role models for current and future students.

Healthcare

Gabriel Allori: Continued to follow his passion for healthcare. As a student here, Gabriel was heavily involved with medical organizations around campus, including serving as the vice president of the American Medical Student Association. He also took part in the university’s Faith in the Vaccine initiative, which encouraged hesitant individuals to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and countered misconceptions about the shots.
Sabrena McCarley ’04, MBA ’09: A nationally recognized leader, advocate, and educator in occupational therapy. As Vice President of Clinical Reimbursement and Regulatory Affairs, she leads national advocacy efforts through roles with the FDA, AOTA, and NARA.
John Gallucci, Jr.: Received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the College of Staten Island and a master’s degree in athletic training from Long Island University. Gallucci sits as the Chair of the New Jersey Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and is the medical consultant for Major League Soccer (MLS). Prior to opening JAG Physical Therapy in 2005, Gallucci served as the Program Director of Barnabas Health’s Sports Medicine Institute. He is the former Head Athletic Trainer of the New York Red Bulls MLS team and is a sports medicine consultant for professional athletes in the NHL, NFL, NBA, and MLB.
A.T. Alexander: Athletic trainer and physician extender for Dr. Christopher Ahmad of Columbia University Medical Center’s Orthopedic Department. He works with Dr. Alexander said earning a bachelor’s degree at Dominican College was an important stepping stone in his career. He also earned a master’s degree in kinesiology from
Pham: Served as president of the Iota Tau Alpha Athletic Training Education Honor Society and graduated cum laude.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Marcos Hernandez: Received a bachelor’s degree in international business and started his own business consulting firm after managing a Fifth Third Bank branch for three years.
Anderson: Hopes to set up an entrepreneur fund in the future. “We would take profits from the business and create this entrepreneur fund for people who are transitioning out of life in the military and want to start a business."

Education

Dr. LeeAnn Bartolini ’79: Exemplifies Dominican’s ideals of study, reflection, community, and service through her work as a professor of psychology and champion of Women and Gender Studies.
Sr. Virginia “Ginger” Good ’55: Has embodied Dominican’s values for more than seven decades, from her time as student body president to a lifetime of leadership, service, and community building.
Michael Hagopian, ’02: An Assistant Principal in the Oradell Public School District in New Jersey. Hagopian said he was humbled and honored to be inducted into the Hall of Achievement.
Alice O’Hara, ’99: For the past 18 years she has worked at the Bardonia Elementary School in New York. Dr. O’ Hara has spearheaded a program at her school to promote health and fitness.

Social Justice and Advocacy

Natalia Prato: A fierce advocate for marginalized voices, relentlessly living out the founders’ vision. As a student, Natalia sought out leadership opportunities with University Ministry, where she utilized her Catholic identity and involvement to empower others to advocate for social justice.
Samantha Hunt ’18: As an Equal Justice Works Fellow at A Better Balance, advocates for pregnant and parenting students in New York, helping them access their education without facing discrimination.
Soto: Founded a nonprofit organization called Letters of Hope (letterofhope.org) which provides handwritten letters of encouragement to individuals experiencing hardships, including residents of homeless shelters, prisoners, and military families.

Law and Government

Vyskocil: Graduated summa cum laude from Dominican College and attended St. Vyskocil is the District Judge for the Southern District of New York. Prior to being appointed as a judge, Vyskocil was a partner in the New York Law firm of Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett LLP.
McLaughlin: After graduation, McLaughlin attended Pace University Law School on a full scholarship. At Pace, she was a senior associate with the Pace Law Review, a Pace Criminal Justice Society member and a member of the Women’s Association of Law Students. McLaughlin received her Juris Doctor in May 2018. She clerked for Essex County, NJ Judge James W. Chancellor Sr.

Athletics

Gina Dudley: Has made a lasting impact on Dominican as a standout student-athlete, leader, and community member. A two-time All-PacWest Tennis Third Team honoree and Academic All-PacWest recipient.
Phillip Billeci-Gard ’08, MBA ’18: Is shaping a dynamic role at Dominican that bridges Advancement and Athletics, centering student experience, philanthropy, and service.
Donald Briggs Jr., ’83: Former soccer and basketball player Donald Briggs said the person he is today has a lot to do with Dominican College.
Jacklyn Spitaleri: Basketball inductee Jacklyn Spitaleri was a strong, athletic. and smart basketball player, according to her former coach John Burke.
Kyle Clancy: Was a “dream find” for any coach, according to former Dominican College Soccer Coach Michael Swanwick, who came back to the College to speak about Clancy during the induction ceremony.
Jamar Snider: Coach Joe Clinton said Jamar Snider was the reason the College won a Conference Championship two years in a row.

Awards and Recognition

Dominican University recognizes the achievements of its alumni through various awards and honors, celebrating their contributions to their respective fields and their embodiment of the university's values. Some notable awards include:

Alumni Hall of Achievement

The Alumni Hall of Achievement recognizes alumni who have demonstrated excellence, leadership, and service in their careers and communities.

Alumni Awards

Dominican University presents several alumni awards annually to recognize outstanding graduates who have made significant contributions in various fields. Recent recipients include:

2024

Mary Corbett McCaffrey '49
Dr. Gina Fromer '05
Stuart Horne '01

2023

Ben Stricker ’95
Christanne Gallagher ’83
Dr. Chris Leeds
Dr. Christian Dean

2022

Jean Smith Nelson ’72
Marv Zauderer, MS ’02
Amy Henkelman

2021

Mary Jane Burke ’74, MS ’76
Kat Skiles ’07
Marly Norris

2020

Sister Margaret Diener ’70
Dr. Julie Jordan ’75
Dr. Ruth Ramsey

2019

Gloria Sun Hom ’62
Theodore “Skip” Kniesche ’91
Michael Henkes

2018

Susan Johann Gilardi ’68
Jennifer Morrissey ’88
Dr. Margaret Golden

2017

The Bradley Sisters ’60 - ’67
Maureen Sedonaen ’08
Willie Long

2016

Pepe Gonzales ’02
Major General Angela Salinas ’76
Paul Raccanello ’96

2015

Joy Phoenix ’93
Mary Jane Burke ’74
LeeAnn Bartolini ’79

2014

Loraine Barry ’86
Sister Gervaise Valpey ’61

Dorothy Reiner Mulroy Award

Presented annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic and leadership skills.

Iyleah Hernandez: A first-generation student, earned the 2022 Dorothy Reiner Mulroy Award.

Sister M. Aquinas Nimitz, O.P. Award

Established in 2006 in recognition of Sister M.

Campus and Community

Dominican University is located on a 30-acre wooded campus in suburban River Forest, just 10 miles from downtown Chicago. The campus features a language learning center, a computer technology center, an art gallery, a chapel, a student center, the Lund Auditorium, the Eloise Martin Recital Hall, and the Stepan Bookstore. The university also has five residence halls: Aquinas Hall (Priory Campus), Coughlin Hall, Sister Jean Murray Hall, Mazzuchelli Hall, and Power Hall. More than 30% of all undergraduates live on campus. Dominican University has a variety of campus organizations for students. The Information Science Student Association is open to all School of Information Science (SOIS) Students.

Dominican University New York

Dominican University New York is a private Catholic university in Orangeburg, New York. It is chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York and accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Dominican University New York was founded as Dominican College of Blauvelt in 1952 by the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt to offer a teacher preparation program for religious women.

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