The End of a Successful Academic Year

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Dear Roosevelt Community, As I reflect on the past semester, I am grateful to the Roosevelt University community for your determination and creativity in the face of obstacles. In a year when many of you personally endured challenges, I am proud to witness your commitment to your classmates, your students, your colleagues, and the causes […]

Ep. 38: Anthony Rodriguez on Standup and Special Education

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Two U.S. presidents, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Sinatra, and hundreds more have graced the Auditorium Theatre stage. On graduation day, Commencement speaker Anthony Rodriguez joins them with his official send-off to his classmates.   Back in 2010, Anthony started his career with the Chicago Public Schools district as a substitute bus aide. In 2021, armed with […]

Ep. 37: Mohammad Samra on “Failure” and Self-Doubt

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For graduation speaker Mohammad Samra, Commencement is the culmination of a long and difficult journey.   He’s spent many late nights churning through homework in his parent’s unfinished basement. He’s worked long hours loading packages for UPS. He’s dealt with loss, self-doubt and the challenges of the pandemic.   And on Graduation Day, we get […]

Ep. 36: Police Violence and the Derek Chauvin Trial

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After a year of worldwide protests and a much-awaited trial, Derek Chauvin was found guilty in the murder of George Floyd. Many Americans felt relief to see some semblance of justice. But in the 24 hours after the verdict was announced, police killed at least six more people (Washington Post).   How can we work […]

Ep. 35: Systemic Racism in Housing

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Illinois still has a redlining problem. Decades ago, the government labeled Black neighborhoods as “high risk” for home loans. And we’re still feeling the legacy of this policy today. In 2020, WBEZ and City Bureau found that for every dollar that Chicago lenders invested in mostly white neighborhoods, they only invested 12 cents in mostly […]

Statement on the Derek Chauvin Verdict

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Dear Roosevelt Community, This afternoon, a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of all charges in the murder of George Floyd. For a year now since George Floyd’s killing, millions of activists have joined the calls for justice. It’s a relief, certainly, to see this case end with some semblance of justice. We have witnessed the […]