Community Corner

SXU President Ball Raises $420K for Student Scholarships

Saint Xavier University Ball honored former Board of Trustees members Thomas E. Chomicz, Sheila Butler King '69, and John P. Sweeney.


Saint Xavier University raised more than $420,000 for student scholarships at its 29th annual President’s Scholarship Ball on March 22. More than 400 guests attended the delightful evening of dinner and dancing at the Hilton Chicago.

The Ball, themed "Faces of Loyalty," celebrated the recipients of the 2014 Shield of Saint Xavier award, former SXU Board of Trustees members Thomas E. Chomicz, Sheila Butler King ’69, and John P. Sweeney. Shield of Saint Xavier recipients are nominated by the university community and are chosen by its Board of Trustees.

Thomas E. Chomicz served as chairman of SXU’s Board of Trustees for four years and served as a Trustee for nine years. He was a member of the Executive, Development, and Investment committees, and was successful in seeking major gifts on behalf of the University. He is a lawyer and founder of a national law practice that assists charitable organizations in achieving their missions. He also is an author and lecturer addressing multiple legal issues facing charitable organizations.

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Sheila Butler King served on SXU’s Board of Trustees from 1996 to 2007. During her tenure, she chaired the university’s Sesquicentennial Gala in 1997 and co-chaired the 2004 President’s Scholarship Ball. Since 1974, King has owned and managed a marketing and public relations firm in Chicago that represents Midwest, national and international clients. Sheila King Marketing + Public Relations won the Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America and Golden Trumpet Award from the Publicity Club of Chicago.

John P. Sweeney was elected to the Board of Trustees of Saint Xavier University in 1999 and was its chairman from 2003 until 2006. He was named a Life Trustee in 2012. The principal of Chicago-based real estate development and investment firm JPS Interests, Sweeney has been a Chicago real estate developer for more than 40 years and has been the principal or managing partner for more than 3 million square-feet of office, commercial and industrial projects.

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“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Ball’s co-chairs, Laurence J. and Judith E. Hicks '69 for their tireless efforts in making this evening such a success,” President Christine M. Wiseman, J.D. said. “We also wish to thank the members of the Saint Xavier community, including trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, benefactors and friends, who generously chose to support our students' academic careers."

All proceeds from the Ball go to the Presidential Scholarship Program, which provides financial support to SXU's most deserving students.



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