John Carroll University President Michael D. Johnson, Ph.D., today announced that Lauri Strimkovsky has been named Vice President for Finance and Administration, effective September 16. 

“We are thrilled to welcome a leader like Lauri to the JCU community,” said Johnson. “Her experience in higher education and knowledge of financial processes will be an asset to John Carroll University as we develop a new strategic plan and position the institution for a successful future.”

Lauri Strimkovsky

Most recently, Strimkovsky served as Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer at Ohio Wesleyan. She will be responsible for leading and managing the university’s finances and budget, treasury operations, investment management, human capital, information technology, facilities, purchasing, risk management and external properties functions. She will oversee a division of 78 staff, and serve as the focal point for the development of the finance and administrative organization.

“I’m thrilled to join John Carroll University at a pivotal moment for the institution as we embark on the creation of a strategic plan,” she said. “John Carroll’s stellar reputation and Jesuit Catholic mission were clearly evident during my visit to campus and through all the individuals that I met. I’m excited to collaborate with campus on our financial processes and budget, and contribute to a successful future for JCU.” 

Prior to Ohio Wesleyan, Strimkovsky served as the senior vice president for financial affairs at Chestnut Hill College; vice president for finance and administration for Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia; the vice president for operations and finance for Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska; and the business manager of the School of Law at Washington University in St. Louis.

Strimkovsky earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and her Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. She also has completed doctorate-level coursework at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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John Carroll University is one of the 159 best colleges in the Midwest, according to The Princeton Review’s Best in the Midwest honors.

The 2020 Best Colleges: Region by Region list does not rank the 656 “regional best” colleges overall or by region; it includes a total of 656 colleges that The Princeton Review recommends in the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West, and International regions. The colleges that made the “Best in the Midwest” list are located in twelve Midwestern states.

“We chose John Carroll and the other outstanding institutions on this list primarily for their academics,” said Robert Franek, The Princeton Review’s Editor-in-Chief. “We also consider what students enrolled at the schools reported to us on our student survey about their campus experiences.”  

“We are proud to be considered among the best institutions in the Midwest by The Princeton Review,” said Michael D. Johnson, Ph.D., president of John Carroll University. “This ranking represents a strong acknowledgement of the tireless work of our students, faculty, and staff.”

The Princeton Review survey asks students to rate their colleges on dozens of issues and to answer questions about themselves, their fellow students, and their campus life. Comments from surveyed students are quoted in the school profiles on The Princeton Review website.

Students cited John Carroll’s commitment to the mission as a key positive. 

“The focus on service, social justice, education, and faith allows me to grow in each of these areas,” said one English student. A Boler College student summed up the John Carroll experience: “I know for a fact that I will walk away without any regret of choosing this school for the fine opportunities and connections that I will gain from being a student at John Carroll University.”

The 159 colleges that The Princeton Review chose for its “Best in the Midwest” 2020 list are located in twelve states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Collectively, the 656 colleges on The Princeton Review’s “regional best” lists for 2020 constitute about 22% of the nation’s 3,000 four-year colleges.

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London Fletcher ’98

Fletcher, a 2008 JCU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December. He is the first graduate of John Carroll University to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

A two-time first team All-American, Fletcher was named the 1997 Division III Linebacker of the Year by the Football Gazette. He captained a 1997 JCU squad that become the first in school history to win a Division III playoff game. Fletcher spent 16 seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins, earning a Super Bowl ring with the Rams following the 1999 season.

More details will be announced closer to the season at jcusports.com.

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From humble beginnings, and without much fanfare, on December 20, 1919, the first varsity intercollegiate athletic contest in the history of St. Ignatius College was held in a small gym on the west side of Cleveland.

Tucked midway down page 17 of the December 20 edition of the Cleveland Plain Dealer was a headline that read “Saints Play K. Of C. Five”. A small preview article followed which heralded the opening of the St. Ignatius College basketball season, and included the announcement of future dates against Kent Normal and Ashland.

The St. Ignatius Saints would win that first game, 29-17, effectively launching a century of athletic endeavor.

The 2019-20 school year marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of intercollegiate athletics at John Carroll University, and the school is prepared to launch a year-long celebration to commemorate the milestone. Each day, from now until July 31, 2020, jcusports.com will highlight the people, the places and the games that have helped define the history of athletics at John Carroll.

There will also be events throughout the year both on and off campus that will celebrate the first 100 years.

This piece originally appeared on jcusports.com on Aug. 1, 2019.

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JCU’s Brandi Mandzak, Skylight Financial Managing Partner Michael Connole, John M. Boler Dean Alan Miciak, Skylight Financial Managing Director Mark Owens and Skylight Financial Intern Greg Hamper ’20 at the Skylight Financial Group offices overlooking downtown Cleveland.

The John M. and Mary Jo Boler College of Business has recognized Skylight Financial Group as the 2019 Boler Partner of the Year. 

“Skylight Financial Group consistently delivers professional development, meaningful real-world experience and job opportunities for our students,” said Al Miciak, Ph.D., the John M. Boler Dean of the College. “Their commitment to the Boler College of Business has made a significant impact on the futures and perspectives of our students, and we are pleased to recognize that contribution with the Boler Partner of the Year award.”

Dean Miciak presented the award to Managing Partner Michael Connole ’94 and Managing Director Mark Owens at Skylight Financial Group’s offices overlooking downtown Cleveland. Owens, a native of Northern Ireland, attended JCU on a one-year scholarship exchange program before returning to Cleveland permanently several years later. 

“Our partnership with the Boler College of Business is mutually beneficial as we work to educate and identify future business leaders and corporate citizens,” said Connole. “We are honored to receive the Boler Partner of the Year award and we look forward to continued collaboration with John Carroll University.” 

One of the largest locally owned financial planning firms in Ohio, Skylight Financial Group are headquartered in Ohio City. The combined experience of more than 200 financial professionals and a support staff of more than 60 individuals serves clients throughout Ohio in four locations – Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dublin and Toledo. Skylight is a firm that champions individuality and personality – knowing that no two people are the same, they ensure the experience and level of service is highly personalized. 

The Boler Corporate Partners Program was founded as an opportunity for companies to invest in their future talent pool and, in turn, the future of Cleveland and northeast Ohio. 

“The development of the Boler Corporate Partners Program has allowed our students to extend their learning from the classroom to the real world,” said Brandi Mandzak, Director of External Relations and Boler Professional Development Services. “They learn from experts in the field – including many alumni of John Carroll – and engage with companies in a way that brings their curriculum to life.”

For more information on the Boler Corporate Partners Program, visit go.jcu.edu/BolerPartners.

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Two Friends, a Los Angeles-based duo, will headline the SUPB Welcome Back Concert on Friday, September 6.

The evening concert is the marquee student-planned event to kickoff each academic year. For more information about Student Union Programming Board events, follow them on Instagram @jcu_supb.

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John Carroll University has been named to the

Introduced in 1998, the rankings now combine public schools, private universities and private liberal arts colleges into a single, comprehensive list. Kiplinger also ranks the best values in each category. The analysis is based on objective measurements of academic quality and affordability. The full rankings are now available online and will appear in print in the September 2019 issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, on newsstands August 13. 

“Our rankings—which weigh affordability alongside academic quality—are designed to help families see how their full array of college options stack up,” said Kaitlin Pitsker, associate editor, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. “We start with a universe of nearly 1,200 schools, then trim the list based on measures of academic quality, cost and financial aid data. This year’s list features recurring winners, as well as rising stars and new additions, all of which are worth a look.”

At Kiplinger.com, visitors have access to the “Find the Best College For You” tool and other resources that let readers sort by admission rate, average debt at graduation and other criteria for all schools, plus in-state and out-of-state cost for public colleges. Also online: slideshows of the top schools in different categories, archives of past years’ rankings and an FAQ on the ranking methodology.

About John Carroll

John Carroll University is located in University Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. Its mission inspires individuals to excel in learning, leadership, and service in the region and around the world. One of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, John Carroll University is recognized nationally for an exceptional four-year graduation rate, teaching excellence, and a commitment to living a faith that does justice.

About Kiplinger

For nine decades, the Kiplinger organization has led the way in personal finance and business forecasting. Founded in 1920 by W.M. Kiplinger, the company developed one of the nation’s first successful newsletters in modern times. The Kiplinger Letter, launched in 1923, remains the longest continuously published newsletter in the United States. In 1947, Kiplinger created the nation’s first personal finance magazine. Located in the heart of our nation’s capital, the Kiplinger editors remain dedicated to delivering sound, unbiased advice for your family and your business in clear, concise language. Become a fan of Kiplinger on Facebook or Kiplinger.com and follow Kiplinger on Twitter, LinkedIn and Tumblr.

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His submission, “When It Rains in Gaza,” will appear in the Fall 2019 issue of the BPJ.]

Phil Metres

“I’m so grateful of having my poem chosen by Patricia Smith, a poet whose work I admire, for the Adrienne Rich Award, herself a poet of great courage whose work spoke truth to power, who made audible the voices of those who had been silenced,” Metres says. “I’m doubly happy that the poem will be published not only in the esteemed Beloit Poetry Journal, but also in my forthcoming book, “Shrapnel Maps.”

Metres has written 10 books, including “Shrapnel Maps,” which will be published by Copper Canyon in 2020. 

The Beloit Poetry Journal has been in publication since 1950, and honors Adrienne Rich Award winner recipients annually. Learn more about the 2019 Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry here. 

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“Dare to Dream Retreat is meant to instill confidence, empower vulnerability, and enable young women to take one step towards their dreams,” said Doan Winkel, Ph.D., John J. Kahl, Sr. Chair in Entrepreneurship  and Director, Muldoon Center for Entrepreneurship, John Carroll University.  “The day will be filled with motivational speakers, experiential activities, group problem-solving sessions, and more. We want every young woman that experiences the retreat to walk away feeling like they can accomplish anything!”

FOX 8 and New Day Cleveland’s Natalie Herbick will be the master of ceremonies for the Dare to Dream Retreat. For questions regarding the event, or to become a partner, please contact Doan Winkel at dwinkel@jcu.edu.

The Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum (VYEF) was established in 2012 to take students beyond the classroom and into the real world of entrepreneurship. Through a collaborative network of educators, business leaders and collegiate-level resources, VYEF offers programs and experiences that allow students to think creatively and analytically, recognize business opportunities, take initiative, solve problems, persist through failure, communicate persuasively, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset.

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Gus Kazek ‘18, Brooke Baker ’19, and Matthew Wilson ’20 (L to R)

A John Carroll University team stood out in the recent Erie Hack competition, earning third place and $10,000. The “Erie-duction” team of Gus Kazek ‘18, Brooke Baker ’19, and Matthew Wilson ’20 impressed with their unique idea to control the growth of toxic algae blooms to make Lake Erie cleaner and safer.

The entrepreneurship students competed against more than 90 other teams from three states in a multi-level competition. John Carroll was the single student-only team to reach the final round of competition.

Erie Hack, in its second year, is an innovative water-solutions competition that attracts the best and brightest from the Great Lakes region to pitch solutions to Lake Erie’s most pressing problems.

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