Press Releases
Saint Xavier University Quad Named For Arthur J. Schmitt
CHICAGO (April 30, 2003) – Saint Xavier University named the main campus’ new quadrangle for higher education benefactor Arthur J. Schmitt, on Tuesday, May 7. The Schmitt Foundation has donated more than $1 million to the University over the past 40 years.
The spacious and landscaped quad adjoins the campus’ newest residence halls, McCarthy and Morris, and the Cougar Bytes cyber-café. Nationally known bricklayer Marty Kermeen created the quad’s courtyard with brick pavers precisely cut and colored to depict depicting the University’s shield surrounded by the names of the four schools. A large triangular memorial of granite with a carved inscription was dedicated. The granite matches the granite benches located in the center of the quad.
Schmitt, who lived from 1893-1971, was a Chicago native and founder of American Phenolic Corporation, which today is now Amphenol, as well as the Arthur J. Schmitt Foundation. Schmitt was dedicated to the betterment of Chicago area colleges and universities and their students, especially first generation collegians. The directors of the foundation work to fulfill the late Mr. Schmitt’s educational mission by stressing the importance of character as well as intellectual development. In honor of this and the generosity towards SXU, Schmitt’s legacy will be permanently associated with the University’s quad.
Attendees included John Donahue, executive director of the Arthur J. Schmitt Foundation, and Pat Shevlin, secretary of the Foundation Board, were present at the event, as well as John McCarthy, chair of SXU’s Board of Trustees and CEO of Continental Air Transport, University President Richard A. Yanikoski, and faculty, staff and students.
Founded in 1846, Saint Xavier University is a private, coeducational institution serving more than 5,200 men and women with high quality academic programs. It offers 36 undergraduate majors and 32 graduate program options in four schools: School of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, Graham School of Management, and School of Nursing. Located in a residential neighborhood in Chicago, the University offers personalized education that emphasizes challenging undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs of study. Crain’s Chicago Business (July 1, 2002) recognized Saint Xavier University for achieving the highest percentage of enrollment growth among Chicago-area universities and colleges during the previous year, increasing 6.3 percent. And, U.S. News & World Report named Saint Xavier in its 2002 “Best Colleges” issue as a best value and for its diversity as a master’s degree-granting institution in the Midwest region.