SXU Alumni Couple Committed to Living SXU Mission Daily
Saint Xavier University (SXU) communication professor and alumna Cyndi Grobmeier '92, Ed.D., and alum Frank Grobmeier '92 are working together to spread awareness about organ donation, tell important stories, engage in creative projects, and more. The busy pair are committed to exemplifying SXU's Mercy mission in their meaningful work and making a difference in the lives of others.
Frank’s new documentary, "Adored and Glorified," tells the story of eucharistic adoration through the history of St. Mary Catholic Church in Mokena, which converted its 100+-year-old chapel into a Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. After seeing all the financially prompted parish consolidations and closings of historic churches in recent years, Frank was inspired by the fact that St. Mary Catholic Church in Mokena took its historic 160-year-old church building and, rather than tearing it down, repurposed it, not just for use, but for continuous use for adoration of the Blessed Eucharist. On February 17, Frank and Cyndi were featured on the Katie McGrady show on the Catholic Channel on Sirius XM to talk about "Adored and Glorified."
Frank and Cyndi graduated together as mass communication majors in the first class after Saint Xavier became a university. They started a Catholic nonprofit media company, Adoceo Catholic Ministries, and are currently working on several projects, including other films and a book titled "Life Always Wins," which details the connection between organ donation and the Catholic culture of life. Frank credits SXU for his success.
"All of my successes in my personal and professional life can be credited in many ways to my experiences at Saint Xavier. SXU is still a part of my life and a part of the fabric of my being," said Frank.
Frank is especially grateful for SXU's Catholic, Mercy mission, which resonates with him daily.
"I can think of no greater mission than that of Mercy -- everything good comes from our merciful God. The Mercy mission is one of education and compassion for others, and if we can put others first in everything we do, the world would be a better place. SXU instills that in all of its students, and that has led me to this work," said Frank.
Frank and Cyndi are also being featured in a documentary series about organ and tissue donation entitled "GIFTED: The Docuseries." On Saturday, February 21, they will host a premiere of the episode, which features their late daughter, Maddie, who suffered an acute asthma attack, at the Emagine Theatre in Frankfort from 2 to 5 p.m.
Maddie was a student at SXU before her passing and was studying general education courses before she was going to compete in gymnastics and study at the University of LaCrosse in Wisconsin. Episode three of GIFTED focuses on the story of Maddie's tissue donations. She gave sight to two people, including a two-year old girl in Michigan. Her tissue donations went to 11 different people around the U.S. and even to Seoul, South Korea.
"Tissue donation is truly not talked about as much as organ donation, because organ donation is life-saving. But consider an athlete who may not be able to compete in the sport they love due to an injury -- tissue donation can be the gift that lets them continue to play. That is life-saving. The importance of those gifts of donation --organ and tissue-- is what we hope people take away from seeing Maddie's story," said Cyndi.
Cyndi and Frank started the Maddog Strong Foundation to honor Maddie's memory and build awareness about organ and tissue donation among teens and their families. The foundation mirrors many of the University's core values, including compassion, service, and respect for the lives of others.