Roosevelt University’s Jeremy Myers voted one of 12 great performers in Chicago theater

Roosevelt University CCPA alumnus Jeremy Myers has been cited as one of the twelve great performers in Chicago theater by Time Out Chicago for his performance in Pussy on the House. The play, a drag parody of the Tennessee Williams classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, was produced by Hell in a Handbag Productions and received a four-star review from Time Out critic Emily Gordon. She praised Myers’ performance, writing that he “channels Elizabeth Taylor in this delightful camp take on Tennessee Williams,” referencing the classic Hollywood film starring the late Taylor. Gordon goes on to write, “Myers… is astonishing; his slinky, cajoling Maggie transcends cross-dressing and approaches reincarnation.”

For more information on Hell in a Handbag Productions please visit its Website.

To read the full version of Gordon’s review, please click here.

 

Roosevelt alumnus, Dr. Dieter Kober is honored by the Illinois Council of Orchestras

Dr. Dieter Kober (MM, ’48) (ND, ’50), a distinguised Roosevelt alumnus was recently honored by the Illinois Council of the Orchestra. On October 2nd, 2011, Maestro Kober was presented with the 2011 Cultural Leadership Award, at the Chicago Cultural Center, during a Chicago Chamber Orchestra performance.

The German-born Kober founded the Chicago Chamber Orchestra in 1952. Along with his studies with Roosevelt University, he studied at the University of Nebraska and the University of Chicago. He’s a highly-awarded individual who, along with his Cultural Leadership Award is a recipient of the Medal of Merit, First Class, from the Federal Republic of Germany “in recognition of his contribution to international understanding through music.”

Dr. Kober is flanked by ICO board member, Andy Jacobsen and ICO director, Kendria  Perry-Madden.

For more information on the Illinois Council of the Orchestra, please visit its Website.

Roosevelt Alumna Xiomara J. Castillo is honored for her part in a Florida town’s success

Xiomara J. Castillo (MB, ’80) was recently honored by the Town of Miami Lakes, FL during its 10th anniversary celebration for her contribution toward the town’s succes. The ceremony included a plaque unveiling honoring community leaders of Miami Lakes.

Known for her extensive service to the elderly, Castillo was recognized by the Florida Governor’s Office, Department of Elder affairs for her work with the elderly. She has also served on the board of the Elderly Affairs Committe of Miami Lakes since its inception. An active and committed member of the community, Castillo worked with various philanthropic and business organizations including the South Wast Florida Venezuelan Lions Club, the Venezuelan American Brotherhood, Toastmasters International; she also served as director of the Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on the Town of Miami Lakes, please visit its Website.

Distinguished Roosevelt Alumna Abena Joan Brown has a street named in her honor.

Founder and former president of eta Creative Arts Center, Abena Joan Brown (BA, ’50) was honored on with a street named after her on Chicago’s South Side. Brown is an important force in the Chicago arts community; the eta Creative Arts Center has grown from an organization that served the South Shore Community, to grow in stature and reputation and is according to the Chicago Defender, “a nationally recognized cultural institution.” Brown stepped down as president of eta in March 2011.
Honorary Abena Joan Brown Way is South Chicago Avenue, between 75th and 76th Street.

Distinguished alumnus, Ambassador Jacques Paul Klein, is awarded honorary degree

Ambassador Jacques Paul Klein (BA, ’63) ( MA, ’71), recipient of an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Roosevelt in 2005, who served as Under-Secretary General of the United Nations was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek, Croatia for “his outstanding contribution to the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube Region into the constitutional and legal order of the Republic of Croatia.” At the subsequent ceremony at the Evangelical Theology Faculty in Osijek, Croatia, he was presented with a diploma for “being a transformational leader who demonstrated  clarity of vision, moral conviction and the political will while championing human rights and the development of democracy in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Liberia.”

Klein has a distinguished career in diplomacy working extensively with the Foreign Service, the Department of State and the United Nations. He is also a renown and celebrated professor and academic.