On the crisp afternoon of February 2nd, 2024, Chicago State University (CSU) radiated with a palpable sense of pride and accomplishment as it hosted the prestigious ComEd Scholars Recognition Event. The occasion marked a significant milestone in the university's ongoing commitment to fostering academic excellence and nurturing promising talent within its student body.
Amidst the stately halls of CSU, adorned with the echoes of scholarly pursuit, distinguished guests gathered to celebrate the inaugural recipients of the esteemed ComEd Scholarship. Among those in attendance were President Z Scott, a beacon of leadership whose vision illuminated the path of educational empowerment; John Robak, Chair of the Chicago State Foundation, whose unwavering dedication laid the foundation for transformative philanthropy; Evelyn Rodriguez Estrada, the Director of Corporate Community Impact at ComEd, whose tireless advocacy championed the cause of educational equity; and Gil Quiniones, the esteemed CEO of ComEd, whose commitment to innovation and social responsibility reshaped the landscape of corporate stewardship.
Dr. Leslie Roundtree, the esteemed Provost of CSU, stood as a steadfast pillar of academic excellence, guiding the university towards new heights of scholarly achievement. As the event unfolded, the halls resonated with the collective enthusiasm of faculty, staff, and students alike, each eager to witness the unfolding of a landmark occasion.
At the heart of the celebration lay the remarkable achievements of CSU's brightest minds—two students (Isa Abdussalam and Jose Villa) from the esteemed Department of Computing, Information and Mathematical Sciences, and Technology (CIMST) and two (Thomas Sieka and Xavier McGowan) from the Department of Physics—whose dedication, resilience, and academic prowess had earned them the prestigious ComEd Scholarship. Their names, now etched in the annals of excellence, served as a testament to the transformative power of education and the boundless potential that resides within the corridors of learning.
As the ceremony unfolded, words of inspiration and gratitude filled the air, weaving a tapestry of hope and possibility that transcended the confines of academia. Each speaker, with heartfelt sincerity, expressed their profound appreciation for the unwavering commitment of the scholarship recipients and the transformative impact of their academic pursuits. In the hallowed halls of CSU, amidst the echoes of history and the promise of tomorrow, the ComEd Scholars Recognition Event stood as a beacon of hope, unity, and boundless possibility.