JoAnn Gruca recognized as leader
Earlier this month, JoAnn Gruca, an associate professor emeritus of nursing at Saint Xavier University, was recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business on its list of notable nonprofit board leaders.
She was one of 70 notable nonprofit board leaders who were recognized for volunteer efforts that help make communities strong and healthy. For more than 35 years, Gruca has dedicated vision and insight to support the mission of Pathlights, formerly known as PLOWS Council on Aging.
“Dr. Gruca has led us through critical milestones and significant growth,” said Kenneth Grunke, executive director of Pathlights. “She’s an innovator and challenges us to think differently and boldly with an open heart and mind.”
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Her academic and professional background as a retired nurse and current educator has helped connect the organization to strategic partners and keep the focus on client-centered care. An advocate for communitywide input, she has developed long-lasting relationships with community groups and other nonprofits in the southwest suburbs of Cook County. Her support has also helped attract a wider scope of funding and support during key fundraising campaigns such as the upcoming Giving Tuesday on Nov. 30.
Pathlights is just one of her many commitments throughout the Chicago area. She also has made an impact volunteering with the Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship Advisory Council for 14 years and as a board member for Renaissance Academy at Chicago.
Eisenhower science teacher completes doctorate
Sheri Caine, a science teacher at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, successfully defended her doctoral dissertation titled “Identifying high school physics students’ factors of epistemological cognition in electricity through online inquiry simulations.”
It was a mixed-methods empirical study using psychometrics to determine how students think about electricity through warrant analysis and how their cognitive stances affected their performance on the CUA.
Caine earned her Ph.D. in curriculum & instruction with a focus in global STEM education from Texas Tech University.
She is in her third year at Eisenhower and 14th year overall in the district. This year she’s teaching chemistry while in previous years she has also taught physical science, physics and honors/AP levels of chemistry and physics. In addition, she is the GSA sponsor at Eisenhower.
Park Forest’s Spence graduates from Monmouth College
Park Forest resident Johnathon Spence recently graduated from Monmouth College. The physics major also has been a member of the men’s soccer team at the school.
Lockport’s Hollatz honored as scholar-athlete
Mallory Hollatz, a native of Lockport and graduate of Lockport Township High School, was one of 22 members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team who were selected as 2021 Easton/National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar-Athletes.
Hollatz is majoring in political science. She appeared in 12 games during the 2021 season, including eight as a starter. She ranked first in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in earned run average (1.87) and opposing batting average (.218).
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