RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2020
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners celebrating the 101st birthday of Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt
Body
WHEREAS, born Dolores Bertha Schmidt in San Francisco, California on August 21, 1919, the eldest of three children; and
WHEREAS, beginning in 1945, Sister Jean worked as an elementary school teacher in California, where she started a sports program which featured women’s basketball, softball, volleyball, track, ping-pong, and yo-yo; and
WHEREAS, in 1961, Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt moved to Chicago to work at Mundelein College, where she held numerous teaching and leadership positions including Acting Dean, Director of Coffey Hall, Associate Dean, Director of Summer Sessions, and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, Mundelein College merged with Loyola University Chicago (Loyola), and Sister Jean was hired by Loyola as an Assistant Dean and academic advisor. In 1994, Sister Jean took on the role of team chaplain for the Loyola Ramblers men’s basketball team, helping the members of the team to maintain passing grades; and
WHEREAS, it is this role of team chaplain that has garnered Sister Jean worldwide recognition. Sister Jean was a fixture in 2018 during the NCAA March Madness men’s basketball tournament, providing both encouragement and advice to the Ramblers during their historic run for the championship; and
WHEREAS, Sister Jean has received numerous awards from Loyola including a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree in 2016, induction into the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017, and receiving the Sword of Loyola, the university's highest honor, in 2018 at the Founders' Dinner; and
WHEREAS, Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt is a treasured icon, not only to members of the Loyola family, but to millions around the world. Her dedication to the students and concern for their wellbeing is both remarkable and inspirational; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, do hereby celebrate the 101st birthday of Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt.
Dated: September 3, 2020