Students Learn the Impact of Random Acts of Kindness Courtesy of Jay It Forward

Joliet, Ill. – “It would seem wrong not to carry on with the passion that Jay had to make people smile.” – Jay It Forward

On Monday, September 25, over 200 students at the University of St. Francis (USF) personally experienced the positive impact that random acts of kindness can create. The students were recipients of gifts cards, goody bags and cash – all unannounced and unexpected – courtesy of Jay It Forward, an organization in honor of the late Jay Vana and his fun-loving demeanor and generous personality.

“The spirit of St. Francis is just something you need to experience first-hand on-campus at USF. That spirit was certainly robust when Jay It Forward celebrated with our students this week. The emotions on the faces of USF students, faculty and administrators was powerful as they opened envelopes and shared their plans of what they planned to do with the gifts they received,” said Lisa Sampalis, Vice President for University Advancement at the University of St. Francis.

Longtime USF supporters Michele and Tom Vana established Jay It Forward to honor the life of their son, Jay, who passed away in a car accident eleven years ago. Along with Jay’s family and friends, Jay It Forward takes to the community on the anniversary of his passing each year to “pay it forward” to with random acts of kindness. Before coming to USF, the organization also distributed similar random acts of kindness at a local fast-food restaurant and gas station.

“As much as it seems like others are benefiting from these random acts of kindness, I am the true recipient of the blessings. Helping others and seeing their smiles and joy is the healing that I need on this day. Making others happy is truly in the spirit of who Jay was. I really feel his presence when we do this in his memory,” said Michele Vana.

The organization also encourages others to consider performing their own acts of kindness as a tribute to Jay Vana.

About Jay It Forward

Jay Vana was a resident of Homer Glen, Ill., and a student at Lockport Township High School who was known for his fun-loving demeanor and generous personality. He, along with his family and friends, often performed random acts of kindness when they heard of others in need. Unfortunately, Vana passed away unexpectedly as a result of a car accident at the age of sixteen on September 25, 2012. Vana’s family and friends founded Jay It Forward as a way to honor his kind-hearted spirit by continuing to perform random acts of kindness.

Please visit facebook.com/jayitforward25 to learn more about Jay It Forward.

: :

The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

# # #

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Support USF Students through the Day of Giving on March 1

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) will celebrate the Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, and invites alumni, parents, students, friends, and the community to support one of the five campus projects the University hopes to fully fund. This year’s campaign focuses on projects from diverse areas of campus, including:
  • Future Educators Summer Academy Project
  • Mac Lab Updates
  • Fitness Center Updates
  • Creating a Labyrinth on Campus
  • New Choral Risers
“Our 2023 Day of Giving projects are initiatives that, no matter the major a student is pursuing or their background, will positively impact all USF students. There truly is a project for everyone and we are excited to see how funding these projects will positively impact the lives of all members of the Saint family,” said USF Director of Advancement Aindrea Hogan. To support or learn more about these projects, please visit stfrancis.edu/dayofgiving or call the USF University Advancement Office at 815-740-2266. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #
Day of Giving 2023
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Support USF Students on April 6 through Day of Giving

Day of Giving - April 6, 2022
Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) will celebrate Day of Giving on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, and invites alumni, parents, students, friends and the community to support USF students as they continue on their journey of servant leadership. “Day of Giving is a special 24-hour time period during which USF invites our entire university community to make a gift and, more importantly, make a difference,” said Kim Kalafut, USF Director of the Annual Fund. In 2021, 100% of USF’s incoming freshmen received financial assistance. This financial assistance is made possible through many efforts throughout the year, including the Caritas Scholarship Ball, the fall and spring annual fund appeals, and special events such as Day of Giving. “Every single gift provides the much needed support for our students at USF.  Approximately 51% percent of this year’s freshman class is comprised of first generation college students – that is, they are the first in their family to attend college. In fact, over the course of the past decade, an average of 59% of each of our incoming freshman classes were first-generation college students. Without scholarship opportunities, their continued education would not be possible. Today’s students are faced with academic unpreparedness as an outcome of COVID. Today’s students need more support than they have ever needed before. Gifts made as part of Day of Giving support our students in their effort to think bigger and pursue a brighter purpose at the University of St. Francis,” added Lisa Sampalis, USF Vice President for Advancement. To make your gift, please visit stfrancis.edu/dayofgiving or call Kim Kalafut, USF Director of the Annual Fund, at 815-740-3610. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 52,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn