Academically, Fatani is pursuing double majors in Accounting and Management & Organizational Behavior, with concentrations in Human Resource Management and Operations Management.

Beyond academics, Fatani has held numerous leadership roles, including Vice President of Student Senate, President of the Global Justice Club, Vice President of the Accounting Club, Orientation Leader, Peer Mentor, and Accounting Peer Tutor. These positions have refined her communication, advocacy, and problem-solving abilities while allowing her to contribute meaningfully to campus life.

A Defining Experience

Fatani identifies her service in Student Senate as the most transformative opportunity of her undergraduate career. Through this role, she learned to lead with empathy, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and advocate effectively for student interests. One of her proudest achievements was creating new channels for student feedback, ensuring that voices from across campus were included in university decision-making.

This experience taught her that leadership is fundamentally about service. By listening carefully and prioritizing the common good, she developed skills that have proven valuable in both academic and professional settings.

Hands-On Preparation for the Future

Fatani has engaged in a range of practical experiences that have prepared her for life after Benedictine University. Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, she prepared tax returns for community members, strengthening her technical accounting skills and reinforcing her commitment to ethical service.

As a recipient of the Arthur J. Schmitt Future Leaders Scholarship, she participated in leadership development workshops, service projects, and purposeful decision-making.

“Leadership is about service rather than titles and about creating opportunities for others to succeed.”

As Vice President of the Accounting Club, Fatani organized firm visits to International Motors LLC and Sassetti LLC, providing students with direct exposure to the accounting profession. She also coordinated events with business leaders to share career insights and industry trends.

Her most extensive project was serving as Committee Chair for the Goodwin College of Business and Liberal Arts Student Senate Committee, where she created and led Business Week each semester. This professional development series offered headshots, résumé workshops, LinkedIn optimization, and employer networking. She expanded the series to include a Future Entrepreneurs event, celebrating student-owned businesses and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset across campus.

These experiences have equipped Fatani with project management, event planning, and relationship-building skills. More importantly, they have demonstrated her capacity to bring people together and create lasting value for her community.

The post BenU Student Spotlight: Mahnoor Fatani appeared first on Benedictine University.

Attendees explored the collection, which was generously loaned by a Benedictine University alumnus. Highlights included correspondence and items connected to John Hancock, John Jay, James Madison, John Quincy Adams, George Clinton and others.

The collection belongs to Chris, a 1988 BenU alumnus who asked not to use his last name in order to protect the documents.

“I started collecting the papers and the documents. I would say probably 20 years ago,” Chris said. “The John Hancock piece was the centerpiece of my collection.”

Among the items on display was a land grant signed by George Clinton, a Founding Father who served as Vice President and was New York’s longest-serving Governor. The exhibit also included a John Hancock property document dated Dec. 13, 1771, and an original print of a 1776 magazine.

The event also featured lively entertainment. Choral-Aires delivered a lively barbershop performance, and Maze the Artist captivated the crowd with a live painting celebrating America’s legacy. The artwork created during the event will remain on campus as a lasting tribute.

The celebration extended beyond the lobby as well. In addition to the indoor exhibit in the Daniel L. Goodwin Hall of Business Lobby, the Benedictine Four Corners community came together to create a striking outdoor display. This collaboration, which includes Benedictine University, St. Procopius Abbey, Villa St. Benedict, Benedictine Sisters, and Benet Academy, resulted in 250 American flags being placed across the intersection of College Road and Maple Avenue. The display added a vibrant visual tribute to the celebration. It was a powerful symbol of what the Four Corners can accomplish when they work together, extending the event’s reach and inviting the entire community to participate in this historic commemoration.

Benedictine University President Joseph J. Foy, PhD, reflected on the significance of this collaboration.

“The Benedictine Four Corners represents something truly special about this community,” said Dr. Foy. “For generations, these institutions have shared a commitment to faith, education, and service. Events like this remind us of the strength we find when we work together. We are deeply grateful for our fellow Four Corners partners and look forward to continuing to strengthen these relationships in the years ahead.”

The University also extends its gratitude to the sponsors, volunteers, and all who attended for making this celebration so meaningful. The strong community turnout demonstrated the enduring interest in America’s founding history and the value of bringing such rare collections to the public.

The event drew attention from local media. NBC Chicago visited the exhibit and spoke with Chris about his collection, offering viewers a glimpse of the rare documents and the story behind them. WGN Radio also covered the event, highlighting the significance of bringing such historical treasures to the western suburbs.

To view the NBC Chicago segment or listen to the WGN Radio coverage, please visit the links below.

NBC Chicago:
WGN Radio:

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For BenU students preparing for Commencement, the Grad Fair offered a one-stop experience to get ready for the big day. Students were able to order their regalia, confirm their diploma mailing address, and pick up their Commencement tickets with ease. Several campus departments were on hand to assist, including Alumni and Career Services, Campus Ministry, Graduate Admissions, Ben Central, and the Registrar. Students also had the opportunity to take graduation photos with Grad Images and connect with Herff Jones for class rings, announcements, and diploma frames.

At the same time, students took full advantage of Job-A-Palooza, where a diverse lineup of employers was ready to connect. Students explored opportunities with a wide range of organizations, from corporate partners to public service agencies. The featured employers included Chicagoland Automotive Group, Carmody Construction, GreenState Credit Union, and Sherwin-Williams. Also in attendance were three regional health and hospital systems, 11 area police departments, Argonne National Laboratory, and many more.

The combination of graduation services and career connections made the day a valuable one for students across all class levels. Soon-to-be graduates left with their commencement details in order, while students from every major walked away with new professional contacts and a clearer picture of the opportunities available to them.

A sincere thank you goes to the premium sponsors who supported this event: Chicagoland Automotive Group, Carmody Construction, GreenState Credit Union, and Sherwin-Williams. Their partnership helped make this engaging and productive experience possible for our students.

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The reception provided a meaningful opportunity for University leadership, including President Joseph J. Foy, PhD, to personally express gratitude and share the collective vision for Benedictine’s future. The evening underscored the profound connection between donor generosity and student success, highlighting how this partnership directly fuels opportunity and innovation across campus.

In reflecting on the event, Vice President for University Advancement Mark McHorney emphasized the essential role these partners play.

“The strength and commitment of our Benedictine University family was on full display,” said McHorney. “Our President’s Circle donors are the architects of opportunity here. Their partnership does more than support the University. It actively builds the future for our students and energizes our entire community.”

The President’s Circle recognizes those whose leadership-giving provides the critical resources that advance scholarships, academic programs, and campus facilities. The holiday reception serves as a touchstone each year to celebrate this shared commitment and the tangible impact that resonates across the University every day.

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