Benedictine University and the Village of Lisle proudly present Oktoberfest Lisle! A lively two-day community festival featuring German food, beer, and live music!

Help support Benedictine University’s student life and activities, campus beautification, and future special events.

The outdoor, big tent fun will be held at Benedictine University on Friday, September 18 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m.

Whether you’re here for the food, live music, or the beer, there’s something for everyone!

, and includes a free beer or pretzel, free parking, access to live entertainment, vendor areas, and more!

Presales for tickets end Thursday, Sept. 17 at midnight. Tickets will still be available for purchase onsite during both days.

Please email Phil Hardy, PhD, Director of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, for more information at phardy@ben.edu.

Learn more

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Presenters
Darya Aleinikava, PhD – Associate Professor, Physics
Brooks Maki, PhD – Associate Professor, Chemistry
Niina Ronkainen, PhD – Professor, Chemistry
Andrew Wig, PhD – Professor, Physics, Engineering
Ellen Ziliak, PhD – Dean of Faculty, Professor, Mathematics

Abstract
BenSTEMS is a National Science Foundation SSTEM-funded project designed to support academically talented, low-income, and Pell-eligible students pursuing degrees in the mathematical, computational, and physical sciences at Benedictine University. The program combines scholarships with evidence-based academic, mentoring, and community-building interventions to improve student retention, success, and graduation rates. This presentation will provide an overview of the project, including student eligibility, cohort-based programming, academic support, and professional development activities.

We will share insights from our planning year, including student participation, early outcomes, and lessons learned. Particular attention will be given to efforts aimed at strengthening students’ sense of belonging and STEM identity. We will also discuss challenges encountered, program refinements informed by first-year data, and plans for future years of the grant.

Thursday, Sept. 24
12:20-1:20 p.m. 
Goodwin 321

Link to Access Teams Stream:

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Sept. 26, 2026

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Join renowned organization development scholar Dr. Christopher Worley for an engaging lecture exploring how today’s leaders can successfully navigate uncertainty through agility, resilience, and strategic leadership.

Open to alumni, doctoral students, graduate students, and organizational leaders, this interactive event examines the evolving challenges shaping today’s organizations and the leadership approaches needed to thrive in an era of constant change.

During this session, we’ll explore questions including:

• What’s New with Agility? How are organizations building agile capabilities that create lasting strategic advantage?
• Has Resilience Replaced Agility? How can resilience and agility work together to help organizations navigate uncertainty?
• Is Change Management Dead? What emerging approaches are replacing traditional models of organizational change?
• Can Your Organization be Successful without Growing? In a world obsessed with scale, can organizations thrive by remaining intentionally focused, mission-driven, and right-sized? 

Designed to bridge research with real-world application, this lecture invites participants to challenge conventional thinking, engage in meaningful discussion, and gain practical insights into the future of organization development and leadership.

Whether you’re leading organizational change, advancing your academic journey, or seeking fresh perspectives on today’s evolving workplace, this is an opportunity to learn from one of the field’s leading voices while connecting with fellow professionals and the Benedictine University community.

Reserve your seat today—we look forward to welcoming you.

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 | 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Event Schedule 

8:30 a.m. | Check-In, Coffee, and Networking 
9:00 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks 
9:10 a.m. | Keynote and Discussion Led by Dr. Christopher Worley
11:00 a.m. | Q&A and Networking Social 

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