It is not every day that we get to meet or learn about the people behind the curtains when it comes to Saint Xavier University’s support structure.
This year, the Henry Brothers Company, a construction company, will be receiving the Shield of Saint Xavier Award, the highest honor given here at Saint Xavier.
Given at the annual President’s Scholarship Ball, the Henry Brothers Company will be honored with the Shield of Saint Xavier Award for their outstanding support and service to Saint Xavier University.
President Christine Wiseman stated “The Henry Brothers Company is really a construction company that has been involved in building this campus and supporting this enterprise, for many years. Since 1990 it has been a dinner sponsor in our scholarship ball. They have been very involved in the evolving enterprise that is this campus.”
When asked about the Shield itself, and the significance it holds here at Saint Xavier, Wiseman explained, “The shield of Saint Xavier is the highest award that we bestow annually on outstanding people, who are nominated by members of our community and chosen by our board of trustees. They are honored for their support of our mission of academic excellence and social concern, and for a demonstrated commitment over time to the values that we espouse and we pass on to our students.”
The criteria, as Wiseman went on to say, are “general and broad-base. The Henry Brothers Company is now involved as the New General Contractors for our upcoming Library renovations.
Wiseman began, “We are a 166 year old institution, we have always believed in the power of education to really create opportunities for the next generation of students and in so many ways they have supported that. They have been involved as some of the most ethical business people I know in meeting our construction needs and supporting our scholarship efforts. They were one of the first people to purchase a dinner with the President, and they did it two years running.” Wiseman finished.
The founders of the Henry Brothers Company (Robert and Patrick Henry) began this ethical and supporting foundation which is responsible for the building of many churches, schools, rectories, convents, and other religious establishments.
Wiseman explained that it is key to make sure that students meet the support structure that is responsible the great changes that happen at Saint Xavier University, but also for those who provide that structure to meet the students. Students help wait tables as servers, but get to meet all the people behind the curtains that support our University.
In closing, Wiseman states that she is excited and happy that the Henry Brothers Company are receiving the award, as they were one of the first people she met when she came to Saint Xavier.
The Shield of Saint Xavier Award will be given at the annual Scholarship Ball on April 6th at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Avenue.
Nermeen Shaabneh
News Editor