On March 7, Cynthia Grobmeier—a Communication Department Faculty Specialist and COMM-101 Program Coordinator—was nominated for the 2022 Saint Xavier University Faculty Mission Day Award For Service.
In an email interview conducted on March 16, Saint Xavier President Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D. told The Xavierite that Grobmeier “…is known as a mission-driven educator who advances dialogue between faith and reason as well as the critical concerns in her courses.”
Joyner recognizes that [Grobmeier] is also “…committed to freely sharing her knowledge with students and colleagues alike.”
“For example, she recently presented her work to SXU colleagues focused on creating inclusive classroom settings,” noted Joyner. “Her colleagues recognize her as someone that consistently exhibits a generosity of spirit and core belief that all students are capable of learning and achieving their goals.”
In a March 15 interview via email, Grobmeier stated that she’s “…always loved that SXU’s foundation was built by inspiring women.”
As an alum of the University, Grobmeier “…worked to understand and honor the deep roots of our mission to serve wisely and compassionately in support of human dignity and the common good for over 30 years,” she says. And now—as a faculty member—Grobmeier remains “…mindful of the call to educate our students to do the same.”
“I believe that their spirit is integrally woven into our institutional culture. To be viewed as even attempting to walk in their footsteps is simply amazing,” she added.
In a March 15 email interview, Communication Department Professor and Chairman Brad Mello, Ph.D., finds Professor Grobmeier’s dedication to her students and her craft ‘amazing.’
“She works to ensure her students have the tools and abilities to succeed in the communication field upon graduation,” says Mello.
In a March 14 Zoom interview, Vincent Davis, ABD—a Communication Lecturer—said that Grobmeier’s faculty nomination is ‘well-deserved.’
“I genuinely believe [that] in terms of what Professor Grobmeier brings to the table as a faculty member, I think she’s highly underrated,” mentioned Davis. “So, I’m glad to see that she’s being recognized with awards like this because it truly speaks to how much she means to the SXU Community, but especially students.”
“She’s kind of got that radiating personality that…you just notice she’s around,” he continued. “And if I’m being perfectly honest, even with some of the things she’s been through fairly recently, she still comes in, she still keeps a positive attitude, she still does what she can to try to help others, and she’s always had the spirit of being a giver.”
Davis noted that a lot of people “are not like [Grobmeier],” saying she’s “one of those people who leads by example,” and, “…she is perfect proof our [Communication Major] makes a difference.”
“Just the fact that she has this ‘I’m down but I’m never out’ attitude…honestly, that’s inspiring,” he said. “She doesn’t talk the talk, she walks the walk.”
Mello chose to nominate Professor Grobmeier “…for her outstanding work with [The Maddog Strong] foundation that serves such a broad community and provides lifesaving help to individuals in need of organ donations,” he stated on March 15.
Grobmeier thanked Mello for nominating her for this award—including the non-profit in honor of her daughter Maddie “Maddog” Grobmeier, her SXU family, and family at home.
“…They continue to show the world every day what it means to look past your own suffering to find meaning and purpose in helping others. They embody the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy, and I am blessed to have them by my side,” she said.
Alongside Grobmeier being honored, Chief of Staff Maggie Earheart from Office of the President is nominated for the Sister Isidore Perrigo, R.S.M. Staff Award, and Nada Alaraj—the Student Government Association (SGA) Executive President—is a nominee for the Mother Paulita Morris, R.S.M. Student Award.
As stated in the March 7 mySXU portal announcement, campus community members are welcome to join the University in celebrating these three Mission Day Award recipients on Wednesday, March 23 at 3:30 p.m. in the Butler Reception Room.
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