Saint Leo University launched its television commercial today on popular cable stations such as E!, BRAVO, TLC, FX, VH-1, and the HALLMARK MOVIE CHANNEL. The commercial reviews the Saint Leo Center for Online Learning bachelor degree programs, including applicable military education benefits, scholarships, and enrollment counseling.

Television channels were selected for target audiences that would show interest in an online bachelor degree program for their career. Recent graduates recount their experiences at Saint Leo University, including their promotions, financial improvements, and motivation for their family.

Saint Leo University has reached out to prospective students and the community via other media in the past, such as appearing in popular television shows. SLU also offers community service programs and educational lectures to everyone in the campus’ area to provide open doors for adults and military members eager to find places to learn.

“This commercial will help make prospective students aware of this respectable, 120-year university,” said Jessica Ker, marketing representative for Saint Leo University. “But most of all, it will reach out to the adult learners that didn’t even consider college as an option for their career growth. I will believe it will have a positive influence on the Saint Leo University community.”

Saint Leo University prides itself on a rich student body with over a century of quality, accredited education. SLU wishes to make this education available to Florida students and online students across the world. If you watch any of the above television stations, keep an eye out for Saint Leo University’s television commercial!

The MSW program is an innovative full-time graduate online program. Students should enter the program knowing that they will have to adjust their lives and make time commitments to meet the demands and expectations of the Saint Leo University MSW full-time online program.

The MSW program is completed over two years with a total of 62 credit hours. For students who have completed a BSW degree from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program within the last five years, a one year 32-credit hour advanced standing program will be offered.

Upon completing the Master of Social Work online degree program, students will be prepared with the knowledge and skills necessary to be ethical and culturally competent social workers in an advanced social work practice, particularly with the increasing aging population, military personnel, and the workforce population.

The Master of Social Work program is currently undergoing the accreditation process with the CSWE. This takes approximately three years. Saint Leo University anticipates approval for candidacy status in June of 2010. If this happens, individuals who graduate from the MSW program will have graduated from a CSWE accredited MSW program. Program participants also will be eligible to take the clinical social work licensure exam and apply for jobs which require the MSW degree.

The undergraduate social work program has held continuous accreditation since 1983.

Students are responsible for checking with their state licensing board to see if the program meets the criteria for receiving a license in clinical social work within their state.

Some newspapers and online news organizations publish the names of local residents who earn the Deans’ List distinction.  If you would like to send such a release for publication to a news organization in your area, Saint Leo University offers a standard press release form for your use.  Please contact the Office of Public Relations at news@saintleo.edu for assistance.

You can see the Fall 2009 Deans’ List here.

Students will work first-hand with Tampa Bay based businesses expanding into Costa Rica, and visit other established Costa Rican businesses.

The $2,200 tour fee includes hotel, airfare from Tampa, transportation, some meals, and a University of Peace seminar.  Tuition for MBA 575 course credit is not included.

• View pictures from the 2009 MBA Costa Rican study-tour.
• View the itinerary.
• Download an application as a PDF.

Study-tour applications must be e-mailed to Ashley Henderson at ashley.henderson@saintleo.edu by 5:00 p.m. ET, February 27, 2010.

Enrollment is limited, so register today!

For more information, Contact Ashley Henderson at (352) 588-7370 or ashley.henderson@saintleo.edu.

In the Gospel of John (2:1-11), we see the great sign of the miracle at the wedding feast of Cana, the changing of water to wine, and are reminded that God’s kingdom is in our midst and that the power of Jesus is available and it gives us hope. Even after such a catastrophe God can transform tragedy to triumph.

We grieve the loss of so many children, women, and men who have died, and we offer our heartfelt condolences. Yet we also are called to respond in love. A nation and a people who have been so impoverished and misused and abused by the world are now in need or our help. We have a responsibility to follow the example of Dr. King and to seek the well-being of humanity. To see in the face of each Haitian our sisters’ and brothers’ eyes. Their tears become our tears. Their pain becomes our pain. Their task to rebuild becomes ours as well.

I saw this in the eyes of our students as we gathered for prayer. One student, who never has been to Haiti nor really knew where it is located, was moved to deep sorrow and tears. The reason for her sadness is because the people she goes to class with each day are now saddened and suffering. Her classmates and friends have family members who have died or who are unaccounted for. Her tears represent the tears of every human being and every human heart. For when one human being suffers it touches the hearts of us all. Let our tears move us beyond pity to deep love and compassion––to reach out and assist our sisters and brothers of Haiti. The people of God need us, so let us be encouraged by the words of the Prophet Jeremiah. “I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console and gladden them after their sorrows, I will lavish choice portions upon the priests, and my people shall be filled with my blessing says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:13-14)

This is what it means to live the Dream of Dr. King: that human beings reach out in love so that their sisters and brothers might live. We ask not what will happen to me if I stop to help my sister or brother, we ask what will happen if I do not help them.

Easy Navigation

The horizontal menu at the top of the home page allows visitors to access specific departments:  Admissions, Academics, Alumni & Friends, Athletics, Campus Life, Financial Aid, and About SLU.  Dropdown menus are available for each section by simply hovering over the desired section tab.

A navigation bar located on the left hand side of each department page serves as a table of contents, enabling visitors to view and easily access in-depth information about each department.

Find it Fast

The new “Find it Fast” feature is equipped with a classic search function and the ability to pull down a menu of popular pages with a single click. Stay up-to-date on all Saint Leo University events and popular and useful pages with this convenient tool.

New Site Structure

Saint Leo University’s new website has been streamlined so that visitors can find information more intuitively.  Some commonly used pages have moved to new or more appropriate locations.  Use the Find it Fast button or the search bar to find and bookmark the pages you use most frequently.  Following is a list of some of the significant changes.

• The link for MySaintLeo.edu is located at the bottom of the homepage, in the lower right-hand corner.  It is also included in the Find it Fast menu. Use either link to access your MySaintLeo account.
• Continuing Education locations are now found under Admissions.
• Life at SLU is now named Campus Life.
• The News and Information Center can be found under About SLU.
• The Library, Registrar’s Office, Books and Saint Leo Merchandise, and University Technology Services sections are now all located under Academics.
• The Directory and Employment pages can be found under About SLU.

Academic Programs

There is a new way to view programs and courses online. Each academic program includes a program overview and course listing.  Clicking on a course name reveals the course description, enabling visitors to get all information about a specific academic program in one location.

Stay Connected

Saint Leo University enables its faculty, students, and alumni to stay connected through social networks like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. Stay in touch with Saint Leo University by interacting with the university through “Connect With Us Online” links in the lower left-hand corner of the homepage.

Department News

Interested in learning the latest news about a specific department? The News tab on each department pages links to department-specific news items such as announcements of new programs and faculty members, upcoming events, and students and faculty members in the news.

Come see SaintLeo.edu for yourself!

Alumni Network at The China Club in NYC

The happy group pictured is just a few of the more than 40 alumni who enjoyed a reception at The China Club in New York City on October 5. Now all New Yorkers, Saint Leo College Prep alumni socialized with alumni from Saint Leo College and more recent grads of Saint Leo University.

Prep and Holy Name Alumni Reunion

The annual Saint Leo Prep and Holy Name Academy Reunion took place October 16-18. The members of the Golden Classes of 1949 (our 60th year reunion class), 1954 (our 55th year reunion class) and 1959 (our 50th reunion class) were recognized at the Saturday luncheon among 130 alumni and friends who attended.

First Lady Speaks at Florida Campus Compact Awards Gala

A group of faculty and staff members attended the Florida Campus Compact Gala in Miami on October 15, where the First Lady Michelle Obama gave the keynote address. The Florida Campus Compact is a coalition of more than 50 colleges and universities committed to promoting community service, service-learning and civic engagement. Many member universities of the Florida Campus Compact were invited to receive awards for their school’s service learning programs. Mrs. Obama stressed the importance of service learning in helping young people become service-minded and modeling service as way of life for others.

Former Faculty Member Receives Benedictine Spirit Award

The Florida Benedictine Spirit Award was presented to former faculty member Walter Plazewski at the Saint Leo Prep and Holy Name Academy Reunion in October. The award honors individuals with longstanding connections to one or more of Florida’s Benedictine communities.

Saint Leo University friends and alumni can take part in the 2010 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am Golf Tournament and benefit Saint Leo at the same time. Kookabura Charity Ticket Packages for the tournament, slated for April 12-18 at TPC Tampa Bay, are now on sale. Kookabura Charity Ticket Packages can also be purchased as Christmas presents for golfers, as customer thank-you gifts, or as employee-recognition awards.

TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz was recently rated as the 13th best public golf facility in GolfWorld Magazine’s 2009 Reader’s Choice Golf Roll. The purchase of Kookabura Charity Ticket Package costs $500, with all proceeds going to Saint Leo University.

The package includes:

• Two (2) one-day Green-Hopper Party Passes featuring admission into three hospitality areas offering VIP golf viewing and spectacular complimentary hospitality.
• Four (4) weekly badges for tournament admittance for the entire week.
• Ten (10) one-day passes for tournament admittance one day.
• Two (2) preferred parking passes.
• One (1) weekday foursome of golf at TPC Tampa Bay to be scheduled Monday through Thursday between May 3 and September 23, 2010, based on availability. Cart fee is additional.
• One (1) Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am lapel pin.

There are three easy ways to purchase your ticket/s:

1. Complete the 2010 Kookaburra Charity Ticket Order Form and remit with your credit card information or check (made payable to: Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am) to:
   Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am
   2202 N West Shore, 5th Floor
   Tampa, FL 33607
2. Call the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am office at (813) 265-4653
3. Select the “Invoice Me’ option on the form and the tournament will provide you with and invoice.

For additional information on the Kookaburra Charity Ticket Package, contact the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am at (813) 265-4653 or www.outbackproam.com or Vikki Reece at Saint Leo University at (352) 588-8668 or victoria.reece@saintleo.edu.

Military-Friendly

Saint Leo University offers academic degree programs specifically tailored for military students. The university also provides financial aid counselors who can assist students with the sometimes confusing Post 9/11 GI Bill process.

Veteran Benefits

Veterans also can benefit from online degree programs. With full-time careers and family obligations, veterans may find it difficult to take advantage of their education benefits in a traditional classroom setting; but thanks to Saint Leo University’s Center for Online Learning, they can enroll in college without sacrificing any part of their busy lives.

Blended Learning Models

Saint Leo University maintains education centers on or near military bases in seven states.  That makes it convenient for students who prefer a classroom learning experience, or courses that “blend” online and classroom learning.  Associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs are offered.  Military students can pursue their academic goals––from start to finish––at a prestigious university that has been educating students since 1889.

If you are a member of the U.S. military who is thinking about pursuing a college degree, why not consider enrolling in Saint Leo University’s military-friendly online degree programs today.

Five reasons to get an online degree at Saint Leo University:

1. The U.S. Department of Education conducted a 2009 study that indicated online education is on par to the quality of campus-based education. As such, an online degree is just as rewarding of an experience as a campus-based degree program.
2. Online degree programs are ideal for military students who are currently deployed or who may be deployed in the near future; businessmen and women who travel often; and students “on the go,” such as working adults, single parents, and stay-at-home moms.
3. Saint Leo University is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, one of the nation’s six regional accrediting agencies. This means Saint Leo University is an ideal choice for a school, whether an online-based or campus-based program.
4. Saint Leo University’s Center for Online Learning courses are developed and taught by the university’s own faculty, so its students can be confident that they are being taught by academic professionals.
5. Saint Leo University’s Center for Online Learning offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs, so that students can pursue both their undergraduate and graduate degree goals with one university.