MWU Wins Downers Grove Chamber Choice Award

Today's guest blog comes from Jill Blair-Smith, who is a writer in the Office of Communications on the Downers Grove Campus of Midwestern University. She has lived in Downers Grove for 10 years.

The competition was stiff, the nominees anxious, and the room rife with anticipation as the Downers Grove Chamber Choice Awards were announced this week at the DoubleTree Guest Suites and Conference Center. Midwestern University was one of the finalists in the Community Contribution Award/Philanthropic Category, and I had the pleasure of being at the MWU table to root us on.

While many at the event joked that it was a little like the Academy Awards complete with the opening of envelopes, drum rolls, and even tearful acceptance speeches, it was clear to me that everyone in the room is passionate about the work they do in and around Downers Grove. By the end of the event, I felt proud of the community in which I live and work.

And, of course, I felt even more pleased when MWU won its category. Quietly and consistently, MWU faculty, staff, and students support countless organizations by coordinating health fairs, providing care at homeless shelters, organizing fundraisers, giving presentations at local schools, and much more. I'm so happy that the Downers Grove community recognizes the amazing work done by our students, faculty, and staff.

Many of the other winners were familiar to me. I've walked past the houses being built by Dave Matthies, recipient of the Young Business Professional Award; my son attends a kindergarten program at the Indian Boundary YMCA, winner of the Community Contribution Award/Not-for-Profit Category; and I've shopped at Consider It Done, recipient of the Business Excellence Award/Retail Category and the overall Business Excellence Award.

Two other organizations were also nominated in the same category as MWU including the Downers Grove Rotary, whose current president is my brother. I'll admit to letting sibling rivalry get the best of me when it was announced that Midwestern had won the category. However, I think Dean Malone, MWU Vice President of Business Services, got it right during his acceptance speech when he said, "Any one of the nominees were equally deserving and Midwestern University will continue to work hard to live up to this honor."