Saint Xavier Universty to Host 29th Annual President's Scholarship Ball

Saint Xavier University will honor three former members of its Board of Trustees, Thomas E. Chomicz, Sheila Butler King '69, and John P. Sweeney, with the Shield of Saint Xavier at its 29th Annual President's Scholarship Ball, "Faces of Loyalty,"on Sat., March 22 at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave.

The Ball begins with a Catholic mass at 5:30 p.m., a reception at 6:30 p.m., a formal dinner at 7:30 p.m. followed by dancing to the Roy Vombrack Orchestra. New to the event this year is an after-dinner reception at 10:00 p.m. with a coffee bar and cordials. This event, open to the public, is chaired by Laurence J. and Judith E. ’69 Hicks. 

Thomas E. Chomicz served as chairman of SXU's Board of Trustees for four years and served as a Trustee for nine years. He was a member of the Executive, Development, and Investment committees, and was successful in seeking major gifts on behalf of the University.

Chomicz is a lawyer and founder of a national law practice that assists charitable organizations in achieving their missions. He also is an author and lecturer addressing multiple legal issues facing charitable organizations.

In addition to his legal career, Chomicz served as a Board and Committee member of numerous charitable and professional organizations, including: Smith Senior Living; Retirement Research Foundation; Richard H. Driehaus Museum; The Stenning; The Donor’s Forum; Illinois Attorney General’s Charitable Advisory Council; ITT Chicago Kent College of Law Not for Profit Conference; and the American and Chicago Bar Associations. 

Sheila Butler King served on SXU's Board of Trustees from 1996 to 2007. During her tenure, she chaired the university’s Sesquicentennial Gala in 1997 and co-chaired the 2004 President’s Scholarship Ball.

Since 1974, King has owned and managed a marketing and public relations firm in Chicago that represents Midwest, national and international clients. Sheila King Marketing + Public Relations won the Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America and Golden Trumpet Award from the Publicity Club of Chicago.

King is on the Advisory Board of Misericordia Home and on the Leadership Board of WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger). For almost 30 years, she was a Corporate Board member of Chicago’s American Cancer Society and then on its Women’s Board. In addition, she served for 13 years on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Arts Alliance and its Foundation; and for nine years on the Corporate Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.

John P. Sweeney was elected to the Board of Trustees of Saint Xavier University in 1999 and was its chairman from 2003 until 2006. He was named a Life Trustee in 2012.

The principal of Chicago-based real estate development and investment firm JPS Interests, Sweeney has been a Chicago real estate developer for more than 40 years and has been the principal or managing partner for more than 3 million square-feet of office, commercial and industrial projects.

Sweeney served for nine years on the Board of St. Luke’s School in River Forest and for 10 years on the Board of Frances Xavier Warde, the elementary school established by Old St. Patrick’s Church, where he also has served for 10 years on the parish’s Board of Trustees.

Saint Xavier University’s shield recipients are nominated by the University community and are chosen by its Board of Trustees. The President’s Scholarship Ball has raised millions of dollars for the Presidential Scholarship Program, which provides financial support to Saint Xavier’s most deserving students.

For more information or to make a reservation, please contact (773) 298-3748 or visit www.sxu.edu, keyword: ball. Media interested in attending the Ball should contact Executive Director of Media Relations Karla Thomas at (773) 298-3937 or kthomas@sxu.edu.