President Maimon Speaks to Civic Awareness Group

Know Your Chicago is an annual fall lecture and tour series designed to promote civic awareness and participation, and this year’s events, sponsored by the University of Chicago Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies, have a decidedly GSU flavor. President Elaine Maimon was the featured speaker at last week’s symposium and the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park will be featured on two of the, day-long tours, September 15 and 16.

President Maimon spoke on “Sculpture and Scholarship: A University that Lives in the Midst of Art.” “Art is not an afterthought at GSU. Art is essential to the identity of the campus,” she said.

She thanked Lew and Susan Manilow for carrying forward the legacy of Lew’s father, Nathan, namesake of the park. Nathan Manilow was the visionary who helped to create Park Forest South—now called University Park—that he envisioned as “a place where great art and a great university were just at the end of a Metra line.”

Speakers at the symposium addressed the underlying issues related to year’s tours. Calling GSU “A Big Idea on the Prairie,” President Maimon painted a picture of the university as a place where we all live in the midst of art every day; the integration of public art with the university symbolically defining the University as Public Square.

After explaining to the downtown audience where GSU is located, she proceeded to tell them who we are. Emphasizing that GSU is a public university, she explained that the university was founded on innovation, that continues to this day, and its commitment to Chicagoland students whose family income is low but whose high school achievement is high.

Denise Gardner, a Know Your Chicago Committee member, praised President Maimon’s presentation, saying her talk was “remarkable.” She said the presentation had “vision, insights, and passion” that “resonated with the audience and revealed to them the jewel that is Governors State. All I can say is ‘Wow’!” We can't begin to thank you enough. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with you and spotlight your work and your university. You are an inspiration and the region is fortunate to have you here.”

Linda Uzureau, GSU Assistant to Executive Administration said many in the audience had never heard of GSU before the president’s presentation. “President Maimon "hit it out if the ballpark,” she said. “The response to her speech was incredible. Most of the audience came from the city or north suburbs. Several people told me they'd never heard of GSU (sigh...). But they know about us now!”

Judy Block, who also serves on the organization’s committee, was effusive in her praise, continuing with the baseball theme. “I want to thank you for the wonderful presentation you gave today at our KYC Symposium. As they say, you ‘knocked it out of the park!’ If anyone didn't know of Governors State or their mission, they certainly do now and are more than sensitized to the great job the university and you are doing to impact the lives of a unique and underserved population.”

Block, noting the enthusiasm in the audience, said the tours of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park were sure to open some eyes to the great things happening at GSU. “I am sure that you have energized people about your mission and we will have many more subscribers by the time we arrive at your doorstep next week. We are all looking forward to seeing you and all those who have been so helpful in planning these two days at Governor's State,” she said.