May 2009
Tribute To Our Military Heroes
Teach For America Meets Chas Edelstein
University of Phoenix’s Day at the Races
Hitting a Home Run with the White Sox at Latino College Night
University of Phoenix Salutes A Soldier
JA You’re Hired! Workplace Skills Challenge
University of Phoenix’s President Honored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix
Educating the Heart Awards Dinner
University of Phoenix Marches for Babies
University of Phoenix Supports Valley Forwards 40th Anniversary
Tribute To Our Military Heroes
Over 140 years ago, Gen. John Logan proclaimed Memorial Day as a
day of remembrance for those who fought for our nation. Since then,
the last Monday in May marks the time when Americans nationwide pay
tribute to our military heroes. In honor of Memorial Day, employees,
students, faculty and staff participated in a month-long initiative
that honored our military heroes who died to protect, preserve and
ensure our freedom. As part of the tribute to our nation’s military
heroes, individuals purchased American flags for $5, signed the
Memorial Day Virtual Tribute Wall and donated their used cell phones
and wireless devices to Cell Phones for Soldiers to provide calling
cards for the troops to call home.
Campuses company-wide participated in the month-long Memorial Day initiative. More then 15,000 American flags were sold at $5 a piece and flew in tribute areas company-wide. In Phoenix, more then 7,000 flags proudly displayed at the Phoenix Riverpoint and Hohokam locations and served as a personal reminder of University of Phoenix’s deep gratitude to our troops. Following the tribute, the flags were donated to the Arizona National Cemetery for placement on the graves of American Veterans. In Phoenix, American Flags proceeds went to the Salute a Soldier Foundation and the USO while campus proceeds went to various military or veteran’s non-profits nationwide.
University of Phoenix also showed their virtual support by signing the names of military loved ones to the Memorial Day Virtual Tribute Wall (www.apollogrp.edu/MemorialDay). On May 25, the wall displayed over 23,000 names of fallen, active and former Military heroes. University of Phoenix thanks each and every military hero for their service.
Teach For America Meets Chas Edelstein
Teach For America hosted a breakfast for Apollo Group’s Chas
Edelstein in early May. The breakfast welcomed Chas, CEO of Apollo
Group, to the Valley and learned more about Apollo Group’s
involvement in the community, including their support of Teach for
America. Many business and community leaders attended the event to
support Chas and University of Phoenix.
University of Phoenix’s Day at the Races
University of Phoenix is a strong supporter of Junior Achievement. On May 14 University of Phoenix joined Junior Achievement of Chicago for the Day at the Races at Arlington Park. It was a great day of horseracing and fanfare. The event brought out more than 350 guests representing more than 20 different companies, and many of the guests were from University of Phoenix
Hitting a Home Run with the White Sox at Latino College Night
University of Phoenix had the wonderful opportunity to sponsor
the Latino College Night with the White Sox. Latino College Night is
an annual event held by the White Sox to encourage and promote the
Latino community to attend college and to achieve their educational
goals. University of Phoenix was proud to be a sponsor and have a
held in this wonderful event.
University of Phoenix Salutes A Soldier
Salute A Soldier Foundation held a golf open on May 16th which University of Phoenix was proud to sponsor. By supporting Salute A Soldier, University of Phoenix is helping raise public awareness and promote public aid in assisting the needs of injured military service members and their families as they return to their communities.
JA You’re Hired! Workplace Skills Challenge
On April 29, 2009 University of Phoenix was proud to be the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Junior Achievement “JA You’re Hired – Workplace Skills Challenge” event in Tempe, Arizona. Junior Achievement invited 160 high school students from Arizona to attend a day-long challenge that focused on preparing them for the business world. Competitions and workshops included interviewing, resume writing, conflict resolution, problem solving, interpersonal communication skills, the opportunity for summer internships and networking. As the presenting sponsor, Dr. Bill Pepicello welcomed the crowd in the morning and over 42 members of University of Phoenix attended to participate in roles ranging from networking volunteers, providing department internships, judging events, to consulting the teams.
In addition, University of Phoenix also designed an online curriculum guide for Junior Achievement to provide to students and teachers in preparation for the day. The curriculum taught students the skills and abilities needed to further their future and establish a career path for them to follow. University of Phoenix was proud to be a part of a day dedicated to our future business leaders. In the future, Junior Achievement plans on rolling out the event nationally as a best practice.
University of Phoenix’s President Honored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix
In April 2009, University of Phoenix was a proud sponsor of the 2009 Taste Event benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. The event began with a Champion’s Dinner in early April and concluded with their annual Taste Event on April 26.
The Champion’s Dinner honors one extraordinary Valley leader who exemplifies a strong since of leadership and support in the community through their countless efforts to give back. Past Champion’s include Mike Gallagher, Bill & Judy Schubert, Steve Matteucci, Jamie Brody, Daniel Cracchiolo, and Bill Peltier. University of Phoenix’s very own Dr. Bill Pepicello was selected as this year’s Champion.
Dr. Pepicello has been a strong supporter of our efforts in the community. His involvement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix, The Collaboration for a New Century's AZ LeaderForce, St. Mary's Food Bank, the American Heart Association, Cardinals Charities and Greater Phoenix Economic Council Board of Directors are just a few areas of his ongoing involvement. This award is the first time a University of Phoenix or Apollo leader has been recognized at this level in our hometown community and University of Phoenix congratulates Dr. Pepicello on this award.
Educating the Heart Awards Dinner
On April 2nd, University of Phoenix was a proud sponsor of the 8th Annual Celebration of Cesar Chavez Day held by the Cesar Chavez Foundation in Phoenix. Eva Longoria Parker was the first recipient of the Cesar Chavez Legacy Award and was in attendance at this special event. Cesar Chavez is well-known for his civil rights advocacy and University of Phoenix was proud to be a part of this event and what he stood for.
University of Phoenix Marches for Babies
University of Phoenix teamed up for March for Babies in Phoenix on April 18th and helped improve the health of all babies by supporting the March of Dimes’ mission of preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. The event included a walk to raise funds for this important cause. March of Dimes has been walking since 1970 and has raised an incredible $1.8 billion to benefit all babies via research to find answers to the serious problems that threaten our babies nationwide.
University of Phoenix Supports Valley Forwards 40th Anniversary
Valley Forward’s Livability Summit celebrated the organization’s 40th anniversary with pioneers of the sustainability movement on April 16th, and University of Phoenix was fortunate enough to support this event! This half-day conference focused on the theme Healthy Environment – Healthy Economy and hundreds of business and civic leaders attended the summit, which strongly advocated sustainable capitalism focusing on energy, green building, new technologies and more. University of Phoenix was proud to be a part of this exciting event, supporting Valley Forward’s advocacy of building a healthy environment, as well as a healthy economy.