Brookfield resident Pamela Konkol has been promoted to associate professor of foundations, social policy and research at Concordia University in River Forest.

A member of Concordia’s faculty since 2006, Konkol received her bachelor’s degree in communication, cultural studies and women’s studies from Northwester University; her master of education in curriculum and instruction from the University of Illinois-Chicago; and her doctorate in policy studies in urban education from UIC. The university’s board of regents approved Konkol’s promotion earlier this month.

Sole searching

Eight junior students, all preparing for confirmation at St. Mary in Parish in Riverside, recently collected more than 400 pairs of shoes to benefit Share Your Soles, an international organization that collects and distributed shoes to people in impoverished countries around the world. The project was done so the boys could complete required public service hours for confirmation next year.

The boys ¡ª Dan Magee, Quinn Risley, John Showel, Callen Vais, Paul Sitkiewicz, Elliott Gates, Gregory Lazzara and Mack Spohnholtz ¡ª placed collection boxes at the Greater LaGrange YMCA. After several weeks, the shoes were driven to a warehouse in Alsip where the boys sorted, washed and polished the shoes.

Flying high

Brookfield resident Frank Lubek, a member of Boy Scout Troop 21, has been elevated to the rank of Eagle Scout after appearing before a board of review in May. For his Eagle Scout project, Lubek built 50 bird houses (two different types) for Rock Cut State Park in Loves Park, near Rockford.

Thirty bird houses were installed in March, some near the Olsen Beach entrance at the southeast end of the park, through the campground to the main entrance. The remaining 20 bird houses will be installed as park officials deem necessary.

Meanwhile, Riverside resident Sam Cox earned his Eagle badge after completing his board of review and his Eagle Scout project, which entailed organizing and completing a planting project in April and May outside the Riverside Post Office that became part of the village’s overall downtown landscaping plan.

Many scouts and scout leaders helped Cox realize the project, as did George Cervenka, the landscaping professional who served as an advisor; Terry Lynne-Culloden, a member of the village’s Landscape Advisory Commission, who was instrumental in making the downtown planting project a reality; and Village Forester Mike Collins, who pitched in by excavating the planting beds.

Installation included

The Riverside branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) installed new officers in June. Leading the branch are North Riverside resident Mary Kitzberger, president; Riverside resident Robin Benoy, program vice president; Riverside residents Emanuela Sacca and Addie Wallace, co-membership vice presidents; Riverside resident Christine Zogas, board secretary; Hinsdale resident Katherine Sahlas, branch secretary; Thea Marhoul, finance vice president; and Brookfield resident Nancy Scott, immediate past president.

The AAUW is open to all graduates who hold an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

Big winners

Nick Rogoz and Abby Gombis each won bicycles in the raffle at the annual Brookfield Police Bike Rodeo held this year on May 22 at the Brookfield village hall complex.

One bicycle was provided by Walmart. The other was purchased with money from an anonymous elderly man who, according to Brookfield police Lt. Ed Petrak, drops off $100 at the dispatch window each year before the bike rodeo.

On campus

Michael Peterson, of Riverside, graduated June 30 from the basic nursing assistant training program offered by The British Home in Brookfield. Peterson was part of a class of eight individuals who participated in the program, which prepares students for certified nursing assistant licensure by state of Illinois.

Brookfield resident Erica Roldan was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester of the 2009-10 school year for her academic achievement in the college ofArts and Sciences at Loyola University in Chicago.

Roldan is a graduate of St. Leonard School in Berwyn and Riverside-Brookfield High School. She is the daughter of Charlene and Jairo Roldan.

Shannon Cawley and Patrick Kelly, of Brookfield, were named all-conference athletes for their exploits at Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park. Cawley was an infielder for the Roadrunners’ softball team, while Kelly was a pitcher for the baseball team.

In addition, North Riverside resident and Nazareth senior Stephanie Rokicki was named an IHSA scholar-athlete for achieving at least a 3.5 grade-point average after six semester. She was a member of the girls lacrosse team.

Finally, North Riverside resident Michael Dore, a member of the Roadrunners’ track team, was recognized for being a top-three medalist at the East Suburban Catholic Conference meet in the triple jump (2nd) and 400-meter relay (3rd), a top-three medalist at the IHSA sectional meet in the triple jump (3rd) and 400-meter relay (2nd), IHSA sectional champion in the long jump and IHSA state meet qualifier in the 400-meter relay.

Club officers named

The Just-In-Between Club of North Riverside has announced its officers for 2010. They are (seated, from left) Barbara Gurski, president; Edwina Notwell, second vice president; Dolores Krochman, treasurer; (standing, from left) Elaine Abbinante, co-first vice president; Barbara Vandervort, co-first vice president; and Myra Zak, secretary. The Just-In-Between Club accepts new members, who must be residents of North Riverside at least 50 years of age and not more than 64 years of age at the time of joining. The purpose of the club is provide good fellowship, recreation and community service.

Riverside Lions Club names new officers

Jack Wiaduck was sworn in by Lions District 1A Governor Ray Jachim as president of the Riverside Township Lions Club at the club’s annual installation dinner at the Scottish Home in North Riverside.

Wiaduck succeeds Jon Jansky, who served three terms as president. Other new officers are Olga Sylvester, first vice president; Joe Dvorak, second; and Kevin Frontone, third vice president. Secretary Chuck Courtney and Treasurer Ben Gulino will remain in their positions. Elections were held at the club’s May meeting.

Also installed were Melissa Kotrba and Jerry Kosik, tail twisters; John O’Brien, Ray Stuchly, Carmela Albachiara and Adam Yurkiw, Lion tamers; and Scott Jansen, chaplain.

Elected to one-year terms on the Board of Directors were Alan Ashby, Ralph Choutka, Robert J. Lifka, Shirley Misare and Mike Wimmer.

Elected to two-year terms were Diane Ceragioli, Alex Gallegos, JoAnne and Joe Kosey, Dave Moravecek, Robin Mooney and David Vesecky.