CHICAGO, March 13, 2006 – Peter Cetera, former lead singer for the legendary rock band, Chicago, will perform live in the Grand Ballroom of the Union League Club on April 7 th. The occasion is the annual fundraising dinner for the Newman Catholic Student Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Cetera will reprise an eloquent performance of his greatest hits in collaboration with a string quartet and a historical video of his days with as the legendary voice, songwriter, & bass player for the Multi-Platinum group, Chicago. His world wide success with the Grammy Award winning band , include the hits “If You Leave Me Now”, “Hard to Say I’m Sorry”, “Baby What a Big Surprise”, “You’re the Inspiration”, “Stay the Night”, “Love Me Tomorrow”, “Happy Man”, “Hard Habit to Break”, “Feeling Stronger Every Day”, & “Along Comes a Woman”.

The purpose of Cetera’s special appearance is to join with the John Paul II Newman Center in honoring one of UIC’s great alumna, Sally West Brooks (School of Nursing ’63). In November, Ms. Brooks was named Chairperson of the American Cancer Society. Her new post is the capstone to lifetime vocation of service to those who are challenged by cancer. For the past 33 years, Sally West Brooks' work on behalf of the American Cancer Society has helped untold millions. According to Brooks, "the ACS is the largest private not-for-profit funding organization in the nation," she notes. "I'm deeply honored to be its third woman chairman." When asked how the University of Illinois at Chicago prepared her for the important roles she has held at ACS, West Brooks says, "I think it nurtured the vocation that was always within me and still is."

For over one hundred years, the Catholic Church has served the Illinois Medical District and UIC, the nation’s largest medical school that also boasts one of the most prestigious nursing schools in the country. Since Newman Center Director, Fr. Patrick Marshall, inaugurated the Integritas Institute for Ethics in 1997, the Newman Center has offered Medical ethics lectures to students in the six medical colleges of UIC. This year, the Newman Center will impact more 2,500 students and area professionals through some 50 events in the field of ethics.

Peter Cetera and the UIC Newman Center will honor Ms. Brooks, at the Union League Club’s grand ballroom (65 W. Jackson Boulevard in Chicago), with the Cor ad Cor Loqitor (Heart Speaks to Heart) award at 7pm on April 7 th, 2006. Tickets are $300 per person. For more information regarding attending or supporting this event, please contact Tom Cramer of the UIC Newman Center at 312-226-1880 or TomCramer@JP2Newman.com.