Ellen McCauley Zerega, Interview with Chris Mattix, 2022
Item
Ellen McCauley Zerega (WLA, Mundelein College 1979 Class Photograph)
Interview Transcript
Title
Ellen McCauley Zerega, Interview with Chris Mattix, 2022
Summary
Ellen McCauley Zerega was born and raised on the westside of Chicago, Il, she is the fourth of six children. She attended school at Our Lady Help of Christians, a BVM institution. After high school, Ellen the University of Illinois Chicago (then known as Circle), where her brother also attended, from 1975-1977 where she was the secretary of the history student association. In this position, she helped to bring President Jimmy Carter and Rev. Jesse Jackson to campus.
In the fall of 1977, she transferred to Mundelein College as a commuter student continuing her history education with a hope of teaching. At Mundelein, she served as the president of the history student association and was inducted into the history honor society Phi Alpha Theta. Ellen fondly remembers her time at Mundelein, particularly her student teaching experience and her interaction with faculty. Ellen also held a part-time position at Saks 5th Avenue.
Shortly after graduation, Ellen married her husband Joe Zerega in 1979. Joe and Ellen welcomed their eldest daughter in 1984, her son in 1985, her second daughter in 1988, and her youngest in 1991. After the birth of her son Ellen chose to become a stay-at-home mother to care for her children before going into business with her husband Joe, starting Preferred Network Access, a healthcare cost containment company in 1995 which is still in operation.
Content Note: These collections may include language or descriptions of events that may be upsetting to some users.
In the fall of 1977, she transferred to Mundelein College as a commuter student continuing her history education with a hope of teaching. At Mundelein, she served as the president of the history student association and was inducted into the history honor society Phi Alpha Theta. Ellen fondly remembers her time at Mundelein, particularly her student teaching experience and her interaction with faculty. Ellen also held a part-time position at Saks 5th Avenue.
Shortly after graduation, Ellen married her husband Joe Zerega in 1979. Joe and Ellen welcomed their eldest daughter in 1984, her son in 1985, her second daughter in 1988, and her youngest in 1991. After the birth of her son Ellen chose to become a stay-at-home mother to care for her children before going into business with her husband Joe, starting Preferred Network Access, a healthcare cost containment company in 1995 which is still in operation.
Content Note: These collections may include language or descriptions of events that may be upsetting to some users.
Date Created
January 22, 2022
Biography
Ellen McCauley Zerega attended Mundelein College for two years, from 1977 to 1979, after transferring from U of I Chicago (then known as Circle). While a commuter student, Ellen majored in history and participated in the History Student Association as the president and was inducted into the history honor society Phi Alpha Theta. Ellen attended Our Lady Help of Christians, a BVM (Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary) high school before choosing to continue her education at BVM institutions. While at Mundelein, Ellen was a student teacher and had a passion for education and child development. Ellen also held a part-time position at Saks 5th Avenue. She looks back at her education at Mundelein with fondness and thanks her mentors for instilling a passion for social justice and a message of love for mankind. Shortly after graduation, Ellen married her husband Joe Zerega in 1979. Joe and Ellen welcomed their eldest daughter in 1984, her son in 1985, her second daughter in 1988, and her youngest in 1991. After the birth of her son, Ellen chose to become a stay-at-home mother to care for her children before going into business with her husband Joe, starting Preferred Network Access, a healthcare cost containment company in 1995.
Interviewer Biography
Chris Mattix was a graduate student in the Public History Master’s program at Loyola University Chicago and a graduate assistant at the Women in Leadership Archives in 2021-2023. Chris received their bachelor’s degree in history and human communication from Western Michigan University in 2020 and focuses on the history of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Time Log
0-5 Minutes: Zerega’s family and educational background, why she chose to transfer to Mundelein College, her marriage and children, and her business Preferred Network Access.
5-10 Minutes: Zerega’s time at University of Illinois at Chicago Circle, her involvement with the History Student Association, her interest in Mundelein and the transition to Mundelein.
10-15 Minutes: The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commuting to Mundelein, her history major, influential professors, and Mundelein graduation requirements.
15-20 Minutes: Taking philosophy classes, education methods classes, student teaching, the preschool at Mundelein College, and Zerega's approach to teaching.
20-25 Minutes: Zerega's approach to teaching,
25-30 Minutes: Zerega reflects on how Mundelein prepared her for the job market, Russian studies and history classes.
30-35 Minutes: Controversial classes at Mundelein, the weekend college at Mundelein, Zerega’s spare time on campus,
35-40 Minutes: Zerega’s time as president of the Mundelein History Student Association, studying at the library, Mundelein’s relationship with Loyola, student socialization, local businesses, activities around the city, and balancing her social life and academics.
40-45 Minutes: Zerega reflects on changes at Mundelein during her time, the BVMs on campus, and national events that occurred.
45-50 Minutes: Social justice and activism on campus, Zerega’s politics and beliefs, and BVM activism.
50-55 Minutes: Zerega reflects on her personal activism, spirituality, and her views on humanity.
55-60 Minutes: Zerega reflects on the importance of being authentic and faculty and other students that impacted her.
60-65 Minutes: Mundelein History Student Association, the Phu Alpha Theta honor fraternity, Zerega's job as a student, social activities, volunteer activities, and interactions with retired nuns.
65-68:41 Minutes: Zerega reflects on the impact of Mundelein alumni Jane Trahey and final reflections on her time at Mundelein.
5-10 Minutes: Zerega’s time at University of Illinois at Chicago Circle, her involvement with the History Student Association, her interest in Mundelein and the transition to Mundelein.
10-15 Minutes: The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commuting to Mundelein, her history major, influential professors, and Mundelein graduation requirements.
15-20 Minutes: Taking philosophy classes, education methods classes, student teaching, the preschool at Mundelein College, and Zerega's approach to teaching.
20-25 Minutes: Zerega's approach to teaching,
25-30 Minutes: Zerega reflects on how Mundelein prepared her for the job market, Russian studies and history classes.
30-35 Minutes: Controversial classes at Mundelein, the weekend college at Mundelein, Zerega’s spare time on campus,
35-40 Minutes: Zerega’s time as president of the Mundelein History Student Association, studying at the library, Mundelein’s relationship with Loyola, student socialization, local businesses, activities around the city, and balancing her social life and academics.
40-45 Minutes: Zerega reflects on changes at Mundelein during her time, the BVMs on campus, and national events that occurred.
45-50 Minutes: Social justice and activism on campus, Zerega’s politics and beliefs, and BVM activism.
50-55 Minutes: Zerega reflects on her personal activism, spirituality, and her views on humanity.
55-60 Minutes: Zerega reflects on the importance of being authentic and faculty and other students that impacted her.
60-65 Minutes: Mundelein History Student Association, the Phu Alpha Theta honor fraternity, Zerega's job as a student, social activities, volunteer activities, and interactions with retired nuns.
65-68:41 Minutes: Zerega reflects on the impact of Mundelein alumni Jane Trahey and final reflections on her time at Mundelein.
Index
Berlin Wall, EZ 45-50
Birth of a Nation, EZ 5-10,
Black Lives Matter, EZ 50-55
Boleyn, Anne, EZ 25-30,
Burke, Donalda (Sister), EZ 25-30,
Cantieri, Pat, EZ 15-20, EZ 45-50,
Carter, Jimmy, EZ 5-10, EZ 40-45, EZ 60-65
Chicago, IL., EZ 0-5, EZ 5-10, EZ 35-40, EZ 55-60, EZ 65-68:41
Chicago ‘L’ Train, EZ 5-10, EZ 15-20,
Chicago Loop, EZ 55-60
Clinton, IL., EZ 45-50,
The Communist Manifesto, EZ 45-50
Crowley, Joan Frances (Sister), EZ 25-30, EZ 45-50, EZ 55-60,
DePaul University, EZ 20-25,
Detroit, MI., EZ 5-10,
Facebook, EZ 45-50,
Fort Meyers Beach, FL., EZ 0-5
Frances, Carol, EZ 10-15, EZ 25-30, EZ 55-60,
Furmaniak, Jeanette, EZ 55-60
Hamilton's- A Chicago Bar-Grill, EZ 35-40,
Jackson, Jesse, EZ 5-10, EZ 60-65
Jegen, Carol Frances (Sister), EZ 40-45, EZ 55-60,
Kennedy, John F., EZ 30-35,
Koehler, Susan, EZ 55-60,
King, Martin Luthur Jr., EZ 30-35,
Lake Michigan, EZ 35-40,
Leading Men (company), EZ 45-50,
Lenin, Vladimir, EZ 55-60,
Lifka, Lauranne, EZ 10-15, EZ 55-60,
Lion Yarn, EZ 45-50,
Loyola University Chicago, EZ 10-15, EZ 25-30, EZ 35-40, EZ 45-50,
Loyola University Chicago Sullivan Center, EZ 15-20, EZ 35-40,
Loyola University Chicago John Felice Rome Center, EZ 35-40,
Lyric Opera, EZ 35-40,
Marygrove College, EZ 5-10,
Monos del Uruguay (company), EZ 45-50,
Monopoly (game), EZ 15-20,
Mundelein College, EZ 0-5, EZ 5-10, EZ 10-15, EZ 15-20, EZ 25-30, EZ 35-40, EZ 40-45, EZ 45-50, EZ 50-55, EZ 55-60, EZ 60-65, EZ 65-68:41
Mundelein College Learning Resource Center, EZ 15-20, EZ 35-40,
Mundelein College Piper Hall, EZ 35-40, EZ 40-45,
Mundelein College Skyscraper Building, EZ 30-35,
Mundelein College Tea Room, EZ 10-15, EZ 30-35, EZ 35-40, EZ 55-60, EZ 60-65
Mundelein College Wright Hall, EZ 10-15, EZ 60-65
My Pie (restaurant), EZ 35-40,
Northwestern University, EZ 15-20,
Obrochta, Tom, EZ 15-20,
Orr, David, EZ 30-35,
Our Lady of Help of Christians, EZ 0-5, EZ 5-10,
Palmer, Annelie, EZ 55-60,
Penny, Louise, EZ 55-60,
Preferred Network Access, EZ 0-5
Rome, Italy, EZ 35-40,
Roosevelt, Franklin D., EZ 55-60,
Sack, Jim, EZ 10-15,
Saks Fifth Avenue, EZ 5-10, EZ 60-65
Schmidt, Jean Dolores (Sister), EZ 40-45, EZ 55-60,
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM), EZ 0-5, EZ 10-15, EZ 40-45, EZ 45-50, EZ 50-55,
St. Gerturde Catholic Church, EZ 15-20,
Steppenwolf (band), EZ 35-40,
Trahey, Jane, EZ 65-68:41
The Trouble with Angels, EZ 65-68:41
Tudor, Henry VIII, EZ 25-30,
University of Illinois at Chicago Circle, EZ 0-5, EZ 5-10, EZ 10-15, EZ 40-45, EZ 55-60, EZ 60-65
University of Michigan, EZ 10-15,
Wilson, Woodrow, EZ 55-60,
Wisdom Bridge Theater, EZ 35-40,
Zerega, Joe, EZ 0-5, EZ 35-40,
Birth of a Nation, EZ 5-10,
Black Lives Matter, EZ 50-55
Boleyn, Anne, EZ 25-30,
Burke, Donalda (Sister), EZ 25-30,
Cantieri, Pat, EZ 15-20, EZ 45-50,
Carter, Jimmy, EZ 5-10, EZ 40-45, EZ 60-65
Chicago, IL., EZ 0-5, EZ 5-10, EZ 35-40, EZ 55-60, EZ 65-68:41
Chicago ‘L’ Train, EZ 5-10, EZ 15-20,
Chicago Loop, EZ 55-60
Clinton, IL., EZ 45-50,
The Communist Manifesto, EZ 45-50
Crowley, Joan Frances (Sister), EZ 25-30, EZ 45-50, EZ 55-60,
DePaul University, EZ 20-25,
Detroit, MI., EZ 5-10,
Facebook, EZ 45-50,
Fort Meyers Beach, FL., EZ 0-5
Frances, Carol, EZ 10-15, EZ 25-30, EZ 55-60,
Furmaniak, Jeanette, EZ 55-60
Hamilton's- A Chicago Bar-Grill, EZ 35-40,
Jackson, Jesse, EZ 5-10, EZ 60-65
Jegen, Carol Frances (Sister), EZ 40-45, EZ 55-60,
Kennedy, John F., EZ 30-35,
Koehler, Susan, EZ 55-60,
King, Martin Luthur Jr., EZ 30-35,
Lake Michigan, EZ 35-40,
Leading Men (company), EZ 45-50,
Lenin, Vladimir, EZ 55-60,
Lifka, Lauranne, EZ 10-15, EZ 55-60,
Lion Yarn, EZ 45-50,
Loyola University Chicago, EZ 10-15, EZ 25-30, EZ 35-40, EZ 45-50,
Loyola University Chicago Sullivan Center, EZ 15-20, EZ 35-40,
Loyola University Chicago John Felice Rome Center, EZ 35-40,
Lyric Opera, EZ 35-40,
Marygrove College, EZ 5-10,
Monos del Uruguay (company), EZ 45-50,
Monopoly (game), EZ 15-20,
Mundelein College, EZ 0-5, EZ 5-10, EZ 10-15, EZ 15-20, EZ 25-30, EZ 35-40, EZ 40-45, EZ 45-50, EZ 50-55, EZ 55-60, EZ 60-65, EZ 65-68:41
Mundelein College Learning Resource Center, EZ 15-20, EZ 35-40,
Mundelein College Piper Hall, EZ 35-40, EZ 40-45,
Mundelein College Skyscraper Building, EZ 30-35,
Mundelein College Tea Room, EZ 10-15, EZ 30-35, EZ 35-40, EZ 55-60, EZ 60-65
Mundelein College Wright Hall, EZ 10-15, EZ 60-65
My Pie (restaurant), EZ 35-40,
Northwestern University, EZ 15-20,
Obrochta, Tom, EZ 15-20,
Orr, David, EZ 30-35,
Our Lady of Help of Christians, EZ 0-5, EZ 5-10,
Palmer, Annelie, EZ 55-60,
Penny, Louise, EZ 55-60,
Preferred Network Access, EZ 0-5
Rome, Italy, EZ 35-40,
Roosevelt, Franklin D., EZ 55-60,
Sack, Jim, EZ 10-15,
Saks Fifth Avenue, EZ 5-10, EZ 60-65
Schmidt, Jean Dolores (Sister), EZ 40-45, EZ 55-60,
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM), EZ 0-5, EZ 10-15, EZ 40-45, EZ 45-50, EZ 50-55,
St. Gerturde Catholic Church, EZ 15-20,
Steppenwolf (band), EZ 35-40,
Trahey, Jane, EZ 65-68:41
The Trouble with Angels, EZ 65-68:41
Tudor, Henry VIII, EZ 25-30,
University of Illinois at Chicago Circle, EZ 0-5, EZ 5-10, EZ 10-15, EZ 40-45, EZ 55-60, EZ 60-65
University of Michigan, EZ 10-15,
Wilson, Woodrow, EZ 55-60,
Wisdom Bridge Theater, EZ 35-40,
Zerega, Joe, EZ 0-5, EZ 35-40,
Copyright
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