It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death last week of Cindy Summers who worked in Student Affairs at DePaul for more than thirty years.
Cynthia Summers worked at DePaul University from 1983 to 2014 in a variety of positions. In her final two years at DePaul, Cindy was asked to serve as the interim vice president for Student Affairs from August 2012 - July 2014. Prior to that she served as an Associate Vice President for student advocacy and community relations, overseeing the Center for Students with Disabilities; Adult, Veteran and Commuter Student Affairs; University Counseling Services and the Dean of Students Office. Cindy also served as dean of students and director of Student Life, coordinating the areas of Student Activities, Student Centers, Food Services and Residence Life in her early years at DePaul.
Cindy was a key leader in the successful growth and development of the Student Affairs division at DePaul, as well as the growth of the physical campus. In 1985, Cindy oversaw the building of a new student residence, University Hall, which was a key component of the university's master plan during its time of strategic growth. She also served as an original member of the Neighborhood Advisory Committee, helping to establish a positive relationship between DePaul and the surrounding campus neighborhood.
Cindy's dedication to students and their success resulted in numerous new programs and services over the years. She played a key role in creating DePaul's Veteran Affairs office, the office of Health Promotion and Wellness and the expansion of University Counseling Services. In her role as Dean of Students she revamped the University's student conduct process and also created the Student Care Team, a group of professionals dedicated to meeting weekly to review student cases and discuss how best to handle them for both the student's and the community's well-being.
Cindy was a true-blue Blue Demon who served as a long-time Athletic Board member and a Mens Basketball season ticket holder for over 30 years.
Cindy had a significant impact on so many students and staff and was instrumental in the growth and development of many young professionals who are now successful professionals in the field. Her Vincentian legacy will live on at DePaul and within the Student Affairs profession for many years to come. Cindy will be greatly missed by many in the DePaul community as a great friend and colleague. Her love of DePaul, her positive attitude, can-do spirit and love of quotes are just a few ways in which she will be fondly remembered.
Cindy is survived by her husband Bruce.
Visitation for Cindy will take place on Friday, September 28th from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1010 W. Webster Avenue. Visitation will be followed by a Mass of the Resurrection at 11:00 a.m. Lunch to follow. May she rest in peace.
Source: Mission and Ministry email, September 9, 2018
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CYNTHIA'S OBITUARY
Cynthia M. Summers, 64, of Chicago, Illinois, died September 7, 2018, at her home after an extended illness, with her husband Bruce at her side. She was born on January 1, 1954, in Morris, Illinois to Donald and Nancy (Michaels) McCarter, who preceded her in death.
Bruce and Cindy were married in 1977 and enjoyed over 40 years together. Cindy is the beloved sister to three brothers: Alan (Linda Schiel) McCarter, Riverside, IL: Christian (Lori Ingmanson) McCarter, Ottawa, IL: and Gregory (Leticia Bastida) McCarter,Aurora, IL. She is a loving aunt and great inspiration to 14 nieces and nephews and eight great nieces and nephews. Cindy attended Nettle Creek Grade School, a small farm school. At Morris High School Cindy was a cheerleader. She continued that enthusiastic support cheering her brothers over the years at Motocross racing and decades of Chicago Marathons, Chicago professional sports teams and her beloved DePaul Blue Demons. Her brothers could always count on seeing Cindy at mile 12 where they were greeted with cheering and a bag of sliced oranges.
Cindy earned her Bachelor of Science in Education and her Masters of Science in Education from Illinois State University. Her professional academic career began at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, from there she moved to the Student Services Department at Barat College in Lake Forest, Illinois before joining the staff at DePaul University in 1983. Cindy was employed there for over 31 years until her retirement as Associate Vice President for student advocacy and community relations. In 2014, Cindy received the Via Sapientiae Award from DePaul, the university’s highest honor for faculty and staff. In her career she held the positions of Interim Vice President, Dean of Students, and Director of Student Life. Helping students reach their fullest potential was at the center of everything Cindy did. She was an admired mentor to her colleagues, helping them understand the profession, its values, and priorities.
As a leader in DePaul’s Division of Student Affairs, Cindy played a primary role in establishing a Student Emergency Assistance Fund to help students in time of need. The fund assists
students when they are experiencing a financial crisis that impedes their academic progress. She also played a key role in creating the Student Veterans Department at the University, which is a service center in support of DePaul students who served in the military. Cindy was instrumental in developing and growing the office of Health Promotion and Wellness. The office provides comprehensive programs and services that address health related issues that students must learn to manage throughout their lives. She also served as an original member of the Neighborhood Advisory Committee, helping to establish a positive relationship between DePaul and the surrounding campus neighborhood. The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators was proud to call her a member. Cindy was a longtime avid supporter of DePaul Blue Demon athletics who served as an Athletic Board member. She was a season ticket holder for over 30 years, which showed her true school spirit and respect for the contributions student athletes made to the university.
A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, September 28, 2018 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic
Church, 1010 W. Webster Ave., Chicago, at 10:00 AM. A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will
follow at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, commemorative donations can be made in Cindy’s honor to the DePaul
Student Emergency Assistance Fund or the DePaul Veterans Fund at the DePaul Giving
website: https://alumni.depaul.edu/GiveNow/Home. Please list the fund of your choice in the
“Other Funds” section and place Cindy’s name in the “Special Instructions” box. Donations can
also be mailed to the address below. Please specify your preferred fund.
DePaul University
Advancement Gift Processing
1 E Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60604
The family gives special thanks to JourneyCare Hospice for their kind and loving support.
Cindy’s beautiful life will forever be cherished by her family and friends.
If you would like to leave a message for Cindy's family, you may click on the link below in the source and then click on the "Guest Book" button.
Source: Nelson Funeral Home website: https://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/obituary/cynthia-summers?lud=2A8239EA8AF424915C67E79670E42E86&fh_id=14777
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