Rev. John T. Richardson, C.M.,
Chancellor
DePaul University
August, 2013
Dear Family
and Friends,
This has been
a meaningful summer for me, liturgically returning to God the soul of an
especially dear friend of almost sixty years, and presiding at the wedding of a
remarkable young couple whose family will bring glory to God for many decades
to come.
As my years
lengthen to almost four score and ten, every day brings me word of illness
among my Vincentian confreres and other friends of many years whose age is
increasing along with my own. On the one
hand, the infirmities of the aged sadden me; on the other, it brings me hope
that God is giving us longer life so we can be of more help to others, that our
love, friendship and mutual dependence can grow stronger. These attributes give our lives much deeper
meaning.
Life here at
DePaul continues to be most enjoyable.
Since so much of my life has been invested in the University, every step
of progress in learning and research, public recognition signaled by community
support, and the unbelievable development of both our Lincoln Park and Loop
campuses are most heartening. I value
the closeness I still have with many of the faculty, administration and
trustees of the University. Our
President, Father Holtschneider, recognizes the importance of the social cement
which holds us together personally, and so schedules many gatherings that build
a community of talented people who know and appreciate each other.
My official
involvement in the University continues to be in the Development activities,
building ever stronger ties with our alumni, benefactors and retired
faculty/administrators. My ties are more
important with the friends of my own era who worked with me years ago to help
build the great University that is DePaul.
I have some misgivings when I speak of the financial support these
friends can continue to give the University by including us in their estate
planning. Invariably, however, these
friends are most understanding of my mixed role of personal closeness and
pocket-picker.
In just a few
weeks DePaul will be dedicating the magnificent new home for our Theatre
School. The building, on the western end
of our Lincoln Park Campus, is unbelievable.
Some forty years ago, when we adopted the Goodman School of Drama from
the Art Institute, we promised the theatre students and faculty that we would
one day provide a physical facility worthy of their fame. We have now met this promise.
With
multitudes of Catholics – and non-Catholics - around the world I am heartened by
the words and conduct of our new Pope Francis.
I pray that his leadership will effect a spiritual and moral renewal in
all parts of our universe.
To each and
every one of you my fond regards.
Your dear and
close friend,
John Richardson
