In Memoriam - Charles Schulz

May 2008 DES Luncheon

Charles K. Schulz, 84, of Des Plaines, died at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Rainbow Hospice in Park Ridge.

Charles was born October 29, 1928 in Ottumwa, IA the son of Charles and Marjorie Kirk Schulz.

Charles was active in the Boy Scouts as a child and achieved the level of Eagle Scout. He was a 1947 graduate of Springfield High School. He then served his country in the Army from 1954-1956. He went on to graduate from Illinois Wesleyan University with a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts. While at Wesleyan, he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Episcopoi, and Independent Men on Campus. He later worked at DePaul University from 1970-1992 in the library as circulation security. He was a member of the Faith Congregation, had a great interest in Abraham Lincoln, and was an avid coin collector.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by one son, Kirk (wife, Pam) Schulz; two grandchildren, Ryan and Allison Schulz; one sister, Eleanor (husband, Ozkul) Akin of Istanbul, Turkey; two nieces, Tulin Pulley and Sermin Atlig; and one nephew, Huseyin Akin.

Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield with Celebrant Judy Woerner officiating.

Entombment will follow at the Oak Ridge Cemetery Chapel Mausoleum.

Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.

The DES thanks Charles' son, Kirk, for sharing information on his Dad, March 29, 2013

In Memoriam - Mary Ciukowski

We learned today that Mary Agnes Ciukowski, one of our staff DES members, died on August 18, 2012.  She was born on March 29, 1922 and worked at DePaul in the 1970s and 1980s at the Lincoln Park Campus.  We are thankful to her son Joseph for informing us of his mother's death. Our sympathy is extended to Mary's family.  May she rest in peace.

Richardson Letter, March 2013

March 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

Spring is filled with hope. Snow and frozen ground give way to the beauty of spring flowers. Warm breezes bring freshness to all of nature. Thus I convince myself of the value of living through a bone-chilling Chicago winter.

Spring also brings us the feast of Easter which each year strengthens my conviction that after this life I will join the risen Christ in a new form of life filled with eternal happiness. This faith becomes ever more relevant as old age steadily weakens my capacities and every advancing year brings death to more of those dear to me.

But here too I find hope in the new life that young parents bring us. Those of us involved in educating youth can see our students’ talents developing and their visions expanding to bring greater blessings to future generations. In preparing eulogies for recently deceased dear friends I became more convinced that the deceaseds’ deep influence for good lives after them, that their lives can still mean much to us.

The expanding ease of communicating with family and friends has relieved me of much of the burden of air travel. In January, however, I did fly down to the Naples area of Florida for a few days to freshen my and DePaul’s friendship with countless alumni, benefactors and friends. The reception given me was most gratifying and my University companions took care of local travel and accommodations.

About a month ago gall stones began causing pain in the different organs of my stomach. My doctor quickly and accurately diagnosed the problem and recommended a surgeon at Northwestern Hospital to remove my gall bladder. Early in March the laparoscopic surgery went well, and in just a few days I had completely recovered. The doctors, nurses and technical staff of the hospital could not have given me more attention and treated me more kindly.

Our University President and the Advancement Department to which I’m attached give me few assignments, “work”. At the same time I truly enjoy supporting DePaul in whatever way I can. Just to live in a university community that encourages critical thinking and opening to change is truly gratifying. Hence, my life is a very happy one.

May each of you find an equal share of happiness. And may this Easter season bring you God’s special love and grace,

Your dear and close friend,



"Risen" image source: www.churchmedia.net

DePaul Leaves Big East ... For the Big East

March 12, 2013

Dear University Community,

This morning DePaul University, along with the six basketball-focused institutions in the BIG EAST Conference voted unanimously to separate from the conference. DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John's and Villanova are setting a foundation to continue the elite level of success upon which the BIG EAST conference was founded.

The seven presidents and athletics directors are committed to the highest level of success academically and athletically by our student-athletes and coaches. This premier athletics conference starts on July 1 as the BIG EAST* and will feature institutions with similar commitments that will enable each program to flourish as we all move forward in the future.

DePaul's tradition of success coincides with the six other institutions with our men's basketball program making 22 NCAA Tournament appearances. At nearly 1,400 victories and 23 20-win seasons, DePaul also has produced 19 All-Americans in men's basketball. Our women's basketball program is looking for its 11th straight NCAA Tournament appearance this season, while head coach Doug Bruno is coming off a gold medal-winning performance at the 2012 London Olympics.

Academically, among our many accomplishments, DePaul student-athletes are among the best in the country. DePaul led the BIG EAST with five teams earning the Team Academic Award while 150 student-athletes were named to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team. The men's golf program claimed the nation's top team GPA for the third straight year, and the women's basketball team GPA was ranked third nationally.

This is an exciting time to be a member of the University community. Our future alignment will allow our alumni and friends to gather in some of the nation's greatest cities to build upon our vibrant community and cheer the Blue Demons to victory.

Details about the expected broadcast media deal, season-ending tournament and additional members of the new conference will be announced in the near future. The upcoming media deal will allow our students, alumni, fans and friends to follow DePaul as they compete against the top programs in the country.

We look forward to this next chapter in DePaul athletics history. Thank you for the many ways that you support DePaul. Wishing you and yours a joyous spring.

Go DePaul !

Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, C.M.,                           Jean Lenti Ponsetto
President                                                                  Director of Athletics


Email from the Office of the Secretary, DePaul University


* The Catholic 7, who announced their intention to leave the Big East next season, will actually be the Big East next season, bringing the name, the brand and the postseason tournament held in Madison Square Garden as they break off from the football-playing schools.
Source: NBC Sports - CollegeBasketballTalk, online,  March 12, 2013.