Theatre School Building Opens this Fall

The new Theatre School building, located at southwest corner of Racine and Fullerton on the Lincoln Park Campus, will open this Fall in time for the 2013-2014 school year.

The DES is organizing a tour of the new facility following our November 1, 2013 Fall Luncheon.  Hope you will be able to join us for the luncheon and tour.

South east corner view on Racine

East entrance on Racine

North east corner of building at Racine and Fullerton

For more information about what the Theatre School building will include, click here.
If you are on the Lincoln Park Campus, stop by and enjoy the beautiful new addition.

Photos courtesy: Elaine M. Beaudoin

Note from Fr. Richardson

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

2013 Scholarship Recipients - Very Grateful

This past Spring, seven scholarships were granted from the DePaul Emeritus Society Endowed Scholarship and the Office of Mission and Values matching funds.   Our scholarship funds are earmarked for Juniors and Seniors.

Four recipients graduated this past Spring and answered the question:  What does this scholarship mean to you and your family?

"This scholarship means a lot to me, as well as my family.  We have gone through a financial hardship this year, and it has really relieved a lot of stress in our lives right now.  I was always told I would never make it to a big school because it would be too expensive.  But I am graduating this June and I am so proud that I have come this far, with everyone's help.  Thank you!"

"This scholarship has provided a means to finish my education.  It gave me the resources to finance my final semester at DePaul and get my bachelor's degree.  To my family, this scholarship provides the first graduate of a higher education institution."

"It means the ability to rest easy at night.  My mother already works two jobs, and I work over 30 hours a week plus I attend school full time.  Without this scholarship, I would need to work extra time, and it would impact my studies.  I am really grateful for your generous contribution, and I hope that I make the most of it."

"This means too much to express in words.  Coming from a family that needs to work twice as hard to get anywhere, the money is appreciated. To me, this scholarship pushes me to work harder in order to finish school and stay motivated, despite the workload and stress that comes with it.  Still, I continue to tell myself that it will all be worth it in the end.  Donors that contribute to our education make it all worth it, and they prove to us that our education matters to them, too."

Thank you to all of our DES donors and congratulations to our 2013 DES Scholarship graduates.

Source: Office of Development, Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations, July 3, 2013