Byrne Hall

Byrne Hall
The Academy building was turned over to DePaul University, and renamed Byrne Hall. Bygone DePaul | Special Collections & Archives

Introduction

About the DePaul Emeritus Society

DePaul University values its ongoing connections with its faculty and staff retirees, as it values their past contributions to the university’s mission. The DePaul University Emeritus Society was founded in 2008 with the merger of the Staff Emeritus Society and the Emeritus Professors Association. The Society is sponsored by the University’s Office of Mission and Values.

The purpose of the DePaul Emeritus Society is to provide a means for ongoing connection, communication, and socialization between the university and its emeritus faculty and staff, and between individual retirees whose professional lives were for so many years dedicated to university service.

Photos, events, and information of interest to members of the DePaul Emeritus Society will be posted to this blog. Please take a look, add your comment, offer to be an "author" or just enjoy.

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

In Memoriam - Jill O'Brien

 

Jill O'Brien, professor emeritus in the College of Communication, passed away on June 30. She served DePaul University for 34 years, in the Department of Communication and then the College of Communication, in roles that included associate dean of the college, chair of the department and the second communication studies program director.

During her career at DePaul, O'Brien made substantive contributions to the development of the communication program, including expanding the curriculum to include organizational and interpersonal communication, generating the first concentrations in the communication curriculum, authoring the constitution of the newly formed Department of Communication and the restructuring and professionalization of the DePaul radio station.

O'Brien also developed the first adjunct-faculty orientation program, which became a model for other colleges at the university.

Even as she prepared for retirement, O'Brien made substantial contributions on the University Committee on Academic Policy. She will always be remembered for her wonderful laugh, her great sense of humor and her tremendous work ethic.

Finally, upon retirement in 2014, O'Brien received the Via Sapientiae Award, the highest honor DePaul can bestow upon a member of the university community, in recognition of her distinctive and extraordinary contributions.

Source: DePaul Newline Online, July 8, 2021

**************************************************************************************

Jill Louise O'Brien, PhD, OP (formerly Sr Job) of Chicago, IL died peacefully in her home Wednesday afternoon, June 30, 2021. Jill's parents John J & Jean V. (née Pellettieri) O'Brien preceded her in death. Jill is survived by her two siblings: John D O'Brien, Dr. Judith A O'Brien (the late Malcolm) Heyworth and three beloved nieces: Catherine Heyworth, Christina Heyworth, Caroline Heyworth. Family, faith, learning and teaching were Jill's passions. 

Jill had a big personality. Her wonderful laugh, gift for funny storytelling, quick wit, and deep loyalty will always be remembered by those lucky enough to have known her. 

Jill's formal education began at Queen of All Saints elementary school, Regina Dominican High School and Siena Heights College in Adrian MI where she took vows as a Dominican (1968), Her formal education continued at Loyola University (Chicago) and then the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) where she earned her doctorate in Communication (1974). Jill's list of lifelong learning achievements and certifications are innumerable. Jill taught many levels of students ranging from 1st graders (Toledo, OH) to college students at Murray State U (KY)and then undergrad, grad, post-grad & professional students through DePaul University, (Chicago) where she was on the faculty for over 34 years. During her long career she was instrumental in expanding the Communication class offerings through their English Dept. When a Dept. of Communication was created Jill authored it's constitution, generated the first concentrations in the new department's curriculum and served as it's second-ever chairperson. She was also responsible for restructuring and professionalizing DePaul's radio station. DePaul eventually launched a separate College of Communication (2008) with Jill developing many of it's new programs & initiatives including a first ever orientation program for adjunct faculty which became the model for other colleges. Even as she prepared for retirement Jill served on the University Committee on Academic Policy. After her retirement Jill became a recipient of DePaul's Via Sapientiae Award - the highest award which can be conferred upon a member of the DePaul community to recognize distinctive and extraordinary contributions to the university throughout a professional career. 

Jill also had a full private life which included volunteering enormous amounts of her time, energy & boundless talents to her work for the Dominicans. This included serving on the Advisory Board of Dominican University 's McGreal Center. She was the Central Province archivist and in 2013 crafted the Lay Dominican Oral History project (LDOH). Jill was honored to represent Dominican Laity for the entire USA in Rome for the 800th anniversary of the death of St Dominic (2017). Jill touched thousands of lives during her lifetime. 

In her home during her last days on earth a priest from her longtime parish (QAS) anointed her, Rainbow Hospice followed her, closest family cared for her & sat vigil in person as countless others added their prayers for the angel of peace to watch over Jill and lead her to the reign of God. St Catherine of Siena said "be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire". Jill did just that. Services and interment private. Burial Mt Carmel Cemetery. Prayers, masses, & sharing of a memory on her memorial at www.smithcorcoran.com and www.legacy.com would be appreciated. For further information contact Smith Corcoran Funeral Home at 773-736-3833

Source: Chicago Tribune, July 11, 2021, page 36

1 comment: