Fr. John Richardson relocates to Perryville, Missouri

DEPAUL HONORS THE REV. JOHN T. RICHARDSON AS HE RELOCATES TO PERRYVILLE, MISSOURI

The Rev. John T. Richardson, C.M., spoke at the 10th annual Emeritus Society Luncheon on May 24. The university honored his legacy at DePaul before he relocates to Perryville, Missouri in June. (DePaul University/Kathy Hillegonds)

After 64 years at DePaul, the Rev. John T. Richardson, C.M., has decided to relocate to St. Mary's of the Barrens, a Vincentian retirement residence in Perryville, Missouri. Fr. Richardson joined DePaul in 1954 as dean of the Graduate School. He served as the 9th president of DePaul from 1981-93 and chancellor from 1993-2017, at which time he became chancellor emeritus.

"Fr. Richardson was one of the first people I met when I came to DePaul, and I'll always be grateful for the time I shared with one of the university's most respected and renowned leaders," says A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D., DePaul's 12th president.

During his tenure as president, Fr. Richardson led an historic expansion of the university. He raised the university's academic stature and strengthened DePaul's impact on the city of Chicago. Under his leadership, the university embarked on its unprecedented $100 million Cornerstone Campaign, resulting in major expansions of DePaul's campuses in both the Loop and Lincoln Park. He was instrumental in the acquisition of the Blackstone Theatre, which later became the Merle Reskin Theatre, as well as the purchase of the Goldblatt's department store building, now known as the DePaul Center. Construction on the university's first free-standing library on the Lincoln Park Campus also began during his presidency.

"For more than half a century, DePaul has been blessed with Fr. Richardson's leadership, wisdom and guidance," Dr. Esteban says. "His vision and focus on the university's Catholic, Vincentian mission to provide a quality education to students of all backgrounds made DePaul the excellent institution it is today. We thank him and wish him much peace and happiness as he settles into his new home in Perryville."

The university celebrated Fr. Richardson at the 10th annual DePaul Emeritus Society Spring Luncheon in May.

If you would like to send a note of appreciation to Fr. Richardson, you may write him at:

The Rev. John T. Richardson, C.M.
St. Mary's of the Barrens
1701 W. St. Joseph St.
Perryville, MO
63775-1599

Source: Elizabeth Clements, Newsline, June 15, 2018

Fr. Richardson September 2016 letter

Fr. Richardson shares with us his thoughts at the beginning of the new school year.

Mailed to retirees and friends of the University, October, 2016

A Note from Fr. Richardson, Chancellor

Fr. Richardson's 2016 Spring Letter

A note from Fr. Richardson --

Click on letter to enlarge

March Newsletter from Fr. Richardson

Source: Email March 3, 2015

Greetings from Fr. Richardson

Easter Greetings from Fr. Richardson

Fr. Richardson's 2013 Christmas Letter

Christmas -- 2013

Fr. Richardson's 90th Birthday Party

The Student Center was filled with well wishers today -- many DES members among them -- to help Fr. Richardson celebrate his 90th birthday.  A few photos from the day:

Doris Brown and Ellin Kelly

Jerry Goldman, Joyce Fecske (former VP of HR), Gerry Timm

Elaine Beaudoin and Nancy Rospenda

Jack Lane and Dave Sims

Jackie Price gives Fr. Richardson a birthday hug.

Fr. Richardson enjoys the crowd singing Happy Birthday -- with Merle Reskin

Father addresses the well wishers

Pat Ewers (Former Academic VP) has a heart to heart with Father

Ellin Kelly, Mary Hie, and Jackie Price

Irwin Peters who also celebrated 90 years this year

Janice Pranger and Jeanne LaDuke

Bonnie and Paul Camenish, Elaine Beaudoin, Mike Mezey, Dick Meister, Chuck Suchar

Photos courtesy: Elaine Beaudoin

Fr. Richardson Celebrates 90th Birthday

Fr. Richardson will turn 90 this December.  Help him celebrate his birthday by sending a note to

John T. Richardson, CM

DePaul University

Chancellor's Office

1 East Jackson Boulevard

Chicago, Illinois 60604

On DePaul's website, this short biography is provided.

Fr. John Richardson was born in 1923 in Texas and ordained in 1949. He served at DePaul in various roles, including executive vice-president and dean of faculties, beginning in 1954 until his election as DePaul's ninth president in 1981. His presidency lasted until 1993.

Rev. John T. RichardsonFr. Richardson said of his tenure, "I would see the era of the '60's and '70's where DePaul moved very fast in becoming a true university… I would see the '80's and '90's as looking more at our mission." Fr. Richardson's focus on continuing DePaul's strong tradition of Vincentian values during his tenure has strengthened DePaul and its reputation throughout the city and the world.

His presidency marked a period of intense growth of DePaul's community involvement in Lincoln Park, the Loop, and all of Chicago. Examples of DePaul's urban partnerships can be found in the 1150 W. Fullerton building, which DePaul bought and renovated in 1993, and in the DePaul Center in the Loop. The University provides space on the first floor of 1150 W. Fullerton for the Chicago Public Library to use. The DePaul Center, formerly the Goldblatt's Department Store building in the Loop, was purchased in 1991 for the relatively small sum of one million dollars. DePaul renovated that building as well, and then leased five floors back to the city. It also committed to create a two and a half million dollar scholarship program for Chicago students who perform community service, as well as to continue to anchor the South Loop. In addition, DePaul formed partnerships with 47 inner-city schools. Under Fr. Richardson's direction, the International Human Rights Law Institute, the Institute for Business Ethics and the Center for Urban Education were founded. Along with five other universities, DePaul established the Chicago Center for Peace Studies. At the same time, the academic rigor of DePaul's programs increased and DePaul continued to cement its strong reputation in Chicago and nationally.

Fr. Richardson also presided over the construction of three new residence halls, which dramatically changed life at DePaul as the school began to attract students from out of state. At the same time, DePaul opened its first satellite campus in Oak Brook in order to better serve adult and commuting students. The Richardson Library, built in 1992, was the first free standing library in DePaul's history. By the end of Fr. Richardson's presidency, enrollment had reached 16,500.

Source: DePaul University Website, accessed November 21, 2013, www.depaul.edu

Richardson Library Information Commons

Dear Colleagues,

The staff of the DePaul University Library cordially invites you to the grand opening of The Richardson Library Information Commons. The Information Commons is a comfortable, flexible, technology-rich space for individual study, collaborative work, and research and tutoring services.

The Grand Opening will be held on the first floor of The John T. Richardson Library.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013
From 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. (remarks begin at 4:00 p.m.)
John T. Richardson Library
2350 N. Kenmore Ave.

To learn more about the Information Commons and what is available there, please visit http://libguides.depaul.edu/infocommons.

Visit go.depaul.edu/maps for location information and bit.ly/infocommonsopening for a schedule of events.

RSVP by Friday, September 20 to (773)325-7849 or libadmin@depaul.edu


Sincerely,

Scott Walter
University Librarian

Email sent to University Community, September 6, 2013

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

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

Richardson's Christmas Letter, 2012

To enlarge the letter, click on the image.

A Note from Fr. Richardson, CM

Fr. Richardson, March Letter

In case you didn't received your letter in the mail, here is the March 2012 letter from Fr. John Richardson.

Click on image to  enlarge

Richardson Shares his Memories

Rev. Richardson, a ‘Living History of DePaul’

reads The DePaulia headline in the October 24, 2011 issue.  To read the article, click here.

Richardson Book Signing - October 20, 2011

Please join Rev. John T. Richardson, C. M.
In celebration of his newly published memoir

The Playful Hand of God
Memoirs of John T. Richardson, C. M.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

5:30 p.m. Remarks
Richardson Library, Room 115
2350 N. Kenmore


6:30 p.m. Reception
Richardson Library, Kelly Hall

Rev. John T. Richardson, C.M.

Born in 1923, John Richardson entered the Vincentian Community in 1942, and was ordained a priest in 1949.  After completing his doctorate in theology, he taught in a major seminary until he joined DePaul University as an administrator in 1954.  For twelve of his forty-three years of administration he was President of the University.  In 1997 he went to Kenya, East Africa, and returned to DePaul in 2010.


Copies of The Playful Hand of God: Memoirs of John T. Richardson, C.M. will be available for purchase and signing. 

This event is sponsored by the John T. Richardson Library, the School of Public Service, and the DePaul Emeritus Society.

All are invited, we hope you will be able to attend!

Fr. Richardson's Memoirs

Fr. Richardson's book The Playful Hand of God: Memoirs of John T. Richardson, C. M. was recently released.  It is now available through the Vincentian Studies Bookstore and may be ordered by clicking here.  The price is $15.00.

DES Luncheon, May 20, 2011

DES members enjoyed a wonderful lunch on May 20, 2011 at the Cortelyou Commons.  We were fortunate to have Fr. John Richardson as our guest speaker who shared his remembrances from his over 50 years at DePaul University.  He noted, with the exception of Dick Houk, he had been at DePaul longer than anyone else in the room!  In addition, a representative from Blue Cross/Blue Shield presented information on the current prescription drug program.  We were also pleased to meet Brad Helgeland, the recipient of our third DES Scholarship.

We were delighted to welcome four individuals to the DES Luncheon for the first time: Jim Seri, Education; Milt Shulman, Accounting; Martha Faulhaber, spouse of Robert Faulhaber, Economics; and Fr. Richardson, past president.

More information on the May 20 DES Luncheon can be found in the following posts.

Photos: David Sims and Elaine Beaudoin