Few events compare to the start of the academic year. As DePaul University’s 2023–24 academic year surges forward this fall and our campuses churn with activity, the energy, fellowship and passion on display is inspiring!
I’m honored to be serving as senior vice president of DePaul’s Division of Advancement and External Relations, which I joined six months ago. I’m proud to call myself a Blue Demon, and I’m incredibly thrilled for the year ahead and for the visionary initiatives our university community identified in the Designing DePaul road map.
As part of that road map, we are designing philanthropy with a fresh, collective perspective that keeps us grounded in our Catholic, Vincentian mission; champions diversity, equity and inclusion; and builds on sound financial principles and practices.
The many parts that power our Advancement division — annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, alumni relations, donor relations, parent engagement, advancement services, advancement communications and advancement events — are geared up and ready to go.
Gift Announcements
I’m thrilled to announce two recent $1 million gifts that support scholarships for students who show great academic promise and have financial need. Their generosity furthers DePaul’s important mission.
One, from Eugene P. Jarvis, establishes the Michael R. Stroll Endowed Scholarship at the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media to honor his close friend and industry mentor.
The other, from Life Trustee James T. Ryan, III and Michelle A. Ryan, bolsters the James T. and Michelle A. Ryan Family Scholarship, awarded to high potential students who are graduates of the Chicago Jesuit Academy and demonstrate the most need.
Campaign Updates
As part of President Robert L. Manuel’s vision to design DePaul’s future as the national leader in higher education, we have recently launched two campaigns that will benefit the entire DePaul community.
The first, focused on academics, will create three innovative interdisciplinary institutes related to poverty, environmental sustainability and artificial intelligence. Advancement will work closely with academic units to identify needs for an ambitious, comprehensive campaign that DePaul will launch next year to further these academic goals.
The second campaign, supporting Athletics, will enable the construction of a state-of-the-art basketball practice facility and the modernization of Sullivan Athletic Center and McGrath-Phillips Area, benefiting all of DePaul’s student athletes, positioning DePaul for success in the BIG EAST Conference and nationally, and bolstering the university’s long-term financial health.
Supporting Colleges and Schools
There are so many thought leaders with great ideas in colleges, schools and centers across the university. We are retooling the Advancement division to make it easier to connect those ideas to philanthropy.
Recently, I met with DePaul’s Faculty Council to share how we are making the most of these synergies. Deans will be assigned a team of experts from the Advancement division to identify best practices and create solutions with campus partners. This specialized partnership model will unleash talent, ideas and approaches in fresh, imaginative ways that expand access to transformative educations for an increasingly diverse student body and provide donors with exciting endeavors to support.
Thank you for all you do on behalf of our incredible university. Don’t be a stranger—our door is always open. We will be in touch!