Dear Faculty and Staff,
I hope you are enjoying a refreshing summer! As we close the books on FY26 and usher in FY27 at DePaul, I would like to share a few updates from the Division of Advancement and External Relations.
Fundraising success
I am thrilled to report that we raised $84 million in FY26, far exceeding our $65 million goal. This accomplishment belongs to the entire DePaul community who once again came together to support and strengthen the academic excellence, unhindered access and communal uplift that define our Catholic, Vincentian mission. We look forward to continuing this great momentum with all of you in FY27.
Mission: Forward
Mission: Forward , the most ambitious philanthropic campaign in DePaul’s history, has also made tremendous strides since its celebratory launch last fall and currently totals over $507 million raised toward our $650 million goal. This collective achievement would not have been possible without the partnership and pride fueling this transformative investment in the future of DePaul’s students, faculty and community. The campaign’s shared leadership — including the National Campaign Committee, Faculty Campaign Advisory Committee and Staff Campaign Ambassador Council — has enabled stakeholders across the university to help shape strategy and identify areas of need. Visit the Mission: Forward website to learn how this campaign is supporting purpose-driven and interdisciplinary education focused on solving society’s greatest challenges.
DePaul Magazine
Partnership is also front and center in our recently published summer issue of DePaul Magazine. The issue celebrates the 25th anniversary of the university’s nationally lauded Irwin W. Steans Center, which exemplifies the community-engaged service learning so central to our mission. We also highlight the College of Science and Health’s Speech Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy graduate programs, which share the Steans Center’s emphasis on asset-based community development through health equity, social justice and Vincentian personalism. Learn more in this interactive, online flipbook version of the issue and at magazine.depaul.edu.
Engagement initiatives
Our division is always implementing and finding new ways to connect DePaul’s vast and diverse Blue Demon family. Our ongoing "Our Alumni, Their Stories" series profiles inspiring alumni making waves across industries and professions, from a classical musician and sports broadcast journalist who have broken barriers to a former Blue Demon soccer goalkeeper who is engineering lasers for NASA. Less dimensional but just as ubiquitous, Flat DIBS — a pocket-size version of DePaul’s beloved mascot — has been globetrotting to ballparks, newsrooms and more, courtesy of alumni sharing his escapades on our Instagram account.
Looking toward fall, please save the date for this year’s Alumni and Family Weekend on Oct. 23-25, when alumni, students and parents can celebrate their Blue Demon pride. Visit alumni.depaul.edu or parents.depaul.edu next month for registration and details.
As we begin FY27 and prepare to welcome our students back to campus this fall, I hope you find time this summer to recharge and enjoy the season. Thank you for all you do, and I look forward to everything we will accomplish together in the year ahead.
Go Blue Demons!
Sincerely,
Katie Fraumann
Senior Vice President
Division of Advancement and External Relations