DePaul President Rob Manuel accepted the "DePaul Day" resolution from Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot along with current DePaul students, from left, Tommy Le, Jaylen Johnson, Julianna De Leon and Erick Quezada, all of whom graduated from Chicago Public Schools. (Joshua Clark/Office of the Mayor, City of Chicago)
In celebration and honor of DePaul University's 125 years of engaging, diverse learning and service in Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and City Council proclaimed Wednesday that Jan. 25, 2023, will be "DePaul Day." The announcement kicks off a week of celebrations on campus and throughout the city, including a skyline illuminated in Blue Demon colors.
"Chicago is DePaul's campus, and we are grateful Mayor Lightfoot and City Council recognize our university's deep connections and service to the city," says DePaul President Robert L. Manuel. Manuel accepted the "DePaul Day" resolution at City Council along with current DePaul students who are proud graduates of Chicago Public Schools.
In the resolution, City Council noted that nearly 125,000 DePaul alumni work, live and play in our great city. Blue Demons are driving forces in Chicago's large corporations and small businesses, health-care and government, as well as not-for-profit and community organizations. Students begin their careers as interns and volunteers, with DePaul's Steans Center coordinating service learning to reach more than 300 Chicago-area organizations each year. DePaul's dedicated faculty members contribute their knowledge and talents in the classroom, and many are also leaders in their professional fields.
"As we reflect on 125 years in Chicago, we are also designing DePaul's future," Manuel says. "Our university is poised to redefine the national standard for higher education by building on our existing strengths and extending our Catholic, Vincentian mission to create even more educational opportunities for our community."
Week-long celebrations: Skyline, ice skating and a big goal
Starting Jan. 23, buildings in Chicago's iconic skyline will be illuminated in DePaul colors—blue and red—to highlight this historic milestone. Soldier Field and Willis Tower will participate, and famous theatre marquees and sports stadium signs will join in the fun on Jan. 25. As part of the celebration, the university is teaming up with the Chicago Park District to provide ice-skating sessions for students at Maggie Daley Park ice skating ribbon on Friday, Jan. 27.
DePaul alumni and friends around the world will rally virtually on Jan. 25 for the Blue Demon Challenge, DePaul's annual day of giving. This year, the goal is bigger than ever: raising $7 million for DePaul students in just 24 hours. Support DePaul and follow the challenge's progress throughout the day at
challenge.depaul.edu.
For a full lineup of events and to learn more about influential people in DePaul's 125-year history, visit
125.depaul.edu.