The DePaul University board of trustees extended the contract for the Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., president, through the end of the 2018-19 academic year. “DePaul University is a very special place, and it is an honor to continue to serve as its president,” said Holtschneider. (DePaul University photo)Chicago — DePaul University’s board of trustees has announced a contract extension for the university president, the Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., citing strong support for his extraordinary leadership.
The board’s executive committee approved the extension through the end of the 2018-19 academic year. Holtschneider took the reins as the university’s 11th president in 2004. This is the third contract extension since his arrival.
“As one of the nation's leaders in higher education, Father Holtschneider has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to DePaul’s diverse student population and providing access to an excellent education,” said William E. Bennett, chair of DePaul’s board. “We are very pleased DePaul will continue to benefit from his leadership and expertise.”
Since his inauguration, Holtschneider has led DePaul through two successful strategic plans. He has overseen the establishment of numerous academic programs, including, in most recent years, the creation of the School of Hospitality, College of Communication and College of Science and Health. Additionally, he had an integral role in establishing strategic alliances with Chicago institutions, including the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Rush University Medical Center and Cinespace Chicago Film Studios.
During his tenure, DePaul developed and completed its “Many Dreams, One Mission” capital campaign. Launched in May 2010, the campaign set an initial goal of $250 million. More than $333 million was raised by the official campaign close in June 2014. The campaign directly expanded the university endowment by almost $155 million.
DePaul also surpassed its goal of raising $100 million for new scholarships by achieving a total of $106 million. Increasing resources for student scholarships was a key component of the campaign and central to DePaul’s mission. Nearly 85 percent of DePaul’s students receive financial aid.
“DePaul is a very special place, and it is an honor to continue to serve as its president,” Holtschneider said. “I remain grateful to the faculty, staff and students who have contributed so much to the university. I look forward to celebrating many more achievements.”
A Detroit native, Holtschneider serves as the chairman of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system. He also is a member of the boards of the American Council on Education, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, and Chicago History Museum, and the steering committee of the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition. He most recently served as visiting scholar and president-in-residence at the Harvard Graduate School of Education during the fall 2014 semester.
DePaul University’s board of trustees is responsible for shaping the strategies that best promote the fulfillment of the university’s mission and values. With nearly 24,000 students and about 300 academic programs, DePaul is the largest Catholic university in the United States and the largest private, nonprofit university in the Midwest. It is nationally recognized for incorporating service learning throughout its curriculum and preparing its graduates for a global economy.
DePaul was founded in Chicago in 1898 by the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians), a Roman Catholic religious community dedicated to following the ideals of St. Vincent de Paul, the 17th century priest for whom the university is named. DePaul’s tradition of providing a quality education to students from a broad range of backgrounds, with particular attention to first-generation students, has resulted in one of the nation’s most diverse student bodies. More information is online at www.depaul.edu.
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