Reunion Reminder
DePaul's first university-wide Reunion Weekend, which coincides with Family Weekend, is just around the corner on Oct. 13-15. The weekend will be full of events, including campus tours and class gatherings. If you graduated in a year ending in 1 or 6, we hope that you will join us at one or all of the events planned for this weekend. Pre-registration is required for many events, and the deadline is Sept. 29. Please visit the Reunion Web site for a complete list of activities and to register, or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (800) 437-1898 for more details.
The DePaul University Office of Advancement met its $15-million fundraising goal for the fiscal year 2006. Representing a 25-percent increase from 2005 and a 50-percent increase over 2004 fund-raising receipts.
Significant growth occurred in all fundraising areas. Major milestones include:
- A total of 192 gifts and pledges of $10,000 and above-the largest number ever-representing a 26-percent increase over 2005.
- The largest number of alumni (6,500) making gifts to the university during the past three years, reflecting a growing participation rate among alumni.
- An increase in gifts from friends and foundations, illustrating the value that the broader community places in DePaul and its programs.
The Princeton Review, in its annual survey of the best colleges and universities in the United States, ranked DePaul No. 1 in the nation in the "Diverse Student Population" category. The ranking was the result of a survey of more than 115,000 college students nationwide at 361 top schools. For the 2005-2006 academic year, 32 percent of DePaul's undergraduates were minority students, and nearly 30 percent of freshmen were first-generation college students from households where neither parent has a college degree.
George L. Ruff Gives $1.5 Million to Fund Real Estate Studies Professorship
New York hotel investor George L. Ruff (COM '74) donated $1.5 million to establish a professorship in real estate studies. The gift will allow the university's Real Estate Center to hire leading scholars who will teach complex real estate and urban planning issues from innovative, multidisciplinary approaches.
Ruff, who has engineered, negotiated and closed more than $3 billion in transactions during his 30-year career in domestic and international real estate, credited his DePaul education with helping him become a success in real estate.
"Through this gift, I want to thank DePaul and help the next generation of real estate leaders succeed through exposure to rising academic stars who will diversify their education."
The Real Estate Center at DePaul offers the most comprehensive array of real estate courses available in the Midwest, including accessible continuing education courses designed for working professionals and specifically tailored training programs for organizations.
DePaul University is committed to providing learning opportunities to serve alumni throughout their lifetime.
Current opportunities include:
- Vincentian Heritage Tour: Time is running out to register for DePaul's alumni Vincentian Heritage Tour of France scheduled for July 9-21, 2007. Deposits are due by Nov. 1, 2006.
- Renaissance Circle: The Renaissance Circle's primary mission is to provide continuing learning opportunities for adults 50 years old and older.
- Continuing and Professional Education: CPE offers alumni a discount up to 25 percent on selected programs and services.
Suburban Chicago Events
If you live in the Chicago area, we hope to see you at one of the Alumni Connections events. These casual gatherings are scheduled for Sept. 13 in northwest suburban Schaumburg and Sept. 27 in south suburban Palos Heights.
Regional Events
DePaul regional alumni chapters are offering various activities this month. Washington, D.C., will host a fall mixer at the Old Ebbitt Grill on Sept. 19. The New York City chapter, in collaboration with St. John's University, will participate in a new initiative to engage alumni in a day of community service for their annual Vincentian Service Day on Sept. 23. Volunteers will team up with the Riverside Parks Foundation to restore trails and shrubbery at Riverside Park in Manhattan.
Informal alumni gatherings are also being held in Tampa, Fla., on Sept. 13; Dallas, on Sept. 19 with Ray Whittington, dean of the College of Commerce; and Minneapolis on Sept. 21.
DePaul University is seeking comments from the public in preparation for its periodic accreditation evaluation by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. DePaul has been accredited by the Commission since 1907. A team representing the Commission will visit the school on Jan. 22-24, 2007, to review DePaul's ongoing ability to meet the Commission's criteria for accreditation and general institutional requirements.
Please submit your comments about the school to:
Public Comment on DePaul University
Commission on Higher Education
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 North LaSalle St., Ste. 2400
Chicago, IL 60602
Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing and signed; comments cannot be treated as confidential. All comments must be received by Dec. 20, 2006.
