Moving Forward with Advice from Career Week 2013

For Career Week 2013, more than 1,000 DePaul alumni and graduate and CPE students gathered February 17-22 for a week of events to assist them in moving their careers forward. This year marked the sixth year anniversary for DePaul’s annual Career Week event. The Office of Alumni Relations, the Career Center and 20 other departments and organizations collaborated to bring participants an amazing lineup of activities and guest speakers.

Keynote Speaker Eric Hellige (CMN ’05)

Career Week 2013 kicked off with an Opening Keynote Brunch address by Eric Hellige (CMN ’05), career services manager of CareerBuilder. Hellige gave participants exclusive insights on the recruiter prospective of job post boards. Alumna Donna Williams-Murray says, “The speaker was a phenomenal presenter. Eric came to share some information. He did not come to be an infomercial to promote/sell Careerbuilders.com products—he came to share and teach his fellow alums how to utilize online job sites more succinctly, more strategically and more successfully. All I can say is: he came with preparation and passion; he conquered a skeptical, but hopeful audience; and he delivered an immeasurable amount of information, in a minuscule amount of time.”

Author Melissa Giovagnoli

Melissa Giovagnoli, best-selling author and social media expert, intrigued participants during her workshop “Networking is Dead.” Giovagnoli engaged participants by sharing personal experiences that formed her concepts on business networking. She left attendees inspired with the altruistic deed of providing all guests with a free copy of her book, “Networking is Dead.” Giovagnoli was part of Career Week’s author speaking series, where each day highlighted an author from the DePaul community. In addition to Giovagnoli, featured authors were Fernanda Hopkins, Alice Stuhlmacher, Ph.D., and Terri Lonier, Ph.D.

Did you attend Career Week 2013? Tell us about your experience by filling out the post-event survey. You can also get recaps, resources and handouts from individual sessions on the Career Week website.

If you missed last week’s events, DePaul offers more career services throughout the year! Visit the Alumni Career Services website for more workshops and networking opportunities.

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Show Your DePaul Pride on Blue Demon Day

A new year brings new DePaul activities. For 2013, mark your calendar for the
inaugural Blue Demon Day on Feb. 2! The day is a chance for all Blue Demons—alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends—to show their school spirit and cheer their team on to victory.

Blue Demon Day is centered on the men’s basketball game against Notre Dame at 1 p.m. CST in the Allstate Arena and on ESPN2. Here’s how you can show your pride on the big day:

• Celebrate by joining Chicagoland alumni at the arena for the game.
• Attend one of the game-watches being held across the nation. (See the full list here. All are free, but be sure to register in advance.)
• Wherever you watch, be sure to wear your DePaul gear!

Visit alumni.depaul.edu/bluedemonday to learn more. We look forward to a large alumni turnout on Feb. 2 to cheer on our Blue Demons!

So You Think You Know DePaul – September 2012

The O’Neil Reading Room, pictured above, was dedicated to the owner of the construction company that facilitated the renovation of this building. The renovation of the building created this space that fills with plenty of natural light to offer patrons a serene and quiet environment for reading. What is the name of this building?

Happy guessing! And remember these trivia rules:

• To enter, post your answer in the comments section by clicking “Leave a Comment” below.
• The contest will be open Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, from 11:30 a.m. Central through 3 p.m. Central.
• All of the correct answers will be compiled and a winner from that group will be drawn at random to win the prize.

Scholarship Stories: Nick Brown (CDM ’14)

Support from alumni and friends helps DePaul University admit and retain exemplary students, regardless of family income. Scholarships remove some of the financial burden that students shoulder and allow them to focus on their futures. Nick has big plans to write, produce and direct in Los Angeles after completing his degree in Digital Cinema—a dream made possible thanks to generous donors.

“The fact that alumni and friends give to DePaul speaks volumes to me. It makes you realize how special this community is, and how much I value my experiences here. My time at DePaul has inspired me to believe that I can accomplish my goals.”

For every scholarship DePaul grants, there is an inspiring story tied to a deserving student. As a student worker and scholarship recipient himself, Nick understands the transformational power of philanthropic support.

“Not long ago my parents adopted three young foster children, which made me focus on being a good example for them. When my family learned that I received a generous scholarship, it showed them that hard work in school does pay off.”

Nick’s scholarship may reach beyond his own education. He plans to pay forward the gift many alumni and friends have given him.

“My sister Amelia is only six but is already set on coming to DePaul. She and I made a deal that I would help fund her education. She wants to be a doctor so that will be a big investment. My scholarship, combined with my parents’ support, has been one of the greatest gifts I’ve received. To be able to give that gift to my sister would be amazing.”

This is the second in a series of stories focusing on DePaul scholarship recipients and how they benefit from the generosity of DePaul alumni and friends. Visit giving.depaul.edu to learn more about how you can help students like Nick.

DePaul Wishes Olympic Luck to Coach Doug Bruno, USA Women’s Basketball

Doug Bruno (LAS ’73, MA ’88), coach of the DePaul University women’s basketball team, is working with another team this summer: USA Women’s Basketball. Bruno is with the team in London at the 2012 Summer Olympics as an assistant coach.

To celebrate Team USA advancing to the semifinals on August 9, DePaul alumni and friends shared good-luck messages for Coach Bruno and the players. See what fellow Blue Demons had to say by clicking on the picture! Just wait for the link to load and use the arrow keys to advance through the presentation:

Share your own message for Coach Bruno and the team by clicking “Leave a comment” below. Then, check back often: the presentation will change to include new alumni quotes and to reflect the path to the final game!

MBA Student Showcases Culinary Skills on Food Network Competition

With his vibrant energy, passion for food and ubiquitous bow ties, Judson Todd Allen exudes star quality. And as a contestant on season eight of “Food Network Star,” he hopes to walk away with the big win – an opportunity to host his own Food Network show. The DePaul MBA student and professional chef is a repeat contender, having been a semi-finalist on season six of the fast-paced cooking program.

Allen is one of 13 remaining competitors on the show, which airs Sunday nights. He has already survived elimination during the first challenges, which included creating a pop-up restaurant and leading a food tour of New York City. On the next show, May 27, he’ll face off against his own teammates.

Allen styles himself an “architect of flavor” who derives culinary inspiration from his 92-year-old grandparents. As a child growing up in Chicago, Allen remembers devouring Creole meals prepared by his grandfather, a soul food aficionado. Allen’s love of food and cooking led him to the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences and then to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he studied food science and nutrition.

During college, Allen struggled to keep his weight under control. To change his lifestyle, he started experimenting with making his favorite dishes healthier but still full of flavor. Allen’s perseverance paid off: over two years, he lost more than 100 pounds. Now in his final quarter at DePaul’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, Allen continues to refine his cooking expertise as founder and owner of Healthy Infused Cuisine, LLC, which provides personal chef services, catering and meal delivery.

Calling the Food Network show a “dream come true for me,” Allen looks forward to teaching people to “think outside the box when it comes to healthy food.” Given his flair for storytelling and his talent in the kitchen, Allen is well on his way to meeting that goal.

Want to help this fellow Blue Demon accomplish his mission? Vote for Allen as your favorite finalist.

Follow Allen’s progress by watching “Food Network Star” on Sundays at 8 p.m. CST or visiting his website: judsontoddallen.com.

Kenmore Avenue Closure Tests Green Space Plan

Kenmore Avenue will be closed between Fullerton and Belden avenues during May as a trial run for DePaul University’s proposed green space.

Part of DePaul University’s Master Plan, Kenmore Green would take the place of the existing strip of Kenmore Avenue, extending the current Quadrangle and opening pedestrian walkways, benches, and other landscape elements for the community to gather and pass safely through the Lincoln Park Campus.

From May 1 through May 30, the 2300 N. block of Kenmore will be closed to vehicle traffic and parking but will allow full pedestrian access. The temporary closure will test the effect on traffic in the area and the impact on the community.

To kick off the proposed plan, DePaul is hosting a free block party on the closed-off road on Friday, May 4, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community are invited to enjoy live music, food and games at “Kickin’ It on Kenmore.”

Read more about the closure from The DePaulia.

Nathan Lane among Honorees at 2012 Theatre School Gala

Actor Nathan Lane will be honored at The Theatre School’s 2012 Awards for Excellence in the Arts Gala, to be held April 16 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago.

Lane, known for his roles in films such as “The Birdcage” and “The Producers,” will receive the 2012 Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Other honorees include director, actor and producer Ted Wass (“Rules of Engagement,” “Two and a Half Men”) and Steppenwolf ensemble member Alana Arenas (TTS ’02), who will both receive a 2012 Alumni Award for Excellence in the Arts. Christopher G. Kennedy, immediate past president of Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., will receive the 2012 Leadership Award for Excellence in the Arts.

The gala will be hosted by Scott Ellis (THE ’78), who is the associate artistic director at Roundabout Theatre Company.

The event benefits The Theatre School Scholarship Fund as part of DePaul’s Many Dreams, One Mission Campaign. Last year, the event raised more than $325,000 for the scholarship fund, which makes it possible for theater school students to continue their training. The Theatre School relies on donors to provide 40 percent of the nearly $1.3 million dispensed through scholarships each year.

So You Think You Know DePaul – February 2012

The DePaul Tree of Wisdom represents the strength from knowledge and values that enables DePaul students to bring life to Chicago communities and beyond. Where on campus is this mosaic version located?

The first person to correctly post the answer in the comments section will receive an alumni-themed prize! To post your answer, click “Leave a Comment” below.

Nobel Prize Winner Urges Students, Alumni to Launch Social Businesses

A new business plan competition is challenging DePaul University students and alumni to use their entrepreneurial talents to create jobs for workers in Haiti. A social business organization is even offering $10,000 to launch the winning idea.

The contest began with Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, who visited DePaul last fall to accept the St. Vincent de Paul Award. Yunus wants participants to create a social business that will put at least 10 Haitians to work. His Grameen Creative Lab has promised funding up to $10,000 to launch one or more winning ideas.

“If you have the ideas, we’ll find the money,” Yunus told his DePaul audience.

Alumni are welcome to participate in the contest, but they must be on a business team with at least one DePaul undergraduate or graduate student of any major.

Interested in learning more about the DePaul/Grameen Creative Lab Social Venture Business Plan Competition to Alleviate Poverty in Haiti?

• Attend an information session. DePaul business professors will address the business environment in Haiti, explain a social business and offer tips on how to write a business plan on Feb. 2, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 8010.  Please RSVP for the event. Participation in the workshops is not a prerequisite to compete.
• Read the student perspective in The DePaulia.
• Learn more details from DePaul’s Newsline.

All business plans must be submitted by May 15, 2012.

Nobel Peace Prize-winner Muhammad Yunus with students on his DePaul visit in September 2011