So You Think You Know DePaul – April 2013

Those who participated in community service activities and worked on social service projects as DePaul students have seen this secluded and harmonious neighborhood garden on campus. What is the name of the building surrounding this garden?

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, April 12, 2013, from 12:30 p.m. Central through 4 p.m. Central.
• All of the correct answers will be compiled and a winner from that group will be drawn at random to win an alumni-themed prize.

Get Ready to Give Back: Vincentian Service Day 2013

Mark your calendars for May 4 and prepare to give back: This year’s annual community service event, Vincentian Service Day, is almost here. This tradition brings together more than 1,000 alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends at sites nationwide to serve in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. Check out the various opportunities for alumni below and click on the links to register.

Chicagoland sites:

• Chicago
• Evanston
• Lake Forest
• Lakeview Neighborhood
• Near North Side

Regional sites:

• Boston
• Dallas
• Denver
• Detroit
• Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
• Hermosa Beach, Calif.
• Minneapolis-St. Paul
• New York City
• Phoenix
• San Francisco
• Washington, D.C.

This year’s theme is Vincentian Vision, based on a quote by St. Vincent: “Some persons look and never see, others see and never look.” The university team organizing Vincentian Service Day notes, “Our hope is that in participating this year, our volunteers will renew their own individual vision of what it means to be part of DePaul University′s Vincentian family.”

For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations by calling (800) 437-1898 or emailing alumnievents@depaul.edu.

Have you participated in Vincentian Service Day?

So You Think You Know DePaul – March 2013

DePaul’s mascot, DIBS

With DePaul sports in the news lately, we wanted to focus on DePaul’s most loyal fan: DIBS. Our mascot has been cheering on the Blue Demons for decades. Originally named “Billy,” our mascot later took on the name DIBS. What does the name DIBS stand for?

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 Thursday, March 14, 2013, from 12:30 p.m. Central through 4 p.m. Central.
• All of the correct answers will be compiled and a winner from that group will be drawn at random to win an alumni-themed prize.

So You Think You Know DePaul – February 2013

Source: DePaul Digital Collections

It’s the week of Valentine’s Day, and we can’t help but think about how much we love DePaul’s campus! Today’s trivia question brings in some nostalgia about the history of DePaul’s older buildings. This space, buillt in 1907, was originally built for the arts and was later transformed into a gymnasium where the Blue Demon basketball team played 1920-1957. The building caught fire in 1969 and was torn down in 1979. The Ray Meyer Fitness Center now stands on that site. What is the full name of the vintage building pictured here?
Hint: The space was nicknamed “The Barn.”

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, Feb. 15, 2013, from 12:30 p.m. Central through 4 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: Lamont Weaver (CMN ’13)

DePaul University strives to make higher education affordable to students from different backgrounds, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend college. Thanks to the support of alumni and friends, DePaul is able to offer scholarships and financial assistance to first-generation students like Lamont Weaver, who transferred to DePaul from a university in California.

“When I was researching DePaul, it really caught my eye. Not only was it in a great city like Chicago, but also, I noticed the Vincentian values and the fact that [DePaul] really encourages first-generation students. I myself am a first-generation student… [so] it seemed like the perfect fit for me.”

The Vincentian ideals that led Lamont to DePaul are also reasons for the university’s focus on scholarships. For many students, scholarship support makes a huge difference in their ability to attend DePaul.

“Private school is really expensive, but at DePaul, they’re not saying, ‘Hey, you decided to come here, it’s an expensive place, deal with it.’ They could have done that—a lot of universities do—but they want to help. DePaul actually gave me a scholarship, and it was just what I needed.”

As Lamont looks toward the future, he’s grateful for the financial, emotional and educational support he’s received throughout his time at DePaul.

“This is a school that’s not only trying to educate its students, but it’s trying to give students a chance. It’s rough out there these days, and a lot of students, especially from minority backgrounds, they need that support. They need a school that’s going to work with them and try to help cultivate and transform them into better students. I feel like when I graduate from here, my experiences will have made me into a better person.”

This is the fourth 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 Lamont.

Blue Demon Day Shirt Swap Is a Success

We thought our alumni would like to see what we’ve been doing on campus to prepare for DePaul’s inaugural Blue Demon Day! In honor of the event, coming up Feb. 2, 2013, the Office of Alumni Relations encouraged students, staff and faculty to trade in shirts from rivals schools. Each shirt swapper received a new Blue Demon Day shirt in exchange!

Check out a slideshow of some of the best donations we received, and learn more about DePaul’s spirited event on the Blue Demon Day website.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Scholarship Stories: Jenna Bergevin (CSH ’13)

Alumni and friends who contribute to DePaul University’s scholarship funds make a huge impact on the lives of students and their families. Nearly three-quarters of students receive some form of financial assistance, and scholarship support can mean the difference between attending DePaul or not, as Jenna Bergevin explains.

“I wouldn’t be at DePaul if I didn’t have scholarships, because it’s a private school and Chicago is an expensive city. My scholarships reduced my tuition enough that I was able to come here. Thanks to my scholarships, I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to focus on my education and hold an on-campus job that relates specifically to my coursework.”

Jenna’s scholarship reflects the university’s dedication to giving back, and this Vincentian commitment is also evident in DePaul’s many service opportunities.

“I struggled my freshman year deciding whether to do science as a career or as a hobby, because I’m also really into community service. So I was thinking maybe I could do international studies, but we have such a good service community here that I was able to pursue science as a career and do service on the side.”

Last year, this physics major (who is also a mathematics minor) led a DePaul/Global Brigades trip to Honduras, where the team built a middle school for a rural community. Education remains one of Jenna’s great passions, and she hopes to eventually teach at the university level.

“As a potential future faculty member, I’d like to give back just to pay it forward, because the scholarships I’ve received have been really beneficial to me. Getting a scholarship is a great reminder that your education is important and that you can help other people.”

This is the third 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 Jenna.

Reunion Weekend 2012: Register Now and Save!

Don’t forget, alumni: It’s almost time for Reunion Weekend 2012! This year DePaul welcomes alumni back to campus Oct. 12-14 for three days of special events. Learn more below and be sure to register by Sept. 28 to save money with early-bird discounts. Register online (with your alumni community login) or by calling the Office of Alumni Relations at (800) 437-1898.

Who can come? Everyone!

• All DePaul alumni are welcome at Reunion Weekend. Those celebrating a milestone anniversary will receive special recognition.
• Reunion Classes: 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002 and 2007.
• Affinity Reunions: Special gatherings are planned for Resident Advisor and Campus Recreation alumni.
• Are your classmates attending this year? Find out on our Who’s Planning to Attend page, then add your name after registering.

What is there to do? (See the full schedule here.)

• Reunion Luncheon Class of 1962 and Earlier (Oct. 12, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; DePaul’s Lincoln Park Student Center)
• Young Alumni Reunion Classes of 2007-2012 (Oct. 12, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Moe’s Cantina, Chicago)
• Reunion Celebration All Reunion Classes (Oct. 13, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Palmer House Hilton, Chicago) — Note this year’s new location and price! (The Law Reunion Celebration will be held at its own venue, the Hotel InterContinental. Visit the College of Law Reunion website for details.)
• Reunion Weekend Brunch All Reunion Classes (Oct. 14, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; DePaul’s Lincoln Park Student Center)

Get ready for Reunion Weekend:

• Register for Reunion Weekend Events
• Check out photos from previous Reunion Weekends
• Make your gift in honor of reunion

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.

Scholarship Stories: Anne Marie Dornoff (BUS ’14)

DePaul University attracts top students from around the world thanks to gifts from alumni, parents and friends, which in turn allow the university to offer competitive financial aid packages. For students like Anne Marie Dornoff, this support means the difference between attending their first-choice school and putting their dreams on hold.

“Growing up, my family split our time between Japan and the United States, but when I toured DePaul University during my senior year of high school, I found a place to call home. Thankfully, I was awarded the scholarships I needed to attend my dream college.”

Anne Marie’s story proves how students understand the value of the DePaul community and work hard to honor those who’ve supported them in their education.

“One of my favorite things about DePaul is that so many students take the Vincentian mission to heart. I know that alumni, parents and friends of DePaul honor it, too, because without their generosity I would not be a grateful scholarship recipient.”

The International Studies and Spanish major is spending her sophomore year living in the Vincent and Louise House, where residents commit at least six hours a week to community service.

“Members of the house are committed to faith, service, community and simple living. This experience has strengthened my commitment to social justice.”

This is the first 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 Anne Marie.