The Reverend
John T. Richardson
C.M.
9th President of DePaul University
In office
October 31, 1981 – June 30, 1993
Preceded byJohn R. Cortelyou
Succeeded byJohn P. Minogue
Personal details
Born
John Thomas Richardson

(1923-12-20)December 20, 1923
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
DiedMarch 29, 2022(2022-03-29) (aged 98)
Perryville, Missouri, U.S.
Education
OccupationPriest, academic, educator

John Thomas Richardson, C.M. (December 20, 1923 – March 29, 2022) was an American academic administrator and Catholic priest. He served as the ninth President of DePaul University, serving from 1981 through 1993.[1] He began his academic career with DePaul University in 1954, when he served as the dean of the Graduate School until his election as university president.[2] After his tenure ended, he became the university's chancellor, serving until 2017.[1]

Early life

Richardson was born in Dallas, Texas.[3] His parents were Patrick Richardson and Mary (née Walsh) Richardson.[3] He joined the Congregation of the Mission in 1942.[4] He studied at St. Mary's Seminary in Perryville, Missouri and earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1946.[3]

Richardson became a priest in 1949 and received his Doctor of Sacred Theology from the Dominican Angelicum University in 1951. He returned to school in 1954, attending St. Louis University to receive a master's degree in sociology.[3]

DePaul University presidency

Richardson began his career with DePaul University in 1954, when he served as the dean of the Graduate School.[2] He also served as a trustee of the university beginning in 1954 until 1993.[5] In 1981, Richardson became the university's 9th president.[2] He was inaugurated at Navy Pier on October 31, 1981 with Illinois Governor James R. Thompson and Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne declaring that week of October 25 to November 1 as DePaul University Week.[6] One of his first actions was to re-establish the university's student paper after his predecessor disbanded it.[7]

The Center for Urban Education, International Human Rights Law Institute, and Institute for Business Ethics were all founded during his tenure at the university.[1][8] His administration also oversaw the university's first satellite campus in Oak Brook, Illinois as better education access for adult and commuter students.[9]

During his tenure, the university constructed three student residence halls in Lincoln Park, to help attract students from out of state.[2] When he retired on June 30, 1993, the university had 16,500 students.[2] His successor, John P. Minogue,was named DePaul University's 10th president in September 1993.[10] After his tenure as president ended, Richardson became the university's chancellor and served in this role until 2017.[11] He was later honored as chancellor emeritus.[11]

Later years and death

A plaque of Richardson at DePaul University's Richardson Library

After his retirement, Richardson went into academia, teaching various seminarian courses.[3]

Rich\ardson is the author of the memoir The Playful Hand of God (2011),[5] as well as Readings in Catholic Social Teaching (2015), a collection of lectures and documents from his work at Christ the King Seminary.[5]

Richardson died on March 29, 2022, in Perryville, Missouri, aged 98.[12]

Legacy

In 1992, the John R. Richardson Library was opened at DePaul University's Lincoln Park campus.[1]

In 1994, Governor of Illinois Jim Edgar honored Richardson as Laureate in the Order of Lincoln, the highest honor in Illinois for his philanthropy works.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Former DePaul President John T. Richardson dies at 98". DePaulia Online. March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Former DePaul University President Rev. John T. Richardson dies at 98". CBS News. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "THE REV. JOHN T. RICHARDSON, C.M., 9TH PRESIDENT OF DEPAUL UNIVERSITY, PASSES AWAY AT 98". DePaul University. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Jubilarians: Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) (CM)". Archstl. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "Collection on the Very Rev. John T. Richardson, C.M." DePaul.edu. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  6. ↑ "PRESIDENTIAL GATEAUX: WELCOMING A NEW PRESIDENT TO THE DEPAUL COMMUNITY". DePaul University. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  7. ↑ "DePaul University President Reinstates the Student Paper". The New York Times. October 11, 1981. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Rev. John T. Richardson, a 'Living History of DePaul'". The DePaulia. October 24, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  9. ↑ "DePaul Presidents: Rev. John T. Richardson, C.M." DePaul Press. July 19, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  10. ↑ "DePaul's President Inaugurated". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  11. 1 2 "DEPAUL HONORS THE REV. JOHN T. RICHARDSON AS HE RELOCATES TO PERRYVILLE, MISSOURI". DePaul University. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Rev. John T. Richardson, DePaul University's 9th President, dies at 98". Yahoo. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
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