John T. Richardson

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. 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. After his tenure ended, he became the university's chancellor, serving until 2017. He joined the Congregation of the Mission in 1942. He studied at St. Mary's Seminary in Perryville, Missouri and earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1946. One of his first actions was to re-establish the university's student paper after his predecessor disbanded it.

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

During his tenure, the university constructed three student residence halls in Lincoln Park, to help attract students from out of state. After his tenure as president ended, Richardson became the university's chancellor and served in this role until 2017. He was later honored as chancellor emeritus. as well as Readings in Catholic Social Teaching (2015), a collection of lectures and documents from his work at Christ the King Seminary.

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

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.