John T. Richardson

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

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

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.

During his tenure, the university constructed three student residence halls in Lincoln Park, to help attract students from out of state. When he retired on June 30, 1993, the university had 16,500 students. His successor, John P. Minogue,was named DePaul University's 10th president in September 1993. 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.

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

Richardson began his career with DePaul University in 1954, when he served as the dean of the Graduate School. He also served as a trustee of the university beginning in 1954 until 1993. In 1981, Richardson became the university's 9th president. 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. One of his first actions was to re-establish the university's student paper after his predecessor disbanded it due to negative coverage of his administration.

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.

Richardson was born in Dallas, Texas. His parents were Patrick Richardson and Mary (née Walsh) Richardson. 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.

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.