On April 26, 2017, hundreds of Catholic Theological Union community members and supporters honored two distinguished humanitarians at our Blessed are the Peacemakers Trustee Dinner at the Chicago Hilton. Monica McWilliams, and Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, CM, president of DePaul University both received awards.

Catholic Theological Union’s annual Blessed Are the Peacemakers Trustee Dinner is a celebration to support the education and formation of men and women preparing for a ministerial life of service. Each year, an institution or individual(s) whose accomplishments and commitments reflect the values of the mission of Catholic Theological Union, particularly in the areas of reconciliation, justice, and peacemaking, is honored.

Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, CM, president of DePaul University, was presented with their annual Diakonia award, given to outstanding local leaders who have given exemplary service to the larger Chicago community. Fr. Dennis was chosen for his superb record as chief administrator of DePaul University; for his cultivation of an alliance between our two institutions; for his untiring work for inter-religious dialogue in Chicago; and for DePaul’s attention to DACA students in higher education, exemplifying the best of the Catholic Social Teaching.

Holtschneider Appointed Leader in the Healthcare Industry

Ascension Health, the nation’s largest non-profit healthcare organization, has named Father Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M. as its executive vice president and chief operations officer. Fr. Holtschneider will assume his new role on July 1, following 13 years of service as president of DePaul University.

Fr. Holtschneider will oversee Ascension’s national strategy and advocacy functions. He also will manage the Ascension Solutions Division subsidiaries of Ascension Information Services and the Ascension Ministry Service Center. Fr. Holtschneider joined Ascension’s board in 2009 and currently serves as its chair. He announced his decision to step down as DePaul’s president in June 2016.