It was 100 years ago on Sept. 5 that St. Vincent’s College, which eventually became DePaul University, opened its doors in Chicago. DePaul will mark its centennial anniversary with an honorary street renaming ceremony and outdoor birthday bash on Sept. 10, beginning at 11:30 a.m., at the DePaul Center Plaza, at State Street and Jackson Boulevard.

The honorary renaming of Jackson Boulevard, between State Street and Wabash Avenue, to "DePaul Way" will take place at 11:30 a.m. when a sign is unveiled on the southeast corner. At 11:45 a.m., candles will be lit on an Eli’s cheesecake in commemoration of DePaul’s centennial birthday. Eli’s Cheesecake Co., a sponsor of the event, donated 1,000 slices of cheesecake to be distributed to the public. A nine-piece swing band, "Three Cent Stomp" will lead the crowd in the singing of the traditional birthday song, while swing dancers will demonstrate all the right moves to make on the dance floor. Prizes such as DePaul centennial souvenirs and tickets to a variety of university entertainment and sporting events will be given away.

The centennial celebration opens in September 1998 and culminates in a community service day and picnic on May 15, 1999.