DePaul University will unveil a bust of St. Vincent de Paul and open an exhibit of his belongings at 4 p.m. Sept. 25 in the university’s John T. Richardson Library, 2350 N. Kenmore Ave. The unveiling will be followed by a reception at 4:30 p.m. to honor the authors of a new book chronicling the 100-year history of the university. The authors will autograph copies of the book, "DePaul University: Centennial Essays and Issues."

The events, which are free and open to the public, are part of a yearlong celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the university’s founding.

"Our goal is not only to commemorate the university’s century of history but also to celebrate the legacy and values of the university’s namesake, St. Vincent de Paul," said the Rev. Edward Udovic, C.M., DePaul senior executive for university mission, who organized the events.

The life-sized bronze bust, created by artist Lachlan McLean of New Orleans, La., will be unveiled in the library lobby. In addition to the bust, a centennial gift to the university from St. Vincent’s Parish, 1010 W. Webster Ave., will be presented. The gift is a set of French hand-woven gold vestments that were originally commissioned for the parish’s golden jubilee celebrated in 1925. The vestments were used in the 1928 International Eucharistic Congress held in Chicago.

The exhibit on the third floor of the library will feature a variety of items belonging to St. Vincent, (1581-1660), founder of the Vincentians and the patron of the university. The Mother House of the Congregation of the Mission in Paris (the Vincentian order) has loaned the items to the university.

The items include a small portrait of St. Vincent, the saint's prayer books, his personal seal, a candlestick and small knife from his desk. A letter signed by the saint from the University's Special Collections and first editions of the saint’s first two biographies also are part of the exhibit. The collection will be displayed throughout the centennial year.

The eight DePaul administrators and faculty members who wrote "DePaul University: Centennial Essays and Issues" will be honored and will autograph copies of the soft cover book at 4:30 p.m. in the library’s third floor Special Collections area. Published in September by Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company of Dubuque, Iowa, the 380-page book traces the transformation of DePaul University from the tiny, financially strapped St. Vincent’s College to the nation’s second largest Catholic university.

Illustrated with 83 photos from the university’s archives, the book is a compilation of essays based on scores of interviews with alumni, faculty and administrators. A wide range of subjects are covered, including the growth and expansion of DePaul, its relationship with the urban community, student life, campus culture, curriculum, the university’s mission and other topics.

John Rury, professor of education, and Charles Suchar, professor of sociology and associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, edited and wrote sections of the book. The other authors are: Richard Meister, executive vice president for academic affairs; Dennis McCann, professor of religious studies; Anna Waring, assistant professor of Public Services; Albert Erlebacher, professor emeritus of history; Rev. Thomas Croak, C.M., associate vice president for donor relations, and Charles Strain, professor of religious studies.

Copies of the $29.95 book can purchased at Follett’s Bookstore at DePaul or by calling 1-800-228-0810.

For more information about the book or centennial events, call DePaul’s Office of the Centennial: 312/362-8606.