University’s Egan Urban Center to Present Social Justice Award to Rev. Michael Pfleger

DePaul University’s Egan Urban Center will honor the legacy of Msgr. John J. Egan at the first annual Social Justice Award Breakfast, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Oct. 9 at the Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave., Room 120. The Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Church, will deliver the keynote address and receive the first Egan Social Justice Award.

The occasion marks the 86th anniversary of the late social activist’s birth. At the time of his death in May of 2001, Egan held the position of assistant to the president for community affairs at DePaul, where he served for 15 years. Ordained a priest in 1943, Egan fought tirelessly for the poor and was visibly in the forefront of Catholic social issues throughout his extensive term of community service. Known as “the people’s priest,” the former pastor of Presentation Parish on Chicago’s West Side and member of the board of the National Catholic Reporter marched in Selma, Ala., with the Rev. Martin L. King, Jr., in the 1960s, and walked the picket lines with Chicago union workers in the 1990s. Msgr. Egan was the recipient of numerous awards and honors recognizing his pioneering efforts for social justice.

The inaugural Social Justice Award offers a vehicle to recognize individuals who embody the spirit, courage and commitment of Msgr. Egan. As an advocate for justice and a voice against racism, Pfleger, 53, who is a Diocesan priest like Egan, has attracted national headlines by spearheading social protest movements in Chicago. In 1997, after waging a successful campaign against alcohol and tobacco billboards in African American communities, Pfleger won a major victory when the Chicago City Council voted to ban the billboards throughout most of the city.

The breakfast is free and open to the public. However, reservations must be made by calling DePaul’s Office of Special Events at 312/362-6638 or via email to sopferma@depaul.edu.

The Egan Urban Center represents DePaul’s enduring commitment to develop and deliver innovative, educational programs and services that have significant social impact and give expression to the university’s Vincentian mission. Michael Bennett is the executive director of the Egan Urban Center, which was founded in 1994 and has offices on DePaul’s Loop and Lincoln Park campuses.

DePaul is the largest Catholic university in the United States and the largest private university in Chicago. Founded by followers of St. Vincent de Paul, the 17th century French priest who dedicated his life to serving the poor, DePaul’s mission emphasizes academic excellence, service to the community, access to education and respect for the individual. The university enrolls a richly diverse population of more than 21,000 students in nine colleges and schools. DePaul offers a wide range of academic and professional programs on eight campuses in the Chicago area.