Capacity Crowd to Witness Investiture of the Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M.

Local and national dignitaries from religious, educational, political and professional arenas are expected to join the DePaul University community at the inauguration of its 11th president, the Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., at 6:15 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St. in Millennium Park.

The event begins with a processional of more than 400 robed participants at 6:15 p.m. Inside the 1,500-seat theater, 100 special guests – including the president’s party, more than 70 university representatives from around the country and two living DePaul presidents who have preceded Holtschneider – will take seats on the stage. In an hour-long ceremony that includes the premiere of an original musical composition, a tribute by a 35-member orchestra, a dramatic performance and proclamations of welcome from city and state officials, the president of the largest Catholic university in the country will be officially installed.

Attorney John B. Simon, chair of DePaul’s Board of Trustees and partner at Jenner & Block, along with immediate past president, the Rev. John P. Minogue, C.M., and the university’s ninth president, the Rev. John T. Richardson, C.M., will carry out the investiture ritual to install the new president. During this traditional ceremony, Holtschneider will be presented the Chain of Office, a medallion symbolizing the authority conferred as a sacred trust by the Board of Trustees upon the president as the chief executive officer of the university. He also will be presented with a copy of the institution’s mission statement as a reminder of his personal mission as president.

A reception of approximately 1,800 guests will immediately follow in the Imperial Ballroom at the Fairmont Hotel, 200 N. Columbus Dr.