Bequest Honors Alumnus’ Catholic Education Roots

John Kelly, daughter Bridget, wife Paula and son Jack appreciate the community they find in Catholic faith and education.

"The best way we can help young men and women is to help get them an education," says John Kelly (BUS '86, MST '89). John's DePaul education launched a successful career in public accounting at KPMG and corporate leadership at United Health Group in Minneapolis, where he lives with his wife, Paula.

By including DePaul in their will, John and Paula will grow an endowed scholarship they previously established. The John and Paula Kelly Endowed Scholarship in Accountancy provides financial assistance and recognition to high-achieving accountancy undergraduates with financial need.

"We focus on the business school because we think those practical degrees effectively get people to the next level and help break cycles of poverty," says John, who benefited from a scholarship himself.

"My parents and grandparents didn't have enough money to attend university, but they were all able to get Catholic educations," says John, who grew up on Chicago's Southwest Side and met Paula through a teen group at a Catholic church in their neighborhood.

John says the Catholic Church's support for the Irish and Polish immigrants on earlier branches of his family tree reminds him of DePaul's Vincentian mission and commitment to opening the doors of higher education to outstanding students, across all backgrounds, regardless of their financial means.

"As a Catholic, urban institution, DePaul has perhaps embodied those values better than any school in the country," says John. "DePaul has made sure an education is possible for all. That's something that continues to impress and excite us."

To learn about ways you can support deserving students with a planned gift, contact Richard S. Goode, JD at (312) 362-8605 or plannedgiving@depaul.edu.