Saint Xavier Spring Commencement May 17, 2009

Robert and Mary Rita Stump to receive Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa;
Richard H. Driehaus to be graduate Commencement speaker and receive Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa

Chicago (May 11, 2009)– Robert and Mary Rita Stump will receive the conferral by Saint Xavier University of the degree Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa, during the school’s undergraduate Commencement beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 17 in the SXU Shannon Center.

Richard H. Driehaus will be the Commencement speaker at the 3 p.m. graduate Commencement ceremony. He will receive a Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa.

Robert F. Stump, son of the late Walter and Marie Stump, and Mary Rita Stump, daughter of the late Morgan and Anne Murphy, exemplify the mission and core values of Saint Xavier University. Morgan Murphy, Sr. was a great friend and advisor to Saint Xavier and the Sisters of Mercy throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Between 1952-1954, Morgan Murphy, Sr. had a significant role in helping to secure the land for the Chicago Campus of Saint Xavier University. He was one of the first members of the then-College Lay Advisory Board, received an honorary degree from Saint Xavier in 1960, and was a Life Trustee of the University from 1966 until his death.

Their philanthropic spirit and affection for Saint Xavier University include real estate for the Orland Park Campus and financial gifts, including a gift to the Mercy Endowment Challenge.

Saint Xavier recognized Mr. and Mrs. Stump in 2002 with the University’s highest honor, the Shield of Saint Xavier.

Richard H. Driehaus, born and raised in Chicago, is truly a multi-faceted individual. He has enjoyed enormous business success, earning a reputation within investment management industry as an investor extraordinaire. He has also focused his attention and energy on a wide variety of philanthropic and community-service oriented projects, individually and through the efforts of The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and the Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Trusts.

Mr. Driehaus earned his bachelor of science in commerce degree in 1965 and a master of business administration at DePaul University in 1970. He later endowed a Center for Behavioral Finance, established a Professorship in Behavioral Finance, endowed a Center for International Business Studies, and his foundation provides scholarship to fulltime M.B.A. students at DePaul University.

In addition, Mr. Driehaus has conveyed his gratitude to other Chicago-based educational institutions and religious orders focused on education, such as St. Ignatius College Preparatory School (his high school), St. Margaret of Scotland (his grammar school) and the School of Sisters of Notre Dame in recognition of their contributions to his success.

Mr. Driehaus made two transformational gifts to Saint Xavier University: Gilhooley’s Grande Saloon and the shopping center in which it is located; and an endowment to help Catholic elementary schools, in particular St. Margaret of Scotland. In 2006, Saint Xavier presented Mr. Driehaus with the Shield of Saint Xavier.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu