Submit a Nomination for the Fr. Patrick McDevitt Distinguished Alumni Award!

ytao17

Fr. Patrick McDevitt Distinguished Alumni Award

Fr. McDevitt was born and raised in Chicago. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1986 and is a member of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians). He has worked in parish ministry and seminaries. Fr. McDevitt conducts retreats for laity, religious women, and priests.

Fr. McDevitt has a long history with DePaul University. His family home and paternal grandmother lived on the Lincoln Park campus. St. Vincent’s parish is where generations of his family attended. Fr. McDevitt began his teaching career at DePaul’s Counseling Program in 1996 as a summer adjunct professor. He began teaching full time in 2000 and eventually received tenure. Fr. McDevitt left DePaul in 2019 to become the Rector and Superior of the Vincentian Seminary (DePaul Centre) in Nairobi Kenya. He was elected Provincial of the Western Province in March 2020.

Fr. McDevitt was previously the President of All Hallows College, Dublin Ireland, a Catholic, Vincentian third level institution, and a linked college of Dublin City University. Fr. McDevitt participated in the Harvard Graduate School of Education Seminar for New Presidents. He has an extensive record for professional and civic leadership through his service on boards and membership in various professional associations. Fr. McDevitt has a strong background in counseling education, pastoral counseling, ministry, and leadership. He has written on education, leadership development, the psycho-social influences on ministry and education in today’s society and on aspects of community mental health.

In 2018, in honor of Fr. Patrick’s legacy and extraordinary commitment to the Counseling program for over two decades, an alumni award was created in his honor. The Fr. Patrick McDevitt Distinguished Alumni Award bestows recognition of, and appreciation for, his outstanding accomplishments to deserving Alumni of DePaul University’s Counseling Program. The recipient has attained distinction in professional achievements, has made significant contributions to society, and upholds the core values and mission of DePaul University, particularly in service to underrepresented and underserved populations. The recipient exhibits integrity, leadership, professionalism and a social justice orientation. The award is a reflection of DePaul University’s Counseling program and provides inspiration and encouragement for our current students.

Eligibility & Criteria

  • Nominees must be alumni of DePaul’s Counseling Program
  • Award winners will have demonstrated all or some of the following criteria:
    • Outstanding achievements in their chosen profession or other area of endeavor
    • Demonstrated and upheld the core values and mission embraced by DePaul University, specifically serving underrepresented and underserved populations
    • Made significant contributions (e.g., service, teaching, etc.) to the Counseling program, or to to the community-at-large

Selection Process

  • Any interested persons may nominate or self-nominate Alumni for the Fr. Patrick McDevitt Distinguished Alumni Award by sending a paragraph describing how they meet eligibility requirements to Rebecca Michel, PhD, LCPC (rebecca.michel@depaul.edu) by Friday, April 4, 2025
  • The Counseling Faculty will review all nominations and determine selection of award recipient

Award winners receive a plaque and recognition in Counseling and College of Education media.

Past Award Winners

Kirsten Perry & Ashley Knight, 2018
Brian Coleman, 2019
Jennifer Fleming, 2020
Manuel French, 2021