Joey Fremgen with his parents, Patty and Joseph Fremgen
Joey Fremgen (BUS ’20, MSAA ’21) is the latest graduate in a family of seven DePaul Blue Demons. A Strobel Honors alumnus and a recipient of DePaul’s Student of the Year award, given in conjunction with the Federation of Schools of Accountancy, Fremgen has demonstrated a commitment to the professional field of accounting and a track record of academic achievement and service to DePaul’s School of Accountancy & MIS.
This year, Fremgen begins his audit career in public accounting, the latest professional in a multigenerational family of DePaul alumni. Here, Joey and his mother Patty Fremgen (CMN ’88), a health care professional who works for Advocate Medical Group, share their perspectives on receiving a DePaul education.
Why did you choose DePaul for your education?
Joey: My family history with the university, its excellent accounting program and Chicago-based business school, and the ability to be close to home.
Patty: Growing up I was a huge fan of Coach Ray Meyer and DePaul basketball. I love the city of Chicago, and I wanted a smaller classroom environment where I could interact with the professors.
What was your favorite or most memorable class?
Joey: Sports law with Phil Meyers. The class combined my passion for sports and love for business and resulted in my learning a new perspective for how the two intertwined.
Patty: My favorite class was my internship with Financial Analyst Terry Savage at WBBM-TV. That internship taught me life lessons about the financial world of investing and the importance of saving for your future.
How did DePaul prepare you for your career?
Joey: The Strobel Honors program helped me network with many alumni who provided valuable advice, and it helped me prepare for the CPA exam. The DePaul Career Center also helped me with my resume and interviewing skills, allowing me to build my confidence.
Patty: DePaul taught me how to be independent and how to become a better communicator whether it be in writing, speaking or presenting.
What advice do you have for new DePaul graduates?
Joey: Continuously network with peers, friends, colleagues and alumni. Upskill yourself in an area that you think will be important in your field, especially technology.
Patty: Believe in yourself. Believing in yourself will give you the confidence you need to overcome obstacles. Stay positive, learn from past mistakes and move on.
What is it like to have a multigenerational DePaul family?
Joey: Being a third-generation DePaul graduate gives me a unique perspective of the university and its history. Being on campus feels like home. Speaking with my grandma and mom about their experiences makes me feel good that I chose the right school for my education.
Patty: The best part is the reminiscing. I lived at Clifton-Fullerton Hall, and when my husband and I dropped Joey off at the same residence hall his freshman year, it brought back a lot of memories I could share with him. It’s also a lot of fun to watch Blue Demon basketball together because we get very passionate about the games.
Fremgen DePaul alumni
- The late John Lawrence Fremgen (LAS ’50)
- Ione Van Dyke Fremgen (BUS ’57)
- Harold Fremgen (MBA ’63)
- Patricia Dickson Fremgen (CMN ’88)
- Matthew John Fremgen (MAC ’12)
- Joseph William Fremgen (BUS ’20, MSAA ’21)
- Samuel Breedlove (CDM ’21)
By Brian Maj