| Honorific Prefix: | The Reverend |
| Honorific-Suffix: | C.M. |
| John T. Richardson | |
| Office: | 9th President of DePaul University |
| Term Start: | October 31, 1981 |
| Term End: | June 30, 1993 |
| Predecessor: | John R. Cortelyou |
| Successor: | John P. Minogue |
| Birth Name: | John Thomas Richardson |
| Birth Date: | 20 December 1923 |
| Birth Place: | Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Perryville, Missouri, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Priest, academic, educator |
John Thomas Richardson, C.M. (December 20, 1923 - March 29, 2022) was an American academic administrator and Catholic priest. He served as the ninth President of DePaul University, serving from 1981 through 1993.[1] He began his academic career with DePaul University in 1954, when he served as the dean of the Graduate School until his election as university president.[2] After his tenure ended, he became the university's chancellor, serving until 2017.[1]
Richardson was born in Dallas, Texas. His parents were Patrick Richardson and Mary (Walsh) Richardson.[3] He joined the Congregation of the Mission in 1942.[4] He studied at St. Mary's Seminary in Perryville, Missouri and earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1946.[3]
Richardson became a priest in 1949 and received his Doctor of Sacred Theology from the Dominican Angelicum University in 1951. He returned to school in 1954, attending St. Louis University to receive a master's degree in sociology.[3]
Richardson began his career with DePaul University in 1954, when he served as the dean of the Graduate School.[2] He also served as a trustee of the university beginning in 1954 until 1993. In 1981, Richardson became the university's 9th president.[2] He was inaugurated at Navy Pier on October 31, 1981 with Illinois Governor James R. Thompson and Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne declaring that week of October 25 to November 1 as DePaul University Week.[5] One of his first actions was to re-establish the university's student paper after his predecessor disbanded it.[6]
The Center for Urban Education, International Human Rights Law Institute, and Institute for Business Ethics were all founded during his tenure at the university.[1] [7] His administration also oversaw the university's first satellite campus in Oak Brook, Illinois as better education access for adult and commuter students.[8]
During his tenure, the university constructed three student residence halls in Lincoln Park, to help attract students from out of state.[2] When he retired on June 30, 1993, the university had 16,500 students.[2] His successor, John P. Minogue,was named DePaul University's 10th president in September 1993.[9] After his tenure as president ended, Richardson became the university's chancellor and served in this role until 2017.[10] He was later honored as chancellor emeritus.[10]
After his retirement, Richardson went into academia, teaching various seminarian courses.[3]
Rich\ardson is the author of the memoir The Playful Hand of God (2011),[11] as well as Readings in Catholic Social Teaching (2015), a collection of lectures and documents from his work at Christ the King Seminary.[11] Richardson died on March 29, 2022, in Perryville, Missouri, aged 98.[12]
In 1992, the John R. Richardson Library was opened at DePaul University's Lincoln Park campus.[1]
In 1994, Governor of Illinois Jim Edgar honored Richardson as Laureate in the Order of Lincoln, the highest honor in Illinois for his philanthropy works.[3]