New research institute partnership focuses on homelessness

DePaul University is collaborating with a UK charity to support policymakers and services for the homeless through a new Institute for Global Homelessness, the university announced Sept. 26.

The institute will be located at DePaul University in Chicago and is a collaboration by DePaul International and the university.

With shared Vincentian values, the institute will provide research, leadership development and creative consultancy in homelessness.

“Looking out for the needs of the poor is central to our mission as a Vincentian university,” Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., president of DePaul, said. “We are honored to collaborate with DePaul International to strengthen expertise on homelessness and do as much as we can to help alleviate this critical global issue.”

Mark McGreevy, group chief executive of DePaul International, highlighted the importance of homelessness.

“The Institute for Global Homelessness will be working for everyone to have a place to call home and a stake in their community,” McGreevy said. “We at DePaul International welcome this collaboration with DePaul University in creating something that will have an impact on the lives of homeless people around the world.”

BU professor receives Pierre Coste Prize

Barbara Diefendorf, a Boston University history professor, received the Vincentian Studies Institute Pierre Coste Prize, the university announced Sept. 26. The award recognizes individuals for distinguished work and contributions in Vincentian scholarship.

“Dr. Dienfendorf is being honored for her signal contribution to the religious historiography of 17th century France, which have in turn greatly contributed to contextualization of Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac and the foundation of the Vincentian tradition,” Fr. Edward Edovic said, an associate professor of history at DePaul.

Deifendorf has taught European history at Boston University for 33 years.

“The apostolic charity that lay at the heart of the work of Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac in particular intrigued me, because of its contrast with the inward-looking asceticism that followed on the heels of the wars,” Diefendorf said.

The Pierre Coste Prize was started in 2003 for the 25th anniversary celebration of the Vincentian Studies Institute.