Did You Know?

A Historical Timeline of Roosevelt's Auditorium Building

1887
President Grover Cleveland lays the cornerstone of the Auditorium Building.

1888
Republican National Convention held in partially fininished Auditorium Building.  Benjamin Harrison is nominated.   The theatre is dedicated one year later by President Harrison.

1900
Booker T. Washington, founder of Alabama's Tuskegee Institute, addresses a capacity crowd in the theatre.

1921
Chicago Opera Company's production of "Madam Butterfly" is broadcast live from the theatre.  It is Chicago's first live radio broadcast.

1941
The theatre closes during the Great Depression.  It is taken over by the city and used as a World War II servicemen's center.  A bowling alley is created on the stage.

1946
Roosevelt moves into the Auditorium Building.

1967
The theatre reopens.

1976
The Auditorium Building is designated a Chicago landmark.

2001
The first phase of a major restoration project of the theatre begins.

2004
Broadway in Chicago joins The Joffrey Ballet as a partner with the Auditorium Theatre.

 

For more information about the history of the Auditorium Theater, click here.

 

Timeline source:

Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

January 2008

Around Campus

December Commencement Ceremonies
Commencement ceremonies were Dec. 21 in the historic Auditorium Theatre.  The faculty and staff of Roosevelt University congratulate the parents and families of our December graduates. United States Congressman Bobby L. Rush, a lifelong political activist and one of Roosevelt’s most distinguished graduates, was the commencement speaker and received a Doctor of Humane Letters degree honoris causa.  To view Congressman Rush's speech, click here.

One Book, One University
The university's Mansfield Institute for Social Justice will present the annual One Book, One University program in the spring semester.  The 2008 book is There Are No Children Here: The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in the Other America by Alex Kotlowitz.  Mr. Kotlowitz will speak at the university on March 13.   More information >>

Border Film Project Exhibit on Campus
Border Film Project is a collaborative art project giving disposable cameras to two groups on different sides of the border: undocumented migrants crossing the desert into the United States, and American Minutemen trying to stop them.

The exhibition runs from Jan. 28 to March 21 at Roosevelt's Gage Gallery, 18 S. Michigan Ave. An opening receltion will be held in the gallery on Thursday, Jan. 31 from 5-8 p.m. and is open to the general public. Victoria Criado, one of the project's creators, will attend the opening to discuss the project and to show a 20 minute film of the project.  More information >>

University Receives Grant
Roosevelt has received a $12,500 grant from the McCormick Tribune Foundation to run a unique, two-course project in early 2008 in which selected students will track the Illinois presidential primary and views of voters for a book to be called Illinois Decides.  More information >>

 

Roosevelt Snapshots

Commencement

A recent Roosevelt graduate is all smiles at the December 2007 graduation ceremonies in the Auditorium Theatre.

Illinois Professor of the Year

Nov. 29 was Steve Meyers Day in the State of Illinois in honor of the Roosevelt psychology professor who was selected as the 2007 Professor of the Year in the State of Illinois by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. President Middleton (left) presented Meyers with a proclamation from Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich during a reception for Meyers.

Journalist Speaks on Presidential Election


Renee Ferguson, investigative reporter at NBC Channel 5 News, discussed changes in the field of journalism and how the 2008 election will affect African-Americans during a recent lecture on campus. Ferguson was the first speaker in a year-long series sponsored by Roosevelt's St. Clair Drake Center for African and African-American Studies.

Fundraiser Benefits Disability Foundation

Thirty-five students in two Roosevelt classes worked together last semester on a fundraiser that netted $6,800 for the benefit of the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities’ Bridges from School to Work program in Chicago. Carol Brown, assistant professor of hospitality management who oversaw the project, presented a check to Ken Upshaw, director of Marriott’s Bridges from School to Work program. Planned from start to finish by students, the event attracted nearly 200 people and featured a silent auction and the sale of student-made bracelets and ornaments.

 

Dates to Know

Jan. 15	Full payment or first installment due for spring classes
Jan. 21	MLK, Jr. Day - university closed
Jan. 28	Spring classes begin
Feb. 1	Last day to submit application for May 2008 graduation
Feb. 4	Last day to withdraw from regular courses with no grade recorded
March 17-23	Spring break

 

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