Roosevelt University welcomed alumni, civic leaders and community members on Saturday, April 18 for the 2026 Harold Washington Legacy Brunch and Dedication of the Harold L. Washington Hall of Honor. Together, the events celebrated the enduring impact of Chicago’s first Black mayor and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to equity, access and social justice.
Among the honored speakers were The Honorable Lamont J. Robinson, Fourth Ward Alderman of the City of Chicago, and The Honorable Melissa Conyears-Ervin, MBA ’03, Treasurer of the City of Chicago and Roosevelt alumna. Robinson and Conyears-Ervin reflected on Washington’s enduring influence on civic leadership in Chicago and the continued relevance of his example in public life. Robinson framed the gathering as both a celebration of Washington’s legacy and a call to continue the work of equitable leadership in Chicago.
They were joined by honored guests and fellow Roosevelt alumni Mike Quigley, BA ’81, Bobby Rush, BGS ’74, and Melissa L. Bean, BA ’00, whose collective presence underscored Roosevelt’s long and enduring connection to public service at the local and national levels. It marked a rare moment for Roosevelt, bringing together alumni who have served in city government, Congress and national public life in a shared tribute to one of the University’s most consequential alumni.
That gathering carried particular significance in the case of Bobby Rush, whose connection to Harold Washington extended far beyond politics. A close friend, ally and longtime supporter of Washington, Rush represents a living connection to the movement that helped reshape Chicago politics in the 1980s and to the personal relationships that sustained Washington’s leadership.
Roosevelt University President Ali R. Malekzadeh opened the program by reflecting on the deep connection between Mayor Washington’s legacy and the University’s founding values. He continued by acknowledging the work of the Mayor Harold Washington Legacy Committee in preserving that legacy, saying, “Last year, I had the honor of presenting the Freedom Award to committee president Loisteen Woods Walker in recognition of the committee’s contributions to advancing Roosevelt’s social justice mission and philanthropic efforts. Today’s record attendance is a testament to the strength of our partnership.”
That legacy and partnership remains central to Roosevelt’s present-day mission and to the Harold Washington Legacy Scholarship, which recognizes students who reflect Washington’s commitment to leadership, service and civic engagement. This year, Roosevelt student Aldo Brown, an Exercise, Nutrition and Health Science major, was recognized as a 2026 scholarship recipient for his leadership on campus and commitment to community building.
Brown, president of Roosevelt’s Black Student Union and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., has helped foster connection, advocacy and belonging through student programming and professional networking initiatives. “The staff and students here encouraged me to be a leader and give back to the Black community in particular,” Brown said.
Established through Roosevelt’s partnership with the Mayor Harold Washington Legacy Committee, the scholarship is part of a broader effort to preserve and extend Washington’s impact. Founded in 2013, the nonprofit Committee is dedicated to honoring the life and work of Mayor Harold Lee Washington. Many of its founding members were directly involved in Washington’s historic 1983 mayoral campaign or his administration, carrying forward a personal connection to his legacy.
The dedication of the Harold L. Washington Hall of Honor extended that commitment beyond scholarship support and into the physical campus itself. Located in the corridor connecting the historic Auditorium Building and the University’s Wabash Building, the Hall of Honor creates a visible and lasting tribute to Washington’s legacy in one of the most traveled spaces on campus. Designed to connect Roosevelt’s historic foundations with the students who move through its campus each day, the installation invites reflection on Washington’s enduring impact on civic life, democratic leadership and social justice.
Jared Fritz-McCarty, Roosevelt’s Vice President of Advancement, led the dedication of the Harold L. Washington Hall of Honor and reflected on the significance of the installation in preserving Washington’s legacy on campus. He concluded with, “For our students, this space is an invitation—to see what is possible in their own lives. For our alumni, it is a reminder that their stories are part of something enduring. And for everyone who walks through here, it reflects what Roosevelt stands for: equity, inclusion and opportunity for all.”
Together, the Harold Washington Legacy Scholarship and the Harold L. Washington Hall of Honor affirm Roosevelt’s enduring commitment to the democratic ideals Washington championed and to preparing the next generation of leaders to carry them forward.
