A celebration of 75 years of Roosevelt University
Board of Trustees Chair
BGS ’80
Pat Harris began her 40-year career at McDonald’s while taking classes at Roosevelt. As global chief diversity officer, she developed diversity and inclusion strategies for McDonald’s workforce around the world. The company earned recognition from Fortune, Black Enterprise and many other publications for its commitment to diversity.
Today Harris is the chair of the Roosevelt University Board of Trustees. Hear more about her journey on the University podcast.
Congressional Representative
BA Political Science, ’81
As a Roosevelt student, Mike Quigley got his start in public service with an internship at the Environmental Protection Agency. He went on to earn a master’s in public policy from the University of Chicago and a J.D. from Loyola University.
In 2009, he won election to represent Illinois’ 5th District in Congress. His district covers Chicago’s North Side and some of the western suburbs. Quigley has supported health care legislation, the environment and LGBTQ+ rights.
“It only takes one voice to stand above the crowd and touch people’s lives,” He told the Roosevelt Review in 2009. “As a congressman, I plan to stand up whenever I can for the ideals that our country is all about.”
University President
Years at Roosevelt: 1988–2002
When Ted Gross became University president, Roosevelt faced daunting financial challenges and shrinking enrollment numbers. Under his leadership, Roosevelt grew the endowment to more than $33 million and hit a new enrollment high with 7,500 students.
Gross spearheaded the fundraising for the Schaumburg Campus, extending Roosevelt’s reach into the main business artery of the northwestern suburbs. During his tenure, the University also created a performing arts conservatory and the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate.
1996–Present
With the support of Alfred A. Robin, Roosevelt University opened its Schaumburg Campus in 1996 and became the first comprehensive university in the region. Students are close to leading company headquarters like Abbott Laboratories, Motorola and others in the busy business corridor. The campus is also a certified arboretum.
History Professor and Social Activist
MA History, ’63, Professor 1966–2006
Betty Balanoff taught history to Roosevelt students for 25 years, leading the way in teaching African American history, Native American history and women’s history.
Her lasting legacy is the Labor Oral History Project, a collection of over 60 interviews with union members in the Roosevelt archives. Balanoff conducted the interviews from 1970 to 1985.
Actress in Film, Theatre and Television
BFA Musical Theatre, ’98
Merle Dandridge is the star of Oprah Winfrey Network’s Greenleaf. She began her acting career with leading roles on Broadway in Spamalot, Rent, Aida, Tarzan and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Dandridge received Roosevelt’s first Distinguished Artist Award. “There is a precious and sweet satisfaction in hearing ‘job well done’ from the University that first invested in my potential, then backed it up by giving me a tool box full of gifts to ensure my success,” she said.
1992–Present
Founded with a gift from Joseph Jacobs, the Center for New Deal Studies supports the study of the University’s namesakes. Since 1992, the center has examined the legacy of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, hosting events and programs for the community. It’s also home to 1,500 pieces of FDR memorabilia.
The annual Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Distinguished Lecture has welcomed a U.S. surgeon general, a former president of Brazil and multiple ambassadors.
Roosevelt’s Oldest Graduate
BGS History, ’96
At age 91, Myrtle Shannon is Roosevelt’s oldest graduate. Shannon’s grandfather had been enslaved; after the Civil War, he followed Union soldiers to Iowa, earned his education and returned to Mississippi to become a teacher.
“He always taught us: Get as much education as you can,” she recalled. “He said that nobody could beat you out of anything, or take away things that belong to you. He said: Get as much education as you can.”
1998–Present
Roosevelt honors students work closely with faculty mentors on research projects and in seminars. The program, founded by professor emeritus Sam Rosenberg, is an opportunity for students to create their own curriculum and prepare for graduate school.
Students can also take an interdisciplinary seminar at the Newberry Library, conducting research in its collection of some 1.6 million books.
Actor
BFA Musical Theatre, ’03
Parvesh Cheena is best known for his roles as Gupta on the series Outsourced and Sunil on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. He has voiced many characters on animated series, including Disney Junior’s T.O.T.S., Disney’s The Owl House and Transformers: Rescue Bots. In the new NBC comedy Connecting…, he plays Pradeep, one of a group of friends trying to stay close during the pandemic.