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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY ON THEIR 80TH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, eighty years ago, Roosevelt University was founded by a visionary leader and 62 courageous faculty members who boldly challenged the exclusionary norms of higher education in 1945. Refusing to conform to discriminatory practices based on race, religion and gender, they declared, “We don’t count that way.” Today, Roosevelt’s legacy of inclusion and progress is more vital than ever; and
WHEREAS, 2025 marks Roosevelt’s 80th anniversary. This milestone honors their founders’ trailblazing spirit and celebrates the things that make them uniquely Roosevelt; and
WHEREAS, Roosevelt University’s namesakes are President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt; and
WHEREAS, Roosevelt currently serves 4,281 students across four colleges and two campuses in downtown Chicago and suburban Schaumburg: the Chicago College of Performing Arts; the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences; the College of Science, Health and Pharmacy; and the Heller College of Business; and
WHEREAS, Roosevelt is an active partner in the social, economic and cultural development of the communities it serves, with a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, as well as a Minority-Serving Institution; and
WHEREAS, Roosevelt has nearly 100,000 alumni worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Roosevelt University serves a diverse student body. 28.6% of students identify as Hispanic or Latino, while 18.4% identify as Black or African American. 53% of undergraduate students are the first in their family to pursue a college degree, and 71% of undergraduate students qualify for a Pell Grant; and
WHEREAS, full-time student enrollment increased 26% from fall 2022 to spring 2025. In fall of 2024, Roosevelt welcomed their largest first-year class in university history - defying national trends of flat enrollment by securing two consecutive years of enrollment growth; and
WHEREAS, Roosevelt recently announced their “Roosevelt Pledge,” providing free tuition to new undergraduate Illinois resident students with an annual household income below $50,000; and
WHEREAS, Roosevelt continues to make a college degree more accessible for historically marginalized populations - preparing students to become socially conscious citizens who are leaders in their professions and their communities; and
WHEREAS, notable alumni include Harold L. Washington, 51st Mayor of Chicago, and Chicago’s first African American Mayor; Dempsey Travis, real estate entrepreneur, activist and author; Bobby L. Rush, former United States Representative for Illinois’ 1st congressional district; Dr. Carla Hayden, 14th Librarian of Congress; and Frank J. Aguilar, Cook County Commissioner; and
WHEREAS, investing in Roosevelt students is an investment in Chicago’s communities and families. A college degree can be a pathway to economic mobility - helping break cycles of poverty. Additionally, when one person attains a college degree, it often encourages future generations within that family to do the same. Graduates who return to or remain in their communities then contribute to local economies, improve public health and civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, Roosevelt’s student body may continuously be changing; however, their commitment to access has remained constant since 1945; and
WHEREAS, the leadership of President Ali R. Malekzadeh, Ph.D., and Chair of the Board of Trustees J.C. Gonzalez-Mendez should be recognized; and
WHEREAS, the faculty and staff of Roosevelt University should be recognized; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Roosevelt University has made an indelible and invaluable impact on the students and communities they serve; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Roosevelt University’s commitment to expanding higher education opportunities should be recognized and honored; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, do hereby honor Roosevelt University on their 80th anniversary in April of 2025.
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