Our last newsletter of the 22-23 school year, commencement need to know, and Lavender Graduation
Plus, our latest episode of ‘The B-Side’
Welcome to the final edition of “In the Loop” for the 22-23 school year! It’s your newsletter team — Kate, Billie, Hailey, Citlali, Cary, Lauren, Monique, Bridget and Kiernan — here to wish you a happy summer and happy Pride! To the DePaul students, we wish you good luck on your finals, and congratulations to the graduates!
Tonight, we bring you a new, very special edition of ‘In the Loop.’ Beginning with our latest episode of ‘The B-Side,’ a story by staff writer Billie Rollason reminiscing memories of her late father and allowing the audience to share in some of those memories as well. Additionally, we’ve got details on commencement ceremonies (and Lavender Graduation!), information on Chicago’s air quality and a parting letter from our newsletter editor.
We’d like to thank you for your continued support of ‘In the Loop’ and 14 East this school year. If you want to show support for 14 East and ‘In the Loop,’ we invite you to donate directly to our newsroom. Whether it’s a one-time contribution or a monthly gift, every cent helps us build a newsroom that serves you, our readers, and we get 100% of your donation.
We’d also like to congratulate our faculty advisor Amy Merrick for receiving an Excellence in Teaching award from DePaul’s College of Communication. Whether it's in the classroom or the newsroom, Amy is always there for her students. We can’t thank her enough for her dedication to 14 East.
We’ll be taking a short break to rest and reset after the school year, but we will be back with your Monday night newsletter in a couple of weeks brought to you by 14 East’s new management!
‘The B-Side’: Mr. Blue Sky
By Billie Rollason and Hailey Bosek
As soon as I learned that the 2022 14 East storytelling event would be based on the subject of “Memory,” I instantly knew I wanted to explore the memory, grief and heart surrounding the loss of my father in writing and performance. Having the opportunity to showcase my love and loss was cathartic and I can only hope my story reminds people to love those around them hard and that they aren’t alone in their loss.
My story, “Mr. Blue Sky” is a clear reminder that people may not remember everything about the people they love, but they surely remember how they made them feel.
It’s now been 12 years without my father, and his memory remains coated in love. The memories I do have get to sit in the safe of my heart forever. We always remember the way people made us feel.
— Billie Rollason
Story and reading by: Billie Rollason
Edited and produced by: Hailey Bosek
Letter From the Newsletter Editor: Thank You, ‘In the Loop’
By Kate Linderman
‘In the Loop’ started as a resource to answer questions about COVID-19. The DePaul community was lost and confused, not knowing how this pandemic would ultimately impact us. Known as “DePaul’s COVID-19 Newsletter” at its founding, I relied on this resource as a freshman in college to tell me if my classes were going to be on campus and if I had to move out of my dorm room.
Over three years later, I’m writing my final words in ‘In the Loop’ as its editor. It has been an honor to keep this resource going throughout the last year, and it is my hope that 14 East, and other newsrooms, use this medium to share resources with its community — whatever they may need.
I joined 14 East’s staff in a tumultuous era of the pandemic. COVID-19 news became central to our daily life, and though so much was still unknown, many of us were sick of hearing about vaccines, variants and restrictions. Sitting in our homes, we anxiously awaited a CDC announcement that said this was all over. Through this, the newsletter kept going to keep information all in one place.
But we learned over time that COVID-19 news was not all the news we needed to get through the week. From a turbulent political era in the United States to tragedy caused by gun violence, and even business openings and closings, we knew that this newsletter could not solely focus on COVID-19. So, we expanded.
It was October 2021 when ‘In The Loop’ debuted after a fabulous revamp by former editor Clarie Malon. No longer “DePaul’s COVID-19 Newsletter,” 14 East was able to detail all the biggest university, local and national news in a Monday night read. In addition, you’ll find our featured columnist recommending something amazing each week, a story detailing something that we found striking that particular week, and an occasional “B-Side” podcast episode, like today, for you to enjoy.
Ultimately, ‘In the Loop’ wouldn’t be here without you, our readers, who keep coming back each and every week. I appreciate all of your support to this newsletter and to the magazine as a whole. You’ve supported projects such as the “The B-Side” podcast and “The Chicago Minute” short documentary and reporting that detailed DePaul’s budget, abortion access and COVID-19 testing. I can’t thank you enough for subscribing and reading each week.
To the newsletter team: without you, this newsletter wouldn’t be possible. Thank you for your dedication to this newsletter’s mission and determination to get this out each and every Monday night. Your work is so essential to the DePaul community, and the community you all have created at 14 East will always have a special place in my heart. I hope that you continue to expand ‘In the Loop’ to bring in more readers and resources. Above all, I hope that you stay true to accurate, factual reporting that our readers can continue to trust.
With that, I’m signing off as editor and am eager to watch this resource continue to grow.
Thank you, ‘In the Loop.’
DePaul News
By Billie Rollason
Annual Commencement Ceremonies, June 10 & 11
This weekend at Wintrust Arena, DePaul will be hosting its annual commencement ceremonies.
Saturday, June 10 commencements:
Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media / The Theatre School:
8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., doors open at 7 a.m.College of Communication / College of Education: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., doors open at 12 p.m.
College of Science and Health / School of Music: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 11 commencements:
Driehaus College of Business: 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., doors open at 7:00 a.m.
Kellstadt Graduate School of Business: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., doors open at 12:00 p.m.
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences / School of Continuing and Professional Studies: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m.
To enter the ceremonies at Wintrust Arena, you must have a physical ticket. Commencement pickup for the College of Education, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the College of Science and Health, the School of Music and The Theatre School will be between Tuesday, June 6 and Wednesday, June 7. If your school is not on this list, your commencement pickup has passed.
At commencement pickup, you will receive your reader card, tickets, and regalia. Students do not need to attend both days, and pick-up should only take about 30 minutes. For more information about commencement pickup, click here!
The regalia ordering and ticket RSVP deadlines have passed, but if you missed these deadlines and would like to attend commencement contact commencement@depaul.edu.
For those unable to attend the in-person commencement ceremonies, you can attend virtually via livestream.
Are you graduating with your doctorate degree? Check out this doctoral hooding instruction video.
This reporting was based on the DePaul Resources’ website, and you can find all these details and more here.
The Lavender Graduation Celebration is this Thursday
The Lavender Graduation, hosted by DePaul’s LGBTQIA+ Resource Center will take place on Thursday, June 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Lincoln Park Student Center room 314AB. This event is being hosted to celebrate LGBTQIA+ graduates and will have live speakers, entertainment, food, and photographers. Graduates recognized at the Lavender Graduation Celebration will receive a lavender cord to wear at their commencement ceremony this weekend.
Late Night Study Nigh on Tuesday with the Department of Catholic Studies
On Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Lincoln Park Campus in SAC room 570, the Catholic studies department invites Catholic studies students and those interested in Catholic studies classes an opportunity to learn about course options, meet professors, and have a meal while studying in a group.
Sign up for this week’s free program on Eventbrite.
Chicago Headlines
By Citlali Perez
Poor air quality reported for Monday and Tuesday — The State declared an “Air Pollution Action Day” on Monday in response to an air quality report from The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The poor air quality is primarily a result of high ozone levels and a lesser attribution is smoke coming from Canadian wildfires. Officials recommend limiting outdoor activity, especially for those who may be more sensitive. Ellery Jones with the Sun-Times has the story.
Lincoln Park community not completely sold on first cannabis dispensary — Alderman Timmy Knudsen addressed resident concerns about the project at a community meeting on Thursday. The project was approved in January. Marigrow, the company behind the dispensary, is looking to open at the former Salt ‘n Pepper Diner. Residents are concerned about its proximity to Jonquil Park. Jacquline Cardenas for Block Club Chicago has the story.
A man’s death at Woodlawn migrant shelter prompts investigation — A man who was staying at the former Wadsworth Elementary School that now serves as migrant shelter in Woodlawn was pronounced dead on Friday. The cause of death is unknown which has prompted an investigation from Area One detectives. Officials are still trying to get in contact with his family. Madison Savedra has the story for Block Club Chicago.
National Headlines
By Cary Robbins
Creating a home through food — Chef “Nok” Chutatip Suntaranon was able to bring their favorite childhood meals from the city of Trang in Thailand to Philadelphia. She started by being able to serve only 35 people, but now her restaurant seats up to 300 people. On Monday in Chicago, the James Beard Foundation gave awards to chefs and bakers. More than half of the 75 finalists are immigrants or children of immigrants. Joel Rose reported for NPR about how “immigrants have helped change how America eats” and now are dominating the culinary awards. Read their article here.
Donald Trump’s lawyers meet with Justice Department about prosecutorial misconduct — On Monday, former President Donald Trump’s lawyers met with officials of the Justice Department to explain how they characterize prosecutorial misconduct. This meeting is in response to how Trump handled classified documents in office and the possible obstruction of the documents’ final stages. To read more about the meeting, read this article by Evan Perez, Hannah Rabinowitz, Katelyn Polantz and Casey Gannon for CNN.
The U.S. and India collaborate to form deeper technology connections — The U.S. and India have joined together to cooperate in the defense industry. Washington is trying to deepen their technology connections with the country “as a key counterweight to China’s dominance in the region,” according to an article in Reuters. In a meeting between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi, they agreed to co-develop new technologies and promote existing systems to collaborate the defense start-up ecosystem of the two countries. Read more about this agreement through YP Rajesh’s article in Reuters.
Revealing the Black immigrants that often go unseen in immigration policy conversations — People from Somalia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan and Haiti have recently moved to Nashville, Tennessee in the hopes of starting their own families in the city. Black immigrants are feeling that they need to fight to make their presence known, which is similar to how Black Tennesseans, those whose families grew up there for generations have long felt. Leah Donnella writes about how Black immigrants living in all parts of the country have been referred to as “invisible immigrants” and why it is important to center their voices in national conversations of immigration policy. Read their article here in NPR.
“Unsafe” maneuver by Chinese warship towards a U.S. destroyer — On Saturday, Chinese navy ship Luyang III was caught on video by the U.S. military crossing towards a U.S. destroyer and finally straightening up to continue on a parallel path. This was considered an unsafe maneuver by the Chinese warship in the Taiwan Strait, and there have been other similar instances of tensions in the water. Read this article by Patrick Smith and Courtney Kube for NBC to learn more about the incident.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Lauren Sheperd
Hello everyone and welcome to the final newsletter of the 2022-2023 school year! I have loved making recommendations for you all year. With finals in full swing, I know everyone is looking for a place to study or finish up on final papers. If you’re looking to get out of the library and treat yourself to a study treat, here are my top three places around both campuses to do so.
1. One of my favorite places to study in the Lincoln Park area is Colectivo Coffee. I personally focus better when there is a lot of background noise, but if you don’t I would recommend either using noise canceling headphones or heading to one of my other recommendations because Colectivo is busy. I usually go to the Clark Street location, which mainly has outdoor and picnic table seating.
2. My next study location is Goddess and the Baker, but specifically the one on the corner of Wacker and LaSalle. Not only is this a great place to study and grab a coffee, but a great place to take friends and family when visiting. Its proximity to the River Walk makes it easy to take a quick study break.
3. My final spot is perfect if you’re looking for a quieter place to study, Cafecito is the place for you. Just a block south of the Loop campus, Cafecito is a Cuban-inspired coffee and sandwich shop. It has a laid back environment, and with its extensive menu, you can spend all day studying there. Cafecito is also the most affordable of my study spots.
Thank you guys again for a great school year! Good luck with finals, and have a great summer!
Resources
Need resources regarding cooling centers, rental assistance, abortion access, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
That’s all for this week! Again, we want to thank you for your readership over the last year and for your continued support. We’ll be taking a short break from the newsletter for finals and graduation, but stay tuned this summer for more campus updates, city news, food recommendations and community resources!
With love,
The 14 East Newsletter Team