Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Barat Education Foundation? The Foundation was created at the time of the Barat College alliance with DePaul University in 2000.  It is an independent, unique and dynamic enterprise, charged with the custodial responsibility for the Barat College endowment, the relationship management of the Barat Alumni, and the development and support of innovative educational programs and services that reflect the values and educational tradition of Barat College and its founders, the Religious of the Sacred Heart.  The Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation.

What is the mission of the Barat Education Foundation? Our mission is to develop and support innovative educational programs and services that reflect the values and educational traditions of Barat College and its founders, the Religious of the Sacred Heart.

What is happening to Barat? DePaul University closed the campus after the last Barat College commencement took place on June 11, 2005. 112 students received their degree. 

I've heard that the Foundation is buying back the campus. The Barat Education Foundation has a right of first offer on the campus and intends to pursue exercising its rights with DePaul University.

UPDATE: On January 24, 2006 the Barat Education Foundation (BEF) announced it has collaborated with Barat Woods LLC, managed by local Lake Forest developer Robert G. Shaw.

Why am I still being solicited for a donation? The Foundation continues to promote the legacy of Barat College by raising monies for the new Barat Scholars program, which will be launched in the 2006-2007 academic year. Additionally the Barat Education Foundation has underwritten valuable alumni relations services, which include communications, special events and staff support. The Foundation will continue to manage various educational programs and teacher training initiatives that reflect the mission and values of the Barat College Legacy.

How has the Foundation spent the money it raised since 2001 when the alliance was created with DePaul?
• $1.1 million was returned to Barat College and the campus for scholarships, program support and campus ministry services.
• Approximately $450,000 was used to staff and underwrite alumni relations, which included communications, special events and programs.
• A $250,000 challenge grant was contributed to the RSCJ retirement initiative.  And this amount continues to grow as alums send in donations restricted to the RSCJ.

How will my contribution to the Barat Foundation be used? The Annual Fund supports the general operating fund, scholarships, the RSCJ Retirement Initiative, and the Barat Center for Women's Leadership and Social Action, which is currently in formation.

What is the American Memory Initiative? The initiative, in collaboration with local teachers, has resulted in the creation of highly interactive student projects using the digital resources of the US Library of Congress. All materials and curricula produced meet Illinois education standards and requirements. Over 500 teachers have participated in various workshops since the inception of this program. Approximately 1,700 students have completed projects in the classroom using materials from the US Library of Congress through the American Memory Initiative.

How is the American Memory Initiative funded? The American Memory Initiative is funded through a grant from the US Library of Congress, facilitated by Sen. Richard Durbin. The initiative is currently being funded through September 2006.

How are unrestricted gifts used? Unrestricted gifts help underwrite the general operating budget, which includes alumni relations efforts.

Can I restrict my gift? Yes, you may restrict your gift towards Barat Scholars, RSCJ retirement, or help fund other specific programs.

What is the Barat Scholar's Program? The BEF is preserving the Barat college educational legacy through an innovative Barat Scholars Program. The Barat Scholars at Dominican University will participate in a higher education program, which will address the issue of developing the next generation of female leaders. The goal of the program will be to provide students with an academic experience that will enhance their critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills. 

What is the purpose of the Barat Scholar's program?  The purpose of the Barat Scholars Program is to support and cultivate the leaders of the next generation.

Who will be eligible to be a Barat Scholar?

Priority will be given to Barat College alumni and/or their children (or grandchildren) as well as graduates of Sacred Heart Schools who demonstrate financial need and merit.

The Barat Scholars grant recipients will be students who through their faith, leadership and community service have demonstrated a commitment to discovering and expanding their knowledge, and to critiquing and transforming society in the same spirit and courage that resonated in the life work of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat and the Religious of the Sacred Heart.

Barat Scholars Scholarships will be available to both students seeking an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that are interested in pursuing the liberal arts and sciences, teacher education and/ or business. In addition to their degreed program, the Barat Scholar will be required to take four core courses in leadership studies.

How do I apply to be a Barat Scholar at Dominican University?

Interested students should contact Michael Shields, Director of Financial Aid via phone: (708) 524-6807 or email: mshields@dom.edu   for further information or to recieve a packet of information complete with all the federal financial aid forms.

If the RSCJ challenge grant has been reached why are you still sending them money? Their need is much bigger than the dollars that have been raised to date. We think it is important to continue to support the RSCJ until the Society has realized a sizeable endowment to meet the financial needs for retirement.

What is the Madeleine Sophie Barat Society?  The Madeleine Sophie Barat Society recognizes generous friends who ensure long-term support through deferred gifts.  The Madeleine Sophie Barat Society acknowledges individuals who have made a provision in their estate plans for a gift of $5,000 or more.

Can I still leave Barat in my will / set up an Insurance policy and leave Barat as the beneficiary? Absolutely, for further information as to how to do so, please call our Executive Director, Maureen Ryan @ 847-574-2546.

My will was made out many years ago to Barat College. Do I need to change it now that there is no college? Yes, all wills must be updated to reflect the recent changes. With the transfer of ownership of Barat College to DePaul University and the subsequent closing of the college and sale of the campus by DePaul, it is imperative to update your bequests to reflect these changes. 

As custodian of the Barat College Endowments, the Barat Education Foundation is now the legal entitiy to manage these funds.

In order to ensure that your bequest  is used to preserve the legacy of Barat College, its alumnae/i and the mission of the RSCJ, you are urged to change your will to name the Barat Education Foundation as beneficiary.  The foundation has been advised by Father Dennis Holtschneider, President of DePaul University, to call this important information to your attention.  This is particularly important to will written prior to 2000, the year the Foundation was established by the Barat College Board of Directors.

If you have questions or concerns about this change, please contact the Barat Education Foundation Executive Director, Maureen E. Ryan at 847-574-2465.

How do I join the Barat College Alumni Association? Every Barat student who has attended the college for two consecutive semesters and has completed 24 college credits during that year, is automatically a member of the Barat College Alumni Association. If you haven't heard from us, it probably means that the address we have on file for you is no longer current. To find out about the latest events, get on the mailing list and benefit from other alumni resource options, just submit your new address online.

I have lost touch with friends I knew from Barat.  We are dedicated to help Barat alumni locate old friends, classmates or roommates from Barat College. Submit your query by phone, mail or through the use our contact page, and we will contact that person for you and pass along your message. To ensure our alumnae and alumni's privacy, we cannot make any personal information available on our home page or give out information based on inquiry directly.

How do I request my transcript? Barat College graduates can continue to request their transcripts for Barat College and Barat College of DePaul University degrees through the Academic Resource Center at DePaul University. Official Transcripts are available for a fee and can be requested by fax, mail and in-person. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 prohibits release of confidential transcript information without a student signature; therefore transcript requests will not be accepted by email or phone, and cannot be processed through the Barat Education Foundation.

The Academic Resource Center is located at:

Academic Resource Center
DePaul University
1 E. Jackson Blvd. Suite 9300
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: 312.362.8610
Fax: 312.362.5143

Additional information, including request forms, fee schedules andprocess times, are available at http://arc.depaul.edu/transcript.shtml.

Where will the Barat Education Foundation office be located? The Foundation has temporarily moved back to the campus and Mr. Shaw has provided us space in the lower level of the Sr. Sophie Cooney Library. To write to the Barat Education Foundation, please use our mailing address: PO Box 457, Lake Forest, IL 60045. Our new telephone number is 847-501-1726.