WILLIAM SMITHBURG

CLASS OF 1960

FORMER CEO OF QUAKER OATS

During his junior year, William (Bill) Smithburg was recruited to join DePaul’s inaugural golf team, the Demon Duffers, by the university’s director of student activities and a golf-loving priest, Father Austin Minogue, C.M. When Smithburg reflected on his time as a Demon Duffer he said, "playing golf inspired me to do well in [education, study for a successful business career and mature as a person] and was an added amount of fun and a challenge. It was a chance to play against some top college golfers.” After graduating with a business degree, he led a highly successful career in advertising and management, ultimately working his way up to CEO of Quaker Oats. Since his DePaul days, he has been a major benefactor and supporter of the team.
In some ways, the various board members [I worked with] were like your teammates. We'd all work towards a common goal just like we did playing golf at DePaul.
William Smithburg
FACES OF DEPAUL