Sláinte! Members of the Class of 1956 enjoyed a special St. Patrick's Day luncheon at Hackney's. Front row (l-r): Chuck Cerniglia, Jim Sullivan, Tom Kloempken, Gerry Vandevelde, John Arndt, and Jim Ferrini. Back row (l-r): Bill Dooley, Ron Malik, Pat Mahoney, Marty Jennings '98, Bob Bielinski, and Bruce DeMaeyer.

David R. Bryant '57 was recently elected CEO of Go Green LaGrange, a NFP corp devoted to climate change, recycling, and environmental issues locally. David retired from Bryant Legal Group fully in 2020.

Members of the Class of 1954 maintained their long-standing tradition of monthly breakfast gatherings and decided to make a stop at Loyola's new Veteran's Memorial wall in July! Alumni from the Class of 1954 who found themselves at Lake and Laramie included: Jerome L. Duffy, Frederick C. Fosi, Albert J. Glueckert, Kenneth L. Kwiatt, Michael R. Leyden, Timothy J. Murtaugh III, Robert H. Oldershaw, Walter A. Ovaert, Robert P. Perkaus Jr., Kenneth J. Printen, John A. Revord, Peter D. Roverson, William J. Rooney, Robert J. Seeberg, John F. Smith III, and Robert E. Ward.

In November 2020, William T. Murphy Jr. '59 self-published his book Muldoon’s Luck. A novel set in Washington, D.C. that follows a small cast of lobbyists and gamblers. You can ready Muldoon's Luck on Amazon.

Former CBS anchor of the Sunday Night News and White House correspondent, told the North Shore Daily News that he's enjoying retirement reading, writing, speaking to groups and consuming news. He's also involved in the "village" movement, an nonprofit community group that helps older residents remain in their homes as they age. He credits the Jesuits at Loyola for encouraging him to focus and figure out what he wanted to do.

In 2020, Father Henehan celebrated 55 years as a missionary priest. During his service, Father Henehan has been to Guatemala, Chile and Bolivia and currently in the United States.

Martin J. "Marty" Lane '61 retired after 53 years of service to Loyola University Chicago. He began his career in credit and collection at the new hospital at the Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. Most recently, he was administrative assistant in the major gifts department. "I will continue cheering on the Ramblers from the sidelines! Go Ramblers!" he says.

The documentary New Worlds: The Cradle of Civilization captures Bill Murray '68 alongside cellist Jan Vogler, violinist Mira Wang and pianist Vanessa Perez in their final performance of their European "New Worlds" tour. The film premiered at Cannes Film Festival in 2021 and made its U.S. debut in February 2022. It promotes travel as a way to experience different attitudes, ideas and experiences, helping to create a culture of acceptance. "To be shaken out of your ordinary circumstances and to see a new reality, which challenges your perception of reality is very good for all of us," Murray told journalist Jim Ryan.

Slainte! Lifelong friends from the Class of 1968 enjoyed a day on the links in Lahinch, Ireland.

Death Before Life, a fast-paced detective thriller that depicts the gritty streets of Chicago, was written by John F. Gorman '62 and published in July 2022. The former communications director for the Cook County State's Attorney Office—where he worked for Dick Devine '61—and a former federal beat reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Gorman drew upon his decades of experience covering the cops, courts, and politicians of Chicago for this thrilling read.

Mark K. Lahey's LA letterman sweater was featured in the column "Everyday Heirloom" in the September 2021 issue of Country Living. Lahey's daughter, Megan Riley, who submitted the story, lovingly talked about their family’s difficult time since Lahey was diagnosed with dementia. She spoke about her father’s ability to remember his days at Loyola as part of the football team, which won back-to-back city championships in 1965 and 1966, and the life lessons he learned from playing: the camaraderie, the community and the support system of his teammates and coaches.

Dr. John A. Dowdle '66 was named the 2019 Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine Alumnus of the Year for Excellence in Research and Innovation.

In March, Hubert J. Cioromski '78 has the distinct honor of celebrating the 550th anniversary of the birth of Nicholas Copernicus and speaking in the Polish Senate about the Copernicus Foundation in Chicago and its aid to Ukraine. Hubert was joined by his son, Steve.

Michael P. "Mike" Kessler '78 and Patrick J. "Pat" Foley '72 had the chance to exchange stories about their Loyola years at a private Blackhawks game in February.

1970s-era members of the Loyola Academy track & field and cross country teams reunited in December. The day began with Mass in the Loyola Academy Chapel, followed by a luncheon at Hackney's. Also in attendance was Frank Amato, longtime Loyola Academy track & field coach and mentor.

Hosted by Roger Hickey '79 and organized by Gary Michalek '79, members of the Class of 1979 gathered in December for a Saturday afternoon paddle outing at the Skokie Country Club. In addition to Hickey and Michalek, the roster included: F. Thomas Bertsche III '79, William K. Blanchard Jr '79, James L. "Jim" Brault '79, Michael A. Cascio '79, John T. Durkin Jr '79, Daniel G. McNulty '79, David P. Murawski '79, Edmund J. "EJ" Orr Jr '79, Michael J. Perkaus '79, Daniel C. Powers '79, and Joseph D. Shelly III '79.

The Lake Forest-based Brennan Rehabilitation Foundation, chaired by Christopher J. Brennan '76, recently awarded the Socrates Award, a lifetime cash grant, to three spinal cord injury survivors, including two local recipients: 8-year-old Cooper Roberts, whose injuries during the Highland Park Fourth of July parade left him paralyzed, and Daniel Golden, a Chicago Police Officer and U.S. Army veteran who was shot in the back while reportedly breaking up a fight in July. Brennan, a 2003 Loyola Athletic Hall of Fame inductee for football and track, created the Socrates Award during his tenure in sports media. In 2000, Brennan worked with his late father, Terry Brennan, former head football coach at the University of Notre Dame, to set up this award, which originally recognized collegiate athletes who achieved a combination of athletic and academic success. Following a spinal cord injury in 2014 that left Christopher with tetraplegia—partial-to-total loss of all four limbs and torso—the award shifted to its current form.

Joseph F. "Joe" Barbera II '72 and his wife, Mary, owners of AIDA Bistro & Wine Bar in Columbia, Maryland, were named 2022 Restaurateurs of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM). A celebration honoring Joe and Mary, along with other industry leaders, was held in March at the Maryland Live Casino in Hanover.

Philip J. "Phil" Andrew '85 will receive the Pursuit of Peace Award from Parenting 4 Non-Violence (P4NV), a charitable organization which provides parenting education training, personal financial literacy training, and other family life skills training to over 3,300 individuals. The Pursuit of Peace Award recognizes the significant commitment and sustained contributions of an individual or organization in the pursuit of peace by helping to promote a culture of non-violence in the Chicago area. A statement of P4NV reads: "Phil has led strategic planning and direction of anti-violence initiatives through coalition building efforts, increased charitable presence in distressed neighborhoods, and the development and revitalization of programs to help reduce the violence-causing cycle of despair, racism, and poverty in Chicago. Phil is the Principal of PAX Group, LLC, a global crisis and conflict management agency dedicated to building safe, resilient, healthy organizations & communities."

Phil will be honored at the organization's 10th anniversary celebration and fundraiser on Sunday, June 11, 2023.

Fred L. Brandstrader '83 is vice president of construction and capital expenditures for Hyatt Hotels.

White & Chase LLP, and international law firm that helps companies, governments, and financial institutions achieve their global ambitions, appointed Matthew R. Devine '85 as the office executive partner of its Chicago office. Matthew first joined the firm in 2020 and sits in its global commercial litigation practice. As office executive partner, Matthew acts as a liaison between the office and the firm.

Loyola Academy President Gregory J. Ostdiek, SJ, announced on January 11, 2023, that Mr. Timothy P. Devine '88 has been named Loyola Academy's next principal.

Mr. Devine has nearly 25 years of classroom and administrative experience, most recently as social studies teacher here at Loyola Academy. Before returning to Loyola Academy, Mr. Devine served as principal of Walter Payton College Preparatory High School for nine years. 

Click here to read the full announcement.

On May 26, Class of 1980 alumni John J. Betterman, Mark A. Rofles, Louis J. Glunz IV, Fred J. O'Connor, Christopher C. Furth and William J. O'Connell gathered for the internment of their classmate Col. Robert C. Schwarze (USAF) at Arlington National Cemetery. Col. Schwarze was an accomplished flier—Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and multiple Oak Leaf Clusters—accomplishments that few serve to achieve.

Fred O'Connor '80, wealth management advisor at Northwestern Mutual officed in both Chicago and Deerfield, received Honorable Mention in the 16th Annual Invest in Others Awards for his charitable contributions to the Big Shoulders Fund, an independent charitable organization that supports a network of 72 under-resourced Catholic schools in Chicago serving nearly 20,000 student. The Invest in Others Awards recognizes the charitable work of financial advisors in communities across the country and around the world.

In March, Father Peter P. Nguyen, SJ '92 achieved his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The achievement comes after more than two decades in martial arts. Currently, Fr. Nguyen is associate professor of theology at Creighton University where he researches Christian martyrdom, the interaction of the trinitarian and Christological teachings, and history and philosophy of totalitarianism.

Susan (Porada) Urbanski '98 is program manager for Mothers' Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, an Elk Grove Village-based non-profit that has served hospitals and families throughout Illinois and Wisconsin for the past seven years. Susan recorded a quick story with WGN radio in March 2023. She and husband Patrick E. Dillon '98 live in Chicago with their five combined children and two cats.

Eddy F. Borrayo '94 is president & CEO at Rincon Family Services, one of the largest providers of high-quality and culturally competent services focusing on counseling, behavioral health services, substance abuse prevention and treatment, violence prevention, education, and family services across Chicagoland. Eddy is certified as a substance abuse and dual diagnosis counselor by the Illinois Certification Board, Inc. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago, and graduate degree in Social Work from University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration. Today, Eddy is an internationally acclaimed speaker and business consultant. His presentations on various topics encompass cultural competence, mental health, suicide and suicidal ideation, integrated treatment for substance abusers, working with the dually diagnosed client, and topics addressing community awareness and health disparities.

After more than 20 years of service to Loyola Academy, Dennis R. Stonequist '90 accepted the position of vice president of institutional advancement at Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio. Under his stewardship and leadership here at Loyola Academy as first swimming coach, then director of alumni relations, and finally as executive vice president, our campus and our community have been made immeasurably better. Most recently, as executive vice president, Dennis oversaw much of the success of Loyola's Second Century Campaign. His tireless work and collaborative efforts to mediate between the Village of Wilmette, our own Board of Trustees, our neighbors, and our many contractors and vendors brought vision to reality for the John D. Norcross '54 Aquatic Center, the Mary and L. Robert Pasquesi '62 Piazza, and the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center, home of the Leemputte Family Theater. Effective February 1, Dennis now serves our shared Jesuit mission by implementing Vision 30, the strategic campaign of Saint Ignatius High School.

Dr. Jahaan R. Abdullah '95 is an assistant professor at Chicago State University, board certified and licensed counselor, social and restorative justice advocate, and a morally and ethically engaged researcher. In spring 2022, she came back to campus and spoke to current students about her career and time at Loyola as part of Loyola’s Lenten Lunch-and-Learn series for the school community. Notably, Dr. Abdullah is the first African American female to graduate from Loyola Academy.

Michael A. Lowe '97, a WGN reporter, added four more Emmys to his ever-growing collection at the 64th Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards ceremony in December 2022. Lowe's 2022 Emmys include Outstanding Achievement for Hard News Report for "A Night on the Street;" Outstanding Achievement for Business/Consumer News for "Where's the Beef? Tracing Inflation from the Cattle Ranch to the Restaurant;" Outstanding Achievement for News Gathering - Sports News for "College Baseball Player's Most Important Save? His Dad;" and Outstanding Crafts Achievement for Writing - News for "Song Sublimely Cast Shall Citadel Outlast." Continuing their annual tradition of gathering for the ceremony, Mike celebrated with former classmates Christopher M. Wolf '97 (left) and Peter C. Lee '97 (right).

Maureen O'Malley Kirschner '06 shared the story of her daughter's birth on the podcast RISK! that aired last spring. Listen here.

Katharine L. Friedrich '08 and Christian E. Harkna '08 were married in December at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Evanston. For more information, click here.

Burtis J. "Jake" Dolan IV '09 and Elizabeth M. "Lizzie" Lyman '11 were married in November. Celebrating with the couple were Ramblers from the Classes of 1976 to 2023!

Loyola Academy choirs presented their annual fall concert themed "Better Together" on Thursday, October 13. Notably, this was their first performance in Loyola's new Leemputte Family Theater. To mark the occasion, they debuted five original songs co-written with alumna Jessica "J" Godwin '01, an immensely talented audiovisual artist and mentor based in Brooklyn, New York. Beginning last spring, J has led choir students through the invaluable experience of singing harmonies, building lyrics and recording music to produce an EP of their own.

Andres Robledo Jr. '04 is the founder of Feeding People Through Plants, a Chicago-based organization that provides resources such as food, tents, heat, blankets, clothing, and hotel stays to those experiencing homelessness. In December, Robledo and a group of volunteers conducted wellbeing checks and distributed blankets, hand warmers, and gloves to those in need. The group also helps connect people with employment, mental health resources, addiction treatment, and housing programs.

Alex Maragos '09 started the new year in a new role with NBC Chicago, anchoring the 11am and 4pm newscasts on weekdays with Marian Brooks.

In March, Boys Hope Girls Hope announced that Vernon T. Green '18 is the recipient of its annual 2023 Legacy of Hope Award. The award is dedicated to an alum who exemplifies the spirit of being well-educated, career-ready, and community-minded. Vernon Green, an alumnus of the Illinois affiliate and graduate of St. Olaf College, now works as the Illinois Scholar and Collegian Services Coordinator.

04/04/2022
Cecily R. Martinez '14 is a campus dietician at the University of Chicago where she manages campus wellness programs, menus,  and counsels students with food allergies and special diets. Cecily graduated Summa Cum Laude and received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics. Currently, Cecily is working on publishing her thesis study on nutrition marketing in an academic journal by the end of this year.

03/20/2023
In March, nutritionist Cecily R. Martinez '14 spoke with members of Loyola's Student-Athlete Success Club. A licensed and registered dietician with a bachelor's and master's degree in nutrition and dietetics, Cecily shared great insight with current students.

Juliana M. "Julia" Martinez '19 competed in the 2023 NCAA Women's Tournament in March. A senior guard, Julia led the St. Louis Billikens to secure their first NCAA Tournament bid in program history with a 91-85 overtime victory over top-seeded Massachusetts on March 5 in the Atlantic 10 Championship final. In the famed March Madness tourney, SLU, a no. 13 seed, lost 95-50 in the first round to no. 4 seed University of Tennessee. During her days on the court as a Rambler, Julia was a four-year starter, set two school records (767 assists and 793 rebounds), finished second in LA history with 364 career steals, and scored 970 career points. She led the Ramblers as team captain as a sophomore, junior, and senior and was a Loyola Scholar who graduated magna cum laude.

Jina A. Kim '11 created the original gourmet cheesecake bao with her Blend Sweets business partner, Britney Wang, in Los Angeles. A cheesecake bao is a unique creation inspired by the East and West. Each bao is handmade, filled with a creamy cheesecake center of artisan flavors, like matcha and cookies & cream, and streamed to fluffy perfection. The sweet treats were recently picked up by TE'AMO Boba Bar, a bubble tea and cake shop, and are now available at all TE'AMO locations. Look for delicious cheesecake baos at TE'AMO locations in Chinatown, Hyde Park, Schaumburg, and on the Mag Mile.

Joseph Pesmen was selected to serve on the U.S. Department of State's Afghan Coordination task force, managing a team of Americans corresponding directly with evacuees in Kabul to arrange flights and pre-departure procedures. After serving on the task force in Washington, he was seconded to an evacuee processing center in Virginia which relocated 45,000 Afghan evacuees in a matter of weeks. Later, he was detailed to the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, where he served as a link to policy makers in Washington, Embassy leadership in UAE, and the site officers handling over 10,000 Afghan evacuees in Abu Dhabi. At the start of 2022, he began a new position in the Office of Secretary of State, supporting communications and information management. 

In January, Maria J. Varela '16 made a visit to Loyola Academy's Art Club meeting and spoke about her experience as a fashion design student at Columbia College in Chicago, where she earned her BFA in 2020, and as a textile design student at Bath Spa University in England, where she earned her MA in 2022. Maria brought examples of her master's thesis, a collection entitled "Dear Diary", for students to explore and explained that the inspiration for the collection were the sights, sounds, and experiences she encountered abroad during her time at Bath Spa. "This collection is a maximalist's approach to exploring the joys and freedom of European travels in a post-pandemic world," she says. Learn more about Maria's work at mariajvarela.com.