Class Notes Archives

James J. "J.J." O’Connor '96 was recently honored with the Socrates Award from The Brennan Rehabilitation Foundation. After becoming paralyzed in a hockey accident, J.J. devoted himself to the service of others living with spinal injuries and illnesses. Over the past two decades, J.J. has significantly impacted the sport of sled hockey and made invaluable contributions to USA Hockey, held various leadership roles on the local and national levels, and is currently director emeritus of USA Hockey's Disabled Section. The O'Connor Courage Trophy, named after J.J., is awarded yearly to the Tier I champion at the USA Hockey Sled Classic. The Brennan Rehabilitation Foundation is chaired by Christopher Brennan '87 and awards a lifetime cash grant to individuals with paralysis caused by illness or injury that results in the partial or total loss of the use of one's limbs with economic resources for therapy, equipment, prescriptions, and in-home care.

Fr. Andrew M. "Andy" Wawrzyn '90 is chaplain and director of Calvert House, the Catholic Center at the University of Chicago. Fr. Wawrzyn was ordained in 2010 for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Prior to his ordination to the Archdiocese, he was a member of the Society of Jesus for thirteen years. During the years Fr. Wawrzyn has been in ministry, he has taught high school, directed retreats, done spiritual direction, and served in parishes.