On Friday, November 6, over 300 members of the Loyola community gathered in the East Gym for Loyola Academy's 69th annual President's Dinner. The evening honored alumni, educators, staff, and friends whose lives reflect Loyola's mission to form women and men for others.

Guests arrived for a 6:00 p.m. cocktail reception before moving to dinner and the evening's program. Advancement Officer Tim Kane welcomed attendees, and Loyola Academy President Rev. Gregory J. Ostdiek, SJ, opened with grace. In this season of All Saints and All Souls, he gave thanks "for those who have gone before us, those on whose shoulders we stand to be where we are now."

After a short video of students reflecting on their Loyola experience and thanking the community for their support, Fr. Greg thanked guests for making the school's work possible. "I don't think that we could do what we do at Loyola Academy, which is turning out nearly 500 men and women for others every year, graduates who go on to do amazing things in Chicagoland and in the world, without the commitment, the passion and the example set by people like our honorees this evening."

Honorees Who Inspire Us

President's Medal: David P. Radelet P '00, '02, '06

Fr. Greg presented the 2026 President's Medal to Dave Radelet, a Littler Mendelson attorney, former Michigan State quarterback, father of three Loyola graduates, and the Academy's longtime pro bono counsel. Over two decades, Dave has provided nearly $1 million in pro bono legal aid to Loyola. Fr. Greg called him "a modern-day Atticus Finch, gently reminding us…of the higher ideals that we are supposed to be showing in our lives and in our work: not just fairness and justice, but kindness and patience and faith."

Dave reflected on the privilege of serving alongside three Jesuit presidents and on the school's mission. "We strive to provide a world-class education, a college prep education, for our teenagers, which is a very, very difficult challenge. But Loyola takes the challenge head on, to try to form women and men for others." He thanked his wife of more than 50 years, Peg, and challenged guests to grow the community: "Seek out the newest members of our community. Welcome them. Support them. Share your stories…That's how we grow this wonderful mission of Loyola Academy for the generations that follow. It's really important, and we need it now more than ever."

Rev. Daniel A. Lord, SJ, Award: Kathy Hughes-Johnson and Brian Johnson P '09, '13

Fr. Greg next presented the Lord Award, established in 1963 to honor distinguished service in the cause of youth, to Kathy Hughes-Johnson and Brian Johnson. Brian served on the Board of Trustees as chair of the finance committee, and Kathy has been a longtime volunteer and Ramble co-chair. The Johnsons support an endowed scholarship and funded the Mary McCarthy Hughes Writing Lab, named for Kathy's mother, who as a widow ensured all six of her children received a Catholic education. Fr. Greg said their generosity helps enable "our dual mission of excellence in all things and access for all who desire a Catholic, Jesuit education here in Chicagoland."

Brian, a self-described public school kid, recalled that Kathy had "a better plan" for their sons' education. "I've written a lot of tuition checks over the last few years. I can tell you the best tuition checks and the best investment we ever made was Loyola Academy." He added, "It really made the boys who they are. They adopted 'men and women for others.'"

Young Alumni Award: Caitlin Desmond '09

Director of Advancement Marty Jennings '98, who coached Caitlin in fifth-grade basketball and later took over Loyola softball at her urging, presented the first of two Young Alumni Awards. He described how a Loyola summer service trip to Tanzania shaped Caitlin's understanding of leadership, and how she later served ten years on the auxiliary board of Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, eventually as chair. "She is a leader. She is a woman for others, and someone who can inspire all of us to embrace the most important of Ignatian values: to lead in service for others."

Caitlin, voted "Most Likely to Work at Loyola" by her classmates, said the school gave a name to the values her family modeled. "Loyola took that same spirit and gave it a name: being men and women for others. It taught me that education is about much more than what we accomplish for ourselves. It's about what we do for others with the opportunities we've been given."

Young Alumni Award: Larry Phillips '09

Classmate and close friend Ryan Ring '09 introduced Larry Phillips, who came to Loyola as a scholar with Hope Ignites Chicago (formerly Boys Hope Girls Hope). Larry later served as co-president of its junior board, personally mentored a young scholar, and today mentors interns and employees as vice president of diversity and community at Gallagher. "He is, in every essence, a man for others."

Larry spoke movingly about growing up in Cabrini-Green. "Loyola Academy was more than a school to me. It was a safe haven. It was a place that challenged me and supported me and ultimately shaped the person that I am today." He credited Loyola's service programs, including Life Be In It and a senior-year immersion trip to Peru, with teaching him "that serving others isn't something that we do occasionally. It is a responsibility that we carry throughout our daily lives."

Ignatian Educator of the Year: William Brandstrader '88, P '11, '14, '21

Liam Brandstrader '21 presented the Ignatian Educator of the Year Award, chosen by the student body, to his father, Social Studies teacher Bill Brandstrader, with help from Bill's "favorite colleague," the school’s service dog Claddagh. Liam noted that what people remember about his dad is rarely a lesson from the classroom: "He makes learning something people enjoy doing. He makes students want to show up." He also highlighted the Gonzaga food drive Bill helped start during his lunch break. This program provides about 400 lunches every week for our neighbors across Chicagoland who are experiencing hunger and food insecurity. 

Bill paid tribute to the Loyola teachers who formed him, John O'Loughlin '59, Jim O'Loughlin '62, and Doc Jack Aiello, and recalled a line from a former board member the father of Roger Hickey '79: Loyola Academy was his favorite place on earth "because that's where change happens." Reflecting on his time as a teacher, Bill said, "They're all my kids, and I love them all like they're my kids." He closed by toasting his wife, Joanne, who "truly loves my profession and she supports Jesuit education."

Staff Excellence Award: Aaron Hamilton, Dean of Students

Associate Principal for Student Success Chris Penna presented the Staff Excellence Award, voted by Loyola's faculty and staff community, to Dean of Students Aaron Hamilton. Chris compared Aaron to Simon of Cyrene, who helped Jesus carry his cross: "Like Simon, Aaron is there, steadfast, for our students in their worst moments." He added, "Aaron is a constant reminder that our worst mistakes do not define us; rather, what matters is what we do next."

Aaron, who first came to Loyola in 2013 as a volunteer freshman basketball coach, thanked colleagues, mentors, and his wife. "Stories like Liam [Brandstrader’s] are why I do this, and why so many of our educators do this: to see our kids grow from fifth grade all the way to grown adults."

A Community That Carries the Mission Forward

Fr. Greg closed the evening by noting that, for all their differences, every honoree shares one thing: "they're all part of our Rambler community." He thanked guests directly. "Just as we cannot do it without the example and the hard work of these awardees, we couldn't do this without you. Thank you for being part of our community and part of our school."
The evening closed in fellowship as dozens of members of Loyola’s faculty and staff filled the stage for their customary group photo, a powerful image of the shared commitment that sustains Loyola Academy.

It's not too late to lend your support! Please consider making a gift. All proceeds support the President's strategic priorities to nurture Ignatian spirituality and enhance the academic experience.

Our Gratitude to Those Who Made This Evening Possible

Corporate Sponsors

Rev. Daniel A. Lord, SJ: 
Wintrust

Archangel: 
Littler Mendelson, P.C.

Benefactor: 
Quest Food Management Services, Inc.

Patron: 
Loyola University Chicago

Individual Sponsors

Rev. Daniel A. Lord, SJ
Marcia and Tom Desmond Family '02, '05, '09

Archangel
Kathy Hughes-Johnson and Brian Johnson P '09, '13
David and Peggy Radelet P '00, '02, '06

Benefactor
Mrs. Katie Baisley '01 & Mr. Jamie Baisley '92
Nancy Paridy and Stephen Naughton P '12, '16, '19

Patron
Marie and John Lynch P '19, '22, '25, '25
John and Laura Podjasek P '28

In-Kind Support
Ballyhoo Hospitality
Two Eagles Distillery
Kelly and J.D. '98 Goering and Hotel Chocolat

With special thanks to:
Suzy Trott 
Michelle Denic
Quest Food Management Services
Loyola Academy Maintenance Team
Matt Leske '05
Tim Kane '86
Musicians: Juan Carlos Chiwah  '27, Lyla Dedovic '29, Elijah Weyer '27  and Mr. Patrick Rustandi
Loyola Academy Torch Club members