Saint Ignatius College Prep
June 2026 eNewsletter
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The Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Catholic Church dedicates the entire month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, highlighting His boundless love and mercy. The Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) has been deeply intertwined with the devotion to the Sacred Heart for centuries and will again be consecrated to Him during our first Friday Mass this month.
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Graduation - 2026
On May 21, our community gathered to celebrate a momentous milestone: the 156th Annual Commencement Ceremony, honoring the remarkable Class of 2026. The atmosphere was filled with pride and excitement as graduates and their families reflected on four years defined by perseverance and personal growth. This day marked far more than the conclusion of an academic chapter; it served as a springboard into the future. As our graduates now transition toward college and the vast professional landscapes beyond, we offer them our heartfelt congratulations. They have proven their resilience, and we have no doubt they possess the passion to leave an indelible mark on the world. May they go forth and set the world on fire!
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Davis '22 Profiled in Harvard School of Engineering Magazine
Madison Davis '22 was recently interviewed for the publication about the critical roles she plays in the Harvard aerospace, robotics, and product lab clubs. Her love of science blossomed at Saint Ignatius in physics class when her teacher brought in and took apart a computer from the 1960s. She'd always been interested in computers, and by middle school was already learning how to code and program. Click here for more.
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Justic Cress '87 Named Chief Marketing OfficerJill Justic Cress '87 was recently promoted to Chief Marketing Officer at Babylist, the leading platform for expecting and new parents making purchases in the US. Reporting to Founder and CEO Natalie Gordon, Cress will lead the company's full marketing function, including brand, performance, content, and experiential. Click here for more.
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91st Annual Chicago Fire Department Mass
Saint Ignatius and Church of the Holy Family recently hosted the 91st Annual Chicago Fire Department Mass with a full Church and a beautiful Mass. School President, John Chander, also bumped into Caroline Garibay '18 (WBBM radio) and Allen Maniscalco '91 (WBBM TV), who were on hand to cover the event for the respective news outlets.
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Scalzo '63 Publishes New MemoirLouis Scalzo '63 recently published My Mother's Kitchen: The Kitchens of Taylor St., a memoir about family, identity, and the disappearing world of Chicago’s Italian-American neighborhoods during the 1950s and early 1960s. Click here for more.
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Fox '69 Honored by Advocate Good Samaritan HospitalFor five decades, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital has stood as a trusted source of compassionate, high-quality care for the communities it serves. Few leaders have shaped that legacy as profoundly as Dave Fox '69. As the hospital celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is fitting that this milestone year also honors a leader whose vision and values helped define what Advocate Good Samaritan is today. Click here for more.
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Wolfpack Softball Reunion
The Alumni Lounge buzzed with energy as former Saint Ignatius Wolfpack softball players gathered to bridge the gap between past seasons and the present. The gathering included stories of amazing victories, legendary double plays, and the enduring bonds forged on the diamond. As teammates embraced with the familiar camaraderie that defined their time in the program. It was a joyful afternoon of reflection, reaffirming that while the jerseys may have been tucked away, the spirit of the Wolfpack remains as vibrant and connected as ever.
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Chris Serb '88 Featured in Scholar to Leader SeriesNational Merit recently featured Chris Serb '88 in its "From Scholar to Leader" series, profiling the career paths of former National Merit recipients. In 1988, Chris Serb was named a College of the Holy Cross Merit Scholar. He went on to graduate summa cum laude, serve in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and earn a journalism degree from Northwestern University, beginning his career as a writer and editor. Then, in 1999, he made a life-changing decision: he joined the Chicago Fire Department. Click here for more.
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Walsh James '98 Publishes New Book
Rose Rita (Walsh) James, LCSW, MSW, MA, c/o '98, is a Chicago-based somatic psychotherapist and writer. Her new book, Tears Are Holy Water: Somatic Wisdom & Rituals for Feeling and Aliveness, offers a compassionate, body-based approach to healing. Drawing from trauma-informed neuroscience, somatic therapy, and embodied reflective practice, the book invites readers into deeper awareness of their inner life and the formation of the whole person. It encourages a relationship with emotions grounded in curiosity, discernment, and care, while cultivating the capacity to engage with oneself and others with greater presence and integrity. Click here for more.
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Bartlett '89 Publishes New Book
Dr. Desiree Bartlett '89 just published her 3rd book and has an international women's retreat coming up in November. She also won IDEA's Fitness Leader of the Year last year and has been named MSN's top voice in Helping People Feel Good. Click here for more.
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'77 Club Summer Gathering - 7.18.26
Please save the date for the '77 Club annual summer get-together. This will be an open-house-style party, and wives are invited to join. The attached picture is from the 2025 gathering.
745 S. Ashland Ave, La Grange
Saturday, July 18, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m.
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Saint Ignatius Summer Programs
Saint Ignatius College Prep is excited to offer a variety of engaging summer courses and camps for both prospective students and our current students. Whether you are interested in global affairs, baseball, science, or beyond there is a place for you with the Wolfpack this summer!
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Jubilee Mass and Luncheon - 5.1.26
On May 1, Church of the Holy Family was filled with joy and nostalgia as alumni from over 50 years ago returned to campus to join our current students for the Mass of Mission and Thanksgiving. It was a heartwarming bridge between generations, celebrating our shared heritage and the enduring spirit of our community. Following the service, the celebration continued with a luncheon in the Brunswick Room. The room was filled with laughter as former classmates reminisced about their school days, while also expressing excitement regarding the ambitious new developments being spearheaded by President John Chandler. The event was a beautiful testament to the lifelong bonds formed within our walls.
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Spring Reunions - 5.2.26
The spirit of camaraderie was in full bloom on May 2, as alumni from the classes of 2021, 2016, 2011, 2006, and 2001 gathered for their much-anticipated spring reunions. It was a joyous occasion filled with heartfelt laughter, shared memories, and the wonderful warmth of reconnecting with old friends. We invite you to relive these special moments by viewing the photo galleries available through the links on the right.
Please mark your calendars for October 17, when we will proudly welcome back the classes of 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981, and 1976 for their respective reunions. We cannot wait to see everyone back on campus for another unforgettable celebration.
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Women's Society Signature Dinner - 5.7.26
On May 7, 2026, the Women’s Society gathered more than 300 inspiring alumni, students and friends for its Signature Dinner—a night filled with laughter, stories, and a strong commitment to our school community. Every ticket and auction bid was directed into the school’s Financial Aid program, turning generosity into scholarship dollars that will empower deserving students for years to come. The evening’s pinnacle was the presentation of the Golden Rose Award to Cherryl Thomas, whose decades‑long dedication has brought support throughout the Saint Ignatius family. Cherryl's spirit of giving radiates as a true “woman for others,” and we thank her for lighting the way for all of us.
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Please Join Us In Congratulating...
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Bridget Curtis '19 and William (Billy) Kacey '19, who were recently engaged.
Meghan A. Connery '13 and Corben J. Lear on their wedding at Church of the Holy Family.
Congratulations to Maura Walsh '14 and Will Quinn on their wedding on 5/23/26 at Old St. Patrick's Church in Chicago. Joining them in celebration were the father of the bride, Thomas Walsh '77, siblings Sheila '10, Noreen '12, John '13, Cara '16 and uncles Kevin '75 and Patrick '82.
Edward W. Hynes ’04 and Laura Lefkow-Hynes on the birth of their third child, Cecilia Maria Hynes, on 5/11/26 in Chicago. Cecilia is the niece of Helena C. Lefkow '97, John M. Hynes ’03, Neil A. Hynes ’08 and the late Maria Lefkow Sorensen '95.
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ALUMNI
Peter Michael Henry Bagnuolo '57, son of the late Peter Bagnuolo 1929
Thomas 'Jay' Barksdale '76
Dan Grant Greene '79
Walter Thomas 'Tom' Johnson '57
Dennis E. Laria '62, grandfather of Matthew J. Burns '11, Thomas D. Burns '14
Jeffry B. Murphy '69
Kevin J. Reardon '65, brother of the late Dr. Thomas A. Reardon '57 and the late Daniel P. Reardon '62, uncle of Erin Reardon Cohn '86 and great-uncle of Casey K. Daly '18, Jessica M. Reardon '24, Reganne M. Reardon '25, David K. Reardon '28 and Alexandra R. Reardon '30
Thomas Alex Stempniak '62
FAMILY OF ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF THE SCHOOL
Joseph M. Baskerville, father of TaShaunda Baskerville Gamble '95
Dr. Alan L. Becker, DDS, father of Kirk A. Becker '92, Stephanie Becker Piotrowski '04, Blythe Becker Bowlus '06 and the late Chad A. Becker '91
Janet K. Connolly, mother-in-law of Lyndsey Coppock Connolly '02
Hon. Barbara Flynn Currie, sister of Terence E. Flynn '67 and aunt of David T. Flynn ’91, Nora K. Flynn ’95 (Matthew G. Lynch '95), Thomas K. Flynn ’99, and Eileen T. Flynn ’01
Alice Czech, mother of Anthony Czech '90, the late Timothy W. Czech '92 and grandmother of Joseph Czech '26
Betty Marie DeCarlo, Saint Ignatius College Prep 2015 Dei Gloriam Awardee, mother of Saint Ignatius College Prep former staff member (2017 - 2024) Gia DeCarlo, and wife of the late Vito DeCarlo '50
Lawrence P. Downey, father of Elizabeth D. Downey '96
Carolyn Cunningham Edmonds, grandmother of Cameron D.P. Woods '16
Carol Diane Frankovic, mother of Michael E. Frankovic '93, wife of the late Richard R. Frankovic '46 and sister-in-law of the late Joseph M. Frankovic '45
Maureen P. Gillott, mother of Matthew D. Gillott '97, Nicholas D. Gillott '00, Christine M. Gillott '01, Michael D. Gillott '04 and Emily M. Gillott '06, and sister-in-law of Miles Gillott '69
Celeste Banks Sawyer Taylor, mother of Hon. Roderick T. Sawyer '81
Sam A. Sianis, grandfather of Sotirios A. Sianis '29
Eleanore Ann Thole, mother of Edward C. Forst '78 and Sheila Forst McFarland '84 and wife of the late Saint Ignatius former faculty member John 'Jack' P. Thole
Mary L. Will, grandmother of Stephen R. Schuster '02, Michael D. Schuster '05 and Claire Schuster '08
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Click Here to See Current Job Openings Available at Saint Ignatius College Prep.
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If you know of any alumni news or if you would like to nominate someone who is a "woman or man for others" for our Alumni Spotlight, "Beyond the Wolves Den", please contact us.
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Saint Ignatius College Prep, a Jesuit Catholic school in the heart of Chicago, is a diverse community dedicated to educating young men and women for lives of faith, love, service and leadership. Through outstanding teaching and personal formation, the school challenges its talented student body to intellectual excellence, integrity, and lifelong learning and growth. Inspired by the gospel of Jesus Christ, this community strives to use God's gifts to promote social justice for the greater glory of God.
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1076 W. Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60608
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