Class Notes Archives

Gerardo F. "Jerry" Barrio '94 will be inducted into the Illinois State University College of Education Hall of Fame in September 2024. The four-time Golden Apple Award nominee holds a bachelor's degree in History Education and a master's degree in Special Education from Illinois State. He is currently teaching Language and Social Studies teacher at U-46 in Elgin. Read more about Jerry here.

Roxanne (Pascente) Pipitone '95 joined the staff at Loyola Academy as assistant director of
communications this spring.

A graduate of Loyola’s inaugural co-ed class, Roxanne brings decades of experience designing
communications programs for notable brands across various industries in the private and public sectors.
Roxanne has spent her career deploying multichannel strategies to protect reputation, drive demand, and
deliver results aligned with organizational priorities. In her role, she focuses on creating meaningful
content and programs to keep stakeholders informed, inspired, connected to the Academy’s mission, and
invested in safeguarding its future.

She earned her undergraduate degrees in Communication and Dance from Hope College in Holland,
Michigan. Roxanne and her husband, Anthony Pipitone '96, reside in the northwest suburbs of Chicago
with their two children.

Michael "Mick" T. McMahon '93 and Anne Morrison, a relative of LA alum Michael "Mike" P. Kessler '78, were married in Richfield, WI, in April 2024.

Comics by Paul C. Czarnowski '94 were featured at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) Artist Alley. Czarnowski spoke with comic enthusiasts and brought along his works titled "Robots With Coffee" and "Spiders are Helpful!" C2E2 is a pop culture convention held at the McCormick Center in Downtown Chicago. The 2024 show was held from Friday, April 26, until Sunday, April 28. Learn more about Paul's work here.

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 '76 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.