Mark Porcaro

How many years have you been at Loyola?
This is my 10th year at LA!

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I have four young daughters who are nine, six, five and two years old, so spare time is rare. However, I enjoy woodworking and gardening with the girls. A few years ago I learned about native plants in our area, and I’ve been slowly replacing plants around my house with plants native to Illinois like purple coneflowers, prairie phlox and asters.

 

Any fun facts students might not know about you?
I am originally from the Bronx, New York, and I’ve attended a Jesuit high school, college and graduate school and have worked for a Jesuit school my entire career (Fordham University and Loyola Academy). I also ran track in high school and college. In recent years, I was inducted into both Fordham Prep and Fordham University's Athletic Halls of Fame.

 

Favorite Loyola memory?
A few years back I had the opportunity to travel to New York City with Fr. McGrath, Mr. Heintz and Mr. Stonequist. We were there because Fordham University, my alma mater, was playing College of the Holy Cross in football at Yankee Stadium, and there were a number of Loyola alumni on the two teams. The night before the game we gathered former Ramblers together in Manhattan. Some were recent alumni going to school in the New York area, while others graduated from Loyola many years ago. What I took away from that experience was how strong the Loyola Academy connection is.

 

What is your advice to Ramblers?
High school is a time to explore new things, but it is also a time to find out who you are. Sometimes students care too much about the opinions of others or compare themselves to others. I'm often reminded that, as Theodore Roosevelt said: "Comparison is the thief of joy."