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Tracing the Steps of Two of Marian Catholic’s Longest Serving Administrators By Allen Marazas '64
Jack Heneghan
Of all the Marian Catholic faces that alumni from the last 40 years would recognize and fondly remember, none stands out quite like that of Vice Principal for Student Development Jack Heneghan. Heneghan came to Marian Catholic in 1979 from Oswego Community High School, where he had been an Assistant Principal helping teachers with class management and student discipline. His career in education began more than a decade earlier at Fenwick High School in Oak Park where he taught for six years. From Fenwick, Heneghan moved into public education with a four year stint at Glenbrook North in Northbrook, followed by his two years at Oswego. Circumstances at Oswego, particularly with respect to his role as disciplinarian and counselor to at-risk students, proved to be frustrating. Discouraged, Heneghan decided to return to Catholic education, sending out letters and resumes to Catholic high schools throughout the Chicagoland area seeking a position as Assistant Principal. Among those who contacted him was Sr. Mary Alberta from Marian Catholic, who proposed that Heneghan come to the school to head an about-to-be-created Development Office. Heneghan confessed to Sister Alberta that he hadn’t heard much at all about Marian Catholic. Her response was, “Neither has anyone else,” which was why she needed someone like him to take on the role of development and public relations. After some
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discussion, Heneghan turned down Sister Alberta’s offer, saying he knew nothing about either development or public relations and wouldn’t be able to do a good job for her or for the school. A few days later, Sister called back to share more about Marian Catholic and her vision for its future. Again, Mr. Heneghan declined her offer. After two more calls, Sister sold him on the position with her enthusiasm for the school and its student body. Heneghan remains grateful to Sister Alberta, saying “she allowed me into this family, which has been a real gift to me. Marian Catholic has been my intellectual, spiritual, and emotional home for 42 years. It has made me a better man.” Within a few years, Heneghan transitioned into the position he originally sought, Vice Principal of Operations, which opened the door for him to do what he does best: mentoring students and developing relationships between students, parents, teachers, and staff. Today he continues to serve the school as Vice Principal for Student Development. Heneghan believes that those who work with young people should listen, be attentive, and stay present in their lives. Then students will know they are not lost, forgotten, or ignored. He attempts to get students to develop a commitment to Marian Catholic and its values. He tells them, “The real Marian Catholic comes from within.” He also points out to them the importance and significance of a Marian diploma and their own worthiness to achieve it. Heneghan’s goal is always to help students feel good about themselves and for them to learn how to act rightly toward others. At a recent class reunion, a member of the class of 1987 shared with him, “I always knew I was being taken care of.” Heneghan cites the Discovery in Service Program, which he founded, as further evidence of the commitment to others that he and Marian Catholic try to instill in students. Some of his fondest memories are from teaching Discovery in Service students and observing them at their job sites in schools and nursing homes. Also high on his list of memories is his attendance at many of the Kairos retreats, especially his presence at the very first boys’ Kairos in April of 1988.
