A Look Back

Tracing the Steps of Two of Marian Catholic’s Longest Serving Administrators

By Allen Marazas '64

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 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.

JACK HENEGHAN

He is still in contact with some of the young men (now in their 50s) who were with him on that first Kairos. He especially enjoys reconnecting with alumni who return to Marian Catholic and seek out his office for a visit.

Heneghan prizes the commitment he sees Marian Catholic alumni demonstrate to their work and family life. He often cites former Athletic Director Dave Mattio '66, who spent most of his life at Marian Catholic giving back to generations of students. He admires the dedication faculty and staff have to Catholic education. “I admire their commitment to the students and that they never give up.”

Finally, Heneghan says that although he “semi-retired” several years ago, he still maintains a visible presence at Marian Catholic doing what he loves to do, helping to ensure students become graduates worthy of a Marian Catholic diploma. He says,”I’m grateful to be here every day. I’m having fun!”

John Kozojed

A journey by chance – that’s how John Kozojed describes the career path that led him to Marian Catholic. After teaching at Madonna High School, an all-girls school on Chicago’s Northwest Side, and then Mendel High School, an all-boys school on the far South Side of Chicago, Kozojed joined Marian Catholic in 1988, after Mendel closed. His first impressions were of a welcoming environment. It was one that was familiar to him having worked exclusively in Catholic schools, yet totally new for him having come from an inner-city setting. A long-standing presence at Marian, Kozojed retired at the end of the 2018-19 school year. He still consults with faculty and staff on an ongoing basis, so it’s not surprising to find him roaming the halls or assisting at events.

Initially, Kozojed was hired as a theology teacher, but added the title of Director of Activities his second year at Marian Catholic. It was a natural transition for Kozojed who had taught theology and history classes at Madonna, where he was also the Student Council moderator. In addition to teaching, his responsibilities at Mendel included being the Activities Director, as well as Campus Minister. At Marian, Kozojed gradually taught fewer classes until he stopped teaching altogether around 2000, and became the Assistant Principal of Student Activities full time. He says, “I loved being in the classroom, but I didn’t miss the paperwork.”

JOHN KOZOJED

How does Kozojed describe a Marian Catholic student and what makes them different from other students? “I miss the interaction with the kids,” said Kozojed. “They are wonderful. Marian opens a lot of windows for how they look at things and how they figure things out that prepares them to go out into the world. They know how to think critically, and can figure out what they need to do to succeed on a personal, academic, and spiritual level.” For the most part, he doesn’t think students have changed much during his 32 years at Marian. “I think the way students approach learning has changed, as exemplified with how they responded during the pandemic.”

Asked about his favorite moments at Marian Catholic, Kozojed readily mentions two in particular. The first is the school’s annual Christmas Gift and Food Drive. He describes it as an uplifting experience for anyone who is involved in the mission project. Like the water drive the school conducted after Hurricane Katrina, the Christmas Drive is an example of how Marian comes together for whatever the need is at the time.

The second moment he recalls is Marian Catholic’s 50th Anniversary celebration. The event brought back so many people with shared memories and connections. “The school needs to build on those reunion traditions,” suggests Kozojed. “They have great memories and a great fondness for the place.”

It is apparent Kozojed is committed to Catholic education; he dedicated his life to serving in Catholic schools. One of his most powerful memories is of the first all-school Mass to be celebrated in the West Gym. Held on December 8, 1997, the gym was packed with 1600 students, their parents, and friends of the school. It is a tradition that continues to this day. The most rewarding aspect of his career? “I would say it is the faith development of the students,” expressed Kozojed, “in the sense that a lot of people think teens don’t believe or practice their faith. Opening doors for them to grow and gain a better understanding of their relationship with God is the most moving thing for me.” And that doesn’t happen by chance.