Loyola Blakefield
Kelley Medal
Rev. Joseph M. Kelley, S.J. Medal
Named in Honor of Rev. Joseph M. Kelley S.J., the Kelley Medal recognizes his dedication and commitment to educating Loyola students in physics and mathematics for nearly 40 years. As such, the Kelley Medal is regarded as the highest form of recognition given to a Loyola alumnus. It recognizes an alumnus who is outstanding by reason of distinction gained in business, profession, or by his outstanding participation in ecclesiastical or civic affairs. In addition, the alumnus is recognized for how his personal, family, and public life serves as a role model and example to the students and graduates of Loyola Blakefield. The Medal was first presented in 1962 to the late Edward J. Donnelly ’33, the first lay member of the Loyola Blakefield Board of Trustees.
2026 Kelley Medal Breakfast Highlights
On Thursday, March 12th, 2026, we hosted the annual Kelley Medal Award Breakfast. Attendees included several previous award recipients, representatives from the Loyola Blakefield Alumni Association, the entire Class of 2026, as well as friends and family of this years' honoree, Dr. Louis M. French '81 as the recipient of the 2026 Rev. Joseph M. Kelley, S.J. Medal – the highest form of recognition awarded to a Loyola Blakefield alumnus.
Dr. French’s life and career reflect a profound commitment to service, excellence, and leadership in one of the most demanding and impactful fields in modern medicine. A graduate of the Class of 1981, Louis developed early on a clear sense of purpose: to help others where the need was greatest, and to ensure that sacrifice and suffering would lead to understanding, healing, and meaning.
Dr. French’s life and career reflect a profound commitment to service, excellence, and leadership in one of the most demanding and impactful fields in modern medicine. A graduate of the Class of 1981, Louis developed early on a clear sense of purpose: to help others where the need was greatest, and to ensure that sacrifice and suffering would lead to understanding, healing, and meaning.
Now Accepting Nominations for the 2027 Kelley Medal
Nominating Process for the Rev. Joseph M. Kelley, S.J. Medal:
List of 4 items.
-
Step 1: Submit Your Nomination
Submit your nominee via the Kelley Medal nomination form listed below. This officially submits the individual to the Loyola Blakefield Alumni Association (LBAA) as a candidate. -
Step 2: Letter of Recommendation
The nominating individual must compose an official letter of recommendation, detailing why the nominated individual is deserving of the award. -
Step 3: Letters of Recommendation from Others
Solicit at least three (3) similar letters of recommendation from other individuals in support of this nomination. Recommendations may come from anyone inside or outside of the Loyola community. -
Step 4: Recommendation Letter Submission
For letters of recommendation, please email your submissions to kelleymedal@loyolablakefield.org.
Once the nomination letter and three supporting letters are received by the LBAA, the nomination is considered complete and ready for consideration by the LBAA for the Kelley Medal.
-
2025.05.20_LB_Campus+Classroom-59 (2)
Submit a Nomination
Do you know a Loyola graduate who meets the criteria for the Kelley Medal honor? Use the form below to submit your nomination for the 2025 Kelley Medal Award.
Past Recipients
List of 7 items.
-
1962 – 1969
1962: Edward J. Donnelly '33
1963: Philip J. Scharper '37
1964: J. O'Neill Miller '37
1965: Frank J. Ayd Jr., M.D. '38
1966: Frank K. Morris, M.D. '19
1967: John J. Sweeney '42
1968: Rev. Joseph M.Connolly '42
1969: F. Frederick Ruzicka, M.D. '08 -
1970 – 1979
1970: James P. Lazzati '35
1971: William N. Schmitz '37
1972: Hon. William J. O’Donnell '33
1973: Bernard L. Talley '58
1974: Vincent D. Fitzpatrick Jr., M.D. '38
1975: Henry J. Knott Sr. '25
1976: Rev. John F. Guidera, S.J. '43, Rev. Lawrence J. Hunt, S.J. '44, Rev. Joseph R. Lerch, S.J. '44
1977: Frank A. Gunther Jr. '50
1978: Edmund J. Fick '50
1979: William J. Baird Sr. '29 -
1980 – 1989
1980: His Eminence J. Francis Stafford '50
1981: Most Rev. Edward J. Herrmann, D.D. '31
1982: Vincent T. Bagli '44
1983: Thomas E. Donnelly '37
1984: Hon. Lawrence F. Rodowsky '48
1985: Henry J. Knott Jr. '56
1986: James P. O’Conor '46
1987: Jerome W. Geckle '48
1988: Rene J. Gunning Sr. '38, Rev. Joseph F. Kerr, S.J.
1989: James K. McManus '39 -
1990 – 1999
1990: Rev. William M. Boteler, M.M. '48
1991: Rev. Joseph C. Martin, S.S. '42
1992: Hugh F. Coyle '56
1993: J. Henry Butta '46
1994: Robert J. Blair '44
1995: William J. Baird Jr. '57
1996: Richard J. Otenasek Jr., M.D. '50
1997: Herbert P. Waldron '32
1998: Arthur J. Fassio Sr. '43
1999: Robert L. Doyle, M.D. '55 -
2000 – 2009
2000: George L. Bunting Jr. '58
2001: Hon. J. Norris Byrnes '56
2002: Stephen W. Whalen Jr. '67
2003: Joseph B. Smith '39
2004: C. Arthur Eby Jr. '42
2005: Carroll A. Bodie '63
2006: John H. Weetenkamp III '65
2007: Rev. George V. Coyne, S.J. '51
2008: Bernard J. Weigman Jr. '50
2009: Hon. Robert E. Cahill Sr. '49 -
2010 – 2019
2010: J. Joseph Brune Jr. '52
2011: John M. Stewart '60
2012: David G. Greenwood '53
2013: William J. McCarthy '79
2014: Hon. Albert J. Matricciani '65
2015: Erich W. March ’70
2016: Michael J. Abromaitis '58
2017: Anthony "Skip" Minakowski '63
2018: Rev. Joseph Michini, S.J. '59
2019: Monsignor Martin Feild '51 -
2020 – 2026
2020: Ralph E. Moore '70
2021: Wayne R. Gioioso Jr. '78
2022: Louis F. Baird '65
2023: Victor J. Corbin '58
2024: Thomas J. Mooney, IV '76
2025: Dr. James "Jim" Taneyhill '65
2026: Dr. Louis M. French '81
