ANTHONY “SKIP” MINAKOWSKI ‘63 NAMED 2017 KELLEY MEDAL RECIPIENT
Anthony “Skip” Minakowski has been selected as the 2017 recipient of the Rev. Joseph M. Kelley, S.J., Medal — the highest form of recognition given to a Loyola alumnus. Minakowski spent more than four decades as a senior manager/controller with experience in finance, accounting and auditing. Since his retirement, he has served as an Adjunct Professor at Loyola University, Business Manager at St. Joseph Cockeysville and as a consultant. Additionally, Skip is very active in the life of his parish, dedicated to service work in local ministries, and in organizing members of Loyola’s Class of 1963.
When he is not busy volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America (Troop 497) or organizing the monthly “Third Thursday” gatherings of his fellow Dons, Skip can be found at Blakefield in the early morning hours preparing to accompany students on a daily service trip. For the past few years, he has volunteered his time driving a bus full of students to various centers in the Baltimore area, including Our Daily Bread, the Franciscan Center and St. Jerome’s Head Start.
In addition to spending the day with students in service, he leads them in reflection upon returning to campus. “When we return to Blakefield for a post-trip reflection, I look forward to the boys’ always-creative answers to my reflection questions,” said Minakowski. “Witnessing them perform corporal works of mercy, I’m grateful to have been given a chance to do the same thing. I tell the students they’ll come away from their work with a feeling of accomplishment, radiating the warmth of those they’ve helped.”
His recent volunteer efforts have also taken him to Poland, where he has worked in an English language camp where the main objective is to immerse students in English through lessons, activities, and discussions with their American teachers and peers. A recipient of the Archdiocese of Baltimore Medal of Honor, he has served as a proud member of several advisory boards.
In nominating him for the Kelley Medal, his peers noted the admirable volume of service work that Skip dedicates himself to, as well as his humility and leadership qualities. “It is hard for me to think of anyone who better personifies the qualities that distinguish recipients of the Kelley Award than Skip, said Leo McManus ’63. “Whether it is commitment to family, achievement in business affairs, or leadership in the Catholic Community in Baltimore, Skip is a role model whom all Loyola students would do well to emulate.”
Referred to as the “heart and soul” of his graduating class, Skip has led efforts to grow the Class of 1963 Scholarship Fund. “In addition to his numerous charitable endeavors, Skip has taken it upon himself to maintain a list of our fellow Dons and communicate with us on a regular basis,” said Richard Pretl ’63. “He ensures that we continue to share our friendships and fellowship more than 50 years after graduation.”
Skip currently resides in Towson, Maryland, with his wife Fran. He is a graduate of the University of Scranton (Accounting) and Loyola University (MBA). He is also the proud father to Adam ’96, who followed in his footsteps at Scranton. The award will be formally presented at an event on March 15. Please join the entire Loyola community in congratulating Skip on this accomplishment.
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.
When he is not busy volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America (Troop 497) or organizing the monthly “Third Thursday” gatherings of his fellow Dons, Skip can be found at Blakefield in the early morning hours preparing to accompany students on a daily service trip. For the past few years, he has volunteered his time driving a bus full of students to various centers in the Baltimore area, including Our Daily Bread, the Franciscan Center and St. Jerome’s Head Start.
In addition to spending the day with students in service, he leads them in reflection upon returning to campus. “When we return to Blakefield for a post-trip reflection, I look forward to the boys’ always-creative answers to my reflection questions,” said Minakowski. “Witnessing them perform corporal works of mercy, I’m grateful to have been given a chance to do the same thing. I tell the students they’ll come away from their work with a feeling of accomplishment, radiating the warmth of those they’ve helped.”
His recent volunteer efforts have also taken him to Poland, where he has worked in an English language camp where the main objective is to immerse students in English through lessons, activities, and discussions with their American teachers and peers. A recipient of the Archdiocese of Baltimore Medal of Honor, he has served as a proud member of several advisory boards.
In nominating him for the Kelley Medal, his peers noted the admirable volume of service work that Skip dedicates himself to, as well as his humility and leadership qualities. “It is hard for me to think of anyone who better personifies the qualities that distinguish recipients of the Kelley Award than Skip, said Leo McManus ’63. “Whether it is commitment to family, achievement in business affairs, or leadership in the Catholic Community in Baltimore, Skip is a role model whom all Loyola students would do well to emulate.”
Referred to as the “heart and soul” of his graduating class, Skip has led efforts to grow the Class of 1963 Scholarship Fund. “In addition to his numerous charitable endeavors, Skip has taken it upon himself to maintain a list of our fellow Dons and communicate with us on a regular basis,” said Richard Pretl ’63. “He ensures that we continue to share our friendships and fellowship more than 50 years after graduation.”
Skip currently resides in Towson, Maryland, with his wife Fran. He is a graduate of the University of Scranton (Accounting) and Loyola University (MBA). He is also the proud father to Adam ’96, who followed in his footsteps at Scranton. The award will be formally presented at an event on March 15. Please join the entire Loyola community in congratulating Skip on this accomplishment.
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.
