Commissioner Gorman to be inducted into Mother McAuley High School’s Hall of Honor on November 2

Commissioner Gorman to be inducted into Mother McAuley High School’s Hall of Honor on November 2

Chicago, IL – Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman has been selected as a member of the inaugural class for induction into Mother McAuley High School’s McAuley Hall of Honor.  The Mother McAuley/Saint Xavier Academy Alumnae Association will host the school’s first annual All-Class Reunion and McAuley Hall Induction ceremony on Saturday, November 2, 2013. All alumnae, friends and supporters of the school have been invited to attend this first-ever event, which will be held on the school’s campus, located at 3737 W. 99^th Street in Chicago.

“I’m deeply honored by this recognition and to be a part of the inaugural class with such a distinguished group of fellow McAuley alumnae and staff is a truly special moment,” said Commissioner Gorman.

The evening will begin with Mass at 5:30 p.m. followed by a 7:00 p.m. ceremony recognizing the first-ever inductees, nominees and nominators of McAuley Hall – the school’s new Hall of Honor. Inductees were chosen from numerous submissions. McAuley Hall will be a permanent installation at the school, serving to educate and inspire current and future students, and all who visit the school.  Commissioner Gorman joins with the following members of the inaugural class:

Sheila Taaffe Reynolds, ‘39

Graduating from Saint Xavier Academy (former name of McAuley), Sheila Taaffe Reynolds had an ear for languages. She became a cryptographer, decoding messages sent from Japanese shipping yards during World War II.

Sharon R. Chester, ‘60

With roots at McAuley and wings all over the world, Sharon Chester traveled to numerous countries as a Pan American flight attendant and as a researcher, becoming an accomplished author. She’s written over 15 natural history books and travel guides and is an ornithologist, having seen every species of bird.

Sister Brian Costello, RSM

Credited with designing the liberal arts curriculum that McAuley still teaches today, Sister Brian Costello has been involved in all facets of Catholic education from teacher to principal to superintendent. McAuley continues to honor her legacy by bestowing the prestigious Brian Costello Award to a senior each year.

Karen Murphy, MD, ‘68

Although Dr. Karen Murphy was diagnosed with polio as a child, she didn’t let her illness define her. After graduating from McAuley in 1968, she became a Fulbright scholar and attended medical school at Northwestern University later in life, well after college, so she could live her passion – helping others as a family doctor.

Nancy Cunningham Benacci ‘73

Upon graduating from McAuley in 1973, Nancy Cunningham Benacci attended John Carroll University and is currently Director of Equity Research for KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio. She leads the 65-person Research Department, which focuses on companies in the consumer, energy, basic materials, industrial, and real estate sectors.

Sylvia Reed Curran, ‘75

American Diplomat Sylvia Reed Curran’s lifetime advantage began once she graduated from McAuley in 1975. She has served the United States for more than 25 years as the Charge d'Affaires to Turkmenistan and United States Counsel General to Vladivostok, Russia, where she currently resides.

Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman, ‘83

Graduating from McAuley in 1983, Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman’s foray into government began in 2002 when she was elected Cook County Board Commissioner. Although she already held a bachelor of arts in marketing from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, she made the conscious decision to further her education and received an EMBA from the University of Notre Dame in 2008. Ms. Gorman is in her third term as Commissioner.

Dr. Roz Iasillo and the EcoMacs

Teaching for more than 25 years, Dr. Roz Iasillo previously served as Department Chair of Natural & Health Sciences, and now serves as S.T.E.M. Coordinator. She developed and currently oversees the environmental science club, EcoMacs. In 2010, Dr. Roz (as she’s affectionately called by students) oversaw Operation Haiti, in which the EcoMacs built a biodiesel processor for a school in Haiti after the area suffered a devastating earthquake.

For more information on the event, please visit:  www.mothermcauleyalums.org.

Commissioner Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman, Republican from Orland Park, represents Cook County’s suburban 17th District. She has been a strong advocate for tax reform, fiscal responsibility, and budget and operational efficiencies. Commissioner Gorman has also worked hard for greater transparency throughout Cook County government and for making the Forest Preserve District a national leader in the areas of recreation, restoration and conservation.

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