John McKiernan '98 Addresses Student Body

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame (B.A., Philosophy; J.D.), the University of Oxford, Harris Manchester College (P.G.D., Theology), and the University of Scranton (M.B.A.), John McKiernan '98 returned to Elder to address the student body during its opening school year Mass.
McKiernan grew up on Overlook Avenue and attended St. Teresa of Avila before coming to Elder. While at Elder, John was the equipment manager for the football and basketball teams, and vice-president of student council his senior year, during which he organized the very first Elderfest.

After graduating from Elder, McKiernan earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master’s Degree in Theology from the University of Oxford in England. Currently, John resides in Baltimore where he is secretary to the board of trustees and accreditation officer at Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore’s oldest Catholic university.

McKiernan's message to the young men following Elder's opening school year Mass included his reflections on a commitment to the pursuit of Altiora, the higher things, and its correlation to how Elder positioned him for a lifetime of success.  He credits the faculty for where he is today stating to the students, "You are in the finest men’s Catholic high school in Cincinnati, under the instruction of a talented, committed faculty that wants, and expects, your success. You have only to embrace their challenge and commit yourself to your own achievement, knowing that Elder and its faculty will be there to support you every step of the way.

"Yet I hope it is not your graduation from Elder when each one of you stops to reflect upon the extraordinary opportunity available to you right now."
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