Marian to Present “Distinguished Alumnus Award” to

Two Alumni on Saturday, May 3, 2025

 Marian High School is excited to announce the two recipients of the 2025 “Distinguished Alumnus Award”  to be presented during the Distinguished Alumni and Hall of Fame Celebration scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2025 in the John P. Malarkey ‘51 Gymnasium at Marian High School in Hometown. 

The 2025 recipients of the “Distinguished Alumnus Award” are The Honorable Keith R. McCall, Class of 1977 of Summit Hill and Dr. Richard O’Donnell ’81 of San Francisco, CA. 

The Honorable Keith R. McCall ‘77

Keith R. McCall was born and raised in Summit Hill and is a 1977 graduate of Marian High School.  Representative McCall was the 136th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, having been elected by his peers on January 6, 2009. He is the first Speaker from Carbon County in the 327 year history of the General Assembly.  He retired from the House of Representatives in 2010. 

Speaker McCall served the people of Carbon County, having been elected after the untimely death of his father-Thomas J. McCall. In his role as Speaker, he pledged to restore the public’s pride and confidence in government and stand for the ideals of Pennsylvania’s founders, while continuing to move forward a legislative agenda that addressed the needs of Pennsylvanians.

Keith never lost sight of his small-town values even as he worked to bring high tech jobs and major economic development to Pennsylvania and the rapidly growing region of Carbon County.

Throughout his years in office, Speaker McCall supported a legislative agenda that promoted small business growth. He believed small businesses create a majority of the states jobs and advocated for the investment of state dollars for small business development and growth throughout the Commonwealth.

Speaker McCall served on a number of prominent committees, chairing the House Consumer Affairs Committee, and chairing the House Transportation Committee. By virtue of his Chairmanship of the Transportation Committee, McCall gained a seat on the powerful and influential State Transportation Commission. The Commission sets the funding priority for all the dollars spent on Commonwealth road projects through its 12 year program. His leadership can be seen locally with the elimination of the ‘S” curves on route 54 in Hauto, widening of state route 443, construction of the Jim Thorpe Bridge, construction of a new turnpike interchange on route 903, rehabilitation of the Nesquehoning trussell connecting the D&L Trail to downtown Jim Thorpe, funding for the walking bridge at the base of Mansion House Hill and over $5 million dollars to construct the D&L Trail in Carbon County to name a few.

Before becoming Speaker, he served as Majority Whip (the second ranked position in the house), earning the reputation of a hard working lawmaker who always stands up for the little guy. Among his many accomplishments, he authored legislation that delivered more than $55 million to improve rail infrastructure to provide for the double-stacking of rail freight cars, creating tens of thousands of jobs at industrial sites around the Commonwealth. He passed legislation, mandated by Federal Law, to enact the Clean Air Act amendments passed by Congress and got signed into law the licensing of Massage Therapy in the Commonwealth. He authored and advocated for stronger laws to protect consumers from fraudulent home improvement contractors. Because of his efforts, Pennsylvanians can now access a database to learn about contractors who are registered to do business in the Commonwealth.

McCall is a lifetime member of the Summit Hill Diligence Fire Company, Knights of Columbus, Ancient Order of Hibernians and Carbon 242 F.&A.M.  He is the founding charter member of the Panther Valley Renaissance, Carbon County Partners for Progress and the Jim Thorpe Sportsman Club and Past President of the Panther Valley Irish American Association.

Keith is married to the former Betty Wehr and they are the parents of two Marian graduates, Courtney, a 2016 graduate and Keith Robert, a 2019 graduate.  Keith’s two siblings are also Marian graduates, Tom from the Class of 1976 and Kelly McCall Sherkness from the Class of 1981.

Dr. Richard J. O'Donnell ‘81

A Summit Hill native, Richard J. O’Donnell, M.D. is a 1981 alumnus of Marian High School.  He was subsequently graduated from Harvard College, the Harvard Medical School, the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Training Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital, and the University of Washington Musculoskeletal Oncology Fellowship in Seattle.

Dr. O’Donnell started clinical care with Kaiser Permanente in Northern California, where he served as Chief of Musculoskeletal Oncology.  In 1998, Dr. O'Donnell joined the Faculty Practice at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), where he was Chief of Orthopedic Oncology and Director of the Sarcoma Program, specializing in the surgical treatment of adults and children with bone and soft tissue tumors and tumor-like conditions.  In addition to providing care at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, Dr. O’Donnell was appointed to assist in the development of complex surgical techniques for the rehabilitation of patients with amputation at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, under the auspices of the American Red Cross, and with grant funding through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).  After retirement from active practice in 2024, he remains as a Professor Emeritus of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery.

Dr. O'Donnell has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards including the "Above and Beyond" Service Award from The Permanente Medical Group, South San Francisco, and the James M. Morris, M.D. Memorial Award, Honoring the Compassionate Physician, presented annually by the UCSF Orthopaedic Residents.

Dr. O’Donnell is the son of the late Lawrence and Marian Posta O’Donnell. His family has been part of the Marian tradition for more than 75 years, ever since his uncle, the late Richard C. O’Donnell, was graduated from St. Ann’s High School in 1949. He resides in California with his wife, Ann Marie Gorczyca, D.M.D., M.P.H., M.S., and their son, Richard F. O’Donnell.

"Marian High School is proud of its many outstanding alumni, and the Distinguished Alumnus Awards offer a special occasion to celebrate their accomplishments, dedication to Marian and Catholic education, and their impact in their professions, communities, and globally. The Honorable Keith McCall and Dr. Richard O’Donnell exemplify the qualities of a Distinguished Alumnus from Marian," said Head of School Michael Brennan ’06.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award was established in 2023 to recognize and honor alumni of Marian High School, Saint Ann’s High School, Saint Jerome’s High School, Saint Mary’s High School, Mauch Chunk Catholic High School and former students who are noted in their field of endeavor or recognized for their expertise and good works. The award celebrates those accomplished role models who inspire today’s Marian students to follow their own pursuit of excellence. Award recipients must meet the following criteria:

• Graduated from or enrolled at Marian High School, Saint Ann’s High School, Saint Jerome’s High School, Saint Mary’s High School or Mauch Chunk Catholic High School at least 10 years prior to being honored.

• Must have distinguished themselves through achievement, service or contributions to their alma mater or society.

• Exhibits leadership, character, and service at work, in their community or in civic organizations.

“The Distinguished Alumnus Award will be presented on May 3, 2025 in recognition of the outstanding and widely recognized achievements of The Honorable Keith R. McCall ’77 and Dr. Richard O’Donnell ‘81. The award salutes Keith and Richard, who each exemplify the standards and mission of Marian High School through their personal conduct, professional accomplishments, community service and commitment to Catholic education” concluded Patrick Reilly, Chairman of the Marian Board of Directors.

In addition, the school will welcome eight individuals and one Marian family into the Marian High Hall of Fame at the same event on May 3, 3025. These honorees will be announced shortly.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award and Hall of Fame Celebration will take place on Saturday evening, May 3, 2025 at Marian High School, starting at 5:30 p.m. with the cocktail reception and dinner and the program to follow starting at 7 p.m. 

Please contact Dr. Erin Marek, Director of Advancement at 570-467-3335 or emarek@mariancatholichs.org for more information on sponsorship, program book opportunities and tickets for the event.  Proceeds from the celebration will benefit the Scholarship Fund at Marian High School.  More information is available at www.mariancatholichs.org

About the Board of Directors

Marian High School is incorporated under a Board of Directors that provides the school with invaluable leadership, direction and support in fulfilling its mission of school governance. The Board of Directors meets throughout the year and new members are elected annually.

Marian High School is a Catholic secondary school under the ownership of the Diocese of Allentown and is governed by the Board of Directors under the leadership of Patrick Reilly, P ’98, ’02, ’11 (Jim Thorpe).  Other members of the Board for this school year include Dave Bielen ’69, P ’91, GP ’24 (Tamaqua); Patrick Boyle ’03 (Jenkintown, PA); Rev. Robert Finlan (Barnesville); Larry Furey ’79 (Naples, FL); Kathy Reinhart Goff ’87, P ’20, ’23 (Jim Thorpe); Dan LaBert ’93 (Broadlands, VA); John Lavelle, Esq. ’81 (Bryn Mawr, PA); Leo V. Marzen  ‘79, CFA, CPA, CFP (Stamford, CT); Maria Montero ’94, P ’13 (Easton, PA), Sr. Rose Mulligan, IHM ’84 (Malvern PA); Erin O’Gurek, Esq. ’03 (Wayne, PA); Shannon Boyle Pietrak ’95 (Houston, TX); Jim Sauka ’66, P ’93, ’94, ’96, ’00 (Nesquehoning); Ashley Shickora ‘03 (Glastonbury, CT) and Bill Stulginsky ’69 (Newton Square, PA). 

Patrick O’Reilly, P ’08, ’02, ’11 serves as Chairman, Dave Bielen ’69, P ’91, GP ’24, serves as Vice Chair, Sr. Rose Mulligan, IHM ’84 serves as Secretary and Bill Stulginsky ‘69 serves as Treasurer.

Committee Chairs for the 2024-25 school year are Leo Marzen ’79, Governance and Nominating Committee, Bill Stulginsky ’69, Finance Committee; Larry Furey ’79, Advancement Committee; Dave Bielen ’69, P ’21, GP ’24, Facilities Committee and Patrick Boyle ’03, Enrollment and Marketing Committee.