Seven Individuals and One Family to be Inducted into the Marian High School “Hall of Fame” on Saturday, May 3

Marian High School is excited to announce the induction of seven individuals and one family to the Class of 2025 “Hall of Fame,” to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 in the John P. Malarkey ‘51 Gymnasium at Marian High School in Hometown. 

Michael Brennan, Head of School stated “we look forward to the Marian family gathering on Saturday, May 3rd to honor seven remarkable individuals and one Marian family whose lives and legacies have shaped the spirit of Marian High School in profound ways.

Visionary leaders like Rudy Bednar ’69 and Bob Stanek ’70, whose dedication to excellence set the bar for future generations. Msgr. Tom Orsulak ‘80, and Sister Bernard Agnes, IHM, whose unwavering faith and service have touched countless lives within our community, Dr. Megan Valentine ’93, representing a new era of Marian alumni in the Hall of Fame, and Pat and Pam Reilly, ’98, ’02, ’11, who have been great champions for Marian for over 35 years.   And Larry and Ann Furey and their family, whose commitment to our school’s values has inspired all who love Marian.

Together, they represent the heart and soul of Marian, and it is with great pride that we induct them into our Hall of Fame. Their stories are not just of achievement, but of impact—leaving a lasting imprint on the lives of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the entire Marian family."

We invite anyone attending the 2025 Marian Catholic High School Hall of Fame and Distinguished Alumnus Award Celebration on Saturday, May 3, 2025 to join us for a special Mass prior to the event. We are pleased to announce that Rev. Msgr. Thomas Orsulak '80, Class of 2025 Hall of Fame inductee, will be the celebrant for Mass at 4:30 PM in the Dr. & Mrs. William Bonner Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. 

The new members of the Hall of Fame for 2025 are as follows:

Sister M. Bernard Agnes, IHM

Sister Bernard Agnes, IHM, is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary religious community based in Malvern, PA, who staffed Marian High School for over 60 years.  Sister Bernard served Marian High School for over 25 years, first as a Chemistry teacher for seven years from 1977 to 1984, and then as Director of Studies for one year before succeeding John P. Malarkey ’51, as the Principal in 1998.  Sister Bernard served as Principal at Marian for 18 years, making her the second longest serving Principal in the school’s 70 year history.  She is currently serving at Camilla Hall, the retirement community for the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in Malvern, assisting with the health care needs of her fellow Sisters. 

During her tenure as Principal, Sister Bernard initiated the Distance Learning program with students at IC in Jim Thorpe, partnered with the Lehigh County Community College in the Dual Credit program to give students the opportunity to earn college credits while at Marian.

Sister Bernard guided the school through the Middle States Accreditation process, was responsible for the renovation of the cafeteria into the Multi-Purpose Room, installed new windows throughout the school building and replaced the gym floor in the John P. Malarkey ’51 Gymnasium– all improvements that students at Marian still enjoy today.  During her time at Marian, Sister Bernard secured her Pennsylvania Bus Drivers License and drove the Men of Marian owned-buses for athletic and extra-curricular events. 

“My greatest joy was the outstanding and caring faculty at Marian and the IHM Sisters who were so supportive.  All of them were open to trying new curriculum and striving to bring out the best in each Marian student,” stated Sr. Bernard Agnes, IHM.

Rudy Bednar ‘69

Rudy Bednar is a 1969 graduate of Marian and is an executive producer, director, and writer - a multi-award-winning storyteller recognized for his work in both non-fiction and scripted network television. From 1997 to 2013, he led ABC News’ Long-Form Unit before becoming a founding member of ABC’s Lincoln Square Productions, the network’s first venture into factual scripted drama. He is currently developing and writing an eight-part dramatic series for streaming.

Rudy’s career at ABC News began in the early1980s, taking him across the globe - from the North Pole to North Korea, the Amazon to the Arctic Circle. His investigative work has covered critical global issues, including the impact of Chernobyl’s radioactive fallout in Lapland, the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, and Richard Leakey’s controversial shoot-to-kill policy against elephant poachers in Africa. He filmed the politically charged crisis in Tibet alone with a hidden camera and spent a year with the Gates Foundation documenting solutions to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. In collaboration with USC Digital Arts, he created a Games for Change project and led a team with Leonardo DiCaprio exploring the causes and potential solutions for global warming.

His work as an executive producer and director includes The Assets (2014), a true-spy thriller starring Jodie Whittaker for ABC TV; Madoff (2016), with Richard Dreyfuss portraying the notorious financier for ABC TV; and The Lost Wife of Robert Durst (2017), featuring Katharine McPhee as Kathie Durst for Lifetime.

His ABC docuseries and docudramas include Final Witness, Hopkins 24/7, Turning Point, NASCAR in Primetime, Medical Mysteries, Vanished, and The Staircase (co-executive producer with Maha Films). Documentaries covered figures and events such as Princess Diana, Vladimir Putin, Charles Manson, Billy Graham, The Beatles, Shuttle Challenger, Ebola, and ISIS.

Rudy has also executive-produced and directed ABC Network Specials featuring Michael J. Fox, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson, Mellody Hobson, Stephen Hawking, Leonard Bernstein and William Styron, as well as produced concert broadcasts with Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Andra Day, Britney Spears, and Elton John.

Listed in Who’s Who in America, Bednar has earned 11 News and Documentary Emmy Awards, four DuPont Awards, two Peabody Awards, two Cine Golden Eagles, and has been nominated twice for Primetime Emmys.

He is a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Born and raised in Lansford, Rudy attended Marquette University where he received a BA degree in communications.  Rudy is the son of the late Rudy and Rita (Colancecco ’49 Saint Ann’s High School) Bednar.  His sister Rosemary Bednar Schachter graduated from Marian in 1971 and his brother Ron is a 1973 graduate of Marian.

Robert V. Stanek ‘70

Bob serves as a Co-Founder of Stanek Associates LLC, a consulting practice providing a holistic, relationship-based approach to help nonprofit organizations strengthen and advance their Missions, build leadership capacity at both governance and organizational levels, expand and develop human and financial resources, and implement strategies that will transform organizations to new levels of achievement and impact. 

Prior to establishing Stanek Associates LLC, Bob served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Health East (CHE) from 2003 until his retirement in 2010. 

CHE, one of the largest Catholic health systems in the United States, employed more than 54,000 full-time employees, with facilities and services located within 11 eastern states from Maine to Florida.  During his tenure, CHE included 34 acute care hospitals, 4 long-term acute care hospitals, 25 freestanding and hospital-based long-term care facilities, 14 assisted-living facilities, 4 continuing care retirement communities, 8 behavioral health and rehabilitation facilities, 37 home health and hospice agencies, and numerous ambulatory and community-based health services.  CHE merged with Trinity Health in 2013.

Bob joined CHE’s Senior Management Team in 1997 as Executive Vice President of the new health system’s Mid-Atlantic Division, and then served as Chief Operating Officer. He was promoted in 2003 to become the health system’s second President and Chief Executive Officer. 

Prior to joining CHE, Bob served in a variety of capacities with the Mercy Health System of Western New York from 1992-1997, including President and Chief Executive Officer as well as the Chief Operating Officer/Care Delivery Services. He also served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Mercy Hospital of Buffalo where he coordinated activities that led to the formation of the Catholic Health System in Buffalo.  Before 1992, Bob served in several administrative positions with the Daughters of Charity health care facilities in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

While serving as President/CEO of Catholic Health East, Bob was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHAUSA).  Comprised of more than 600 hospitals and 1,400 long-term care and other health facilities in all 50 states, CHAUSA is the largest group of Catholic nonprofit health care providers in the nation.  Bob served as Chairperson from 2011 to 2012, and then as the Speaker of the Assembly from 2012 through 2013.  In 2011, he co-chaired, with his wife Noel, the national CHAUSA Haiti Rebirth and Renewal Campaign, raising funds that resulted in the reconstruction of a 200-bed hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which was completed in 2015. 

In the venture capital arena, Bob served with Safeguard Scientifics, a publicly traded venture capital firm which provides capital and operational support to growth stage health care and technology companies, beginning as an Advisor and then as a member of the Advisory Board.  During this period, he also served as President of Dabo Health, a venture backed company, which drove healthcare value through collective intelligence.

Bob served on the Board of Directors of Accumen, a hospital laboratory management company, and chaired its Audit Committee. In addition, he was a founding Board Member of Seamless Health, an Accretive Company, and also served on the Board of Accretive Health, a publicly traded entity, providing hospital billing services.

Bob earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from East Stroudsburg University; a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science; and an M.B.A. in Administrative Management from St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia.  He is married to the former Noelle Kane, who is also a 1970 graduate of Marian.   Bob served as the Commencement Speaker at the graduation ceremonies for the Class of 1996 at Marian. 

Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Orsulak ‘80

The son of John and the late Mary “Tootsie” Orsulak, Monsignor Orsulak was born and raised in Lansford and graduated from Marian High School in 1980.  Upon graduation from Marian, he entered Saint Pius X Seminary in Dalton, PA and studied at the University of Scranton.  Msgr. Orsulak was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Allentown by the late Bishop Thomas J. Welsh on September 15, 1990.  Monsignor Orsulak is currently the Pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Reading, PA.  His brother Richard is a 1981 graduate of Marian and his brother Robert is a 1982 graduate of Marian. Msgr. Orsulak is the Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Allentown for Berks, Schuylkill and Carbon counties.

During his seminary formation, Msgr. Orsulak spent four years in Rome, where he learned to speak Italian. It was a gift for learning languages that eventually led to his passion for Hispanic Ministry. In his early priesthood, he was asked to celebrate a Spanish Mass. Because he was fluent in Italian, he knew he would be able to read the Mass, and accepted the assignment.

“I fell in love with it, and really felt that I needed to use that gift,” he recalled. “I loved being in a multicultural environment."

As a priest, Msgr. Orsulak’s work is deeply connected to his identity. “We identify so deeply by what we do, but we have a dignity based in who we are by nature of our baptism,” he said. “I need to remind myself of the dignity that I have first as a Christian, and then another layer of dignity as a priest.”

This recognition of dignity is an important message that Msgr. Orsulak conveys to those he serves through his priesthood. “In reminding others of their own dignity, it’s important to speak to them with respect,” he said. “I remind them that they are sons and daughters in the Father’s house, not slaves in that house.”

While it is at times challenging to keep up with the needs of a parish community, Msgr. Orsulak focuses on how he can best serve the person that God has placed before him at a given moment.

I try to help people one by one and hopefully it has a ripple effect,” he said. “While I can’t save the world all at once, or even just the city of Reading, it’s about finding the small ways of being present to the person right in front of me.

At the end of the day, Msgr. Orsulak believes that his priesthood and his personal life are inseparable. “What I do as a priest has to permeate what I do in my personal life, and who I am in my personal life influences what I do as a priest. You can’t separate it.”

Reflecting on his vocation, Msgr. Orsulak used a quote from Fr. Pedro Arrupe: “Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in a love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything.”

Msgr. Orsulak serves on the Board of Directors of Berks Catholic High School in Wyomissing, the Kennedy House in Reading and is a volunteer at the No 9 Coal Mine and Museum in Lansford. 

Dr. Megan T. Valentine ‘93

Megan T. Valentine is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Co-Director of the California NanoSystems Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She leads an interdisciplinary research laboratory that investigates many aspects of biological and bioinspired materials, with an emphasis on understanding how forces are generated and transmitted in living materials, how these forces control cellular outcomes, and how the extraordinary features of living systems can be captured in manmade materials. This highly interdisciplinary experimental work lies at the intersection of engineering, physics, biology and chemistry, and advances diverse application areas, ranging from drug delivery to soft robotics.  Her work has led to over 90 scientific publications, and more than 75 invited presentations at leading research institutes and conferences around the world.Megan graduated from Marian in 1993 where she was the Class Valedictorian and received her B.S from Lehigh University, M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania and Ph.D. from Harvard University, all in Physics. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University in the Department of Biological Sciences, where she was the recipient of a Damon Runyon Cancer Research Postdoctoral Fellowship, and a Burroughs Wellcome Career Award at the Scientific Interface. Her professional awards include a CAREER Award from the U.S. National Science Foundation for her work on neuron mechanics, and a U.S. Fulbright Scholar Award to study adhesion mechanics at the École Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles (ESPCI) in Paris, France.  She has been awarded a Fellowship of the American Physical Society and a Fellowship of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering for her broad contributions to science and the community.At Marian, Megan was in the marching and concert band, student government, forensics team, newspaper, yearbook, a member of the National Honor Society and was a member of the Diocesan and County Bands.

“The rigorous coursework and high academic expectations I experienced at Marian prepared me to succeed in college and beyond.  The friendships and community taught me important lessons in collaboration, teamwork, and generosity. I am grateful every day for the sacrifices my parents made to provide me with a strong foundation for success”, Megan stated.

Born and raised in Tamaqua, Megan is the daughter of Jonathan and Peggy Valentine of Bethlehem and her sister Joanne is a 1996 graduate of Marian.  Megan resides in the Santa Barbara, CA area.

Patrick and Pam Reilly, P ’98, ’02, ‘11

Pat and Pam Reilly have been active advocates and champions for Marian High School since their oldest daughter, Elizabeth, entered Marian as a freshman in September 1994 – over 30 years!  Her sister Meghan ’02 followed four years later and her sister Kathleen ’11 nine years after. 

Pat has served as the Chair of the Board of Directors at Marian since its establishment as a Board of Limited Jurisdiction by the Diocese of Allentown in December 2012.  Pat and Pam chaired the Marian Spring Dinner Dance for five years in the early 2000’s.

Pam is an Independent Sales Director and Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics since 1993. She graduated from Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown, PA in 1969, St. Joseph College in 1973 and from Shippensburg University in 1978 with an MS degree in Counseling.

Pat is President and Chief Executive Officer of Mauch Chunk Trust Company in Jim Thorpe. He joined the Bank in 1991 as Chief Operating Officer. He was named President and CEO on April 13th, 1994.

Pat began his banking career in 1976 with the Bank of Hanover in Hanover, York County, PA. During his 15 years with the Bank of Hanover he held various positions including Director of Marketing, Vice President of Operations and Vice President /Chief Financial Officer.

Pat is a 1971 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Easton, a 1975 graduate of Gettysburg College in Gettysburg and holds a Master Degree in Business Administration from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD. 

In addition to his professional responsibilities with Mauch Chunk Trust, Pat is currently serving as board President of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation, and a member of the St. Luke’s Health System Carbon County Advisory Board.

Larry ’44 and Ann Kilroy Furey ’49, GP ’04  and Family

(Mary Pat ’75, Kathleen ’76, Ann ’78, Larry ’79, Patrick ’83, Michael ’83, P ’04)

The Furey name has been connected to Catholic education in the Panther Valley area for over 90 years dating back to when Lawrence J. Furey entered Saint Ann’s Elementary School in September 1932.  After graduating from Saint Ann’s High School in 1944 and a two year stint in the United States Navy, Larry returned to Lansford and married Ann Kilroy of Barnesville, a 1949 graduate of Saint Jerome’s High School.  Together they would raise six children from their home on West Abbott Street – all attending Saint Ann’s Elementary School like their dad and eventually attending and graduating from Marian High School – Mary Pat in 1975, Kathleen in 1976, Ann in 1978, Larry in 1979 and twins Patrick and Michael in 1983.  Their grandson, Michael J. Furey, graduated from Marian in 2004.

The Furey family life long affiliation with Marian began though in September 1962 when Ann and Larry put the four children at the time in the family station wagon and attended the groundbreaking for the “new” Marian High School in Hometown with His Excellency, the late Bishop Joseph McShea of the Diocese of Allentown officiating.

When Marian Principal, Rev. Frederick A. Winkler, called for a special meeting in November 1964 for all men representative of the entire area served by the new school and the purpose of the meeting is to effect an organization under the suggested name “Men of Marian”, Larry Furey was among the many who answered Father Winkler’s call.  At that meeting Joseph Boyle of Jim Thorpe was elected as the first President of the Men of Marian and Larry Furey was elected First Vice President, Tom Skrabak of Lansford as Second Vice President, Robert Marzen of Jim Thorpe as Third Vice President, Paul Curran of McAdoo as Secretary and Joe Freil of Lansford as Treasurer.

Larry would go on to play a variety of leadership roles in the Men of Marian over the next 25 years including Treasurer and President up until there relocation to Cape Cod, MA in 1989.  Larry passed away on December 31, 2018. 

Ann Kilroy Furey served as a member of the Marian faculty from 1975 to 1982, teaching in the Business Education Department the subjects of accounting, shorthand and personal typing to hundreds of Marian students over the years.  Starting first as a part-time teacher, Ann was asked by Principal Jack Malarkey to join the school faculty on a full time basis in 1980.  Given her love for Marian and knowing the financial challenges of the school, Ann agreed to Mr. Malarkey’s request to join the faculty on a full time basis only if he continued to pay her at her part-time salary.  Ann served as Student Council Moderator and assisted with the annual Senior Play, and the Faculty Talent Shows. 

Their oldest son, Larry, would join the school as the first full-time Director of Alumni and Development from 1990 to 1995.  Today, Larry serves on the school’s Board of Directors and chairs the Advancement Committee of the Board. 

The Furey children recently established an fully-endowed scholarship fund at Marian in honor of their parents to benefit students from the Panther Valley area who wish to attend Marian. 

The Hall of Fame was established in 2023 to honor and recognize alumni from Marian High School, Saint Ann’s High School, Saint Jerome’s High School, Saint Mary’s High School and Mauch Chunk Catholic High School along with faculty, staff and special friends, who are distinctively dedicated to serving their community in a way that upholds the tradition and teachings of Marian High School and its mission. The Hall of Fame seeks to honor these individuals who have significant lifetime achievement and service.The celebration will start at 5:30 p.m. with the cocktail reception and the catered dinner and induction ceremony starting at 7 p.m.   Over 2,500 invitations to the event are being mailed this week. 

The recipients of the “Distinguished Alumnus Award” this year are The Honorable Keith R. McCall ’77, P ’16, ‘19 and Dr. Richard J. O’Donnell ’81.

Limited tickets for the celebration are still available by contacting Erin Marek, Director of Advancement at 570-467-3335 or emarek@mariancatholichs.org.  Proceeds from the celebration will benefit the Scholarship Fund at Marian High School.  More information is available at www.mariancatholichs.org.

About Marian High School

Marian High School is a private, co-educational Roman Catholic high school located on a beautiful 40-acre campus in Hometown, north of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania for students in grades nine to twelve from many communities and many faiths in Schuylkill, Carbon and Luzerne counties.  It is located in and sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown. It was established in 1954 after the consolidation of St. Jerome's High School in Tamaqua, St. Mary's High School in Coaldale, and St. Ann's High School in Lansford. Its original location consisted of a three town campus located in the towns of Tamaqua, Coaldale, and Lansford. In 1966 Mauch Chunk Catholic High School in Jim Thorpe joined Marian Catholic High School.

Since the founding of Marian High School, its mission has been and continues to be developing students spiritually, morally, academically, and socially by integrating the teachings of Jesus Christ with a value-centered curriculum. In a safe family atmosphere, the faculty and administration, challenge students not only to reach their highest academic potential, but also to adopt a disciplined work ethic necessary to become contributing self-sufficient citizens who give witness to the Catholic Faith.