Paul C. Odrobina (P’65, C’69)

Few individuals have demonstrated assustained and impactful a commitment to Polonia and public service as Paul Odrobina. A former National Vice President of the Polish National Alliance and a 23-year president of the Polish American Congress in Michigan, Paul coordinated over $100 million in humanitarian relief to Poland and helped host events for both Pope John Paul II and President George H. W. Bush.

He has served on more than 20 civic, cultural, and faith-based boards including the Orchard Lake Schools Alumni Association and the Board of Trustees for St. Mary’s College of Ave Maria University. He is a lifelong advocate for Polish American heritage.

Paul has been recognized with honors including the Cavalier’s Cross of Merit from the Polish Government, the Great Humanitarian Award from the PAC, and the Orchard Lake Schools Alumnus of the Year in 2002. His dedication to faith, service, and cultural preservation makes him a deeply deserving Distinguished Alumnus.

The St. Mary’s Prep Class of 1965 graduate served as president of his senior class at St. Mary’s College, was valedictorian, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s College in 1969 before he attended St. John’s Theological Seminary.

“I was instilled with a discipline to apply myself in all aspects of life that I was involved with and strived to do my best and lead others to do the same. For that legacy, I thank the Orchard Lake Schools for their discipline and education. May God keep them in his hands and bless them for all they have done.”

Fr. John Rakoczy (P’44, C’47), Posthumous

Following his education at Orchard Lake, Fr. Rakoczy completed his priestly formation at St. John’s Seminary, returned to his alma mater, and was known as “Fr. Rock” to so many Prep graduates from the 1950’s into the 1970’s who looked up to him as a teacher, coach, athletic director and class master.

Fr. Rakoczy (1925-1994) was an outstanding athlete at St. Mary’s, and had great success later as a coach. His Eaglet teams won five league titles in football, 11 league titles, one Catholic League C-D championship, 11 state district trophies, one state regional title, and one trip to the state semifinals in basketball; and six league pennants in baseball.

His mythical status was earned through such accomplishments as being named Knights of Columbus Man of the Year in 1964, elected to the Michigan Catholic High School League Hall of Fame as a coach in 1977, and added to the St. Mary’s Preparatory Wall of Fame as an athlete in 1990. After his passing in 1994, the Class of 1970 held a rededication by adding “The Rock” in his honor to the historic Old Gym floor.

Fr. Timothy F. Whalen (P’70)

Fr. Timothy F. Whalen graduated from St. Mary’s Prep in 1970 and returned 30 years later to serve as the Chancellor of the Orchard Lake Schools. Completing his education at Duquesne University and Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 1978 and subsequently worked extensively in the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, as well as in parish ministry, high school ministry, college campus ministry and seminary formation as a spiritual director.

Appointed by Cardinal Maida in 2000 as the Chancellor of OLS, he oversaw the creation of a comprehensive campus master plan which included the expansion of the campus library into a state of the art Cardinal Maida Multi Media Center, the construction of the Prep ice arena, the renovation of the Prep dorms, the establishment of a seminary campus in Krakow and the creation of the Polish Mission (now known as the Polish Institute), funded and endowed through the generous bequest of Dr. and Mrs. Edward Wikiera, whose purpose is to preserve and promote and develop the Polish cultural legacy of the Orchard Lake Schools.

Recalled by his bishop back to Pittsburgh in 2012 to serve as the rector of St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA, and currently serving as the pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish, Fr. Whalen has maintained ties with OLS through the students who still seek him out and his dedication to the mission of his alma mater. His visionary leadership, his passion for evangelization, and his enduring relationship with the Orchard Lake Schools make him a model recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Reward.

Fr. Whalen was honored as the 69th Fidelitas Medal recipient at the Ambassadors Ball on April 9, 2016. He accepted the award on behalf of every priest who served at OL and whose sacrifices and dedication were never recognized. “’I’ didn’t accomplish any of this, but I believe that Divine Providence created the circumstances and brought together the right people during my tenure as Chancellor to make all the initiatives succeed.” Added Fr. Whalen, “When I refer to ‘we’, I am implying not only Polonia, our alumni, friends and benefactors, the trustees and regents, and very qualified administrative staff but, above all, to the action and grace of none other than the Holy Spirit without which nothing truly lasting can endure.

“When I look at the potential of the Orchard Lake Schools to create so many faith filled and energized young men and women leaders and disciples in the 21st century, the words of Pope St. John Paul II take on new meaning, ‘If the Orchard Lake Schools did not exist, it would be necessary to create them.’”

Fr. Bernard Witek, SDS

Fr. Bernard Witek, SDS is a distinguished scholar, theologian, and dedicated servant of the Church whose work has spanned continents, institutions, and disciplines. Born on December 10, 1967, in Ruda Śląska, Poland, Fr. Bernard was ordained as a priest on May 27, 1995, and is a member of the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians). He pursued his philosophical and theological studies at the Salvatorian Major Seminary in Poland and later achieved a Licentiate in Biblical Theology and a Doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. His doctoral research on the Book of Proverbs, which applies Biblical and Semitic rhetoric, has been published internationally and continues to influence biblical scholarship. Fr. Bernard remains an active member of the International Society for the Study of Biblical and Semitic Rhetoric, contributing to the academic community through his ongoing research and publications.

Fr. Bernard’s professional career reflects his deep commitment to education and pastoral care. He has served as a lecturer, rector, and principal at the Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy & Theology and Jordan University College in Morogoro, Tanzania, where he shaped generations of scholars and leaders in the field of theology. His leadership as Deputy Principal for Finance and Administration at Jordan University College and his work on the faculty for over a decade highlight his dedication to fostering academic excellence and spiritual growth. Since 2022, Fr. Bernard has served as the Director of the St. John Paul II Liturgical Center in Orchard Lake, MI, continuing his mission of spiritual and intellectual development. Through his diverse roles, Fr. Bernard has left an enduring legacy of service, guiding others with wisdom, humility, and a profound understanding of Scripture and faith.