Established in 2003, the purpose of the McQuaid Jesuit Knights of the Round Table is to recognize individuals, living or deceased, who have distinguished themselves in their personal lives and careers, thereby reflecting credit upon McQuaid Jesuit’s educational efforts, moral principles and philosophical tenets. Candidates for the Knights of the Round Table include alumni, members of the McQuaid Jesuit faculty, administration and staff, coaches and non-alumni.
2019 Inductee: Thomas Schaeffer
In 1968, Thomas Schaeffer arrived at 1800 South Clinton with a simple focus: to teach. What would transpire from that day forward over the next 32 years was, in a word, “Transformative.”
Mr. Schaeffer’s years at McQuaid included much more than masterful instruction of young men. He was a pillar of dedication, focus,
compassion, and excellence. Whether teaching chemistry, coaching golf and basketball, or serving as department chair and assistant principal for student affairs, Mr. Schaeffer’s dedication to and care for his students and colleagues was legendary. As former students wrote, “He is dedicated to us as his students, and his friends. He can be a friend who violates the old adage that ‘familiarity breeds contempt,’ and can remain one of the finest teachers many of us will ever have. He is dedicated to us, from the time he walks into school to teach chemistry with the wit and verve of a virtuoso, to the time he leaves after practice, when most of us are finished with dinner. He is a man, a teacher, a friend who embodies the giving spirit of McQuaid, a friend we have been very privileged to know.”
Yet to say that Mr. Schaeffer’s influence and impact was felt only at McQuaid would be an understatement. In 1972, Mr. Schaeffer took over the golf program, as only the third head coach in the program’s history. What followed was a 28-year coaching tenure that redefined high school golf both at McQuaid and throughout
Section V. At the helm of the then City-Catholic League, he created a scoring system that allowed for both match and medal competition and ushered in a new era of golf in Section V.
A true man for others, Mr. Schaeffer is steeped in the tenets of Jesuit education and his enduring devotion to his students, student-athletes, and colleagues runs deep. His academic knowledge, his personal care and concern for his students, his quick and endearing wit, and his dedication to all things McQuaid is a legacy that will endure for all. Accordingly, the student body honored Mr. Schaeffer with both the dedication of the Accolade and the recognition of Teacher of the Year during his years at McQuaid Jesuit. It is therefore, most appropriate, that this
stoic gentleman of conscience, competence, and compassion is honored tonight forward as a devoted educator and true gentleman with his induction into the Knights of the Round Table.
Previous Honorees
Mr. Giacomo Achille
2006
Mr. Robert Armstrong
2018
Fr. James Barnett, S.J.
2006
Fr. Albert Bartlett, S.J.
2004
Mr. Robert Bradley
2004
Fr. John Carriero, S.J.
2004
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cashette
2004
Mr. & Mrs. William Cherry, '68
2010
Ms. Ester Cleary
2008
Hon. & Mrs. John Conway Jr.
2004
Mr. John Crowe
2006
Fr. Joseph DeMaio, O.Carm
2004
Dr. & Mrs. John Dessauer - Stella Matutina Foundation
2004
Mr. & Mrs. John DiMarco, '60
2004
Mr. & Mrs. Philip DiPasquale
2006
Hon. Richard Dollinger, '69
2008
Mr. John Finn
2015
Mr. Gerard "Jerry" Farrell
2017
Mr. Michael "Kelly" Finnigan
2015
Fr. James Fischer, S.J.
2004
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Fox
2006
Hon. Frank Geraci, '69
2010
Mr. John Glavin
2008
Mr. & Mrs. James Gleason
2004
Mr. Michael Green, '79
2010
Mr. A. Michael Hanna, '59
2006
Fr. James Hewes, '65
2008
Fr. Leon Hogenkamp, S.J.
2004
Mr. Patrick Horvath, '78
2004
Mr. Gerald Jaromin
2004
Mr. Franklin L. Kamp
2004
Most Rev. James Kearney
2004
Fr. James Keenan, S.J.
2004
Mr. Daniel Kennedy
2004
Mr. Christopher Koller, '79
2006
Mr. John Ladd
2006
Mr. R. Wayne LeChase, '61
2008
Dr. John Lipman, '76
2014
Mr. Francis Lorson, '61
2006
Mr. Terrance Lynch, '77
2004
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Mahar, '84
2010
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Mancini
2004
Mr. Vito Marcello
2004
Fr. William McCusker, S.J.
2008
Fr. John McDonald, S.J.
2015
Fr. Francis McNamara, S.J.
2004
Dr. Peter Meade, '70
2004
Mr. George Monagan Jr.
2006
Mr. Thomas Mooney, '59
2006
Mr. Timothy Nally, '67
2006
Mr. Thomas Nientimp, '59
2004
Mr. Frank Noce
2004
Fr. RIchard Noonan, S.J.
2004
Mr. John Odenbach Sr. Family
2004
Fr. William O'Malley, S.J.
2004
Mr. & Mrs. A. Neil Pappalardo, '60
2004
Mr. Gerald Pashby
2014
Dr. John Pietropaoli
2012
Mr. David Pitcher, '74
2004
Fr. John Podsiadlo, S.J., '58
2006
Fr. William Poorten, S.J.
2018
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Presutti
2004
Fr. Lorenzo Reed, S.J.
2006
Mr. Geoffrey Rosenberger, '71
2006
Mr. Peter Rodgers
2017
Dr. Richard Rohrer, '58
2006
Fr. Edward Salmon, S.J.
2014
Mr. George Schiller
2004
Hon. John Schwartz, '62
2004
Mr. Thomas Seymour
2004
Mr. Ferdinand Smith III, '63
2004
Mr. Thomas Sprague
2018
Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Stanley
2004
Ms. Gena Stoll-Ewart
2016
Mr. Thomas Trevett, '60
2004
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Tuohey Jr.
2004
Mr. Charles Turk
2004
Mr. Eugene Ulterino, '59
2004
Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Vanden Brul
2004
Mr. Edward Waller
2012
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Warmenhoven, '68
2004
PFC Thomas Urban Way, '62
2016
Wegman Family
2004
Mr. & Mrs. Philip Wehrheim
2004
Matthew Weider, '73
2008
James P. Wilmot Family
2006
Mr. & Mrs. William WIlmot
2004
Fr. Lawrence Wroblewski, S.J.
2006