Cardinal O'Hara High School Inducts Seven into Hall of Fame

Cardinal O’Hara High School recently inducted six alumni and one honorary member into the Hall of Fame. The 25^th ceremony followed a Mass and dinner held on the school campus. The alumni who were welcomed into the Hall of Fame included H. Edward Hanway (1970), Christopher J. Burke, Esq. (1993), Joseph Casey (1974), Gene Mele, PhD (1968), Dr. Joseph Romano (1978) and Sister Karen Scheer, RSM, MD (1984). Coach Jim Purcell was also honored.

Here is a closer look at the distinguished inductees:

H. Edward Hanway, who is Chairman Emeritus of the CIGNA Corporation and Chairman of the Faith in the Future Foundation, was recognized for his generosity and commitment to Catholic education, his leadership of the Faith in the Future Foundation, his service to the community, his business leadership in the field of healthcare, and his commitment to help those in need.

Christopher J. Burke, Esq. serves as the Chairman of the Federal Trial Practices Seminar, a trial skills development program, jointly sponsored by the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware and the Federal Bar Association’s Criminal Re-entry Court. He was acknowledged for his success in law, his service to the community as an Assistant United States Attorney and role as United States Magistrate Judge, and his sharing the impact of his Catholic faith on his life.

As general manager of SEPTA, the sixth largest transit operation in the United States, Joseph M. Casey is responsible for a 9,000 employee organization. Joe was honored for his service to the people of the five county region of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority, his commitment to focusing on customer service, and his recognized expertise in public transportation.

Dr. Gene Mele, currently a professor of physics at the University of Pennsylvania, is a renowned expert in the field of physics and education. He was recognized for his dedication to the study, research and teaching of physics, the recognition of the world physics community for his outstanding ability and knowledge of the science of physics, and his recognized teaching ability.

As President of the NWJ Group in Wayne, Dr. Joseph Romano provides consulting services to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. He was honored for his dedication to the research and study of microbiology, his untiring efforts to improve the lives of people from all areas of the world, and the multiple breakthroughs he has fostered in the field of microbiology.

Sister Karen Scheer, RSM, MD works as a family medicine physician in a medical clinic in North Philadelphia. She was honored for her outstanding service to the disadvantaged in need of medical attention, her dedication to the field of medicine, her living out her commitment to religious life as a Sister of Mercy, and following the belief of Mother McAuley of service to the poor, sick, and uneducated.

Coach Jim Purcell has had an impact on thousands of students’ lives across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for more than half a century as a teacher, coach, and principal. Coach Purcell was inducted into the Hall of Fame by former O’Hara and NBA player Tom Ingelsby (1968). He was recognized for his dedication and loyalty to the students and athletes of St. Thomas More High School, the students and athletes of Cardinal O’Hara High School, and the students of Archbishop Kennedy High School, his faithfulness to his profession as a Catholic school teacher in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and his quiet manner as a teacher and coach.