We are pleased to announce Michael Paul Wegner '15 as the 13th Annual Daniel W. McNeal '90 Scholarship Award Recipient.
In the classroom, Michael strives for academic excellence, given his achievement in honors and advanced placement courses. One of Michael's teachers states, "he stands out in every class because of his curiosity and desire to learn more.”
Much like Dan McNeal, Michael's accomplishments go beyond the academic realm. He trains tirelessly year round as a runner, and serves as the captain of the Cross Country team this year.
In addition to his passion for running, Michael has strong creative abilities. He began to study the violin in third grade, and he continues to do so today, often playing at church. He won the Loyola art award in both his freshman and sophomore years, and is taking advanced painting as one of his senior electives.
When it comes to giving his time to others, this young man belongs to two religious youth groups outside of Loyola, and he took part in a Loyola service trip to West Virginia this past summer. His chaperone from that trip states, “He is as genuine as they come.”
In short, Michael's sincerity, inexhaustible energy, and unwavering pursuit of his goals inspire those around him.
In his own words from his application to Loyola Blakefield in 2010, Michael wrote, “When most people think of me, they think of me as just a runner. Although running is a huge part of my life, there are many other interests I would like to write about.” Four years later, it is safe to say that no one would consider him to be “just a runner.”
Through all of his accomplishments, Michael has set the standard for hard work, leadership, and care for others. This young man exemplifies what it means to be a Loyola Don in the same ways that Dan McNeal did.
The Daniel W. McNeal '90 Scholarship Award is given in loving memory of Dan McNeal, member of the Loyola Blakefield class of 1990, and recipient of the Loyola Alumni Medal. Dan died tragically in the World Trade Center Towers on the morning of September 11, 2001. Dan led his life, always choosing to think of others first. This award is given to that member of the junior or senior class who embodies the characteristics that we hold dear in Jesuit education – he lives his faith in word and in deed, he displays academic excellence, he is actively engaged in his community and, most of all, he exemplifies being “…a man for others.”