Help Us Celebrate Mark Hacker

. . . and his exemplary service to the Augustinian friars, Augustinian students, and Augustinian families!

For the 2021 Augustinian Gala the Midwest Province has selected Mark Hacker as a distinguished honoree! You can express your gratitude to this exemplary “Ritaman” in any of the following ways:

Mark Hacker: “My Life with the Augustinians”

My wife Mindy and I have been happily married for 23 years, and we have two wonderful children. Madison is 18 and will be attending Villanova University in the Fall. Cristian is 12 and in his free time, he is a competitive equestrian. I have worked for Motorola Solutions, Inc. for the past 18 years and I am currently Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer. I have the privilege of leading the company’s legal, human resources, government affairs, ethics and compliance, security and regulatory teams.

I grew up on the southwest side of Chicago, near 65th and Kilbourn right across the street from Saint Mary of the Sea Parish. I was raised in a loving home by my mom, Bunny, stay-at-home mom and my biggest cheerleader; my dad, Jerry, a Navy veteran and hard-working, accomplished electrician who worked for the same elevator company his entire career and who always put family first; my older brother, Jerry Jr., who has always been my best friend; and my grandfather, Salvatore, who immigrated from Sicily at 22 years old. He was the sole proprietor of a successful shoe repair business on Ashland Avenue in Chicago and the patriarch of our extended Sicilian family.

My relationship with the Augustinians began when I was in eighth grade at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish. My parents and I were starting the Catholic high school search. After attending an open house at St. Rita High School (which was located at 63rd and Claremont at the time and did not have up-to-date facilities like many of the other competing Catholic high schools), my parents told me: “You can go to any Catholic high school you want, except St. Rita.” Shortly after the visit, we met Fr. Pat Murphy, O.S.A., the principal of St. Rita High School. Fr. Murphy was my introduction to the Augustinians, and he would change the course of my life. After our meeting, it became clear that St. Rita High School had something much better and more significant than the fancy new facilities—it had a powerful and differentiating culture cultivated by the Augustinians and grounded in the principles of veritas (truth), unitas (unity) and caritas (love).

Fast forward a few years: I graduated from St. Rita and went on to attend Villanova University. While at Villanova, I met Mindy. We were married at the Villanova Church by Fr. Pat Murphy, O.S.A. and Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A. After graduating from Villanova University Law School, we lived in the Philadelphia area and eventually relocated to Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Fr. Murphy taught my family and me about the Augustinians, not only by educating us with his words, but, even more importantly, by making us feel the tremendous sense of community that serves as the bedrock of the Augustinian way of life. If it were not for Fr. Murphy, I would not have attended St. Rita High School, I would not have attended Villanova University, I would not have met my wife, and I would not have experienced the joy that my two children bring each and every day. I will forever be grateful for Fr. Murphy having been a part of my life and for starting me on my incredible journey with the Augustinians.

Outside of my family, the Augustinians have been my greatest influence and have had the most profound impact on my life. At St. Rita High School, the Augustinians taught me leadership, empathy and grit. I became closer to God during my years at St. Rita than at any other point in my life. The Augustinians at St. Rita High School helped me develop a strong foundation from which to build.

While at Villanova University, the Augustinians pushed me to explore, to question, and to stretch outside of my comfort zone, while at the same time keeping God at the center of everything. The Augustinians have been there and to continue to be there for major moments of my life—weddings, baptisms, funerals, graduations, birthdays, and so much more. But, most significantly, St. Augustine’s teachings and the Augustinian way of life has been, and continues to be, my North Star.

Whenever I feel that I am going off-course or lost, it’s a reflection from St. Augustine captured in my “Augustine Day by Day” book or my Augustinian friends who help me find my way. My Augustinian friendships are some of my longest, deepest, and most satisfying friendships in my life. I am incredibly blessed to call so many Augustinians my friends. Former Prior Provincial, Fr. Bernie—a friend to so many—is my closest Augustinian friend and someone who has had a tremendous and lasting impact on my life and who continues to influence and inspire me to be better.

My relationship with the Midwest Province has been a beautiful experience. In 2013, Fr. Bernie invited me to join the Midwest Augustinian Province’s Advancement Advisory Council as a founding member. Serving on the Advancement Advisory Council for six years gave me an intimate view of the Midwest Province’s operations, talent, finances, strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. Being surrounded by other lay people who are passionate supporters of the Midwest Augustinians was energizing, educational, and inspirational.

Most satisfying for me was witnessing the significant increase in vocations over those six years while also ensuring that our retired and infirm Augustinians were being cared for in a loving way and in an environment where they each continued to feel purpose. It was an honor and a privilege to serve on the Advancement Advisory Council alongside my fellow talented, generous, and wise council members as well as the incredible staff led by Michael Gerrity whose leadership, creativity, and resilience is unmatched. While I am no longer serving on the Advancement Advisory Council, I look forward to continuing to support Fr. Tony Pizzo, O.S.A., and the Midwest Augustinian Province in many other ways.

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