On Saturday, December 6, 2025, Marist High School proudly hosted the third annual A Night of Honor, Glory, and Fame, whose sole purpose is to raise critical support for student financial aid. This event continues a cherished tradition of celebrating excellence within the Marist community while raising critical support for student financial aid. Held once again at the Larry Tucker Marist SportsPlex, the evening brought together alumni, faculty, friends, and supporters for a night rooted in gratitude, pride, and Marist spirit.
The Larry Tucker Marist SportsPlex was transformed for the occasion, creating a festive and elegant atmosphere. The evening began with a warm and lively cocktail hour, where attendees caught up with friends, reconnected with classmates, and socialized. Guests also had the opportunity to browse a collection of luxury raffle baskets displayed around the room, adding excitement and anticipation to the start of the evening.
Following the cocktail hour, Fr. Tom Hurley ’85 led the opening prayer, grounding the evening in Marist’s mission and values. Marist President Larry Tucker ’79 then welcomed guests, reflecting on the importance of community, generosity, and the shared commitment to ensure that a Marist education remains accessible for future generations. The program continued with dinner, live auction offerings, and a spirited paddle raise that showcased the extraordinary generosity of the Marist family.
The highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony, where two individuals whose lives and leadership exemplify what it means to be Marist.
The Heart of Marist Award was presented to Mr. Owen Glennon, recognizing more than five decades of devoted service to Marist High School as a teacher, mentor, coach, and friend to generations of students. His humility, humor, and unwavering dedication to Marist’s mission resonated deeply with all in attendance. In recognition of Owen’s profound impact, Marist alumnus Gerald Beeson ’90 has generously contributed $250,000 to grow the Owen Glennon Scholarship Fund. This gift strengthens opportunities for future students and celebrates the legacy of a teacher who has inspired so many.
The Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to The Honorable Christopher Lawler ’81, whose distinguished career in law and public service reflects the values instilled during his time at Marist. His commitment to leadership, integrity, and service stands as a powerful example for current and future RedHawks. In a deeply moving moment, Chris announced the establishment of the Padre Pio Scholarship in honor of his brother, Paul Lawler, who recently passed, ensuring his legacy will continue through support of Marist students.
As the formal program concluded, the celebration continued with live music from The Outcasts, conversation, and a shared sense of pride in the Marist community. The funds raised during the evening will directly support financial assistance, to ensure that deserving students can experience a Marist education for years to come.
Thank you to all who attended, sponsored, donated, and supported the 3rd Annual A Night of Honor, Glory, and Fame. Your generosity and belief in Marist’s mission continue to shape the future of our school and the lives of our students.
Click here if you were unable to attend, but would like to make a donation.
Distinguished Alumni Award – The Honorable Christopher Lawler ’81
With more than 33 years of legal experience, Judge Christopher Lawler ’81 has built a distinguished career as both a litigator and pretrial judge, earning respect for his integrity, steady judgment, and compassionate approach. Known for his analytical mind and abundant attention to detail, he has successfully tried more than 40 jury cases to verdict and presided over some of Cook County’s most complex and high-profile matters, including multimillion-dollar toxic tort, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases.
Appointed to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2013, Judge Lawler served for eight years, including as Supervisory Judge in the Civil Division of Municipal District 6 and later in the Law Division’s Motion Section, where he pretried more than 1,200 cases. Since 2021, he has continued to apply his expertise as a senior mediator and arbitrator at ADR Systems, helping resolve disputes across nearly every area of civil law.
His professional excellence has been recognized with numerous honors, including Celt of the Year from the Celtic Legal Society of Chicago (2020 & 2021) and the Mary Heftel Hooton Award from the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (2021). He has also held leadership roles with the Southwest Bar Association, Illinois Judges Association, and other professional organizations, and has presented widely to legal associations on discovery, motion practice, and trial skills.
At Marist, Lawler’s story comes full circle. A member of the Class of 1981, he recalls the friendships and mentorships that shaped his early years and instilled the values of faith, family, and service that still guide him today. His family’s connection to Marist runs deep, with generations of Lawlers, including his sons, Brendan and Kevin, graduating from the school. Together with his wife Julie, he has consistently supported Marist through direct financial contributions, event sponsorships, and volunteer leadership.
Lawler also co-founded the Marist Alumni Law Association and the school’s Mock Trial program, creating opportunities for alumni attorneys to mentor students while giving young RedHawks hands-on experience in the legal process. His commitment to Catholic education extends beyond Marist as well, through his leadership with Catholic Charities, particularly its once-renowned adoption program, as well as his pro bono legal work and service on boards, reunion committees, and campaign initiatives.
Outside the courtroom, Chris finds joy in faith, family, and community. He and Julie take great pride in their sons, both proud Marist graduates. All who know Chris best recognize that his true pursuits are justice, service, and the well-being of others.
For his extraordinary legal career, his lifelong service to the community, and his enduring dedication to Marist, Judge Christopher Lawler ’81 is a most deserving recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Click here to watch Chris’s speech.
Heart of Marist Award – Owen Glennon
For five decades, Owen Glennon has been a fixture of Marist High School, shaping the minds and hearts of thousands of students through his love of mathematics and his devotion to Catholic education. Since joining the faculty in 1976, Glennon has built a legacy as a teacher, mentor, coach, and role model whose influence stretches far beyond the classroom.
He is best known for his leadership of the Marist Math Team, which consistently ranks among the strongest in the state and is the top Catholic school team in Illinois. His high standards and patient instruction have left a lasting mark on generations of RedHawks. Alumni frequently credit him with instilling not only a mastery of math but also the confidence and resilience to succeed in college, careers, and life. As one former student recalled, “Mr. Glennon was one of the best teachers I had at Marist. Mr. Glennon taught me much more than math: discipline, persistence, and good morals. Marist is lucky to have this legendary teacher.”
Glennon’s impact on education extends beyond Marist. He served on the content advisory board for Calculus for the AP Course, a widely used college-level textbook, contributing more than 500 pages of solutions, strategies, and insights for the Teacher’s Solutions Manual. He also produced 65 instructional videos now used by AP calculus teachers and students across the country. He even sought input from his own Marist students, ensuring that their voices helped shape the work.
His dedication to Marist students has also taken inspiring forms outside the classroom. In 2015, to mark his 40th year of teaching, Glennon biked more than 1,000 miles from New York to Chicago, raising over $75,000 for financial aid. That ride launched the Owen and Carlin Glennon Scholarship, named in honor of him and his wife, which continues to open doors for deserving students. An avid cyclist, he has completed multiple long-distance charity rides, always combining his passion for cycling with his commitment to Marist families in need.
Glennon’s colleagues often remark that while many educators wind down late in their careers, his “fire still burns bright.” His influence is felt not only in math competitions and classrooms but also in the values of service, perseverance, and gratitude he models daily. As he once reflected, “As a teacher, if you touch the life of one kid, then you have done a good job.” By that measure, and by the countless students, colleagues, and alumni who call him mentor and friend, Owen Glennon has more than succeeded.
Click here to watch Owen’s speech.
Thank you to all for celebrating with us. It truly was a night of Honor, Glory, and Fame. We look forward to next year’s event.
