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The tradition of excellence lives on at Morgan Park Academy. For more than thirteen decades, enthusiastic and bright students, inspired by support and guidance from outstanding teachers, have developed into impressive leaders and model citizens who make a positive difference in the world.
Mancini, Barker, Thrall, Beatty and Baer are just a sampling of names permanently associated with philanthropic leadership at the Academy. Their contributions have paved the way for new buildings, capital improvements and the establishment of endowment funds to benefit our students and teachers. The Building on Tradition Capital Campaign has provided new opportunities to honor individuals who have provided inspiration and leadership to uphold our proud tradition. In some cases, individuals, such as Richard Duchossois [40] have stepped forward to provide leadership gifts and offer challenge matches to inspire generous support. In others, groups have combined resources to honor coaches, teachers or classmates. The following are creative endeavors to memorialize the contributions of individuals who epitomize the Academy tradition.
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Christine Linnerud
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 Christine Linnerud was a gifted student, fierce competitor and beloved classmate. A member of the Class of 2001, she was the epitome of the scholar athlete at Morgan Park Academy. She holds the all-time scoring record for the girls varsity basketball team. She lettered in three varsity sports, earning first team all-conference in basketball. She was a member of the National Honor Society and ACT, the Academy’s service organization. Tragically, her life was cut short at the age of 23 by leukemia.
A group of faculty members has initiated an effort to raise funds for the capital campaign in her memory and in honor of their close colleague, long-time Chemistry teacher, Mark Linnerud. Their goal is to raise $200,000 and recognize Christine by naming the second floor fitness center in her memory.
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Don Coller
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"If I reach one student who becomes successful, I guess I had a pretty good teaching career”. |
Don Coller began his career with Morgan Park Academy in 1963 teaching Upper School chemistry and biology. During his seven years at the Academy, he also served as a track coach, student council and class advisor, and became the school’s first middle school principal. As a faculty member in residence on campus, his influence was felt in the classroom, on the field of play and on the doorstep of his home. Mr. Coller made a tremendous positive difference in the lives of many students during his tenure, until his unexpected death in 1970. The lasting contribution he made to the Academy is perhaps best summarized in his own humble words:
A group of alumni who knew and respected Mr. Coller and studied along side his sons have initiated an effort to raise $250,000 in memory of their beloved teacher, coach and mentor. Upon reaching this goal, the second floor court of the renovated athletic facility will be named in his honor.
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Andy Bitta
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 Andy Bitta arrived at Morgan Park Academy in 1958 as a Lower School science teacher and wrestling coach. Coach Bitta departed in 1966 after six years as head coach of the varsity basketball team, leaving a lasting mark on the school and its students as a man who not only taught skills on the court, but skills for life to every student he encountered. He helped young people develop winning attitudes and confidence. He believed in hard work and hustle, and always got more out of his players than they ever thought they had in them. His determination, core values and deep sense of caring for every student was inspirational to all.
In honor of his contribution to the Academy as a teacher and coach, a group of alumni spearheaded a challenge to raise funds for the capital campaign as a tribute to Coach Bitta. Thanks in large part to two matching challenges of $100,000 each, more than $500,000 has been raised and the renovated main court in the historic 1901 athletic facility will be named in memory of Coach Bitta.
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Morgan Park Military Academy
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 The collective inspiration of MPMA is a vital element of the storied tradition of the Academy. Duty, Honor, Country and MPMA provided the inspiration for Cadets for more than seven decades at the Academy since 1873. While the dorm rooms and uniforms are part of our past, the commitment to excellence, discipline and character still defines the learning environment at Morgan Park Academy.
Gifts from MPMA alumni account for more than $1.7 million of the fundraising success of the Building on Tradition Capital Campaign. Our goal is to increase total contributions from military era graduates to $3 Million and name the entire athletic facility for MPMA. This would be a fitting permanent place of honor for an era that is so important to the Academy tradition. We need your help in this worthy endeavor to “honor inspiration” through the decades at Morgan Park Academy. To find out more about how you can participate in these or other efforts in support of the capital campaign, please contact Karen O’Neill at 773-881-6700, ext. 268 or koneill@morganparkacademy.org.
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First Phase of Capital Campaign Complete
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 Morgan Park Academy reopened the doors of its completely renovated gymnasium in June, completing of the first phase of the Building on Tradition Campaign. The Academy marked the occasion with a special donor reception for parents and alumni on Friday June 29. More than 150 guests, including parents, alumni, students, faculty and staff were led by student volunteers on walking tours of the restored first and second floors of the facility. Tributes honoring the memory of alumni and former coaches for whom courts or rooms will be named were presented by alumni, faculty and staff members. A special presentation of gratitude was made to Richard Duchossois (’40) for his generous gift of $1.5 million to the campaign.
Renovation began with exterior restoration work in September 2006 and the gymnasium was closed from October 1 through June 2007 while the interior space was completely restored. The exterior walls, built in 1901, were left intact, as were the original wood floors of the basketball courts. Locker rooms, offices and auxiliary athletic spaces underwent extensive renovation. The building features new windows, a new roof and upgrades, including a new elevator and ramps that make the entire building wheelchair accessible. New heating, electrical wiring, air conditioning and plumbing have been installed throughout the building.
More than $4.7 million of the $6.7 million goal has been raised for the project as of July 2007. The next phase of the project is to build a new regulation-size gym and grand lobby attached to the existing facility. The resulting complex will contain 38,000 square feet of space for athletics, physical education and special events. Construction will begin when the remaining $2 million of the campaign total has been pledged. The success of this effort to enrich the learning environment at Morgan Park Academy depends on generous support from the entire Academy community, parents and alumni alike. To find out more about how you can support the Building on Tradition Campaign, please call Karen O’Neill at 773-881-6700, ext. 268.
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