Notre Dame will recognize Andrew McKenna, chairman of the University's Board of Trustees since 1992, with the Laetare Medal, the highest honor the University bestows and the oldest given to American Catholics at Sunday's commencement.

"[He has] not only dedicated time and resources to many charitable causes — but also, by example and leadership, [has] led others to dedicate themselves as well," said University President Father Edward Malloy.

McKenna, a 1951 Notre Dame graduate in business administration and marketing, and his wife, Joan, made the largest single gift for student scholarships in University history. The Center for Continuing Education was named McKenna Hall in their honor.

McKenna remains especially active in his hometown of Chicago. There he has served as director of the archdiocese's Big Shoulders Fund and the Children's Memorial Hospital of Chicago. He is a former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Science and Industry. He is currently a director of the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Cubs, McDonald's Corporation and Tribune Company.

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