Dec. 12, 2017
The University of Notre Dame Monogram Club recently presented honorary Monograms to Joseph I. O’Neill III ’67 and Rev. Mark Thesing, C.S.C ’81, ’85, ’92. The Monogram Club awards honorary Monograms to people who have demonstrated a commitment to the betterment of Notre Dame athletics and the development of Fighting Irish student-athletes and graduates.
Rev. Mark Thesing, C.S.C ’81, ’85, `92
Father Mark Thesing, Director of Finance & Administration for the Mendoza College of Business, has been chaplain of the Monogram Club and the Notre Dame football team for the past five years.
In 1977, Fr. Thesing entered the college seminary for Holy Cross as a freshman, majoring in mathematics. He earned his undergraduate degree from Notre Dame in 1981, and later received his M.Div. degree and MBA from the University. He also completed Ph.D. course work in Strategic Management at the University of North Carolina.
Fr. Thesing was ordained a Holy Cross priest in 1986.
As Provincial Steward for the Priests of Holy Cross (Indiana Province) for five years, Fr. Thesing had direct responsibility for multiple budgets and the investment portfolio and oversaw the renovation and addition to Holy Cross House. Fr. Thesing was a concurrent assistant professional specialist in Business Ethics for the Mendoza College of Business. He has also taught Strategic Management, Business Simulation and Introduction to Business courses to undergraduate students.
From 2001-2008, he served as rector of Keenan Hall. He now serves the men of Duncan Hall where he lives.
Fr. Thesing received the honorary Monogram Oct. 28 following the Club’s Annual Mass and Meeting. Fr. Thesing presides over the Monogram Club’s post-game Mass during home football weekends, and the Mass held prior to every board of directors meeting. He also provides the invocation during special Monogram Club events.
Joseph I. O’Neill III is a past president of the Notre Dame Alumni Association’s Board of Directors and, in that capacity, served for two years as an ex officio member of the University’s Board of Trustees.
Joseph I. O’Neill III `67
Joseph I. O’Neill III is a 1967 Notre Dame graduate with a degree in finance. He earned a master of business administration degree from the University of Michigan in 1968, and then served in the U.S. Army Special Forces. He is the managing partner of O’Neill Properties Ltd. in Midland, Texas.
O’Neill is a past president of the Notre Dame Alumni Association’s Board of Directors and, in that capacity, served for two years as an ex officio member of the University’s Board of Trustees. He served for nine years on the College of Engineering Advisory Council before his election to the University Board of Trustees in 2001. In 2012, O’Neill received an honorary degree from the University, and in 2013 the Alumni Association bestowed the Rev. Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C, Award on him for distinguished service to the University.
O’Neill Hall, adjacent to the south end of Notre Dame Stadium, is named in his honor. A gift of $25 million was made to Notre Dame for the construction of the building. The gift was made by Helen Schwab, O’Neill’s sister, and her husband, Chuck. O’Neill was presented the honorary Monogram Oct. 27 during the dedication of O’Neill Hall.
O’Neill Family Hall, a men’s residence hall on Notre Dame’s West Quad, was underwritten with a gift from the O’Neills, Schwabs and Joe and Helen’s father, Joseph I. O’Neill Jr. The building is named for the family, with a particular honor for Mr. O’Neill Jr., a 1937 Notre Dame alumnus and a Monogram winner in football and baseball, who founded O’Neill Properties. The elder O’Neill also served as president of the Notre Dame Alumni Association and as a University Trustee. In addition to the residence hall, the O’Neills provided a gift to Notre Dame for the longitudinal sundial on the south side of Jordan Hall of Science and are members of the President’s Circle, Sorin Society and Badin Guild.
O’Neill and his wife, Jan, have two children, Casey, class of 2002, and Flynn, class of 2011.
View Complete List Of Honorary Monogram Recipients
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