Tradition of Excellence

Tradition of Excellence
 

Established by the Class of 1982, the annual Tradition of Excellence Awards recognize OPRFHS alumni who have made outstanding contributions to society through their personal and professional pursuits. Nominations may be made by using the nomination form linked below. Awards are presented annually in November. Honorees are invited to a reception and dinner with key school and community leaders, followed the next day by Honoree's presentations to students at a school-wide assembly.
Alumni who have graduated 10 years prior to the date of the current graduating year and earlier are eligible for consideration – e.g. Class of 1999 graduates and earlier would be eligible in the 2008-09 school year.  Follow this link for Nomination form and instructions.                Past Award Recipients
 

 Welcome, 2012 Tradition of Excellence Honorees - Nov 30, 2012

     Linda Brubaker, M.D., M.S.
     Medicine
     1973
 

   Linda Brubaker, M.D., M.S., currently is the Dean of the Loyola University Chicago Stritch
   School of Medicine. Dr. Brubaker is a life-long Oak Parker who grew up as the second of five
   children, all OPRF grads. She completed her medical training at Rush University, where she
   established the first division of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery in the
   Midwest. For nearly two decades, she directed this division, well known for high-quality clinical care, NIH-funded research productivity, educational contributions, and administrative expertise. A well-known reconstructive pelvic surgeon who has been on the cover of Chicago magazine, Dr. Brubaker has served in many prestigious professional roles, including president of the American Urogynecological Society and the Society of Gynecology Surgeons. Dr. Brubaker enjoys the variety of her work, which includes patient care, research, education, and administration.

  Jeff Mauro was a ham from the beginning. Raised in a large family with four children, he
  competed for attention not by making his sisters cry but by making his family laugh. Jeff’s flair
  for the stage was discovered early, in the Roosevelt Junior High third-grade production of “Let
  George Do It!” From that point on, he immersed himself in the performing arts, especially at
  OPRF, where his talents were nurtured and blossomed. After graduating from Bradley University, he opened a deli with his cousin and instantly fell in love with cooking. At night, he satisfied his performing bug playing the role of Tony in the Chicago production of “Tony n’ Tina's Wedding.” After moving to Los Angeles in an attempt to meld his love of cooking and comedy, he married his first love, Sarah, a Chicago native, in 2005. After a few years of trying to make it in Hollywood, he enrolled in culinary school, graduated, and returned to Chicago. After three attempts, he finally landed himself on Season 7 of “Food Network Star,” which he successfully won. Jeff is now the host of Food Network's Emmy-nominated “Sandwich King” and the primetime hit “$24 in 24.”