FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chicago, IL (February 4, 2020) – Saint Patrick High School, the oldest all-male Catholic high school in Chicago, will honor Gregory P. Josefowicz, a 1970 graduate, with its Saint Patrick Legacy Award on Saturday, March 7th at the 52nd Annual Green + Gold Gala. The award, given to an alumnus who represents the values of Saint Patrick High School and has demonstrated an extraordinary, lifelong commitment to its tradition, is one of the school’s highest honors.
Josefowicz, a proud member of the Saint Patrick class of 1970 celebrating its 50th reunion this year, has also served on the school’s Board of Trustees for more than 10 years, currently as Vice Chair.
“I am grateful for, and have benefited from, my experiences as a graduate and a trustee of Saint Patrick High School,” Josefowicz said. “I remain committed to supporting the 160-year mission of the school, giving 600 young men greater chances to succeed.”
Josefowicz, who attended St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic grade school on the Northwest side, obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. While at Saint Patrick, he started working at Jewel Food Stores on Milwaukee and Austin as a service clerk. Thirty years later, after holding positions in merchandising, marketing and operations, he was named President of Jewel-Osco, one of the largest food-drug chains in the United States.
In 1999, Josefowicz received the Illinois Retail Merchants Association’s Retailer of the Year award for his commitment to the industry and the community. Later that year, Josefowicz became president, chairman and CEO of Borders Group, Inc., a $4 billion global retailer of books, music and movies, and Fortune 500 company.
Since his retirement from Borders in 2006, Josefowicz has served on the Boards of ten civic and charitable organizations including the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Alivio Medical Center and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital (Ann Arbor). Today, he still serves on the Boards of US Cellular, KeHE Foods and Empire (a national grocery chain in Canada).
Greg has been married to his wife, Carol, for 45 years. They have three daughters and four grandchildren and currently split time between residences in Chicago and Saugatuck, MI.
“Greg is committed to helping families on the Northwest side of Chicago who may otherwise not be able to afford the cost of a Catholic education,” said Dr. Joseph G. Schmidt, AFSC, President of Saint Patrick High School. “I look forward to honoring him for his generosity at this year’s Green + Gold Gala.”
In its 52nd year, the Green + Gold Gala raises funds to provide financial support, including First Responder, Catholic Identity, Legacy and Academic Scholarships, to the young men who attend Saint Patrick High School.
Limited seating is available for this year’s Gala. Purchase tickets by Friday, February 21 at www.stpatrick.org/greenandgold
ABOUT SAINT PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL
Now in its 159th year, Saint Patrick is the oldest all-male Catholic high school in Chicago. Its mission is to provide an educational experience of the highest quality which enables young men to develop their maximum potential as lifelong learners and assets to society and the Church. Saint Patrick welcomes students of other religious beliefs, varying academic abilities and diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Students reside in the city of Chicago and nearby suburbs and come from more than 70 different elementary schools.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer Sloan
Director of Communications
773.282.8844 ext. 231
