Remembering Dan McNeal '90
On November 25th, Loyola Blakefield hosted the Class of 1990 for a pre-Homecoming happy hour to celebrate their impressive 44% class participation during this past spring’s Day of the Don.
Though clearly well-earned, the win by the 1990 class also seemed like kismet, given that Loyola also revitalized its tribute to Dan McNeal ‘90 this past summer with a new exhibit in the Learning Commons.
Members of the Class of 1990 join together to view the new tribute exhibit during their reunion.Daniel W. McNeal, member of the Loyola Blakefield Class of 1990, and recipient of the Loyola Alumni Medal, died tragically in the World Trade Center Towers on the morning of September 11th, 2001. During his time at Loyola, Dan served as President of the SGA and his classmates dubbed 1990 the “Year of McNealism.”
Kitty McNeal takes a quick break from regaling members of the Development and Marketing teams with stories about her son to take a photo by the exhibit title sign.The new gallery wall exhibit honors Dan McNeal’s legacy as a “Dan for Others” with museum-quality documentation of his awards, articles, photos, and even his glasses and wallet that were recovered from his person after the attacks. A partial catalog of the exhibit’s displayed items can be viewed here.
Other visitors to the exhibit include Kitty McNeal, Dan’s mother, who was given the first look of the tribute after it was finished over the summer; and Kat Sheeler, his sister, and her family including her son Danny Sheeler ’20.
Kat Sheeler, her husband, and her son pose with the exhibit for Kat's brother. Not pictured is Kat's daughter, Reese, who was returning to university when this photo was taken.LOCATION
We invite you to visit Dan McNeal’s exhibit. After checking in at the visitor’s center, head to St. Ignatius Hall, where the gallery rests on the righthand wall of our new Learning Commons.
ABOUT THE ITEMS
While still in the process of being completed, a partial catalog of the exhibit’s displayed items can be viewed here. Museum-quality glass protects the items from UV damage and provides the clearest reflection-free viewing experience, while informational signs and placards explain their relevance to Dan’s legacy.Loyola is presently creating a strategy to digitally archive and preserve items not on display.
DONATIONS & SPONSORSHIP
Items were graciously donated by Mrs. Kitty McNeal, mother of Dan McNeal. The exhibit was sponsored by the generosity of the Class of 1990.
SCHOLARSHIP
The Daniel W. McNeal Scholarship Award is given in loving memory to a member of the junior or senior class who embodies the characteristics that we hold dear in Jesuit education—one who lives his faith in word and deed, displays academic excellence, is actively engaged in his community, and most of all, exemplifies being a man for others. Through this prestigious award, Dan’s memory and legacy are honored and preserved for generations to come.
As of August 1st, 2024, $410,543.33 across 729 gifts have been donated toward the Daniel W. McNeal Scholarship Fund.
If you'd like to learn about how to become involved in supporting the scholarship fund, please contact Brian Plunkett '76, Director of Alumni Relations at bplunkett@loyolablakefield.org or 443.841.3656.
