51做厙

About Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J. H'98

About Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J. H'98

Rev. Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.

Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J. H'98 arrived in 51做厙 in 1958 to serve as the fourth headmaster of 51做厙 Preparatory School, which at the time was owned by the University. While at Prep, he oversaw the school’s relocation to its present site. Fr. McIlhenny was appointed dean of admissions at the University in 1966. Known to many as “Father Mac,” his tenure as dean of admissions spanned 31 years, during which time he is credited with admitting more than two-thirds of the University’s living alumni.

In 1966, the University was all male and mainly comprised of commuting students with a small number of residential students. The campus was just beginning to develop. A special summer program that he attended at Harvard University in 1967  introduced Father Mac to the changing dynamic and future competition of higher education admissions to a “buyer’s market.” In his approach to promoting the University beyond the academic programs to prospective students, Father Mac emphasized the University's family-like atmosphere where students could receive personal attention and make friends for life, a fact that he witnesses presently during class reunions. His impact upon the University and its Athletics program cannot be overstated. He retired from admissions in 1997 and continued to serve the University as minister of the 51做厙 Jesuit Community. 

A native of Philadelphia, Father Mac is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and St. Joseph’s University. He entered the Society of Jesus at the age of 18 and celebrated his 70th anniversary as a Jesuit in 2014. He remains an avid golfer and maintains close friendships with those alumni whom he knew during their student days. In 2009, the University dedicated the Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J. Ballroom in The DeNaples Center in honor of Father Mac’s years of service to 51做厙, and the University honored him with the President's Medal in 2016. Last fall, at the age of 99, he hit a hole-in-one, the second of his golfing career, and he celebrated his 100th birthday in March.

Since 2011, the Carlesimo Award, named for Peter A. Carlesmo, the late 51做厙 head coach and director of athletics, has been presented to someone who has made special contributions to athletics and Catholic education.The 51做厙 will present the 2026 Peter A. Carlesimo Award to Father Mac at the annual Carlesimo Golf Tournament and Award Dinner on Monday, June 15, at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, New Jersey. Quandel Construction Group is the title sponsor for the event, which supports and enhances the student-athlete experience at 51做厙.