Judge Tim McCormack takes oath of office at VASJ

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O’Donnell swears in Timothy McCormack ’62 as a judge in the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals as McCormack’s wife, Valerie, looks on.

A member of the VASJ Hall of Fame, Timothy McCormack ’62, returned to where his road to a career in law and public service began more than 50 years ago: The Viking Village.

Before an impressive array of black-robed judges, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O’Donnell swore in McCormack as a judge in the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals. The ceremony took place at a school assembly in the Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School gym on Monday, December 17. In attendance were the entire VASJ student body, faculty and staff, as well as dozens of family members, public officials and supporters.

“I asked to come here today not out of nostalgia, but because of what you are today,” McCormack told the students. “VASJ is one of America’s most important schools. That is not an overstatement.

“You come from very diverse religious backgrounds,” he continued. “But this place – you – are a living expression of Christ’s teaching. You do not all look the same – each of you is a complex young person – but together you are a beautiful combination, dedicated to each other.”

Students and guests reacted to McCormack’s heartfelt words with enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation.
“He really captured the essence of what our school stands for,” said VASJ President Richard Osborne ’69. “It says a great deal about his experience here that he chose to share this important day with us.”