For Andy O’Connor ‘85, supporting Bonner & Prendie through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program was a meaningful way to give back to a school that helped shape both his career and character.
A 1985 valedictorian, Andy recently directed an EITC scholarship gift to Bonner & Prendie as part of his family’s ongoing commitment to Catholic education.
“It was a place that I valued, so I wanted to give back,” Andy said. “Bonner and Prendie prepared me, my brother, and my sisters really well. We wanted to support Catholic education because we’ve seen the impact it can have.”
A Strong Foundation at Bonner
Andy grew up near campus in Drexel Hill and attended St. Andrew the Apostle Parish. Catholic education was a natural path for his family.
“My parents both attended Catholic schools, and my older sister had already gone to Prendie,” he said.
The O’Connor family became well connected to Bonner & Prendie over the years, with Andy’s siblings graduating in 1983, 1989, and 1990.
As a student, Andy was deeply involved in school life. He participated in cross country and track, student council, Mathletes, theater productions, and St. Edmund’s Guild, a service organization that visited disabled children living in a church-run care facility.
“We would spend time with children who often didn’t get many visitors,” he recalled. “At Christmas, we organized toy and gift drives. Those experiences stayed with me.”
Looking back, Andy believes the Bonner environment helped students grow both academically and personally.
“If you were involved in theater or liturgical music, you weren’t looked at any differently than someone playing football or baseball,” he said. “It was a very supportive environment.”
He also credits the Augustinian influence with helping create a culture focused on character, responsibility, and respect for others.
The Valedictorian Experience
Like other Bonner valedictorians of that time, Andy earned the role through a competitive speech process rather than grades alone.
Students were required to prepare and deliver speeches before faculty members in the auditorium, and Andy still remembers striving to meet school Chaplain and Class Moderator, Fr. Joseph Mostardi’s task of memorizing his speech while working at Wawa that summer.
“I remember stocking refrigerators and reciting my speech over and over to make sure I had it memorized,” he said.
For Andy, experiences like that reflected one of Bonner’s greatest strengths: students were trusted with real responsibility.
“There were a lot of opportunities where you were expected to rise to the occasion and be more professional,” he said.
One experience that particularly stayed with him involved representing Bonner at a Philadelphia Catholic League coaches meeting while still a student.
“There was an issue being discussed that I disagreed with,” Andy recalled. “I spoke up, explained my opinion, and the coaches actually changed their decision. As an 18-year-old, I was given the opportunity to contribute in a professional setting.”
A Career of Service and Leadership
After graduation, Andy initially attended University of Virginia before deciding to enlist in the United States Army. He spent four years on active duty, including assignments in Germany and Louisiana, before returning home to complete his degree in Biology at Villanova University.
While his early career included work in the pharmaceutical industry and graduate studies at Thomas Jefferson University, Andy eventually realized his passion was leadership and public service.
That path ultimately led him to a full-time career with the Pennsylvania National Guard, where he now serves as a Colonel and Director of Strategic Development.
In his current role, Andy helps develop partnerships between the Pennsylvania National Guard, government agencies, academia, and industry leaders to strengthen military readiness and innovation.
One growing focus is drone technology and artificial intelligence.
“Drones are becoming a major part of modern warfare,” Andy said. “Pennsylvania is now one of the primary training locations for new drone systems entering the U.S. Army.”
Throughout his career, Andy credits Bonner with helping him develop the confidence and critical thinking skills needed for leadership.
“I had incredible teachers,” he said. “One of the greatest math teachers I ever had was Vince Donahue. He didn’t just want you to memorize things. He wanted you to learn how to think.”
He also credits former Bonner president Father Denny with having a lasting influence.
“He taught me how to think, not what to think,” Andy said. “That mindset has stayed with me throughout my life.”
Giving Back Through EITC
Today, Andy and his wife continue to support Catholic education through the EITC program, which allows donors to direct tax dollars toward scholarships and educational programs while also receiving significant state tax benefits.
For Andy, one of the biggest misconceptions is that the process is difficult.
“It’s actually very easy to do,” he said. “The biggest thing is simply helping people understand the process.”
Over the years, the O’Connors have supported several other Catholic schools attended by their children before deciding to direct a recent EITC gift to Bonner & Prendie.
“We wanted to support a place that had a meaningful impact on our lives,” Andy said.
He hopes other alumni will consider learning more about the program and the impact their support can have on future generations of students.
“It’s a really simple way to give back,” he said. “And it’s an opportunity to support Catholic education in a very meaningful way.”