Marquette University Names First-ever James Foley Scholar

Jake Zelinski, who will begin his freshman year next week at Marquette, graduated this spring from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy. [SOURCE: Marquette University]
BY CHRIS KERR | August 19, 2015
MILWAUKEE – On the one-year anniversary of James Foley’s tragic death, Marquette University’s J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication has announced Jacob Zelinski as its first-ever James Foley Scholarship recipient. Zelinski, who will begin his freshman year next week at Marquette, graduated this spring from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy.
“To receive an award in honor of someone so loving and selfless to all those he encountered as well as so brave and truthful in all of his endeavors was amazing,” Zelinski said. “James Foley is the type of man I strive to be every day, and I could not be more honored and humbled to be the first Foley scholar.”
Zelinski today published a first-person account of what it means to honor the legacy of James Foley as the first scholarship recipient. His story is titled, “Why James Foley is my hero.” Zelinski plans to major in theatre arts and digital media at Marquette.
![James Foley (1973-2014) [SOURCE: Marquette University]](https://www.ignatiansolidarity.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/james-foley.jpg)
James Foley (1973-2014)
[SOURCE: Marquette University]
Media from around the world reached out to Marquette University after Foley’s death on Aug. 19, 2014. The university dedicated a web page in his memory, which includes a moving letter from Foley to the Marquette community when he was first captured and held in a military detention center in Tripoli, Libya. In the letter, Foley started by saying, “Marquette University has always been a friend to me. The kind who challenges you to do more and be better and ultimately shapes who you become.”
“James Foley embodied so many of our Jesuit, Catholic ideals and today marks a day that we can all be proud to shine a positive light on his remarkable legacy,” President Michael R. Lovell said. “James was a man for others who sought the truth in everything he encountered, and he and his family and friends will always be members of our Marquette family.”
Marquette is holding a Mass to celebrate the life of James Foley at noon today in the St. Joan of Arc Chapel. Students, faculty and staff are also invited to celebrate the life and legacy of Foley through a virtual 5K run that will be held Saturday, Oct. 17. Funds from the race will benefit the James W. Foley Legacy Fund and Foundation to support conflict journalists and hostage families.
[SOURCE: Marquette University]

Chris joined the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) as executive director in 2011. He has over fifteen years of experience in social justice advocacy and leadership in Catholic education and ministry. Prior to ISN he served in multiple roles at John Carroll University, including coordinating international immersion experience and social justice education programming as an inaugural co-director of John Carroll’s Arrupe Scholars Program for Social Action. Prior to his time at John Carroll he served as a teacher and administrator at the elementary and secondary levels in Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Chris speaks regularly at campuses and parishes about social justice education and advocacy, Jesuit mission, and a broad range of social justice issues. He currently serves on the board of directors for Christians for Peace in El Salvador (CRISPAZ). Chris earned a B.A. and M.A. from John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. He and his family reside in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
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