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QUINCY, ILL. -- Friends and former students of Fr. John J. Lakers, OFM, associate professor emeritus of philosophy, have established an endowed scholarship at Quincy University in honor of the longtime professor and friar.

Fr. JJ will celebrate his 80th birthday on Tuesday, November 2.

The Fr. JJ Lakers Scholarship Fund will support Quincy University students who demonstrate a financial need and are in good academic standing with a proven record of service within the community and campus. The initial goal is to establish the endowment at the $25,000 level with a long-range goal of funding the endowment at the $100,000 level.

Fr. JJ joined the Quincy University faculty in 1974 following eight years as teacher for Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Quincy. In addition to philosophy, he taught classes in Christian marriage and has provided spiritual counseling and performed marriage ceremonies for many QU alumni. He retired from full-time teaching in 1996 and continued as part-time faculty until 2000.

During his tenure at Quincy University, Fr. JJ served terms as chair of the department of philosophy and acting chair of the division of philosophy and theology. He was an active member of QU’s president advisory council and faculty development committee, and has been a member of the board of trustees. Fr. JJ is the author of “Christian Ethics: An Ethics of Intimacy,” published in 1997.

In addition, Fr. JJ was inducted into the QU Hall of Fame in 2003 for his meritorious service to QU athletics. He is affectionately known as QU’s “Soccer Priest,” having been a fixture at soccer games since 1975 and serving as team chaplain on numerous road trips.

Born in Columbus, Neb., Fr. JJ received a bachelor’s degree from Our Lady of Angels Seminary and a master’s degree from St. Bonaventure University, New York. He also pursued philosophy studies at Oxford University, England. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1958.

For information about contributing to the scholarship fund, contact the Office of University Advancement by calling (217) 228-5227.

Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University (www.quincy.edu) is a Catholic, co-educational, residential university offering undergraduate, graduate, and adult education programs that integrate liberal arts, active learning, practical experience, and Franciscan values. Quincy University’s intercollegiate sports are members of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference for men and women. For more information, please contact the Quincy University office of communications by calling (217) 228-5275.