Annual King’s Leadership Award Ceremony and Mentorship Forum Raises Nearly $300,000 for Financially At-Risk Students

Attorneys Neil and Cathy O’Donnell Recognized for Professional Success and Lifetime Commitment to Community Service. 

Wilkes-Barre, Pa.—King’s College bestowed the 2025 Rev. James Lackenmier, C.S.C., Award for Achievement and Leadership to Neil T. O'Donnell, Esq. ’84 and Cathy O’Donnell, Esq. during a ceremony at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre that raised $295,717 for students in need of emergency financial assistance through the Presidential Hope Fund.

The Lackenmier Award recognizes King’s College community members for their professional excellence, philanthropy, and ethical standards. Preceding the ceremony is the William G. McGowan School of Business Forum, which matches dozens of students with leaders in the business field for one-on-one mentoring sessions. 

The annual event also includes a site visit at a leading business. This year, students traveled to the McCarthy Tire Services headquarters and wheel refinishing facility for an inside look at the fourth largest independent commercial tire businesses in the United States.

Proceeds from the event go to the Presidential Hope Fund, which the College created in 2014 to help financially at-risk students cover tuition, books, and living expenses as they progress toward completing a degree. To date, the fund has provided more than $2.9 million to 2,625 students. 

“Thanks to your incredible generosity, you have given more than just financial support,” said senior accounting student Jorge Taveras ’26 at the award dinner. “You have given me and so many other students the opportunity to pursue our dreams and build a better future. You’ve given me the strength to stretch myself, to be more visible, to remain determined, and to face challenges knowing I am not alone.” 

Neil and Cathy O’Donnell are the founders of O’Donnell Law Offices, which just celebrated 35 years of service in 2025. Based in Wilkes-Barre, the firm advocates on behalf of individuals and families affected by serious injury, wrongful death, and corporate negligence. 

Neil O’Donnell, a lifelong Wilkes-Barre resident and summa cum laude graduate of King’s College, earned his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. A board-certified civil trial specialist and past president of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, Neil has earned numerous distinctions, including multiple selections to The Best Lawyers in America, 2024 Lawyer of the Year for Northeast Pennsylvania, and seven consecutive appearances on the Top 10 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list. He also serves on the board of directors at King’s College and frequently lectures on trial advocacy and personal injury law. 

Cathy O’Donnell, an accomplished attorney and community leader, holds her undergraduate, law, and MBA degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. A member of both the Pennsylvania and DC Bars and former district justice, Cathy also serves as a governor of the University of Pittsburgh Law Alumni Association. She has served on numerous nonprofit and educational boards, including Luzerne County Community College, North Branch Land Trust, and Junior Leadership Northeast. Her contributions have been recognized with the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award from Leadership Northeast, the Community Service Award from the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, and the President’s Award from the Friedman JCC. 

“Neil and Cathy O’Donnell balanced their distinguished legal careers and love for family with a shared commitment to education, justice, faith, and community,” said King’s College president Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D. “In bestowing the Lackenmier Award upon them, King’s holds forth their lives as a model for our students to imitate.  I pray that the gifts raised for the Presidential Hope fund will make it possible for a new generation of Monarchs to follow their amazing example.” 

“We are extremely grateful to each of our sponsors and those of you here to celebrate Neil and Cathy this evening,” said Greg Morgan, vice president of institutional advancement. “ The impact of your charitable support shines through the achievements and energy of the students here tonight. We’re deeply grateful for your commitment to our mission It’s a great night for King’s!” 

The Rev. James Lackenmier, C.S.C., Award for Achievement and Leadership was named in honor of the College’s seventh president. Past recipients of the award include Robert J. Ciaruffoli ’75, Maureen A. Hanlon ’87; Rose Marie Panzitta, Timothy Morris ’64; Richard J. Pinola ’67; Allan M. Kluger, Esq.; Glenn Tyranski ’84; Thomas R. Smith ’77; and David Selingo ’89. 

To support the Presidential Hope Fund, visit https://alumni.kings.edu/g/hope.