On April 4, in conjunction with McAuley’s annual Auction, Traditions, the 2009 ‘Spirit of McAuley’ Award was given posthumously to Mr. Leroy W. Rand, an individual who selflessly gave his time and talent to both the McAuley family and community at large during his tenure at the School.

An educator for forty-three years, thirteen of which were spent in Catherine McAuley High School’s History Department (1988-2001), Leroy fostered the educational and moral compasses of our young women by instilling the McAuley values of Excellence, Compassion, Leadership, and Service, the very same principles that Leroy practiced and modeled. He garnered the respect and admiration of students and faculty alike in his unwavering commitment to the betterment of McAuley High School and its immediate and extended family.

Beyond the classroom walls, Leroy was a beloved coach and mentor. He was McAuley’s first soccer coach and worked to develop a Class A team still in existence today, one that his daughter, Jo-Ellen, now helps to instruct. Leroy’s total career in coaching spanned an impressive forty years, most of which were spent on the baseball diamond with Little League through Over-30 teams. In addition, for his dedication to athleticism, sportsmanship, and love of the game, the Maine Principal’s Association honored Leroy with Class B Basketball’s ‘Coach of the Year’ Award in 1985.

In his personal life, Leroy was a treasured family man, one who was thankful for the blessings of his wife Joan, children Michele, Kevin, Greg, Dennis, David, Jo-Ellen, and Allison, his sixteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He and Joan, who were steadfast in their devotion to the Catholic Church, raised their family in this faith, with Leroy being recognized for his countless years of service as a CCD Teacher, Eucharistic Minister, and Lector for both St. Bartholomew’s and Holy Cross Church, and through his involvement with the Knights of Columbus Cheverus Council.

Rand passed away in February 2008 at the age of 74.

Accepting the award on his behalf were his wife, Joan Given Rand, CHS ’55, and his daughter, Jo-Ellen Rand, a McAuley faculty member.