Once upon a time in Kingston, Mark Chopko, Esq. ’74 dared to dream big.
“My dad was a machine designer and mom was a homemaker and seamstress,” he said. “They never failed to emphasize the importance of education.”
As a result, Chopko excelled in his studies. A National Merit Finalist who became both the president and valedictorian of his class at West Side Central Catholic High School in Kingston, Chopko first encountered the University when he attended debate and science competitions held on campus. After he earned a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship to the University, he became the first person in his household to attend college.
“The scholarship gave me a chance to expand my horizons,” he said. “Given my family’s means, that opened up all sorts of doors for me.”
Today, nearly 50 years after he embarked upon a truly extraordinary career in the law (See "Eudaimonia" sidebar), it’s obvious that Chopko’s big dreams have been realized. He currently serves as senior counsel and chair emeritus of the religious institutions practice at Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young in Washington, D.C., and he’s been teaching a seminar at Georgetown University Law Center since 2003. A musician, he met his wife, Jane, also a musician, through their church’s choir. They have been making beautiful music together for 30 years, at home and in church. He has four grown children and six growing grandchildren.
“God has been good,” he said.
Because of all the blessings Mark and his family have received, he and Jane chose to establish the Chopko Family Scholarship through the Estate Society in the hope that it will help put Royals, especially first-generation students pursuing science degrees, on the path to a brighter future. They hope future Chopko Scholars will dare to imagine a life without limits.
“Dream big,” he said. “I was fortunate in every situation to be able to stand on the shoulders of giants, people who gave me hope, inspiration and guidance.
“Always look to the horizon, always look beyond the present moment.”
Eudaimonia
At Scranton, Chopko majored in chemistry, joined the debate team, became a student Senator, participated in the Honors Program, and graduated Summa Cum Laude in three years. He then attended Cornell Law School and subsequently spent two years in the legal aid clinic. His next position was with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, where, among other tasks, he handled investigations and litigation following the Three Mile Island accident. Afterward, he served the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for more than two decades, where he rose to the position of general counsel and became a leading expert in church-state law.
At USCCB, he was involved with the passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and he helped draft the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, a set of procedures for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. He began teaching Church-State Law at Georgetown University School of Law in 2003 and became a partner at Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young in 2007, where he chaired the firm’s religious institutions practice.
He continues to serve both institutions today. A prominent speaker and writer, it is estimated that his work has been cited by more than 300 cases and journals.
His Excellency
Mark Chopko, Esq. ’74 was recently appointed Lieutenant of the Middle Atlantic Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem by Cardinal Fernando Filoni, who heads the order in Rome. The order is a pontifical institution dedicated to supporting the Church's ministry and mission and strengthening the Christian presence in the Holy Land through works of faith, service and charity. The Middle Atlantic Lieutenancy includes 12 dioceses in six states and the District of Columbia.
For questions or to learn more about The University of Scranton’s Estate Society, visit scranton.edu/plannedgiving or contact Carol Maculloch, director of Planned Giving, at carol.maculloch@scranton.edu or 570.941.7799.
