August 26, 2020

Brandon Posivak ’16, Patrick Finnegan ’13 and Jim Maechling ’60, a trio of Loyola alumni-turned-authors, offer optimism and share their lived experiences through the writing and publishing of their new books:

 

Step on the Cracks: Reinventing Happiness, Positivity, and Optimism

Brandon Posivak ’16 targets Generation Z with his novel, Step on the Cracks. The former Loyola baseball player offers a new perspective through his personal experiences, interviews (including with Loyola alumni) and psychological research. According to Posivak, his goal with Step on the Cracks was to extend positivity and real-life applicable knowledge to his fellow Cubs and help them cultivate a new perspective to enhance their futures. He credits and thanks all members of the Loyola community for shaping him.

Read More: Step on the Cracks: Reinventing Happiness, Positivity, and Optimism

Posivak recently graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, PA after majoring in Government & Law with a minor in Anthropology and Sociology. He was also an outfielder on the Lafayette Leopards’ baseball team. Posivak will be attending Pepperdine’s Caruso School of Law this fall.

Bouncing Back: Athletic Transition Successes, Failures, and Lessons Learned Along the Way

Patrick Finnegan ’13 is a former collegiate football player who delves into the challenging transition process he faced after retiring from competitive sports. In Bouncing Back, he tells his story and offers insight into an athlete’s mindset and identity upon retirement, while offering hope for future athletes that a smooth transition is possible for those leaving their sport behind. He also tells the stories of other former collegiate and professional athletes who have experienced the same struggles when athletic careers end. Finally, he encourages his fellow athletes to channel their experiences on the field, both good and bad, to success off the field.

Read More: Bouncing Back: Athletic Transition Successes, Failures, and Lessons Learned Along the Way

At Loyola, Finnegan was a quarterback and team captain for the Cubs from 2011-13 and went on to play football at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He now works as a Business Strategy Consultant at Accenture.

The Making of Mr. Mac

Jim Maechling ’60 published his book titled The Making of Mr. Mac in late March and tells of the encounters that led to him becoming a teacher. Maechling had a profound impact on many, working with children in India, teaching history and religion in public schools in Palos Verdes, and introducing Eastern religious concepts and practices like mindfulness and meditation to American high school students.

Read More: The Making of Mr. Mac

While at both Loyola High School and Loyola University, Maechling was senior class president. The Foreword of this book was also written by his classmate, Fr. Stephen Privett, SJ ’60.

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All culled from real-life experiences, Bouncing Back, Step on the Cracks and The Making of Mr. Mac offer great insight into the lives of three impressive Loyola grads.