We were pleased to honor Kenneth Mortenson’63 with our highest honor for Morgan Park Academy alumni, the Richard L. Duchossois ’40 Integrity and Values Alumni Award, at our 148th graduation exercises on June 12, 2021.
The Duchossois Award is given annually in recognition of its namesake’s lifetime achievements, outstanding professional success, and service to the Academy, his community, and society. Previous recipients are Duchossois, Dr. Frank Burd ’52, C. Denny Cresap ’52, Bill Hickey ’71, Al Hoffman Jr. ’52, D. Stephen Menzies ’73, Jim Mitchell ’61, Rajeev Rathi ’84, Spencer Stuart ’40, and Jerome Thrall ’44.
“Mr. Mortenson has been a tremendous supporter of the Academy and its students and faculty,” Head of School Mercedes Z. Sheppard said. “His contributions to both our school and his communities make him truly a fitting recipient of the Duchossois Award.”
Mortenson graduated from Carleton College and earned an MBA from the University of Michigan.
During his career at Oppenheimer Capital, he was a Managing Director responsible for investing client’s pension fund assets totaling $12 billion.
For two decades, Mortenson has been on the board of The Glaucoma Foundation, which supports cutting-edge research at universities and medical institutions around the world. He serves on the executive committee and leads the investment committee, which manages the foundation’s endowment fund.
Mortenson previously served for 14 years on the board of Partnership with Children, a not-for-profit agency that provides critical social work services to children in New York City public schools.
His other philanthropic interests include Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Citymeals on Wheels, and his alma maters.
Mortenson also returned to Morgan Park Academy eight years ago to deliver the 2013 commencement address.
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