As the first anniversary of the passing of beloved professor Mark Latkovic draws near, some of Sacred Heart’s own look to Washington, D.C. to continue his great legacy.
Last June, Latkovic’s wife Christine began seeking ideas for where to donate the copious amount of books he had acquired, and Theresa Mesch came up with an idea.
“Theresa knew the Pontifical John Paul II Institute did not have a library of its own,” said Jeff Mesch, IT Manager for the seminary and husband to Theresa. “So she reached out to them and to fellow alumni at the Knights of Columbus headquarters in Connecticut to get the project fully funded if the Institute wanted them. The Institute enthusiastically accepted them and the Knights fully funded the work.”
Jeff, Theresa, and their family packed up over 50 boxes of Latkovic’s books and delivered them to the Institute, which Mark Latkovic and Theresa both attended. There they met with Meredith Rice, Assistant to the Provost and former classmate of Theresa, who has been organizing this effort on behalf of the Institute. They also spoke with the Provost, Fr. Antonio Lopez, and other faculty members who remembered having Latkovic as a student.
The Pontifical John Paul II
Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family is housed in McGivney Hall on Catholic University's campus, east of the Basilicaat Catholic University, east of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and does not currently hold its own library; it is fitting that Dr. Latkovic’s personal library should contribute greatly to this one given his reputation as an earnest advocate for and defender of the dignity of life.
“We expect it to be done this summer so the students can start using the new space for Fall 2021,’ Jeff said of the library initiative. The Mesches and Latkovics will return to the Institute later this year to visit the newly established.
Dr. Latkovic was a professor at the undergraduate and graduate level and “and truly poured his whole being into the mission of the seminary for 30 years,” according to Sacred Heart Rector Msgr. Todd Lajiness. Latkovic passed away suddenly on May 6th, 2020.