The William D. Reynolds Award - 2014: Father William Weiksnar, O.F.M., ’79

2014: Father William Weiksnar, O.F.M., ’79

For his years of service and his demonstrated commitment to the welfare and development of young people, Rev. William “Jud” Weiksnar, O.F.M., ’79 is presented with this award.

A native of Buffalo, New York, Father Weiksnar majored in Accountancy at Notre Dame, where he served as a resident assistant in Grace Hall. After graduating, he taught for two years at Holy Trinity High School in Chicago, a school run by the Congregation of Holy Cross. He then attended the University of Buffalo, earning a J.D./Ph.D. in Law and Policy Studies.  

Inspired by the influence of Rev. Charles Faso, O.F.M., ’76 M.A., who served as the assistant rector in Grace Hall in 1975-76, Father Weiksnar entered the Franciscans of Holy Name Province in 1987. After graduating with an M.Div. from the Washington Theological Union in 1994, he was ordained to the priesthood. 

Father Weiksnar has served at St. Camillus Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland, St. Bonaventure University, and St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Camden, New Jersey. During his time at St. Anthony of Padua, he founded the Student Leaders’ Von Nieda Park Task Force, an organization of students dedicated to making their local park safer in one of the nation’s most dangerous cities. 

Father Weiksnar currently serves at St. Patrick Friary in Buffalo, where he is active with the Notre Dame Club of Buffalo/Western New York.

"After frankly being an underachiever during my undergraduate years at Notre Dame, I was humbled to be nominated and chosen for the Reynolds Award when so many alumni are doing such extraordinary things with youth around the country and the world.  I've had no greater satisfaction as an accountant, lawyer, or priest than to work with the Student Leaders, as they epitomize the spirit that is helping Camden, NJ shed the designation of being the nation's poorest and most violent city."