The Rev. Louis J. Putz, C.S.C., Award - 2025: John Rorick ’68

John Rorick ’68

The call to volunteerism came early for John Rorick ’68, the value fostered by his family, where he grew up one of eight children. While in high school, he joined the Columbian Squires, the international youth fraternity of the Knights of Columbus, participating in community-benefitting activities that established a passion for service that would follow him throughout his life.

Upon graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1968, Rorick began a career with IBM, overseeing accounting operations in U.S. and non-U.S. organizations and in corporate staff. In 1982, he established accounting operations for IBM Credit Corporation. Alongside his career, Rorick served with the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1969 to 1975, retiring as a sergeant, and served his local parish council as a member and chairman of its finance committee. Additionally, he volunteered at the state psychiatric hospital in Newtown, Connecticut, and the local hospital, counseling those suffering from addiction. 

After retiring, Rorick moved to Vero Beach, Florida, in 2004 where he served for three years as president and seven years as treasurer of the Notre Dame Club of Greater Vero Beach. He still serves on the board today.

Rorick’s deepest passion is his work with A Caring Center for Women, a non-profit pregnancy resource center he helped establish in 2011 alongside fellow ND alumni and friends. As a founding director, board member, and treasurer, he oversees the organization’s financial operations while supporting his wife, Gerri, the executive director, in leading its daily mission. What began as an ask to help with the finances and office logistics has grown into a medical-model pregnancy center with 25 employees, offering free pregnancy counseling, early prenatal care, and free well-women checkups. 

An avid runner, Rorick has completed seven marathons—including two Boston Marathons, using his first to fundraise for the local Notre Dame Club scholarship. He does not plan to “retire” again anytime soon.