Fenningham ’00, McGrath ’01, and Adams ’07 Among Alums Who Have Made TMF Hawks an SJP Institution
In 2014, Ryan Manion spoke to the Prep student body about the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) and her brother Travis, a Marine killed in action during the War in Afghanistan. She talked about his “If Not Me, Then Who” legacy that exemplified the TMF mission.
This speech was the beginning of the Prep’s partnership with the foundation, ultimately leading to the creation of the TMF Hawks, a student organization that trains students to become leaders in their community. Since the fall of 2014, roughly 30 students each semester have completed the TMF Leadership Academy and officially become “TMF Hawks” — students committed to inspiring Travis’ “If Not Me, Then Who” ethos in their Prep peers through weekly peer-led workshops, speakers, Veterans Week in November, and Leadership Week in April. Additionally, since the fall of 2014, over 2,000 students have participated in semi-annual Operation Legacy service events across the city of Philadelphia. Students serve alongside veterans and Gold Star family members as a way to honor the fallen and better the community.
Three alumni have been instrumental in helping to bring the TMF Hawks Leadership Program to the Prep:
- Brad Adams ’07 was an Infantry Officer in the United States Marine Corps, serving for a total of over eight years. Adams attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a rower, a passion that began at the Prep. Today, Adams is the Director of Construction at Hayden Real Estate Investments and the owner of Barrell Splitters Brewing in Northeast Philadelphia. “I enjoy working with TMF as a small continuation of active service,” he explains. “It is great to work with young men and help teach them lessons on leadership and character. The Marines I led in the infantry were men not much older than juniors or seniors in high school. It is a great opportunity to try to provide some knowledge and life lessons that may be outside the realm of what they learn in the classroom for Prep students.” Brad and his wife, Stephanie, have three children: Brad, Owen, and Layla.
- Terrence Fenningham ’00 was a friend and classmate of Travis Manion at the United States Naval Academy, where he also continued his swimming career after his four years at the Prep. Today, Fenningham is the president of Thomas Joseph Solutions, Inc., a Philadelphia-based industrial/commercial coatings and flooring contractor. “The TMF/SJP Leadership Academy is an awesome way to continue to serve although I’m no longer in uniform,” he says. “It’s also great to give back to a place that was pivotal in my personal development. I truly believe the Prep is fortunate to have this partnership with TMF, enabling the TMF Hawks to develop their leadership qualities.” Terrence and his wife, Molly, have two children: Carter and Taylor.
- Brian McGrath ’01 received a degree in Business Management from the University of Scranton after his time at the Prep. He then spent five years in the Marine Corps, serving as Infantry Platoon Commander and Executive Officer at 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines in Camp Lejeune. McGrath currently works at MCFA, a business and commercial construction consulting firm. “TMF has been a transformative experience for me,” McGrath says. “The opportunity to mentor the young men at the Prep and cultivate the fraternity of disciplined leaders is a privilege I am proud to uphold each year. Providing these young men with essential skills at the pivotal stage in their lives establishes a strong foundation for their future success in college, careers, and family life. I am dedicated to maintaining enduring connections with each TMF Hawk well into their futures.” Brian and his wife, Julie, have three children: Brian, Johnny, and Tillie.
The TMF Hawks leadership development programs — the aforementioned Leadership Academy and the Leadership Seminar, more recently established to accommodate the growing number of interested students — involve students learning about virtues like ethical decision-making, moral courage, and personal accountability from TMF Mentors, all of whom are military veterans, Gold Star family members, or first responders trained by the foundation to mentor youth. Ms. Susie Cook, moderator of the TMF Hawks, says that “time and time again, our TMF Hawks program inspires me. I have gotten to meet over 100 men and women (including Marines veterans, Navy veterans, Navy SEALs, Army veterans, National Guardsmen, Air Force veterans, first responders, and Gold Star family members) who have volunteered their time to work with our students to help them develop their character and leadership skills. There is always a waiting list for our TMF programs and we are always finding new ways to accommodate all the students interested.”
The TMF Hawks were recently named the Prep’s Activity of the Year for 2023-24 and celebrated their 10th anniversary this spring. Co-moderator Mrs. Patti Frey joined the team a few years ago to engage Prep alumni who are military veterans and civilian leaders to contribute to this effort.
The students and faculty are so grateful to all of the TMF Mentors and alumni who have given their time over the past decade to serve our students through this program.
A special thank you to Brad, Terrence, Brian, and all of the more than 100 men and women from the Travis Manion Foundation who have participated in TMF Hawks programming to prepare our students to become our country’s next generation of leaders. We also thank Ryan Manion and Col. Tom Manion for generously sharing Travis’ life and legacy with St. Joseph’s Prep, and all who have served and continue to serve our country. Interested in supporting the Prep’s TMF programming? Email Susie Cook at scook@sjprep.org.
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