SXU hosts Bishop John R. Gorman Institute for Leadership in Catholic Education

Annual conference focuses on collaboration, networking

(Photo: Denise Spells, principal of St. Ethelreda School in Chicago, and Fr. Thomas McCarthy, O.S.A., president of St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago, during Saint Xavier University’s BGI conference.)

Chicago (July 9, 2008) Saint Xavier University hosted the fifth annual Bishop John R. Gorman Institute for Leadership in Catholic Education from June 23 to June 26 at its Orland Park campus.

Fifty-five teachers and administrators representing more than 30 schools participated in the event, which focuses on collaboration and networking among nationally recognized leaders in Catholic education, local school leaders and faculty members of SXU’s School of Education.

Presenters included: Former Associate General Secretary at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Sr. Lourdes Sheehan, R.S.M.; Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey, O.P., and former Superintendent Sr. Mary Brian Costello, R.S.M.; Associate Executive Director of the National Catholic Education Association’s Elementary School Department Bro. William Campbell, S.M.; and Associate Director of Schools for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Kathy Mears.

The conference also included a panel discussion titled “The Role of Athletics in School Culture” moderated by Dan McGrath, Associate Editor for Sports at the Chicago Tribune.

Earl McKay, principal of St. Margaret of Scotland School said the quality of the presentations and the opportunity to network with others committed to Catholic education were “a breath of fresh air and an investment in excellence for the coming year.

The BGI was founded under the direction of SXU School of Education Dean Beverly Gulley to provide outstanding professional development for teachers, principals, and leadership teams of Catholic schools. It is part of the comprehensive relationship between SXU’s School of Education and partner schools in Chicago and other communities.

Scholarship support was provided by the Big Shoulders Fund, Dr. Richard A. Yanikoski, Phillip Corby Foundation, Harris Bank of Orland Park, Mulcahy, Pauritsch, Salvador & Co., Ltd., Gaelic Park, and Saint Xavier University.

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Rick Ducat
773-298-3325 or ducat@sxu.edu