May 14, 2010
Catholic superintendent, assistants, introduced and welcomed
A family photographer snaps a photo of Daryl Hagan flanked by his father, Bill Hagan, and Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger. (Message photo by Paul R. Leingang) Click for a larger version.
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
Applause from family and friends greeted the newly appointed Superintendent of Catholic Schools, as he was introduced by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger, May 6.
“How appropriate that we meet today, this national day of prayer, to make this announcement about our Catholic schools,” said Daryl Hagan at the podium in the library of St. Benedict School. “For in our schools, prayer is at the center of everything we do.”
Bishop Gettelfinger also introduced Donna Halverson and Michele Priar, who will assist the new superintendent. He praised Halverson, “who has done for two years the job of assistant superintendent and superintendent.” He welcomed Priar, who currently serves as principal of St. James School in Haubstadt. (Related: Strategic initiatives, new structures tackle Catholic education in the Diocese of Evansville)
Bishop Gettelfinger termed the appointment of Hagan and the two new assistant superintendents as “a new era for us.” The diocese “is in the middle of a planning process, and this fits in very well.”
Hagan has been principal of Holy Name School in Henderson since 1997. He and his wife, Jill, have two children, Maxx and Maggie, who attend Memorial High School in Evansville; they, along with Hagan’s father, were among the well-wishers gathered for the the announcement.
Fourth grade pupils gathered in a reading area immediately behind the podium. Halverson, Priar and Hagan sat with the students before coming to the podium to address news media, school officials, family and friends.
In his remarks, Hagan said the schools in the diocese “would continue to provide a quality, Catholic education that we know has a proven track record of success.”
Turning to the children be-hind him, Hagan noted that they would be graduating from high school in 2018, and said he was making a pledge to them and to all students in Catholic schools,
“Along with their parents, pastors and parishioners, we will partner together to ensure that they will have the necessary academic skills to be successful in life,” he said. “And more importantly, it is my number one priority, to make sure that that these graduates, as well as all of our graduates, live in the light of Christ, providing service to all those in need.”
“I certainly look forward to working with such a wonderful schools office staff . . . and the teachers and principal throughout the diocese,” said Priar in brief remarks at the podium. She said she loves the job she does “at the building level” but this position gives her “the opportunity to work with all of our schools.”
“Not only is this a national day of prayer, it is a day of joy for me,” said Halverson. “To know that I am going to get to work with a team in the next years is such a blessing.”
The ceremonies included the presentation of a crucifix to Hagan and another to Priar, as gifts from the students. They returned the favor, presenting each of the fourth graders with a small cross. Hagan asked the pupils to bring their crosses with them in 2018 when they graduated from high school.
After the news conference ended, and the library returned to ordinary library levels of sound, principal Benedictine Sister Karlene Sensmeier carefully removed a welcome message from the doorway. It had been printed by a kindergarten class. It offered their “Congratoolashuns” to the new “Super intended,” who immediately went to visit and thank the kindergartners for making him feel welcome.