Dr. Joseph G. Schmidt, AFSC commits to serving through 2020-21 school year
Chicago, IL–Following today’s quarterly Board meeting, the Saint Patrick High School Board of Trustees announced the three-year contract extension of president Dr. Joseph G. Schmidt, AFSC which will take him through his 54th year at the school. Currently in his sixth year as president, Dr. Schmidt has also served as teacher, coach, dean and principal.
“On behalf of my fellow trustees, I’m thrilled that Dr. Joe has committed to three more years and will continue to support the Lasallian mission we carry on at Saint Patrick,” said Michael G. O’Rourke ’86, Chairman of the Board. “I look forward to working with him in the future as he continues to lead with a dedication to and passion for the school that has spanned over 50 plus years.”
Dr. Schmidt began his teaching career at Saint Patrick High School in the fall of 1967. After graduating from Purdue University where he majored in Management, he earned his Master’s Degree in School Administration from Loyola University in 1975 and his doctorate in School Administration from Northern Illinois University in 1989. He was promoted to dean of students at Saint Patrick in 1974 and named principal in 1987, becoming the first lay-principal under the new president/principal model at the time.
After a decade of serving as principal, Dr. Schmidt was honored in 1997 with the Christian Brothers Midwest District Lasallian Award and was inducted into the Shamrock Hall of Fame that same year. In 1998, the school recognized him with its Distinguished Educator Award. In 2009, he was inducted into the East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC) Hall of Fame.
In 2013, the year he became the first lay president of the school, Dr. Schmidt was honored with the Counsellor II Award, presented each year to someone who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, generosity, or service to the Lasallian educational mission as it is lived each day at Saint Patrick. In 2017, Dr. Schmidt was presented with the Crystal Shamrock Award, the highest honor awarded by Saint Patrick.
“So many things have gone right for me to be here so long,” Dr. Schmidt said when he celebrated 50 years in 2017. “I believe that the Lord does have a path for everybody, and I do believe my path has been a providential one.” Dr. Schmidt has seen the school transform over the years and is proud of the recent additions to its facilities and programs.
In 2014, Saint Patrick formulated its 2020 Strategic Plan – a roadmap for innovation and excellence. To kick off the plan, a 20,000 square feet of land on the northeast corner of Belmont and Austin was converted into the “Lasallian Garden”– an urban garden which beautifies the neighborhood and campus, and provides additional green space. In 2015, the state-of-the-art Ettore L. Giovannetti Health and Wellness Center, equipped with the equipment and technology necessary for students to participate in physical education classes, team training, and fitness programs, was constructed and unveiled.
In 2016, the INCubatoredu Entrepreneurship Program was introduced, complete with a new, custom-built classroom designed to serve as a “Think Tank.” The school implemented a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) Program in 2017 that strives to give all students increased opportunities by taking part in experiential learning, developing meaningful STEAM skills, and exposing students to opportunities that will prepare them to be innovators of a 21st century economy and world. That same year, the school unveiled the new state-of-the-art Brullo Family Science Center.
With everything the school has to offer, enrollment has been steady and strong at Saint Patrick for the past six years. “This is quite an accomplishment considering enrollment at Catholic high schools in Chicago and across the country is decreasing,” says Dr. Schmidt. “The steady growth would not be possible without the support of our Board, administration, faculty/staff, parents, alumni and friends of Saint Patrick. I feel very fortunate to be among so many people who care so deeply for our school and the young men who attend it.”
Dr. Schmidt has served on numerous committees over the years including the Saint Patrick High School Board of Trustees, Christian Brothers Pension Board of Trustees, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Catholic Educational Association, Northern Illinois University Society of Educational Administrators, and Board of Trustees of the Illinois High School Association. He currently serves as a Director with the Western Golf Association.
Dr. Schmidt resides in McHenry, Illinois and is a member of McHenry Country Club.
Visit www.stpatrick.org, call (773) 282-8844, like Saint Patrick on Facebook or follow @SaintPatrickHS on Twitter for more information.
ABOUT SAINT PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL
Now in its’s 158th year, Saint Patrick is the oldest all-male Catholic high school in Chicago. Its mission is to provide an educational experience of the highest quality which enables young men to develop their maximum potential as lifelong learners and assets to society and the Church. Saint Patrick welcomes students of other religious beliefs, varying academic abilities, and diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Students reside in the city of Chicago and nearby suburbs and come from more than 70 different elementary schools.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer Sloan
Director of Communications
773.282.8844 ext. 231
jsloan@stpatrick.org
