Position/title: English Teacher

Previous place of employment: Notre Dame College Prep (Niles, IL)

What drew you to the Saint Ignatius community: I believe that the Jesuits drew me back to Saint Ignatius. Ever since I graduated from SIHS, I didn’t have too much exposure to Jesuit spirituality unless it was something that I did on my own. I’m happy to be back with a group of people who take their faith lives very seriously and who tirelessly work to make God known everywhere an in everyone.

Hobbies/interests: I love to travel and to explore Cleveland. This city and the surrounding area has so many cool things to do. I believe we are meant to consume the arts.

What is one thing students should know about you: I love Chipotle more than anyone else […] One of my crowning teaching moments happened at the beginning of this year when my freshmen were required to send an email to the owner of their favorite restaurants. Kevin Barry ‘22 sent an email to Chipotle’s CEO and founder, Steve Ells, who replied with great thanks and admiration. I couldn’t be more proud.

Position/title: Implementation Director of The Welsh Academy

Years of experience: 29

Previous place of employment: The Intergenerational Schools

What drew you to the Saint Ignatius community: The call to join the Saint Ignatius community was loud and clear in order to assist with the foundation of The Welsh Academy. I have had a career-long passion to support the work that brings equity in education to the students of Cleveland.

Initial impressions: Saint Ignatius is a special environment, I love the commitment to spirituality, the way it is intentionally developed for both students and adults. The staff have been incredibly welcoming.

Hobbies/interests: I like to read, go for walks, check out new restaurants, and sing in couple of choruses. I also enjoy photography.

What is one thing students should know about you: I love talking to you guys, it is always great to find out about what makes you tick. I am a former high school principal, so it is great to be back in a school setting with high school age young adults. Come and visit me.

Position/title: Assistant Principal for Academics

Years of experience: 13

Previous place of employment: Los Angeles Loyola HS

What drew you to the Saint Ignatius community: Saint Ignatius represented an opportunity for me to return to my roots, while continuing my personal growth as an Ignatian educator. The physical look and structure of the school resembles Loyola, too. Initial impressions: My impressions are largely positive,and feel familiar. The community is welcoming, the faculty and staff are close, the athletic tradition is strong, and the young men that walk these halls are among the best and brightest in the state. I would expect no less.

Hobbies/interests: I’m a lover of sports and travel. I spend a lot of time watching my daughter play soccer.

What is one thing students should know about you: The simplest way to deal with me is from a position of fairness. I can’t stand to be dealt with unfairly. The only thing worse is having one of my students feel that I’ve treated them that way.

Position/title: Director of the Walton Center for Learning

Years of experience: 16

Previous place of employment: Beachwood High School

What drew you to the Saint Ignatius community: The mission of Saint Ignatius drew me in. I believe school should be more than just what happens in the classroom; the cura personalis way of thinking about teaching and learning is really important to me. Initial impressions: I’ve noticed how both students and staff really seem to like being here. People have been incredibly kind and supportive to me as a new staff member.

Hobbies/interests: I am on a crew team; I’ve been competing for 20 years! I also love to travel and try new foods from around the world.

What is one thing students should know about you: The Walton Center Staff is here to support anyone needing extra academic assistance here at Saint Ignatius. Our door is open from 7:15am – 4:00pm – you don’t have to be assigned to the Walton Center to get extra help or come in to work. I love meeting new students so please come by! I also teach a section of math.

Position/title: Lead AV IT Support Technician

Years of experience: The avergeage of a freshman minus 2.

Previous place of employment: St. Edward High School

What drew you to the Saint Ignatius community: A livable wage to do a job in my field of expertise (Academic IT). Sounds simple but that’s harder to find than you might think.

Initial impressions: Don’t have any. Initial impressions are too similar to assumptions for my taste.

Hobbies/interests: Taking my awesome up to 11. You heard right. It goes to 11.

What is one thing students should know about you: I don’t often take things seriously unless I absolutely have to so if I put my serious face on around you, that would be a bad time to trifle with me.

Position/title: Science teacher (physics)

Years of experience: 3

Previous place of employment: Warsaw Community Schools in Warsaw, IN

What drew you to the Saint Ignatius community: The respectfulness of the faculty, administrators, and student body. As well as the focus on being religious.

Initial impressions: The respectful- ness of the faculty, administrators, and student body. As well as the focus on being religious.

Hobbies/interests: Music, I play the piano, Astronomy, I own a telescope, Hiking, watching Cleveland Sports

What is one thing students should know about you: Music, I play the piano, Astronomy, I own a telescope, Hiking, watching Cleveland Sports

By TIM ZVONCHECK ‘19

The purpose of our education is to give a young man the tools whereby he can answer the question ‘What does God want from me?’

These famous words come from Rev. Robert J. Welsh, S.J., Saint Ignatius High School’s president from 1979 until 2000. Although the current students may not have known Fr. Welsh ver y well, his impact is still very much seen on and off campus.

After graduating from Saint Ignatius in 1954, Fr. Welsh went straight into the Jesuit order, working and studying towards his eventual ordination in 1967. Just one year later, he returned to Saint Ignatius to teach Theology and act as the director for student spiritual counseling. In 1974, he took the title of Development Director. In this position, he took charge in greatly expanding our fundraising programs so that all students, regardless of their financial background, could have the opportunity to attend Saint Ignatius High School.

Five years later, he became the President of the school. Under his leadership, both Sophomore Service and the Arrupe Programs were launched in hopes of providing more opportunities for students to better serve their neighbors. In 1999, Fr. Welsh was named a Founder of Saint Ignatius High School because of his dedication to Catholic truth in education. Without him, Saint Ignatius would be very different. The school’s spirituality, financial aid, and service opportunities are largely because of Fr. Welsh’s actions.

The Saint Ignatius community is greatly saddened by the loss, but all are ver y grateful for Father’s contributions. Saint Ignatius President Rev. Raymond P. Guiao, S.J., said, “His charismatic way of involving everyone in the mission of the school has inspired all of us to better understand the importance of loving Christ. He will truly be missed.” Students and faculty alike brought up the powerful point that throughout his entire life, Fr. Welsh prayed the Suscipe.

Part of that beautiful prayer includes the words, “Take, Lord, and receive all my memory.” This prayer offers everything to God, including one’s memory. Fr. Welsh struggled with dementia in his later years, which led to memory loss. He prayed for that his entire life because he did not need his memory. He only needed God’s love and grace.

Fr. Welsh’s life on Earth lasted from June 30th, 1936 until August 30th, 2018, the day before the Mass of the Holy Spirit. He was eighty-two years old when he passed away in Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan. Although he may be gone from this world, he is most certainly alive with God in His eternal kingdom.