PRESS ROOM

Editorial Column
August 28, 2009

Greetings alumni and friends of Bishop Noll Institute, classes are in full swing at 1519 Hoffman St and the start of another year of Catholic education has been a busy one.

Aside from our new assistant principal, Michael McGrone, Sr., eight new faculty and staff members joined the Noll family this year. All teachers, from the veterans to first year faculty have started their lessons plans and are teaching our young adults –welcome to Noll!  

In other academic news, Noll parents had the opportunity to meet with their student(s) teachers at the annual parent walk-around held on Thursday August 20.  Parents were issued their student(s) schedules and were invited to visit each classroom to meet with teachers and learn about the expectation of students during the school year. Parents also met with the school’s administration at Parent Orientation on Monday, Aug 24. Presentations were given by members of the Institutional Advancement team, Finance Department, and Guidance Department. Additionally, parents met the new Assistant Principal, Michael McGrone. Thank you to all our parents - for all you do and the sacrifices you make for a Noll education. Your support is the backbone of the success we achieve at Noll.

BNI alumnus David Pelka, ’61 has established a brand new scholarship in memory of his high school physics teacher – Sister Scholastica.  Pelka contacted BNI in May offering a single full scholarship for our most outstanding Math & Science student who was going to be a junior or senior.  This would be the first full scholarship offered here at Noll.  The scholarship parameters were established for the first Sister Scholastica Scholarship and then Pelka evaluated several submissions.  After several conversations and meetings with the advancement department, Pelka flew in to interview the finalists assisted by his classmate Larry Brandt ’61 and our Director of Institutional Advancement – Lisa Woodruff.

The three finalists were put through an interview that included math questions which were used to illuminate how the young person’s mind worked at problem solving.  Pelka was clearly impressed by all three finalists and struggled to choose who would be the beneficiary of his generosity. His decision was to expand his offer - one student received a full scholarship while the other two received half scholarships.  The recipients for the 2009-10 academic year are: Mary Bucki – full, Michelle Kasper and Rose Mullaney - half. Congratulations to our recipients!

In other news, the annual Reach for the Stars car raffle is in full swing.. There are many prizes that you can win. All monies go to support student programs. Please call Noll’s Advancement Office for more information on this exciting raffle.

Attention all alumni and friends, mark your calendars for the annual BNI Homecoming Tailgate on Friday, October 9. This annual event brings alumni and friends from all over the country back to Noll. Come by and see old friends and make new ones. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $15 which includes beverages and food for the night. Event begins after our Homecoming Football game. Come out and show your Warrior pride at this much anticipated event of the year.

On a personal note, I would like to take this time and bid farewell to my boss, Lisa Woodruff, the school’s Director of Institutional Advancement. Lisa will begin a new chapter in her professional life with a new job that combines her passion for the performing arts and fund raising. I worked with Lisa for the past two years and gained a lot of knowledge in fundraising, public relations, marketing and alumni relations. She has done so much for Noll and has raised the bar in the school’s fundraising efforts during her tenure – God bless and good luck in all you do – you will be missed!

If you would like additional information, on how you can help contact a member of Noll's Advancement team at 219.932.9058.

BACK TO PRESS ROOM