St. Rita of Cascia High School Names New Head of School and CEO

CHICAGO, May 22, 2016 – St. Rita of Cascia High School has tapped a new CEO to lead the storied Catholic boys high school.

Fr. Paul W.Galetto, O.S.A., Ph.D., has been named Head of School and CEO effective July 1. Fr. Galetto will be responsible for the overall leadership and direction of the Catholic college-preparatory school for young men.

“We are excited to have Father Paul assume the leadership of St. Rita. He brings with him a wealth of experience, energy and passion for Catholic, Augustinian education,” the Very Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D., said in a news release. “He joins a team of dedicated administrators, faculty and staff who have done an excellent job advancing college and career opportunities for young men at St. Rita, while preserving the Augustinian philosophy and spirituality.”

Prior to this appointment, Fr. Galetto served as the assistant dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova University and was previously the president of St. Augustine Prep School in Richland, NJ, for 14 years. His doctorate was educational administration with a focus on assisting faculty in their mission as Catholic educators. Fr. Galetto said carrying on the mission of Catholic education would continue to be a top priority.

“I am very much looking forward to being a partner with the administration and faculty of St. Rita High Schoo,” Galetto said in a written statement. “My years of teaching have taught me that I love working with students and their families; when they succeed, we all succeed. I can't wait to get started.”

Fr. Scianna, the Augustinian Prior Provincial and current chairman of St. Rita’s Board of Directors, and a 1983 alumnus of the school, said the appointment is part of succession plan that has been two years in the making to broaden the leadership team in the Augustinian tradition.

Fr. Galetto assumes the leadership role from Ernie Mrozek, a 1971 St. Rita alumnus, who has served with distinction as president the last four years. He will now resume his former role as chairman of the board.

Fr. Scianna also announced the following additional appointments:

• Mike Zunica to President and Chief Advancement Officer, with specific responsibilities for Advancement, Admissions and Athletics. He brings 20 years of experience to his expanded role at St. Rita.
• Fr. Richie Mercado, O.S.A., to director of Augustinian Mission and Chaplain. He will be newly ordained as of June 10.

Principal Brendan Conroy, who Fr. Scianna praised as doing an excellent job leading innovation and change at the school, will continue in that role.

Scianna said these appointments build on numerous positive developments at St. Rita over the last several years. During that time, St. Rita has raised and invested nearly $5 million to further enhance the facilities on its 35-acre campus, with more improvements in the planning stages. The school’s leadership has also developed a comprehensive strategic plan that is guiding further improvements in all areas of the school. Academically, the school has expanded technology in the classrooms, initiated plans for a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program and added college-credit courses.

St. Rita students continue to increase the amount of college scholarships earned with last year’s class of 181 graduates earning a record of more than $17.6 million in scholarships and the current class is said to be trending to do even better, according to a school news release.

St. Rita of Cascia High School was founded in 1905 is a Catholic college preparatory school for young men, rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the tradition of St. Augustine, following the Augustinian philosophy of education.

Source: St. Rita of Cascia High School