New administrators to lead diocesan schools

August 21, 2003

Six new school administrators will be leading Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City this year.

New administrators include: Sister Delores Marie Hannon, RSM, president of St. Edmond Schools in Fort Dodge; James Kobus, dean of students and assistant principal at Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City; Mary Ellen Nilson, principal of Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Fonda and Pocahontas Catholic; Dr. Thomas Tacheny, superintendent of Kuemper Catholic School System, Carroll; Terry N. Tomke, principal of Bishop Heelan High School; and Father Patrick Walsh, president of Catholic Schools of Sioux City.

Sister Delores Hannon most recently served as the vice president of Sisters of Mercy in Cedar Rapids. Prior to that she served as principal at St. Joseph School in Marion; Sacred Heart School in Oelwein, Iowa; Our Lady of Grace School, Edina, Minn. and St. Matthew School, Kalispell, Mont. She also has six years of full-time teaching experience.

"I am excited to be part of the system and to learn about this system. My main short-term focus is to listen, observe and be present. I want us to continue to develop as a faith community as ministers in education," she said. "I have been very encouraged and welcomed by the St. Edmond family. I am pleased to be involved in a system where people have so much pride in an organization."

Sister Delores earned a master's in education from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls and a bachelor's from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids.

At a recent staff meeting she mentioned that St. Edmond's is to be "centered in Christ, centered in students and centered in outrageous hope."

James Kobus served as the assistant principal and activities director at Albia High School, principal at Lisbon High School and was the assistant principal and coach at Storm Lake High School. He also was a teacher and coach at Dallas Center-Grimes High School, Melcher-Dallas High School and Grapevine High School, Texas.

"I am very excited to be part of the Bishop Heelan Catholic High School staff. It has long been a desire of mine to work in an educational environment where the mind, the body and the spirit are developed," he said. "The reputation for excellence, that Heelan enjoys, is well known, and I am most honored to have joined the Heelan family."

Kobus earned his master's in education at Drake University and bachelor's at William Penn College.

Mary Ellen Nilson has served as principal at St. Philip's Catholic in Litchfield, Minn. and Christ the King in Breda and Mount Carmel. She has taught at schools in Graettinger and Armstrong as well as at St. Philip's, Litchfield.

"I have never felt so appreciated for saying 'yes,' to signing a contract. The priests, Father Hart and Father Kollasch, have cordially welcomed me. Marcia and Wanda, the secretaries, have been very gracious and helpful. The parents and teachers have been so extremely thankful and friendly that I have come to minister with them."

Nilson earned a master's at Iowa State University, a bachelor's degree at St. Cloud State University and paraprofessional Degree from Briar Cliff.

"Previewing the annual progress reports of OLGC and Pocahontas Catholic strengthens my belief about the continuing proficiency attained by students in Catholic schools. Catholic education provides a positive, vigorous learning environment for students in parish schools," she said.

Dr. Thomas Tacheny previously served as a superintendent in Catholic schools systems for nine years. He was a principal at a secondary school for 10 years and teacher/guidance counselor in Catholic secondary schools for six years.

"I was attracted to Kuemper Catholic Schools because of that community's efforts over the past few years to unify their schools and to make the commitment for a dynamic future for a new unified system," he said. "It was obvious to me that the pastors and the Catholics in the Carroll area valued their Catholic school heritage and wanted it to continue. It was also evident that the faculty and staff are dedicated and offering excellent academic and spiritual programs for the students. I hope to use my training and experience to enable this community to realize its vision for the schools and the new system."

Tacheny earned a doctorate in educational administration and his master's in guidance and counseling at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Mo. He earned a bachelor's degree through studies at Marquette University in Milwaukee and St. Louis University.

"I am motivated by the important role Catholic schools continue to have in the teaching mission of the church," he said. "I see the schools as important anchors for total Catholic education in the diocese. I know that many Catholic parents want the academic and spiritual foundations that quality Catholic schools offer their children, and I am motivated by their willingness to make the financial commitment for their children.

"During my years in Catholic schools, it has been the family spirit and the dedicated, united efforts of faculty, parents, students, alumni and supporters that have been the most satisfying aspects of my career in education."

Terry Tomke has served for 15 years as a school administrator and 10 years as a classroom teacher and coach in the following school districts: Sumner, Dows, WACO, MOC-Floyd Valley, Burlington and West Liberty.

"This is an exciting opportunity for professional and personal growth," he said. "The Sioux City Catholic School 'family' offers an excellent education for their students and it is my hope to be a contributing member of the family."

Tomke earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a master's of education in school administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

"I believe that Catholic education is important," said Tomke. "Bishop Heelan High School is one part of an outstanding Catholic educational system in the Midwest. It has earned this respect by creating a God-centered environment and atmosphere where the 'Heelan family' develops respect and concern for not only ourselves, but others through the knowledge of family values and morals, a curriculum with high expectations that fosters self-discipline, service to church and society, and by the living out of our faith along with Gospel values."

Father Patrick Walsh most recently served as president, principal and instructor at St. Edmond High School in Fort Dodge. He also served as a teacher and guidance counselor at Heelan High School and Kuemper High School.

"I look forward to this opportunity to serve the Catholic Schools of Sioux City and the challenges that go with this position," he said.

Father Walsh earned a master's in education administration at the University of Dayton, a master's in theology at Aquinas Institute of Theology, a master's in guidance at Creighton University and a bachelor's in philosophy at Loras College.

"Catholic schools have the unique opportunity to train young women and men to take their place in the church community and the larger community," he said. "Catholic education is called to teach Jesus and church traditions, to involve students in service and worship and to experience community. In addition, I believe that we have to work to guide academic excellence at all levels. Catholic schools are called to carry on Catholic values and beliefs from one generation to the next and to assist parents, the primary educators of their children, in teaching their children."