First woman principal named at Bishop Heelan

Father Patrick R. Walsh, President of the Catholic Schools of Sioux City, announced May 26 the hiring of Marilyn Blum to fill the position of principal at Bishop Heelan Catholic High School. Blum is the first woman principal in the history of Bishop Heelan Catholic High School.

"We are happy to welcome back a Heelan graduate as the new principal. Marilyn Blum has demonstrated a commitment and excitement about Catholic education. It has been a major part of her life and will contribute to building the future of Bishop Heelan. We look forward to her presence as a powerful force for academics and spirituality," said Walsh.

Blum is no stranger to the Catholic Schools. She attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and is a 1966 Bishop Heelan graduate. She earned her bachelor's degree from Briar Cliff University in 1970 and her Master of Arts in Elementary and Secondary Administration from Clarke College in 1999.

"I am a Crusader and always will be. I want every student who goes through Bishop Heelan to know and feel that also. Bishop Heelan has rich traditions in excellent academics, high standards and expectations, and service to others. My goal is to keep building on these traditions, so every student who is fortunate to go through Bishop Heelan High School experiences them," said Blum.

Blum has 30 years of experience in the education field teaching preschool through twelfth grade. She spent 15 teaching within the Catholic Schools of Sioux City, and has served at every grade school (Holy Cross, Mater Dei and Sacred Heart) in some capacity. In 2000 she was named technology coordinator for the system. Blum initiated and chaired the first technology committee for the Catholic Schools, as well as the creation of core knowledge technology skills for every grade. She also brought in the RenWeb database program that is used by the entire system, as well as parents.

In 2001 she became a principal. Blum was the principal of Sacred Heart for three years. In 2004 she became principal of Mater Dei School.

Many of the programs and committees in the Catholic Schools today were initiated by Blum: gender based classes, Spanish and interest clubs in the middle schools; accelerated reading and math; interdisciplinary units; liturgy committee; student life committee; and a campus ministry position for the grade school.

Blum and her husband Tim have three grown children, all Bishop Heelan graduates, and four grandchildren.