Pat Reilly to Lead Marian Catholic High School Board of Directors;
Dave Bielen ’69, P ’91, GP ’24 to serve as Vice Chair
Patrick Reilly, P ’99, ’02, ’11 of Jim Thorpe will once again serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Marian Catholic High School for the 2023-24 school year. Reilly’s leadership comes at an important time as Marian continues to work on a new strategic vision focused on preserving and re-imaging Catholic education in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties for generations.
“I am humbled to be elected as Board Chair for the 2023-24 school year, honored to work with our dedicated Board, and proud to represent the Board in this capacity”, said Reilly. “I will continue our mission of ensuring Marian Catholic High School is a Catholic school where student success is at the forefront of our decision-making”, Reilly went on to say.
Michael Brennan ‘06, Head of School, commented, “We are very fortunate to have Pat serve Marian in the capacity as Board Chair. Over the past two decades, he has devoted his expertise in finance and planning, time, and attention to the financial health of Marian and we are in a strong position due to his efforts. He has worked closely with me over the last three years, and we both share the same vision for Marian. Pat cares deeply about providing the same opportunities that were afforded his three daughters when they attended Marian.”
“I am incredibly impressed with the ever-increasing quality of the Marian Board of Directors. Our Board has attracted individuals from a wide variety of relevant disciplines including law, finance, marketing, fundraising, and facilities. This, in combination with the extraordinary leadership from Michael Brennan ’06 and his administrative team, provide a tremendous foundation to support Marian Catholic High School’s plans for long-term substantiality and viability”, Reilly concluded.
“We have an extraordinary Board and I am honored to serve in this role”, said Dave Bielen ’69, P ’91, GP ’24 of Tamaqua (Hometown), Vice Chair of the Board. “I am a strong believer in the gift of Catholic education and the advantage of a faith-filled learning environment,” stated Bielen,
In addition to Reilly and Bielen, other officers for the 2023-24 school year are Sr. Rose Mulligan, IHM ’84 as Secretary and Bill Stulginsky ‘69 as Treasurer.
Committee Chairs for the 2023-24 school year are Leo Marzen ’79, Governance and Nominating Committee, Bill Stulginsky ’69, Finance Committee; Larry Furey ’79, Advancement Committee; Dan La Bert ‘91, Facilities Committee and Patrick Boyle ’03, Enrollment Management Committee.
Marian Catholic High School is a Catholic secondary school under the ownership of the Diocese of Allentown and is governed by the Board of Directors under the leadership of Patrick Reilly, P ’99, ’02, ‘11. Other members of the Board for this school year include Dave Bielen ’69, P ’91, GP ’24 (Tamaqua); Patrick Boyle ’03 (Jenkintown, PA); Rev. Robert Finlan (Barnesville); Larry Furey ’79 (Naples, FL); Dan La Bert ’93 (Broadlands, VA), John Lavelle, Esq. ’81 (Bryn Mawr, PA), Leo V. Marzen ‘79, CFA, CPA, CFP (Stamford, CT); Maria Montero ’94, P ’13 (Easton, PA), Sr. Rose Mulligan, IHM ’84 (Malvern PA); Erin O’Gurek, Esq. ’03 (Wayne, PA); Jim Sauka ’66, P ’93, ’94, ’96, ’00 (Nesquehoning); Leo Schilling ’57 (Tamaqua), Ashley Shickora ‘03 (Glastonbury, CT) and Bill Stulginsky ’69 (Newton Square, PA).
Marian Catholic High School opened in September 1954 and has graduated more than 8,000 students, now living in all 50 states and abroad. The school also calls alumni from the four predecessor high schools, Saint Ann’s High School in Lansford, Saint Mary’s High School in Coaldale, Saint Jerome’s High School in Tamaqua, and Mauch Chunk Catholic High School in Jim Thorpe as its own.
Marian Catholic High School opened its 70th school year in September with an enrollment of nearly 285 students in grades nine to twelve. The enrollment this school year increased by 14%.