William Geasor Wins National Distinguished Principal Award

Arlington, Va.—William Geasor, principal of Salve Regina Academy in Brooklyn, N.Y., will receive the 2012 Distinguished Principal Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).

Geasor will be honored at an awards ceremony during the association's annual convention April 11–13 in Boston, Mass.

A Catholic school principal for 34 years and an educator for 42 years, Geasor has spent his entire career in low-income Brooklyn neighborhoods. His focus is to "provide a high-quality Catholic education for any families that want this education for their children, regardless of the family income," he said.

Geasor's educational philosophy is to create an environment in which students can learn about the faith and traditions of the Catholic Church while appreciating religions practiced by those who are not Catholic.

Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Diocese of Brooklyn schools superintendent, used the word "commitment" to describe Geasor as an educator. "Bill is a trusted advisor among his colleagues and has been responsible for forming many future leaders of Catholic schools," Chadzutko said. "His commitment to Catholic education will be carried out for years to come."

Geasor is one of 11 principals nationwide who have earned NCEA's top award for principals this year. The following will also be honored:

• John Bennett, St. Aloysius Catholic School, Baton Rouge, La.
• Terry Chapman, Our Lady of the Visitation School, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Patricia Devanney, St. Anthony School, Winsted, Conn.
• Kimberly Hermsen, Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School, Dubuque, Iowa
• Mary Kilar, St. John the Baptist School, Whitewater, Wis.
• Sheila Martinez, Our Lady of Victory School, Washington, D.C.
• Nancy Matteo, St. Andrew School, Newtown, Pa.
• Kathleen Murphy, Corpus Christi School, Piedmont, Calif.
• Suzette Williams, Catholic School of St. Eugene, Oklahoma, Okla.
• Kathleen Wollan, Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School, St. Paul, Minn.

"Our award winners demonstrate inspirational leadership, dedication to academic excellence and a strong commitment to offering their communities quality, faith-based education," said Christian Brother Robert Bimonte, executive director of the NCEA Department of Elementary Schools. "These distinguished principals embody the very best of Catholic education in this country."

About the Convention
NCEA's annual convention—which draws educators, administrators, catechists, pastors and parents from throughout the nation—will offer informative sessions, liturgies and networking opportunities. The event at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center will also feature an exhibition of educational products and services from more than 300 companies.

Keynote speakers will include Father Ron Rolheiser, president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, and Dr. Mary McDonald, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Memphis, Tenn.

The convocation of the National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors and the annual meeting of the Catholic Library Association will take place concurrently with the NCEA convention.

NCEA, founded in 1904, is a professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching mission of the church. NCEA's members include elementary schools, high schools, parish religious education programs and seminaries.

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