People, Programs and Physical Plant

A number of schools in our area have, thanks to public bond money, built some tremendous facilities.  Troy High, Clarkston, Hartland are just a few examples of institutions that are exceptionally impressive physically.

How has Brother Rice thrived over the years despite facilities that have (at least historically) been considered at best mediocre? I question if any Rice grad from the 60's or 70's or 80's would defend our building....frankly, there wasn't much to brag about until the late 80's addition of the new media center and D wing. 

As President, one of my most important tasks is to raise funds to rebuild and renovate our soon to be 50 year old building.  We've made great progress - the academic facility has been reborn with the science & engineering wing left to complete, while the athletic facility has been reborn with the gym/locker room complex remaining.

If I had 10 million in cash today, we could finish the renovation and Brother Rice would compete with ANY school in the area in terms of the physical plant.  But it wouldn't ensure that we would be successful because the fact is that without the right people and programs, it doesn't matter. 

Al Fracassa has told the story many times about the college coaches who would visit Brother Rice and ask him to show them our facilities.  When coach walked them to the back of the school to see the field, they would frequently say to him - seriously, show us your facility.  I'm not proud of the fact that for years our great school has had mediocre facilities, but I am extraordinarily proud of the fact that we have triumphed over what many would see as an debilitating obstacle because we have had so many great teachers and coaches and counselors over the past 50 years whose commitment to the mission of Catholic education has made an incredible difference in the lives of over 9,000 graduates.

This year, five faculty members have chosen to retire from our institution: Veronica Dewey, Rachel Boudreau, Lorraine Meier, Jerry Shaw, George Henretty.  These individuals have given over 115 years of professional dedication to the boys of Brother Rice.  We are forever grateful for their efforts on behalf of Catholic education, and we are absolutely mindful that finding the right people to fill their positions is critical to our success as an institution.  Study after study shows that its not the physical plant that matters most, its the people who work with our sons who can shape and mold and transform and sometimes even save lives.

May the good Lord bless our retirees who have dedicated their lives to such a noble endeavor.