St. Gertrude High School has named a new president. Photos by Katie Demeria.
A 93-year-old Richmond private school is preparing for new leadership as its president of 10 years retires.
St. Gertrude High School has appointed Renata Rafferty to become new president of the all-girls Catholic school on June 30, when current president Susan Walker leaves her role.
Located at 3215 Stuart Ave., St. Gertrude was founded in 1922 by the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, said Benedictine’s prioress Sister Cecilia Dwyer. The school currently has 262 students and a staff of 54.
Rafferty was chosen out of 20 other applicants, Dwyer said. She will come from another all-girls private Catholic high school in Ohio, the Magnificat High School.
“We want our young ladies to go forth and be strong leaders in the world, and she has a handle on that idea,” Dwyer said.
St. Gertrude just finished a fundraising effort for its new athletic facility.
The president’s role, Dwyer said, is not just within the building, but also out representing the school to the public, especially to donors. St. Gertrude also has two deans that lead the school academically.
Walker’s decision to retire comes just after the school completed a campaign to raise $2.8 million for the construction of a new outdoor facility at 490 Scott Road. The facility includes fields for soccer, softball, field hockey and lacrosse, as well as tennis courts.
“It just seems like the school is in a great place, and it’s a great time for someone to come in and take over and take the next steps,” Walker said.
Rafferty has a strong background in fundraising that Walker said will be useful in preparing the school for the future.
The school, which includes grades 9 through 12, does not provide the cost to operate on a yearly basis, Walker said. Tuition for the 2014-15 school year was $15,200 per student.
The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia’s monastery is in Bristow. In addition to St. Gertrude, it also supports Linton Hall School in Bristow.
St. Gertrude High School has named a new president. Photos by Katie Demeria.
A 93-year-old Richmond private school is preparing for new leadership as its president of 10 years retires.
St. Gertrude High School has appointed Renata Rafferty to become new president of the all-girls Catholic school on June 30, when current president Susan Walker leaves her role.
Located at 3215 Stuart Ave., St. Gertrude was founded in 1922 by the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, said Benedictine’s prioress Sister Cecilia Dwyer. The school currently has 262 students and a staff of 54.
Rafferty was chosen out of 20 other applicants, Dwyer said. She will come from another all-girls private Catholic high school in Ohio, the Magnificat High School.
“We want our young ladies to go forth and be strong leaders in the world, and she has a handle on that idea,” Dwyer said.
St. Gertrude just finished a fundraising effort for its new athletic facility.
The president’s role, Dwyer said, is not just within the building, but also out representing the school to the public, especially to donors. St. Gertrude also has two deans that lead the school academically.
Walker’s decision to retire comes just after the school completed a campaign to raise $2.8 million for the construction of a new outdoor facility at 490 Scott Road. The facility includes fields for soccer, softball, field hockey and lacrosse, as well as tennis courts.
“It just seems like the school is in a great place, and it’s a great time for someone to come in and take over and take the next steps,” Walker said.
Rafferty has a strong background in fundraising that Walker said will be useful in preparing the school for the future.
The school, which includes grades 9 through 12, does not provide the cost to operate on a yearly basis, Walker said. Tuition for the 2014-15 school year was $15,200 per student.
The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia’s monastery is in Bristow. In addition to St. Gertrude, it also supports Linton Hall School in Bristow.