From the Headmaster |
fall/winter 2019
PERSPECTIVE WE DO NOT HAVE ANY WRITINGS OF SAINT NORBERT, WHO LIVED FROM 1080 TO 1134. We have only reconstructed histories of Norbert, assembled
by his early followers and interpreted by theologians and Norbertine scholars over the centuries. Tom Kunkel, President Emeritus of Saint Norbert College, completed the most recent compilation of Norbert’s life and interpretation of his spirituality in his book, Man on Fire: The Life and Spirit of Nobert of Xanten. (Saint Norbert College Press, 2019) In it, he characterizes Norbert as a “wanderprediger,” a German term for an itinerant preacher who emulated the austere lives of the apostles, John the Baptist, and Jesus himself. Kunkel writes that for two years Norbert practiced fasting and self-deprecation, and adopted a strict regimen of daily prayer. From this lifestyle, Norbert grew in purpose, strength, and conviction to realize his vision of reform in the Church that developed into the community of Norbertine priests, brothers, and sisters. His deep faith, combined with his skills of oration, arbitration, adaptability, and empathy made him an effective leader, so much so that Norbert was appointed Bishop of Magdeburg after founding the Norbertine Order at Premontre years earlier in 1120. Beginning with the new liturgical year – Advent, 2020, through the following year, 2021, when, on Christmas Day in 1121, the members of the first Norbertine community at Premontre professed their vows and became officially recognized by the Church – we will be celebrating the 900th anniversary of the founding of the Premonstratentian (Norbertine) Order. At Archmere, we have been preparing for this event for the last two years by breaking open the Academy’s leader’s ability to develop a vision for the school, three-sentence mission statement, focusing on one sentence each year, and, Sergiovanni believed. His paradigms of symbolic from that, developing new strategic initiatives for the Academy. We are left with and cultural leadership were substantiated by the last sentence this school year, which is, “Inspired by its heritage, Archmere these and case studies developed independently cultivates empathetic leaders – young men and women prepared for every good by his contemporaries including Gardner (1990), work.” We believe that our students are formed as leaders in a unique way, Mitchell (1990), and Steere (1996). influenced by our Norbertine foundation In addition, the body of work that is modeled after the vision of Saint produced by Catholic educational Norbert and embraces the spirit and rigor “Inspired by its heritage, scholars supported the concepts of of the man. Archmere cultivates the effectiveness of a cultural and LEADERSHIP empathetic leaders – young symbolic leader. Sergiovanni defines the symbolic Let’s first consider the idea of developing men and women prepared leader as one who models selected, leaders. Leadership has been studied for every good work.” important goals and behaviors, extensively over the years, and in particular, who communicates well and within education, many have added to often, encouraging new ideas, and the academic conversation about creating emphasizes an open dialog. A symbolic leader is effective leaders. In the late 20th century, Thomas Sergiovanni developed an one who is considered to “think outside the box,” educational model in which he proposes five leadership forces “to bring about or one who “breaks the mold.” I cannot help but or preserve changes needed to improve schooling.” (Leadership and Excellence in consider Saint Norbert such a leader – one who Schooling, 1984, p. 4) These forces are technical, human, educational, symbolic, saw a fresh, new, and reformed vision of religious and cultural. He added that symbolic and cultural forces were most critical to life; shaped, molded, and lived it during his an educational leader’s success. Mastery of these forces is directly related to a 2
THE ARCHMEREAN
FALL / WINTER 2019
