HOS Announcement - Jan 2016

Exciting News Regarding our Next Head of School January 2016

Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends of the La Lumiere School Community, The La Lumiere School Board of Trustees is excited to ring in a new year, and we joyfully announce the unanimous decision to appoint Adam Kronk as the next Head of School effective July 1, 2016.

Adam impressed many who met him as the embodiment of effective school leadership for the La Lumiere community. He brings extensive leadership experience in both education and nonprofit organizations in the Midwest to the School. Since 2011, Adam has led the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership in the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.

Adam earned a Master of Nonprofit Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, both summa cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame. He began his career in the classroom, teaching English at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy. He then worked as the Director of Campus Ministry Outreach in Europe for the University of Notre Dame before returning to South Bend and serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Center for the Homeless. There he met his wife, Jacqueline, and after working together for five years, they moved to Southeast Asia to help lead PEPY, an international organization working to improve access to quality education in rural Cambodia. Adam and Jacqueline have two young boys, Sorin and Leo, and are eager for their family to join the vibrant community on campus.

The Search Committee’s deliberations throughout the process were guided by the thoughtfully crafted Leadership Profile developed last spring with broad participation from the La Lumiere School community. This profile aligns well with qualities Adam brings to La Lumiere, including: • A highly-effective communicator with a charismatic and engaging style • A delegator who supports and inspires staff and others to do their jobs • A collaboratively-minded leader who naturally looks to blend consensus and innovation • An interactive leader who seeks opportunities to connect meaningfully with high school students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and others • A leader with an eye for hiring promising talent with clear and creative purpose • A family-oriented leader who, along with his family, will appreciate the many benefits and opportunities of living in northwest Indiana The Board of Trustees would like to thank the entire La Lumiere School community for its active participation in this comprehensive and thorough process. We are all exceedingly thankful for our incredibly engaged and supportive La Lumiere community and know that Adam’s exuberance and commitment to character will match this community’s passion and vision.

In the coming months, we will be able to get to know Adam better as he plans periodic visits to the School to acquaint himself further with our culture and operations — as well as our faculty, administration, parents, students, and alumni.

We are enthusiastic about the future and committed to working closely in the months ahead to ensure a smooth transition.

For now, let us happily welcome Adam and his family to our own extended La Lumiere family.

Regards,

Mark Leyden ’77 Chair, Board of Trustees

Connie Falcone ’83

Vice Chair, Board of Trustees Chair, Search Committee

Adam Kronk, Head of School Select It didn’t take much time on campus to realize what a treasure La Lumiere School is.

As seniors Karalyn and Jake walked me through the wooded grounds the morning of my visit—describing the life of a Laker, offering glimpses into classrooms, and passing peers absorbed either in the pages of a book or the heat of an epic Spikeball match—something struck me. The students are comfortable here.

They have permission to be themselves.

But it’s more than that. The young women and men I encountered looked me in the eye, shook my hand, initiated and carried conversations, offering their thoughts with appropriate confidence.

They impressed me immediately with their poise and maturity.

Something special goes on here, and it’s no accident: the faculty’s talent is surpassed only by its devotion. The exceptional education

Jacqueline, Leo, Adam, and Sorin

James Moore envisioned in the first days of La Lumiere is indeed happening here thanks to the teachers, staff, parents, trustees, students, and alumni who pour themselves into this place and make it what it truly is: a family.

You already know these things. I mention them now so that you’ll believe me when I convey my gratitude for the privilege to help lead your beloved school. It’s a responsibility I do not take lightly. And I acknowledge that when my tenure as Head of School begins next July, I’ll be standing on the shoulders of giants—my predecessors have forged an extraordinary institution and each of you has played a vital role. I invite your continued support and involvement in writing the next chapter of La Lumiere’s unique story.

As we head into 2016, thankfulness comes particularly easily to our family. Jacqueline and I are thrilled to be joining this community and look forward to raising Sorin, Leo, and their newest brother or sister (slated to arrive in late June) in this one-of-a-kind environment. In the meantime, Charlie Clark, the Board of Trustees, and I are hard at work to make the transition seamless.

Yours faithfully,

Adam Kronk

Search Committee Members Mrs. Meg Caplice, alumna and parent Mrs. Johanna Miller, former faculty member Mr. Mark Leyden, alumnus Mr. Victor Smith, alumnus and parent Mrs. Ceil Tristano, parent Mr. Dan Walsh, Jr., alumnus

Board of Trustees Meg (Linnen) Caplice ’81, P’10, ’12, ’14, ’17, ’19, Michigan City, Ind. Rick-jan Dekker P’13, ’14, La Porte, Ind. Connie Devers Falcone ’83, Wilmette, Ill. Mary Jane Eisenhauer, P’16, ’18, Beverly Shores, Ind. Dan Hillenbrand ’84, Chicago Jim Kaminski P’08, ’10, La Porte, Ind. Dan Kerrigan ’80, Honolulu, Hawaii Mark Leyden ’77, Chair, Indianapolis Johanna Miller, Michigan City, Ind. John Rumely ’69, New York John Schirger ’84, Mission Hills, Kan. Victor Smith ’86, P’18, Indianapolis Kevin Sullivan ’83, Carmel, Ind. Bridget (Adam) Van Eekeren ’88, P’13, ’16, ’17, Western Springs, Ill. Daniel P. Walsh, Jr. ’95, Chicago Rev. Wayne F. Watts, Chicago H. David Wood ’77, P’18, Scottsdale, Ariz.

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