CMH Associate Principal Farrell to Retire

Some press releases - and we editors get a lot of them - make you pause, and say, "really?"

Such was the case when I received this one from Catholic Memorial High School (CMH) in Waukesha, which has served many students opting for private high school in Muskego and throughout the area. Mr. Patrick Farrell, Associate Principal for Student Life, will retire effective January 1, 2013, after more than forty years of service to the CMH family.

Students and alumni like me just knew him as 'Farrell.' He is that guy that perhaps never taught you in the class room, but was nevertheless an influence on your experience in high school. And his was always a good influence.

"Mr. Farrell came to CMH as an English teacher in the fall of 1972.  During his tenure he has served as a teacher, coach, administrator, and advocate for students.  With tremendous dedication to, and the most sincere concern for, the well-being and success of all students, Pat has recently begun to impact a third generation of students from the same families," according to the release.

He was the Dean of Discipline during my four years at Memorial and students who were called into his office generally weren't summoned for good behavior. However, he could reach everyone on their level and more importantly, get through to them, usually with a good dose of humor to go along.

His final semester and beyond will be dedicated to the continued growth and success of CMH’s new Academic Resource Center and the soon-to-be- established Learning Commons. No doubt he will continue to work with the school in many other ventures as well, because many of us CMH 'family' know you never really leave, or perhaps more accurately, it never really leaves you.

I hope he returns in May of 2013 to wish the graduating class his best and allow another goodbye from them, because may daughter will be one of those tipping her graduation cap to him.