St. Al. hires new principal

Published 10:43 am Thursday, May 14, 2015

IN CHARGE: After a lengthy search, Dr. Buddy Strickland has been named as the new St. Aloysius High School principal.

IN CHARGE: After a lengthy search, Dr. Buddy Strickland has been named as the new St. Aloysius High School principal.

 Dr. Buddy Strickland practices what he preaches.

Strickland is leaving retirement to become St. Aloysius’ next principal, bringing with him 42 years of educational experience in Mississippi schools.

Strickland, who served on the search committee set up to select St. Al’s new principal, said he had no desire to take on the position originally.

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“This was the farthest thing on my radar when I started this process,” he said. “I went on a retreat, and the seniors were talking to the underclassmen about service and what it really means.”

Strickland said the students talked about how Christ came to the world to serve not to be served.

At that point Strickland realized he had an obligation to practice the things he’s always preached, and since the committee had not been able to find a suitable candidate for the position, Strickland decided it was his turn to give back and serve.

“Everybody gets put in situations where they have to make choices about what’s best,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for me to use the talents I have and the things that I’ve done.”

Strickland, who has been volunteering and substitute teaching at the school during his retirement, said he already knows the faculty and students and he has a great respect for the three priests who work with the school.

“I have tremendous respect for this school, the students, the teachers and what its purpose is,” he said. “This is a unique place.”

Strickland pointed to the facts that more than 22 percent of graduating seniors scored 30 or higher on the ACT and the school had one of the two presidential scholars in the state as examples of the standout academics the school produces.

“This place is populated by very focused and talented young people, and that’s an attraction for me,” he said.

Strickland also complimented the faculty, saying the talent pool of the teachers was another draw for him.

“I celebrate the fact that we won four state championships at St. Aloysius, but as important as that is, with what we do academically, it’s not even in the same universe,” he said. “I’m so proud of what these kids do and the way they’re able to focus.”

Despite his numerous years of service, Strickland said the job is what still gives him energy.

“When you look at where I’ve been, you kind of figure I’ve got some snow on top of my head, and I do, but these kids make me feel young,” he said. “I may be 73 years old, but I feel like I’m 40 because of these kids.”

Strickland worked for the Vicksburg Warren School District for 24 years, where notably he built the model for Bowmar Elementary, a premier magnet school.

Additionally Strickland has served as the superintendent for both Cleveland Public Schools and Biloxi Public Schools, as headmaster of Indianola Academy and as a professor at Delta State University.

St. Aloysius interim principal Jules Michel said the school is in great shape in all aspects – academics, athletics, finances and facilities.

“It’s been an excellent year, and it’s been a pleasure to come out of retirement and to work here,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed working with the staff and implementing some changes this year.”

Michel said Strickland is a great leader with a proven track record through his public school work.

“Knowing Dr. Strickland before I came here, I feel like we’re a lot alike, and I feel he’ll do great things with his talent here at St. Aloysius,” he said.

Strickland’s local ties to the community he lives and works in will be a great asset to the school, Michel said.

“That’s my biggest drawback is that I don’t live here in the community,” he said. “I think that’s a great gain the school is going to be getting.”