The Office of Catholic Education (OCE) and the Faith in the Future Foundation are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Thomas S. Fertal as the 3rd President of Cardinal O’Hara High School in Delaware County. Mr. Fertal will formally assume his responsibilities on June 1st. He succeeds Dr. William J. McCusker, President of Cardinal O’Hara since 2001, who previously announced his retirement would be effective at the end of the 2013-2014 academic year.

Mr. Fertal said, “I am humbled to have been selected as the leader of an institution with such a storied history as Cardinal O’Hara High School. From my interaction with representatives of the school, it is clear to me that there is a deep and genuine affinity for the school and for Catholic education within the O’Hara family. I look forward to the honor and the challenge of walking in the footsteps of the school’s first President and my former Bishop, the late Bishop Joseph McFadden, as well as continuing the excellent work of Dr. William J. McCusker in serving the students, staff and families of the Cardinal O’Hara community.”

Mr. Fertal joins Cardinal O’Hara after having served in various leadership roles in the Diocese of Harrisburg since 1996, including principal at Lancaster Catholic High School since 2010. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from the Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Restorative Practices and Education from the International Institute of Restorative Practices in Bethlehem (Lehigh County) and is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Leadership from Alvernia University in Reading (Berks County).

Mr. Casey Carter, Chief Executive Officer of the Faith in the Future Foundation said, “Tom’s tremendous personal leadership made all the difference in shaping Lancaster Catholic into the success story that it is today. We are just thrilled for the entire O’Hara community that Tom has agreed to join our team and bring all of his energy and enthusiasm for Catholic education to this great school. I can’t wait to see the great things he is going to bring to O’Hara.”

A devout Catholic, Mr. Fertal is a Charter member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 15028 in Elizabethtown (Lancaster County). He is also a three-time presenter at the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry on the topic of Catholic High School campus ministry/Catholic Identity and a two-time global presenter on the topic of leadership at the International Leadership Association and International Institute for Restorative Practices. Mr. Fertal and his wife of 19 years are the parents of six children.

# # #

Editor’s Note: For information about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.catholicschools-phl.org.

For information about the Faith in the Future Foundation please visit www.faithinthefuture.com

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747