Faculty and staff dig deep in the Golden Shovel Initiative
A faculty-conceived and faculty-directed effort to encourage faculty support of the Defining Moment campaign, the Golden Shovel Initiative has raised more than $68,000 from STA faculty and staff. But that’s not all.
When teachers Dean Simmons (social studies) and Mark Westlake (science) conceived the idea for the initiative, they asked the Advancement staff if there was a member of the community who might be willing to match donated funds. A generous parent came forward and offered $100,000 to match 100% faculty participation, rather than matching total dollars raised.
With that incentive, the initiative raised more than $168,000 in less than 30 days, including the benefactor’s matching gift.
“I knew that I was going to make a personal donation to the campaign at some point so I thought, why wait?” said Simmons. “Mark and I thought of a way to move up the time frame for colleagues to give and as a result, the show of support by faculty and staff has been tremendous. The initiative will be enhanced if the campaign receives additional gifts that wouldn’t have otherwise been received.”
Westlake added: “We are on the verge of a campus expansion that, in terms of size and scope, is exceeded only by the original construction of our current campus. We as faculty members can play a significant role in helping to move this project forward; our support of the capital campaign is an affirmation of our commitment to STA and its promising future.”
According to Simmons and Westlake, the ‘golden shovel’ name was chosen to symbolize the need to get the construction started. “Our idea was that by achieving 100% participation, the faculty could ‘buy’ the shovel that will be used in the groundbreaking ceremony next year, and we accomplished that,” Simmons said.
“I contributed to the Golden Shovel campaign because of my love for STA, and my desire to help improve the facilities for the next generation of cadets.”
Pat Callahan, English Department Chair and coach
“Through the Golden Shovel campaign, the administrators, faculty and staff of this institution have demonstrated their commitment to the capital campaign. As employees, we are determined to see this project through to completion. I am excited and honored to play a part in this effort!”
LTC Mike DePuglio, USA (Ret), Commandant of Cadets
“The boys’ dedication and high-spirited energy flow through every dimension of their lives, from academics, athletics, theater, music, speech, debate, journalism, chess and in fact, all their clubs. They carry this love of life to others in their service projects, food drives and gift giving. I am inspired by their amazing combination of competition and compassion; how could I not support them?”
Jane Doyle, Theology teacher
“As an instructor in the Military Department, I strive to lead by example in as many ways possible. Contributing to the Golden Shovel campaign is a clear way to demonstrate my commitment to this institution as a teacher as well as my belief and trust in it as a parent. It is with these gifts that we allow future generations to experience the same opportunities that we benefit from and treasure as well.”
CW3 Kim Friede, Military/Leadership teacher
“I chose to contribute because it is one way to signal my commitment to the Academy. Also, I am eager to begin building for the desperately needed space this updated facility will provide for academics, fine arts, and co-curriculars.”
Dr. Celeste Heidelberger, Dean of Academics and Fine Arts Department Chair
“I chose to contribute to the campaign because I see it as a way to show that I am committed to STA. Working here is not just a job I go to, it’s not a temporary employment until ‘something better’ comes along. I wear my shovel (when I remember!) because I want others to know how proud I am to be here and that I am dedicated to teaching at STA.”
Sonya Jaworski, Science teacher
“I contributed to the Golden Shovel campaign because I love my job. I love teaching at STA and getting to know the students and families. I look forward to my sons’ getting to benefit from the STA community.”
Tony Kinzley, Science teacher and coach
“I have been in this building since 1985 – first as a student and now as a teacher. I have seen teachers and coaches have to ‘make due’ with less year after year. Be it outdated classrooms or quality activity space, one cannot deny that our facilities are lacking compared to virtually every school around. The bottom line is our boys deserve better and now is our best opportunity to make it happen. I gave to the Golden Shovel campaign for the same reason that I have given to other causes here... I believe in what we do here at Saint Thomas Academy and that we can do even better in the future.”
Tom Klein ’89, Social Studies teacher and coach
“I chose to contribute to the Golden Shovel campaign because I really love teaching at Saint Thomas Academy and see this as a long-term investment in my students.”
Caroline Little, French teacher
“When given the opportunity to give to the Golden Shovel campaign, I jumped at the chance to give back. I have worked at STA since 2006 and have seen the issues with trying to register students for classes every year. When we work on the master schedule, we have to make compromises in the classes offered as well as the time of classes due to the lack of space and facilities available. Giving to the campaign gives us the chance to provide the opportunities that current and future students should be able to have in their academics. I also contributed because my family has been blessed to have our son graduate from STA in 2010. Because of the great education he received, he was given a scholarship to college and Air Force ROTC. My husband also graduated from the Academy in 1983 and my father from the Military Academy in 1940. What better way to say thank you, than to give back to the institution that gave them their great start?”
Toni Marie O’Daniel, Registrar and Assistant to the College Counselor
“I think the Golden Shovel campaign is a sign to the greater STA community that the teachers here consider our work as a vocation, and deeply care about our current and future students and families.”
Joe Seidel, Theology teacher
“I love STA and want the best for our students. I supported the Golden Shovel campaign for two reasons – the first being the importance of integrating technology into the classroom. Simple things like power supply and lighting become important when you realize you are dealing with a 46-year-old building. The technology you want to use is being restricted by insufficient power and lighting sources. Space is important for the boys to move around. Today’s desks don’t fit into old classrooms and the boys feel cramped. The second reason the campaign is important to me is that as a coach, I realize the athletes need more room to train. I look forward to a larger weight room and training area. Right now, 65 swimmers are completing their dry land training in the court. The expanded facilities would give them a safer place to train.”
Erick Westerback ’82, Mathematics teacher and coach
“I was very excited when Mark Westlake and Dean Simmons presented this idea to the faculty. We are desperately in need an activity center not only for athletics, but also for the music programs and remodeled math and science areas to bring the school and its facilities into the 21st century. I felt that donating to this cause was something I needed to do to show my support of the activity center, but also join with my colleagues in a joint effort to better our students’ lives here at the Academy. We need this to attract new students and to also make the experience of our present students better. The real bottom line is that our students deserve something like this; the project is very worthwhile and deserves the support of the faculty. The money raised was way beyond my expectations and I am proud to be a member of this group who gave so willingly.”
Dave Ziebarth, Social Studies teacher and coach
Department Chairs, as representatives of the faculty and staff, are pictured with Golden Shovel Initiative creators Mark Westlake and Dean Simmons. Pictured L-R are Pat Callahan (English), Dr. Lori Pearce (Science), Bill McCarthy (Health/Physical Education), Mark Westlake, Kevin Zenner (Theology), Dean Simmons (Social Studies), Mitch Taraschi (World Language), LTC Mike DePuglio (Military) and Dr. Celeste Heidelberger (Fine Arts). Not pictured are Erick Westerback (Mathematics), John Geroux (Media Technology) and Steve Bjork (Counseling).
