A Marauder returns to lead

At the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year, Jesuit High School will be welcoming its newest principal, Mr. Michael Wood ‘99, as he begins his tenure taking over the position from Mrs. Lorraine Paul.

Mr. Wood is currently serving as the Dean of Men at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, where he will be leaving to return to his alma mater.

While he may have graduated nearly 16 years ago, the Jesuit tradition has had a large impact on his life, well after his high school years.

“Jesuit High School has had a profound impact on my life. It has contributed to my success and has allowed me to integrate my spiritual life with my professional life. I enjoy that I get to work very hard at work that is worth doing,” said Mr. Wood.

Mr. Wood believes that service has been the most endearing quality of a Catholic education.

“Service is critical to a Jesuit education. Jesuit allows its students to experience what it means to serve while also instilling the importance of service into life after school,”  Mr. Wood said.

Dean of Students, Mr. Tim Kelly, enjoys seeing alumni return to Jesuit to continue working with the community.

“It’s nice that he is familiar with the community and the way that Jesuit works. It’s always nice to see former students come back and give back. I think that he will be a great addition to our staff. I have watched him speak to our faculty with a lot of enthusiasm and I am glad that he clearly understands our mission here,” said Mr. Kelly.

Mr. Wood has spent the majority of his life surrounded by a Jesuit education. As a student, a dean, and now a principal of a Jesuit institution, Ignatian Spirituality has had a significant influence on his life.

“Ignatian Spirituality reminds me to see God in all things. As I speak with faculty, parents, and students, I am confident that God is present in all that we do. It is truly a gift to work at a place like Jesuit High School,” said Mr. Wood.

As the school year comes to a close, it will mark a new beginning for Jesuit High School.  With the many new additions that have been introduced to the school, it will now be introduced to one more in Mr. Wood.  As a lifer of the Jesuit tradition, he will begin his newest term with Jesuit, this time as its next principal.