Dear Saint Ursula Community,
We have some long-time employees who will be wrapping up their time at SUA at the end of the year. We are grateful for their time and contributions at SUA and wanted to share these updates with you. Please join Lelia and I in wishing them the best.
RETIRING
Geri Walsh (44 years at SUA) – Geri Walsh is retiring from SUA after 44 years of devoted service. Geri was a visionary and she created the ES Program for students with learning challenges. Originally called the LD Program, she created it to be rooted in the Ursuline characteristics of personal care for the individual and an emphasis on the development of the whole person. Geri understood that the girls accepted into the program would have “the intellectual ability to succeed in challenging college-prep curriculum but have difficulty learning without special adjustments.” To this day, the ES Program instills in all students a feeling of preparedness and confidence. You can Read more about the origins and growth of the ES Program via a 2012 SUA Magazine article, featuring Geri and the Lukens Family, who were so moved by the results of the program, they donated $250,000 to endow a scholarship to assist qualified students with the ES tuition fees. We wish Geri all the best in retirement and thank her for a lifetime of dedication to SUA and her students.
Kurt Nicaise (16 years at SUA) - Kurt Nicaise may be retiring, but artwork across the campus will be a constant reminder of his contributions to SUA and his work with the students, bringing the culture of art to life in many forms. His love for teaching is clear and he has indeed accomplished his personal mission to elevate the status of all women, instill his students with a belief and confidence in their own creativity, secure a growth mindset, develop an individual sense of esthetics, foster a personal commitment to service, and help them see themselves as beautiful creations of God. We will miss Kurt’s positive attitude and abundance of energy that have helped make our school community more vibrant.
Betsy Bissmeyer ’82 (14 years at SUA) - Betsy Bissmeyer is retiring after 14 years in her role as School Administration Office Manager. She is also an SUA graduate. While you may not always see her, be assured that you see the product of Betsy’s hard work every day. She manages many details in the school office and keeps the ship on course, providing support in many ways. She has built a welcoming and efficient office and has provided support to most of us at one time or another. Betsy’s contributions and warm welcomes will be greatly missed.
Betsy looks forward to spending time with her grandson as she begins her retirement at the end of the school year. We wish her all the best!
BEYOND SUA
Arielle Balz (15 years at SUA) - Some may already know that Arielle Balz has accepted a position outside of Saint Ursula Academy for the next school year. Arielle has spent 15 years at SUA as an ES teacher and coordinator, specializing in English. Arielle plans to complete the current school year and run the ES Summer Workshop this summer. We are pleased to share that current ES teachers Courtney Arling and Melissa Lea will partner in the ES Coordinator position to carry on the quality of the ES program. Angelo will remain a member of the Balz family and will continue to come to campus daily as SUA’s Therapy Dog. We thank Arielle for all of her contributions to Saint Ursula and to the many students who have benefitted from her work.
NEW ROLES at SUA
We also have a few community members assuming some new roles or duties next school year.
Laura Roman will assume the role of Senior Director of Counseling and Family Support, leaving an opening for a new counselor. We look forward to the ways that Laura will support families in her expanded role.
Lisa Woodall will be shifting from the Religion classroom to partner with the UC Professor on Essentials of Entrepreneurship beginning in the fall. Lisa will enhance the entrepreneurship course by integrating a business ethics perspective. This is an exciting opportunity for our students.
If you know of a candidate who may be interested in one of the open positions, please direct them to the contact listed in the Employment Opportunity section of the SUA website.
Go Bulldogs! Enjoy the rest of the week,
Lelia and Kathy
Parents and caregivers of the Class of 2024: these are exciting times as we celebrate our seniors. Here is the email that was sent several weeks ago as a reminder of all of the upcoming activities: Senior Events: Spring Reminder.
Great news to share:
Saint Ursula Academy, has been selected as an Awardee for the 8th Annual Best Workplace in Ohio, presented by Ohio Business Magazine.
Ohio Business Magazine is honoring businesses, large and small, that demonstrate the exceptional qualities that make this region a great place to have a career. Based on SUA benefits and support for employees, our community was chosen as one of the best workplaces in the state!
All winners will be recognized in the Summer issue of Ohio Business Magazine, featuring the 2024 Best Workplaces in Ohio awards. Thanks for all you do to contribute to our amazing community!
