28 January 2020
The Board of Directors of De La Salle Institute is proud to announce that Thomas J. Schergen has been appointed Principal of the 130-year-old co-educational Catholic and Lasallian high school in Chicago.
Mr. Schergen, a member of the Class of 1997, will officially assume the duties of Principal on July 1, 2020.
“De La Salle is pleased to welcome one of our alums as the academic leader of our school,” De La Salle President Fr. Paul Novak, OSM, said. “Mr. Schergen’s strong academic vision and his familiarity with our Lasallian spirituality and Catholic mission will enable him to guide De La Salle into the future.”
Schergen is replacing Dr. Diane Brown, who is retiring officially on June 30, 2020.
“Becoming the Principal at De La Salle Institute is a great opportunity,” Schergen said. “Some people never get the chance to pursue their dream job, so I am fortunate to be able to return to a place that is special to me.
“Not only do I get to return to my alma mater, but I am able to lead the dedicated faculty and staff of De La Salle and guide the institution forward.”
Schergen is currently serving as the Principal of IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst, IL, where he has also held the positions of President and Athletic Director in his eight-year tenure.
Before beginning at IC Catholic Prep, Schergen also served at Marist High School and Maria High School. He previously taught at De La Salle Institute in 2001-2002.
“My main goals are to begin to have some focused conversations with the current faculty and administration to begin to build our future vision,” Schergen said. “I believe in creating a student-centered atmosphere and allowing the students of De La Salle to contribute to the culture of the building.
“I will focus on continuing the traditions of De La Salle, along with keeping the Lasallian mission strong and at the core of what we do as a school community.”
Schergen earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Special and Elementary Education from Illinois State University in 2001 and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Saint Xavier University in 2005.
Congratulations and welcome home to De La Salle Institute, Mr. Schergen!
De La Salle Institute is an independent, coeducational Catholic secondary school rooted in the tradition of Christian Education begun by St. John Baptist de La Salle. Founded in 1889, its mission has been, and is, to foster a desire for excellence in education. Young people from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds are given the opportunity to fully develop their abilities so they may be active, contributing members of our complex changing society.