Thank you Dr. Zoeller
By Dr. Rob Mullen
Rob Mullen is Trinity’s Vice president for Mission. He served for nearly 25 years as Trinity’s President.
I am happy for Dr. Dan Zoeller as he prepares to step aside as Trinity’s principal next June. This is a well-deserved rest as he has been Trinity’s longest-serving principal. He was a continual source of wisdom as a member of my senior leadership team.
This transition to our next principal has been planned, as was my transition into my current role. It is a mark of a great school that such leadership change can be done with calm, planning and thoroughness.
It does not matter what type of school it is, the truth is the same: the principal’s job is the hardest. Guiding the education of students, leading a faculty and serving parents brings a triad of responsibilities and, at times, conflicting self-interests. Dan handled his duties with grace. His deep spirituality was a great asset.
Thousands of students have benefitted from his masterful teaching. All have enjoyed the great advantages brought by the program and culture enhancements he led us to. I am thinking specifically about block scheduling and the house system.
Our unique college-like class schedule has expanded opportunities and resulted in record student achievement. The increased academic rigor, project-based learning and greater preparation for college study are all byproducts of this way of organizing classes. Dan led us through the four-year study to craft a schedule that works best for Trinity students. Colleges looking for applicants who can succeed at their school know that our students’ transcripts have meaning and substance.
Dan suggested the house system to us, the first of its kind in American Catholic high schools. It has improved our school culture to where a new student’s rapid acclimation to high school and a greater appreciation for all students, by all students, has been achieved. Strong adult-student relationships have emerged as well as year-long school spirit and an explosion of service and charitable works. There are now more than 100 clubs, activities, sports and house events during the school year. There truly is something for everyone. The result? A stronger Trinity and better men of faith and character.
We are fortunate that Dr. Zoeller will be available as a resource to his successor next school year.
Thank you, Dr. Zoeller, for handling the toughest job so well.
A search for Trinity’s next principal is underway. The selection will be made in advance of the 2026-27 school year. For more information, please visit our website, trinityrocks.com.