Join us for our weekly “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From all 50 states to countries worldwide, our graduates are making an impact, and we'll share their stories on Trinity's website and social media.
This week's profile is about Tom Foerster '67
Like many others who attended Trinity as it began its second decade of existence in 1963, Tom Foerster started out in the Catholic grade school system in Louisville, in his case coming from St. Leonard Catholic School at the top of Zorn Avenue. He settled into the routine of daily classes with a faculty comprised of more than a smattering of priests among the lay teachers. It probably seems strange to read about it now, but as a freshman, Tom had Monsignor Alfred Steinhauser, Trinity’s founding principal, for Latin.
Tom was especially fond of Father John Hughes, Mr. Klaus Mittelsten-Scheidt H’92 (the German teacher and, even then, a Trinity legend), Father David Hazelip H’96, Father Tony Heitzman H’13 and Father C.J. Wagner, one of the best English teachers to ever walk Trinity’s halls.
Tom relates, “I was talking with a Trinity graduate from the early 2000s once, telling him about some of the teachers I’d had, when I noticed a smile spreading across his face. When I asked what was funny, he said, ‘You had the guys they named the buildings after!’”
“It was disorienting at first, to say the least, coming from that relatively sheltered existence of co-ed classes at St. Leonard taught by nuns to suddenly sharing a classroom of all boys overseen by mostly young, hip priests,” Tom continued, reminiscing about the early days of his Trinity experience.
“Looking back on it now, I can see the beginnings of the camaraderie that would later be termed ‘Brothers for Life,’” he continued. “That, more than any other aspect of my experiences at Trinity, dominates my memory.”
Upon graduation in1967, Tom attended the University of Kentucky where he earned bachelor’s degree in English. He is quick to praise the quality of the education he received at Trinity.
“It was obvious to me that I had experienced a vastly superior high school education,” Tom recalls. “It’s difficult to quantify what a leg up those classes at Trinity were in helping me earn my degree.”
After several years in various jobs, Tom settled into a career as an advertising copywriter and spent nearly 40 years in the Louisville advertising community. Now, having retired from advertising, he devotes his time to a second career as an oil painter, being perhaps best known as the painter of the Crescent Hill reservoir in Louisville. He is a member of the Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionist Society.
Tom has been active with the Alumni Association as a Class Agent for 1967. He is a former Alumni Board member and helps plan his class’ reunions. He’s also happy to participate each year in the Alumni Phonathon for the Trinity Annual Fund.
“When I began at Trinity in 1963, tuition for two brothers — my brother, Bruce (Trinity, 1964), then a senior, and me — was around $100 apiece,” Tom said. “Of course, in those days the parishes in the Archdiocese of Louisville subsidized the high schools so the burden wasn’t as great for the parents. We were extremely fortunate to be able to attend Trinity, and we knew it. That’s why today I think it is so vitally important to provide financial assistance through the Trinity Annual Fund to those families who need a helping hand.”
Even as a 76-year-old, Tom is still reminded of the indelible lessons he learned at Trinity so many years ago. Recalling a recent trip to the grocery store, he noticed the sign above the express check-out lane — 15 items or less.
Tom thought, “‘Less’ for things you can measure, ‘fewer’ for things you can count!’”
Thank you, Father Wagner!
Share an alumni story!
Do you know a Trinity alumnus with a compelling story? Please reach out to Travis Wagoner '90, Alumni Relations & Communications Director, at 502-736-2122 or wagoner@trinityrocks.com.
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