November 19, 2021

 

Dear Brophy Community,

 

As an alumnus, a parent and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Brophy College Preparatory has been an important part of my life. Therefore, it is a profound privilege for me to address a moment of great significance in our school’s history. 

 

Several months ago, our President, Adria Renke, informed Father Muller, our Jesuit Vice President for Mission and Identity, and me of her intention to transition to a new phase of her life in June 2023. As one of just 11 Presidents since our school’s founding in 1928 — and notably, the first layperson and only woman — Adria has played an outsized role in her four years as President and in the 26 years she will have served Brophy at the time of her retirement. Her impact has been remarkable, making this news difficult to accept. Yet, if you know Adria, you know she acts courageously and with clear conviction and total commitment. She made this decision no differently. 

 

In consultation with Adria, Father Muller and I have led a process grounded in Ignatian discernment that sought to determine the best course of succession for our school. This process considered many options, including an external search and candidate selection process. Fortunately, one of Adria’s greatest accomplishments — indeed her great legacy as President — is the leadership she has cultivated at Brophy, making an external search unnecessary.  

 

I am pleased to tell you that yesterday, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously in support of our Principal, Bob Ryan, to succeed Adria on July 1, 2023, and lead Brophy College Preparatory as its next President. 

 

Bob joined the faculty in 2000 and has been Principal since 2006, integrating Brophy’s Jesuit mission across all areas of our school and leading the advancement of Brophy’s curriculum, co-curricular programs and athletic activities. Bob is well known as a leading administrator, especially across the Jesuit Schools Network and the high esteem in which he is held has played a significant role in the consistently strong admissions we have enjoyed. During his tenure, Bob spearheaded the expansion of student support services, along with retreat programs, immersion experiences and co-curricular opportunities. He is credited with strengthening Brophy’s academic profile, dramatically increasing the diversity of the student body, and recruiting and developing a talented faculty and staff. More recently, Bob led Brophy’s COVID response, overseeing a dramatic increase in on-campus experiences during a period in which many schools were limiting classes and activities. Bob’s stewardship of our school throughout this period has been nothing short of exceptional. I speak for the entire Board in expressing my gratitude for all he and the faculty and staff have done to ensure an engaging and enriching Jesuit education and student experience, particularly over the last two years.

 

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to express my gratitude to Adria for the selfless act of making this decision now and providing ample time to ensure a smooth and successful transition of leadership, which will include a process to identify a candidate to succeed Bob as Principal. In the meantime, the business of our school will go forward uninterrupted as Adria and Bob continue to work together to ensure an outstanding experience for our students and to continue Brophy’s strong leadership in the community.

 

Please join me in congratulating Adria and Bob and in thanking the Board of Trustees for its counsel and guidance in this matter.

 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Tom Palmer

Chair, Brophy Board of Trustees