Paul Sheff Named Lay President of Catholic Memorial School

1962 Graduate of Catholic Memorial Succeeds Brother James MacDonald

WEST ROXBURY, MA – (March 13, 2008) – The Board of Directors of Catholic Memorial School announced today that Paul Sheff, the highly respected and successful vice-president of development & alumni relations at the College of the Holy Cross, has been named the first lay president of Catholic Memorial School. Sheff is a 1962 graduate of Catholic Memorial and former board member who served from 2000-2006. He will succeed Brother James MacDonald, CFC ‘75, who is leaving to establish a new Christian Brothers school in Texas.

“Paul’s appointment is a thrilling moment for Catholic Memorial,” said James Blue, chairman of Catholic Memorial School’s Board of Directors and a 1982 graduate of Catholic Memorial. “His distinguished early career as a respected prep school teacher and administrator, and subsequent experience as one of the most accomplished collegiate development professionals in the country makes him the ideal person to build upon Br. MacDonald’s great legacy.”

“I am excited by the prospect of working closely with a Catholic Memorial graduate who has an outstanding record of articulating a galvanizing vision of excellence in Catholic education to students, parents, faculty and alumni,” said Richard Chisholm, a member of Catholic Memorial School faculty since 1978 and principal since 2000. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the whole Catholic Memorial community to grow and prosper.”

Sheff, the first lay vice-president at the College of the Holy Cross, has served the college as vice president of development & alumni relations since 1998, supervising a staff of 45 and a budget of $5 million. Under his leadership, in 2006, Holy Cross concluded a record-breaking capital campaign, raising $215 million, far surpassing the campaign’s $175 million goal. Sheff’s passion and commitment to community building has been rewarded with average annual cash contributions to the College of the Holy Cross of almost $21 million, up from $12 million in 1999.

“My return to Catholic Memorial School is an extraordinary professional and personal opportunity,” said Sheff. “As a teenager, this school opened my eyes to the transformative power of education in a young man’s life. I am blessed now with the chance to open the eyes of so many more young people as we build together a vibrant academic faith community that honors the vision and legacy of the founder of the Irish Christian Brothers, Blessed Edmund Rice.”

Prior to arriving at Holy Cross, Sheff oversaw major gifts and capital gifts at Dartmouth College. He was a philosophy major at Catholic University. He later received a master’s degree in secondary education from Boston University. Sheff taught English at Foxborough High School and later, at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire, where he chaired the English department, before assuming duties as director of admissions and director of development.

About Catholic Memorial

Catholic Memorial School, a private day school located in the Boston neighborhood of West Roxbury, provides a rigorous academic program for young men, grades 7-12. Founded in 1957 by the Christian Brothers, Catholic Memorial School offers a college preparatory curriculum and co-curricular activities aimed at fostering the spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical and social development of its students. The Catholic Memorial student body – currently numbering 807 students – reflects the ethnic, cultural, religious and economic diversity of Boston and the surrounding communities. The class of 2008 numbers 163 students and the student to faculty ratio stands at 14:1. Catholic Memorial is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.