The Holy Cross High School community celebrated the Eucharist Commissioning of President Frank H. Samuelson ‘73 on November 6, 2015. Several special guests were in attendance to lead this ceremony including the Reverend Monsignor Thomas Ginty ‘76 of Church of St. Matthew in Forestville, Brother James Branigan, C.S.C from the Moreau Province School Office, Brother William J. Zaydak, C.S.C., Provincial of the Congregation of Holy Cross and Brother Donald J. Blauvelt, C.S.C. of the Holy Cross Institute.
Commissioning, according to Holy Cross Principal Margaret Leger is “an act of entrusting or giving authority.” During today’s ceremony, Mr. Samuelson, the administration, faculty and staff were commissioned to be good people of faith to the students and extended school community.
“To be commissioned is a great gift,” said Brother William Zaydak to the school community. “It is more than beginning a job or an activity. It is humbly accepting a ministry to serve Christ and his people and making God known, loved and served in all that they say and do. I thank each of you who will be commissioned today for your willingness to share the treasure of your talents, prayerful insight and spirit-filled energy with us for the benefit of the students of Holy Cross High School. Your service as Administration, Faculty, Staff and President are gifts to the Congregation of Holy Cross and to the Church.”
In his address to the students, Mr. Samuelson encouraged them “to do God’s work every day whether at home, in the classroom, on the field, in the auditorium, in the pool, on the court, in the cafeteria or in the hallways. Be good to your classmates, your brothers and sisters, your parents and grandparents, your teachers and all the other adults whose goal is to simply steer you in a righteous direction. Never forget that what you are learning, in every definition, will carry and lift you, as it has carried and lifted me and provided me with incredible challenges, opportunities and blessings throughout my life.”
Mr. Samuelson assumed the role of President at Holy Cross in July 2015. He has a long career in education. Recently, he was the Interim Special Education Director at Regional School District #7 in Winsted, CT. Previously, he was the Interim Principal at Hartford Public High Schools Law and Government Academy. He spent many years in the Oxford, CT school district as a teacher, coach and as Principal of Great Oak Middle School and Principal of Oxford High School during the time of its development and opening.
Mr. Samuelson is passionate about education in the Holy Cross tradition and seeks to build on that foundation to move the school forward in the coming years. After graduating from Holy Cross High School, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) and a Master of Arts degree in School Administration from Fairfield University. He returned to SCSU to complete his 6th Year Diploma in Administration and Supervision and the Superintendent’s Preparation Program. Frank served on the Holy Cross Board of Directors for seven years as Chairperson of the Strategic Planning Committee, Chairperson of the Physical Plant Committee and member of the Finance sub-committee. He is a member of several professional associations and served on numerous professional boards and committees throughout the region.