Steve Glasser’s 4-year-old grandson is convinced he’s the right man to serve as the first-ever president of Dickinson Catholic Schools.
Now his job is to convince the rest of the Catholic school community in town.
Glasser was introduced by David Kagan, bishop of the Bismarck Diocese, before a packed and festive Knights of Columbus Activities Center audience Friday at Trinity High School.
“I’m humbled, honored and excited to be entrusted in ensuring the future of our Catholic schools,” Glasser said to a crowd of several hundred students, teachers, clergy, community members and business leaders. “Words cannot express sincerely how appreciative I am. I believe that this is a calling from God. I’m excited to lead our Catholic schools to the next level of excellence. Now it’s my job to lead you all and I hope everyone is all aboard.”
Repeating his grandfather’s “all aboard” statement - just as any 4-year-old boy interested in trains likely would - Charlie Glasser offered his support, drawing a chuckle from many in the gym.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It is my hope and prayer,” Kagan said, "that, under the leadership now of Mr. Steve Glasser, this gift of a Catholic school education is made even better for everyone. I hope that you all pray for Mr. Steve Glasser as he takes up a new, historic and, I think, a most important responsibility in the life of our Catholic school system and the life Bismarck Diocese.”
Glasser’s hiring completes the DCS system’s move from a superintendent model of organization to a “president/principal” model, according to a Bismarck Diocese press release.
With a Feb. 21 start date, Glasser will have a number of responsibilities within the system, including the maintenance of the system’s financials, and will work closely with the principals of Trinity High, Trinity Elementary East and Trinity Elementary West, according to the release.
“Because Mr. Glasser is so well connected to this community, I believe his passion for Catholic education will immediately propel our systemic vision for Dickinson Catholic Schools,” said Monsignor Patrick Schumacher, priest of St. Wenceslaus Parish in Dickinson and DCS vice president. “I also know he is looking forward to collaborating with John Odermann and the office of advancement to keep improving the education and formation we provide to our students as well as the compensation for our dedicated faculty.”
After the press conference, Schumacher - who said six finalists were seriously considered for the position - said the hiring of Glasser is in line with a long-term plan for the system. The plan, he said, could eventually include a single campus for all DSC schools.
“We’re starting to see more growth - our kindergarten numbers look very good right now,” Schumacher said. “In my mind, we’re just now beginning the second year of a five-year plan. We don’t know what this entire plan will look like, but we need to be sure about each step we take and the plan will become clear. We couldn’t be more excited at this time to bring in a man who is connected to this area and is very passionate about Catholic education.”
A Mott native, Glasser was a teacher, coach and director of development at Trinity High School from 1986-2006 before being hired as executive director of Dickinson State University’s Strom Center for Entrepreneurship.
Following a well-publicized enrollment scandal involving faulty degrees for foreign students at DSU, Glasser faced questions after leaving his post at the university in early 2012 for a post as a credit administration specialist and later a marketing director at American Bank Center in Dickinson.
ADVERTISEMENT
Though Glasser’s name came up in an audit report that detailed numerous fraudulent degrees in February 2012, Schumacher said he was completely comfortable with Glasser’s hiring and track record.
“I’ve known Steve Glasser for 20 years,” Schumacher said. “I know that what happened to him in that whole DSU process was unfair and I think most community leaders who know Steve know that. Part of what made Steve so attractive to us was his time in the private sector, which gave him different skills in different areas. Steve’s experience with the bank was also appealing because he will be responsible now for fiscal accountability.”
Stating in his remarks that accepting his new position “feels like coming home,” Glasser said his plans are for the DCS position to be his “last job” and added he’s eager to get to work.
“If we all can embrace change with conviction and trust, amazing things can happen,” Glasser said. “To me, my first objective is to build a culture throughout our Catholic school community that is founded on living our faith. The guideposts are passion, integrity, respect and trust. All I ask is that everyone gives the leadership the opportunity to gain your trust.”
