By Terry McCafferty ‘22

In addition to welcoming the new freshmen, the Welsh Academy students and teachers, and other new faculty to Saint Ignatius, the school is also welcoming Dr. Richardson-Phillips to her new role as the school’s Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her primary role will be to help build a community that provides a sense of belonging to all students. In an interview, we talked about her background, family, goals, and her vision for the school.

Dr. Richardson-Phillips recounted that before coming to Saint Ignatius, she earned her doctorate from the University of Delaware and then began her career at Messiah College outside of Harrisburg, PA, working first in Human Development and then as the Dean of Multicultural Affairs. Since then, she has held positions at Case Western Reserve University, Cuyahoga Community College, and most recently at FirstEnergy as their diversity and inclusion consultant for three and a half years. “And now I have been here for ten days!” she finishes. Dr. Richardson-Phillips says that she was drawn to Saint Ignatius High School by “the rich history, mission, community service, and certainly athletics” to which she adds “I love great sports.”

At Saint Ignatius, Dr. Richardson-Phillips hopes to ensure that “all students have a phenomenal experience” which she believes is done “through creating an inclusive environment, one that’s equitable so all students feel like they are treated fairly.” When speaking of creating a more inclusive environment, she articulates that she hopes people “understand that diversity is so much more than just race and ethnicity;” and it is also creating an environment where students from all different socio-economic backgrounds, areas, and schools feel comfortable. She sees “all of that is part of creating this inclusive environment.” She also said that “in this space, what I will be doing is aligning our behaviors, our traditions, our norms to our mission and preparing us for cultural transformation.”

When asked about whom she would call her biggest hero, she chose her parents. Dr. Richardson-Phillips stated that her mother works as an Epidemiologist doing community work and educating students about diseases and abstinence. Her father was a football player for the Buffalo Bills and then a Division I football coach. She spoke of how they gave her a strong faith foundation growing up in a Baptist Church and instilled in her a lifelong love of learning.

“Education was also important to my parents. Just being a good person and giving back to your community and just being genuine and transparent.” Her hope is that her children, an 18-year-old daughter attending Ohio University in Athens and a 22-year-old son living in Los Angeles, would say the same thing about her.

She ended the interview by concluding: “What I really want the community to know is that this is doing God’s work and the work that I am charged to do here is so much a part of our mission. I am excited to be in an environment where what we do is tied to who we are. I think that is fantastic. I am here to be a resource and make sure that we have an inclusive environment so that all students feel welcome.”

A special thanks to Dr. Richardson-Phillips and Ms. Watowicz, the Executive Assistant to the President and Vice President, for their contributions to this article.

By Ferenc Somogyi ‘21

Decades ago, a man imagined a comprehensive secondary school: one in which 6th grade boys could begin their journey developing into young men.

This man was Fr. Robert Welsh ‘54, one of Saint Ignatius High School’s most famous and prominent Jesuits and president of the institution from 1979-2000. He was instrumental in keeping the school in its historic location in Ohio City even when the neighborhood seemed dreadful. However, one of his greatest intentions – one that has been in development for literally decades – has just been fulfilled, bearing his name as a testimony to the late father’s memory.

The brand-new Welsh Academy, headed by Mrs. Mary Ann Vogel, is intended to serve underrepresented youth from the Cleveland area from 6th-8th grade who might otherwise not have the types of life opportunities offered at Saint Ignatius. This school year, the school opened its doors to about a dozen students, and their eager faces have lit up our campus since their very first day.

By Jack Slemenda ‘21

Being principal at Saint Ignatius High School is no easy task. From giving us days off for random power outages, to making it his own priority that we all are safe on campus, Mr. Bradesca has been there for us the whole way through.

Like all good things, his leadership must unfortunately come to an end. One of Mr. Bradesca’s core beliefs is that all administrators can’t forget that they are “teachers at heart.” In his own words, “new administers need to come in to provide new faces and new ideas.”

“I agreed to take the job knowing one day I would return to teaching.” Now seemed like the perfect time for Mr. Bradesca to return to a less intense position in teaching. With one son now a freshman and the other in seventh grade, it was time, as a father, to step back. He said, “I’d rather be on the sidelines than in the trenches for the time my kids are in high school.”

Mr. Bradesca is not totally sure what role he will assume in the English Department as that is up to chairman Mr. Gallagher, but he looks forward to whatever it may be. As of right now he will continue to teach his English classes as usual and maintain the principal position until the next one is chosen.

As for who the next person for the job is, Mr. Bradesca hasn’t a clue but he does have faith they will do their very best for the Saint Ignatius community. From the student body and The Eye, thank you, Mr. Bradesca, for all your dedication and accomplishments as principal.