Mooney, Ursuline get new principals

By Denise Dick

denise_dick@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Both of Youngstown’s Catholic high schools will have new principals — and they’re both familiar faces.

Matthew Sammartino, Ursuline’s assistant principal for student services since 2009, will be that school’s principal, effective July 1. Mark Vollmer, interim Cardinal Mooney High School principal since mid-January, officially assumes the role immediately.

Both announcements were made Thursday.

“It’s a dream, really,” said Sammartino, who started at the school in 2000 as a history teacher.

He’s the product of a Catholic education, attending St. Charles School in Boardman and earning his bachelor’s degree at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He earned his master’s degree at Youngstown State University.

“I understand the value of a Catholic education in our society today, the importance of service as a role model and mentoring our young people and fulfilling the school’s mission to form a family of faith, achievement and promise,” Sammartino said.

The Rev. Richard Murphy, president of Ursuline, said Sammartino’s appointment will provide a seamless transition from the leadership of Patricia Fleming, who after 20 years as principal will retire June 30.

Sammartino “has exhibited outstanding leadership qualities since joining the Ursuline family in 2000,” Father Murphy said.

Vollmer has been at Mooney for 10 years.

“Cardinal Mooney High School has always been, and will continue to be, a first-rate educational institution that embraces core gospel values and combines them with a rigorous curriculum that prepares students completely for life far beyond high school,” he said.

Graduates attend some of the most prestigious colleges while being service-minded, he said. “Our motto of ‘Sanctity, Scholarship and Discipline’ combined with key principles of what it means to be educated as 21st century learners, will continue to produce the most academically minded and well-rounded students.”

Both men were selected by search committees.

“Matt represented to the search committee a keen understanding of the role of a modern-day Catholic high school principal, a powerful dedication to the community of staff, students, parents, alumni and friends of Ursuline whom he will serve, and a comprehensive vision of progressive academic and extra-curricular success for all of our constituents,” Father Murphy said. “He knows the challenges facing Catholic education today and embraces the opportunities a school rich in tradition and support like Ursuline affords him as he prepares for his new responsibility. He was the unanimous, enthusiastic choice of a well-prepared search committee.”

A news release from Mooney said Vollmer “brings to the principal’s role a strong Catholic identity, which is the heart of Cardinal Mooney’s purpose, along with academic and technological knowledge essential to the future of the educational process at Mooney and experience in discipline, which is crucial to an environment of learning and mutual respect.”

Vollmer was appointed interim principal earlier this year when John Young, who occupied the post for 31/2 years, was terminated.

Fleming will continue to serve as a teacher at Ursuline after her retirement as principal.