Mr. McDermott—2017 Distinguished Lasallian Educator—to Retire

After posing for the ubiquitous award photo, a photo which for many years prior he would have been on the other side of the camera as longtime campus photographer, Mr. McDermott was asked to remain at the front. Mr. Jordan went on to announce to the students that Mr. McDermott’s tenure as a faculty member was coming to a close and that Mr. McDermott was retiring after twenty years at Justin-Siena. Applause filled the air as Mr. Jordan then asked all the faculty and staff to come forward and gather round to extend a blessing. The students joined in from their seats as Mr. Jordan then sang the Irish Blessing.

Justin-Siena struck gold in 1997 when Mr. Thom McDermott joined the faculty. His twenty-year tenure includes teaching in three departments (Mathematics, Religious Studies, and English) and serving as English Department Chair. He has moderated service immersion trips to Mexico and the Literary Magazine and has served as our campus photographer with a stint as freshman girls basketball coach. Highly regarded by peers and students he has earned such honors as a 2003 yearbook dedication, the 2002 Holy Spirit Award, and a “Most Influential” distinction from students in 2008. He and his wife, Helen, are enthusiastic alumni parents of Shannon McDermott ’97 and Caitlin McDermott Tchaikowitz ’98, on whose behalf he proudly shares alumni updates for Avanti with photos of grandkids decked out in Braves regalia.

But it is the personal impact he has made on so many students who have had the privilege to learn from him that will be his legacy at Justin-Siena. Quick with a hug or a kind word, Thom formed such connections with students and peers. This past summer the newly renovated 100 Wing was designed to include an English and Social Studies Department office dedicated in his honor.

As his tenure comes to a close we pause to honor an educator whose passion and obvious commitment to his craft and this community have been an inspiration to colleagues and students alike. May God bless Mr. Thom McDermott as he turns a new page and enjoys his retirement years. May the road rise to meet him, indeed. Sempre Avanti!