QUINCY — Quincy Notre Dame High School will have an alumnus as its principal starting July 1. Mark McDowell was named to take over the reigns at the school when QND principal Ray Heilmann steps down in July.
McDowell was chosen from a pool of 20 candidates from throughout the country. Currently a history teacher at Quincy Junior High School, McDowell has been in education for 13 years, 12 years as a teacher and one year as an administrator.
"Ultimately the QND School Board of Directors felt as though Mark brought the vision, leadership and skill set that we were looking for to sustain as well as enhance Quincy Notre Dame High School well into the future," said Mark Hayes, QND School Board president, at a press conference March 1.
McDowell attended St. Mary Grade School, graduated from QND in 1995, earned his bachelor's degree at Quincy University in 1999, and his master's degree in education administration from William Woods University in 2003.
Heilmann introduced McDowell to the student body, faculty and staff at an all-school assembly in the gym, which followed the news conference. He has "intelligence, leadership skills, deep faith and a passion for educating young adults. This is a man who walks the walk of faith," said Heilmann.
McDowell told students he had lots of memories from his high school days of being in the gym — shooting baskets, playing in the pep band in the corner at games and going to homecoming dance "here in the gym with my date. She is with me today," he said, looking over at his wife, Jamie, who was standing nearby. Their son and two little daughters were seated on the bleachers, as were his parents, and two brothers.
Talking about a TEC weekend he and his wife directed last July, he called attention to words which have stayed with him: "'Where you lead me, I will follow.' Trust in him and in one another. I'm proud to be part of the QND family."
Chicago-born Heilmann came to Quincy in 1973 to teach English and coach football at Catholic Boys High School, which consolidated with the all-girls Quincy Notre Dame Academy in 1975, and become Quincy Notre Dame High School in 1976. In 1982 he became assistant principal, and in 1995 he became the first lay principal at QND.
"My 39 years here have been the most meaningful to me. The (QND) board and foundation, and community commitment has just been phenomenal here." But he said he is looking forward to having more time to do other things.
"My 90-year-old father lives in Chicago. I will be able to spend more time with him. My wife retired six years ago, but still gets up at 5:30 every morning and makes me a hot breakfast, and we sit and talk before I head off to school. We have six grandchildren, and only one lives in Quincy. We are looking forward to getting to see them more."
Heilmann announced his retirement last year in order to give the school ample time to select a new principal, and says he couldn't have picked a better successor.