ST. LAWRENCE DEANERY - The board of trustees of Seton High School has appointed Sister of Charity Patricia A. Cruise as the new president of Seton High School. She will begin in that position on July 1,2009.

Sister Tricia will succeed Daniel Ledford, who has served as president of Seton since 2005.

COURTESY PHOTO

Sister Tricia Cruise

As Covenant House's leader, Sister Tricia was responsible for the organization's overall management and strategic plan, including 21 sites in six countries and the corporate headquarters in New York City. She was also responsibe for Covenant House's central development operation that raised more than $120 million annually in support of the agency's mission. Covenant House provides a variety of services to homeless, runaway and abandoned youth including medical care, educationaland vocational programs.

Sister Tricia was born in Edenton, N.C., and raised in Winchester, Mass. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from Russell Sage College and a master's degree in theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif She is the oldest of four children, and her parents reside in Cincinnati.

In addition to her experience at Covenant House, Sister Tricia will bring to Seton more than 25 years of expertise in education and academic administration. She served as executiv vice president and chief operating officer at Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and as acting director and resource development director at Project ENCORE in Cincinnati. At the College of Mount St. Joseph she was the drector of campus ministry/student activities and an adjunct professor in the religious studies department. Her career in education began as an elementary teacher at the Mount Campus School.

"My experiences at Red Cloud and at Covenant House made it very cear to me that a high school education is the number one issue for young people. Without a high school diploma, you can't get into college or even find a job," said Sister Tricia. "I believe in the mission of Seton High School and, as a Sister of Charity I look forward to contributing to this important ministry."

"As chairperson of the board of trustees, I am delighted that Sister Tricia Cruise will be the new president of Seton High School. As a Sister of Charity, Sister Tricia is steeped in the missionand ministry of Elizabeth Seton. She comes with vast experience and a true love for the ministry of Catholic education. I am confident that with her leadership Seton will continue ascending the path where excellence in education is the norm, service and eadership are the hallmarks and growth in true Christian womanhood is the achievable end," said Sister of Charity Kathryn Ann Connelly,

"I am looking forward to working with Sister Tricia to serve the students, parents, staff and alumnae of Seton. She brngs vast knowledge, skills and leadership in development, education and administration that will benefit the entire community," said Susan Gibbons, Seton's principal.