As of April 1, 2010, Phil Baniewicz, vice president of college relations, will begin his new position as president of Maur Hill-Mount Academy High School.
Baniewicz joined Benedictine College in 2006 and has held his current position for four years. He also served as the executive director of the Cloud L. Cray Center for Entrepreneurship and taught classes in the School of Business.
“I look forward to taking the success we’ve enjoyed here at BC across town to Maur Hill-Mount Academy,” Baniewicz said. “I kind of look at MH-MA as a little brother and I hope to increase the amount of interaction between the college and the high school.”
It all started several months ago when Baniewicz said he was approached by the high school and told there was an open position for president. He said he loves BC, so his initial response was no.
“But I felt like the Lord is calling me to go and help improve things at the high school,” he added.
Currently, the school has just a principal. Baniewicz said the board wanted to move to a model where they had a president and a principal.
Baniewicz has five children and his oldest one will be starting high school in the fall. He said he wanted his children’s experience of high school to be great, and taking this position was an opportunity to help make that happen.
“I am looking forward to strengthening the Catholic element of the school,” Baniewicz said.
When asked what he will miss the most about BC, he said the students. He added that he would also miss the hospitality because the people are very welcoming at Benedictine.
Baniewicz's duties will likely be split among several individuals at the college.
“He brought some new and innovative things to the college including…the Tuesday Fly-By and the video information monitors around campus,” said President Stephen Minnis. “Our loss is certainly Maur Hill-Mount Academy’s gain.”
