Page 23 - Priorities #73

Right: In 2008 Santa Tim lived up to his famous saying, “You LOOK like Santa.”
Below: Addressing graduates at the recent 2019 upper school graduation.
Lower right: Celebrating a special moment with Father Egon Javor, Father Pius Horvath, and alum parent Wayne Davidson.
underserved students for a high school curriculum. “We’ve had one of the very best programs in this area,” says Molak, “with great leadership over the summers.” Gulliver LaValle, Priory’s Bridge Director for over 12 years, points out that, in the tradition of Benedictine education, Tim makes sure that any extra expenses above their operating budget are covered by the Priory. “It’s recognized every year as an exemplary program in large part because of Tim’s support,” says LaValle. Priory students have gone on to work as aides, earning experience as teachers, coaches, and counselors, an invaluable skillset they carry forward with them.
Reaching further afield, Tim also worked extensively with WASC, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Though Heads must visit schools every other year, Tim often returns annually or revisited previous schools. “It’s a great process to see how your own vision stacks up against other schools,” he says. Tim has also taken Priory to an international stage with the ICBE, the International Commission on Benedictine Education, of which Tim is the Commissioner of the North America region. Through conferences and gatherings, Tim promotes the Benedictine values not only for Priory students, but he also cultivates leaders from within our staff through a three-year retreat. “He is an indefatigable advocate for Benedictine education in Catholic
schools,” asserts Abbot Elias, who has worked closely with Tim in the ICBE as its president. These same programs are copied at other Benedictine schools worldwide. Ruth Benz points out that “This frequency of service is way above the norm.” In fact, Tim is so well known in these organizations as well as NAIS and CAIS schools that Benz says, “I have witnessed him at several conventions entering a room and getting a welcome akin to the popularity experienced by Norm when he entered the bar on the TV show Cheers.” Ray Rothrock, former Priory Board Chair, said in his tribute speech that of the Benedictine values, Tim “struck me as the poster child for ‘hospitality’ and ‘integrity’” in his interactions with others. He has created both a national and international name for our school.”
One of Tim’s qualities that people mention repeatedly is his leadership style. In his remarks at the tribute night on January 18, Ray Rothrock said, “I have seen how [a leader] can mold an organization, its people, and its mission. ... I can say, in comparison to the 70 companies that I have done, if I put the Priory on that list, that Tim Molak would be #1.” Tim could look at the grassy hillsides and instead envision singers on stage, envision kids playing gaga ball, envision robots shooting hoops in a courtyard. Rothrock recalled that when it came to funding and creating places and programs, Tim ensured him, “Ray, when it’s about the kids, we can do anything.” Mike Calbert, another
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