St. John's announces next school leader

 
 
SHREWSBURY – St. John’s High School Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Benjamin P. Horgan as the new head of school to succeed Alex Zequeira, the current headmaster.

Mr. Horgan is formation director at Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools (XBSS) in Baltimore. The 2005 graduate of St. John’s will return to his alma mater July 1, a press release from the school stated.

Tom Buckingham, chairman of the board, said, “Ben emanates the Xaverian mission and is deeply committed to the formation of the boys and young men in our school’s care. His experience in the classroom at Red Cloud Indian School, on the administrative team at Loyola Blakefield and in the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools office – where he has worked extensively with boards, heads and leadership teams across our network of 13 schools – positions him well to deliver on St. John’s strategic plan. He is exactly what we need in our new head of school and is eager to take on the role.” 

In reflecting on the appointment, Mr. Horgan shared, “I look forward to collaborating with the St. John’s community to build upon the strong traditions that make St. John’s so special and advance the school’s mission in innovative ways to meet the needs of future generations of Pioneers.”

He began his career in Catholic education as a teacher, department chair, and director of spiritual formation at the Red Cloud Indian School, a Jesuit high school on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, according to the press release.

Xaverian Brother Dan Skala, general superior, said, “I am confident that St. John’s will continue to thrive under Ben’s leadership. He understands the demands of leadership, supports mission in its many dimensions and is tremendously talented.”

Mr. Horgan earned his doctorate in education at Creighton University, after earning a master’s degree in theological studies at Loyola University Maryland, and a bachelor’s degree at Bates College. His doctoral dissertation examined effective strategies for strengthening board governance and leadership within Xaverian Brother Sponsored Schools.

Mr. Horgan and his wife, Hillary, are the parents of a daughter, Finley, and look forward to relocating to the Shrewsbury area where he was raised and his parents still live.