Helias Catholic High School has a new interim president.
Ron Vossen, current director of Helias Catholic alumni relations, was appointed to the position by the Most Rev. W. Shawn McKnight, bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City, according to a Wednesday news release from the diocese.
John Knight stepped down from the role May 15. Spokespeople for the diocese and the school declined to provide additional information regarding his sudden resignation.
Vossen will assume the office July 1, and the school will continue to search for a permanent president.
“I’m so honored to have the opportunity just to lead Helias as interim president,” he said in an interview with the News Tribune.
Vossen taught for 43 years at Helias Catholic prior to serving as director of alumni relations. He served as teacher, assistant principal, director of campus ministry, fine arts and practical arts department chairman, spring musical production manager and coach. He is also a 1974 graduate of Helias Catholic High School.
Vossen said his experience has familiarized him with the “ins and outs” of the school and will help him contribute to moving the school forward.
Vossen has a master’s degree in secondary school administration from Lincoln University and a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts education from the University of Missouri.
Vossen and his wife, Carol, live in Jefferson City and attend Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. They have four children who graduated from Helias Catholic and three grandchildren.
“It has been a big part of my life,” Vossen said, adding that blue and gold have become standard in the Vossen house wardrobe.
“Ron Vossen is a dedicated leader and is the natural choice to serve as interim president of Helias Catholic. He has a longstanding commitment to the success of Helias Catholic, and I am confident he can help us make strong progress toward meeting our goals for the school — above all, reflecting the light of Christ in our world,” said Bishop McKnight in the news release. “Helias Catholic is a treasure of our diocese. While we are still in the early stages of our search for a permanent president, we will benefit greatly from the interim leadership of Ron Vossen as we continue to move forward.”
Vossen will oversee around 700 students in grades 9-12 as the school moves forward with its campus master plan, which includes a performing arts center and additional facilities.
“We need to make sure that we have that expandability, and hopefully our school will continue to grow and to keep our numbers up. We’ll need to make sure that we have room for that as well, so it’s just an ongoing thing,” he said.
Read more about Ron Vossen here.