Mr. Thomas Wise has been appointed principal of Bishop Donahue Memorial High School in McMechen, effective immediately. The announcement was made today by Mr. Vincent Schmidt, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
“We are so pleased that Tom Wise has taken on the position of principal at Bishop Donahue,” Schmidt said. “Mr. Wise has provided steady leadership at Donahue for years. He has the skills and relationships to be very successful in this position.”
Previously the assistant principal at BDHS, Wise is no stranger to the Bishop Donahue community. A member of the Donahue class of 1976, Wise has served as a teacher, administrator, coach and volunteer at the school for more than 27 years.
“I am pleased to take the position here at Bishop Donahue,” Wise said. “This high school is in my heart, and as an alumnus, I sincerely look forward to accepting the challenges of this position and moving the school forward to provide an excellent Catholic education to all of our students.”
Wise is the 14th principal of Bishop Donahue since its opening in 1955. He also served as interim principal of the high school during the 1989-90 school year.
“I am so happy for the Bishop Donahue community today,” said Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. “Tom Wise is a proud graduate of Donahue, and now as its principal, he has a wonderful opportunity to work with local parishes, feeder schools and the broader community for the betterment of the high school.
This academic year, Bishop Donahue will expand its collaborative relationship with Central Catholic High School in Wheeling in order to provide expanded academic offerings.
Wise takes over for Dan Angalich, who resigned his position this summer to accept a position at Wheeling Jesuit University.
Bishop Donahue Memorial High School is one of seven Catholic high schools operated by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.