After many months of surveying, searching, and interviewing, La Salle’s new president has been named: Mr. John Huelskamp — who for the past 11 years has served as the principal of Sunset High School, a public school in the Beaverton School District. In addition, Mr. Huelskamp was the founding principal of De La Salle North Catholic High School in Portland, and served there for six years. 

The president of La Salle works under the direction of the Board of Trustees, and carries a variety of responsibilities, including fundraising, donor prospecting, managing the staff, and more. “The president is responsible for fostering an atmosphere of learning, achievement, cooperation, respect, equity, and spirituality,” according to the job description posted on the La Salle website. 

“We have hired a leader who is well-respected in his field, known in the broader Portland community, and has a reputation for putting students first,” said Board of Trustees Chair Shelly Larkins, in an announcement that was shared today with the La Salle community. “We were also impressed with the deep affection he has for the Lasallian educational mission and approach.”

On Oct. 26, 2021, the search committee responsible for finding someone to fill this position held its first meeting. This team was composed of some alumni parents, a few La Salle faculty members, a couple of Board of Trustees members, and others connected to the Lasallian community, who worked together to make their decision. 

Then, on Nov. 5, the search committee released a statement detailing that they were working with Lester Consulting Group (LCG) to survey over 135 members of the La Salle community to learn what skills and qualities, both professional and personal, they find most important in selecting the new president. “In terms of professional background, La Salle wants a President/CEO who is an outstanding communicator and inspirational speaker,” they said of their findings. “In terms of personal qualities, the next President/CEO must be a person of deep faith and integrity.”

They also said that La Salle’s next President must be a practicing Catholic. “Though there might be outstanding leaders from other faith traditions who could embrace La Salle’s mission, the school needs a proud and articulate Catholic to effectively lead our Catholic school community,” the statement said, which they said is “consistent with the standard set for all Lasallian schools in the Lasallian District of San Francisco New Orleans.” 

Mr. Huelskamp will start his new position on July 1, and “we are confident Mr. Huelskamp will build upon the great work of La Salle leaders before him and lead us to promising days ahead,” Ms. Larkins said in the official announcement. 

Stay tuned to The Falconer for more coverage on the new president at La Salle.