Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp receives Indiana Commission for Women’s Torchbearer Award

Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, a 38-year member of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, received the Indiana Commission for Women’s Torchbearer Award for lifetime achievement during ceremonies Wednesday (March 6) in Indianapolis.

Sister Jeanne is the third Sister of Providence to receive a Torchbearer Award. Previous recipients were Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, the Congregation’s foundress, and Sister Marie Kevin Tighe.

Mayor Greg Ballard proclaimed Sister Jeanne Hagleskamp Day in Indianapolis on Wednesday. Sister Jeanne was the founding president and is the current principal of Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis. She is only the 9th recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award that was established in 2004.

A native of Indianapolis, Sister Jeanne is known nationally as an expert in Catholic educational leadership. She served previously on the faculty at the University of San Francisco where she was director of teacher education for the entire USF system and a member of USF’s Institute for Catholic Education Leadership.

Sister Jeanne helped found Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis. It is a Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory high school for economically disadvantaged on the near west side of Indianapolis.

She has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a master’s degree in mathematics from Purdue University, a certificate of advanced study in educational leadership from National Louis University and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of San Francisco. She has received numerous honors for her work and contributions to the community.

Sister Jeanne is a member of the Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School board of trustees and recently served as chairperson of the education committee. She also serves on the board of directors of Hawthorne Community Center and the American Educational Research Association. She is a former trustee of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Prior to her work at the University of San Francisco, she was a physics and mathematics instructor at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College where she also served as assistant director of financial aid and director of admissions research. She also served as an instructor and curriculum director at Providence-St. Mel High School in Chicago and as principal of Mother Theodore Guerin High School in River Grove, Ill. She entered the Congregation in 1975.

“Indiana Torchbearers are those women who have been pioneers throughout their lives or who have stepped forward as leaders by breaking down barriers to women’s full participation,” said Betsy Corridan, chairperson of the ICW board of commissioners. “These women have become true beacons of light and their stories of courage, perseverance and compassion create a lasting legacy of inspiration for us all.”

Providence Cristo Rey High School combines rigorous classroom instruction with real-life corporate work-study experiences for students by partnering with businesses in the Indianapolis area. Through the Corporate Work Study Program, faith-based, college preparatory education is affordable for economically disadvantaged students and families. For three consecutive years, 100 percent of the senior class has been accepted into colleges.

Proclamation by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard

To all whom these presents may come, greetings:

Whereas: Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp is a member of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and a lifelong educator, first as a teacher of math, physics, and computer science, and then for over 25 years as a school administrator, and

Whereas: Sister Jeanne is known nationally as an expert in Catholic educational leadership and a leader in the area of urban education; and

Whereas: In 2007, Sister Jeanne and her congregation of the Sisters of Providence established Providence Cristo Rey High School, a co-educational, college preparatory school for economically disadvantaged students in the Hawthorne neighborhood where she is the principal; and

Whereas: Sister Jeanne, following the example set by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, has used her gifts and talents to transform the lives of children through education; and

Whereas: the City of Indianapolis congratulates Sister Jeanne as a 2013 Indiana Torchbearer award recipient and comments her for dedication in servin the need of our community;

Now, therefore, I Gregory A Ballard, Mayor of the City of Indianapolis, do hereby proclaim March 6, 2013, as:

Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, SP Day

In the City of Indianapolis, and I ask all citizens to join me in this observation.