Providence Cristo Rey honors Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp

Earlier this month, Providence Cristo Rey High School, located in Indianapolis, honored Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, SP, with the inaugural John C. Lechleiter Award at its Pride of Providence annual fundraiser.

Sister Jeanne was in attendance and unaware she was to receive the honor as she was at the fundraiser to present an award named after her. The inaugural Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp Award was bestowed to Lechleiter.

Providence Cristo Rey Director of Development Ann Kellison said both awards, which will be given annually, honor individuals who have “given of themselves in an extraordinary way to advance the mission of the school.”

“As you’d expect, Sister Jeanne was beyond lovely as she presented her own award and as the honoree of John’s,” Kellison continued. “Both Sister Jeanne and John knew they were being honored with namesake awards but did not know they were the recipients of each other’s award.”

In the fall of 2003, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis received a grant from the Cassin Education Initiative Foundation for a study on the possible establishment of a Cristo Rey school within the Archdiocese. The school model, created by Jesuits, instills classroom instruction through a work study program in the field for students from economically disadvantaged families.

The Archdiocese confirmed there was a need for a Cristo Rey model school and reached out to the Sisters of Providence to help sponsor it. The Congregation agreed and by 2007, the school opened its doors. Sister Jeanne ministered as the first President of the school.

Providence Cristo Rey is a sponsored institution of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Kellison said school officials felt it was time to honor Sister Jeanne’s ministry at the school.

“We honor Sister Jeanne as our first president and principal. She opened our school and established the foundation for our school’s success,” Kellison said.

Kellison added the school would not be what it has become with Sister Jeanne’s “vision, leadership, passion and dedication.”

“We honor her not only for the work she has done and continues to do for Providence Cristo Rey but also for the legacy that is carried forth by many others as a result of their relationships with her,” Kellison commented. “When you ask former students, staff, faculty and community leaders about our school, Sister Jeanne’s name is always mentioned!”

Sister Jeanne is a native of Indianapolis. She entered the Congregation in 1975 and has been a Sister of Providence for 46 years. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and also has a master’s degree in mathematics with a concentration in physics from Purdue University. In addition, she has a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership Administration Supervision from the National College of Education, now known as National Louis University in Chicago and also has a doctorate of education degree in Private School Administration from the University of San Francisco.

She has ministered as a teacher at Providence High School in New Lenox, Illinois, as well as at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and Providence-St. Mel in Chicago. She also ministered as the principal at Mother Theodore Guerin High School in Chicago. Currently, she is a member of the Congregation’s Leadership Team.

“She is a tremendous leader and humanitarian who earns the utmost respect from all fortunate enough to know her,” Kellison continued. “We are all better – students, staff, faculty and the community – for the blessing of Sister Jeanne.”