Bill George, former principal at La Salle Catholic College Preparatory, announced that he will retire on June 30th after thirty-five years at the Milwaukie, Oregon, high school. In addition to his long service to the school, Bill has been a vital force in the San Francisco District as a member of various District school committees and as a pioneer Lasallian Partner, demonstrating a strong association with the Brothers in his leadership in promoting the Lasallian mission. In 1993, Bill was recognized as the Distinguished Lasallian Educator for the San Francisco District at the USA-Toronto Region’s annual Huether Conference.
“Bill has been a model Lasallian educator and partner,” remarked Gery Short, Director of the Office of Education for the District of San Francisco. “He is a person of great integrity and service--insightful, respectful and available to meet the needs of students, educators at La Salle, the District, and the Brothers.”
Bill George came to La Salle in 1976 as an English teacher and baseball coach. Over the next three and a half decades, he taught English, history, government, personal finance, and marriage and family life while continuing coaching and college counseling duties. As an administrator, he filled the roles of athletic director, dean of students, and vice-principal before being named principal in 1997. He held this position until 2006, when he retired from the office and assumed admissions duties for one year. He again postponed retirement to be director of campus facilities, duties he will complete with his formal retirement at the end of this month.
His influence on the school is strongly felt, notes the current principal, Tom Dudley. “His leadership has left an enduring mark on the culture of the school. Many people talk about mission, but Bill George lives the mission. Whether it’s access to education, serving the needs of the whole student, or ensuring a quality learning environment, you will see Bill’s footprint all over the place.”
In the greater San Francisco District arena, Bill George has been a definitive contributor. He was the first lay chair of the San Francisco District Mission Council, served as a lay consultant at the 1999 District Chapter and was a delegate to the District Mission Assemblies in 2003 and 2006. From 2003 to 2005, he served as vice-chair of the Secondary Schools Administrators Association. He was greatly involved in the foundation of De La Salle North Catholic High School in Portland, the District’s first Cristo Rey school. Today, he continues as a trustee on the board of La Salle High School in Yakima, Washington, and assists in the District’s Discerning Leaders Program.
A lifetime of service and commitment to the Lasallian mission will not end with Bill’s retirement. On June 15th, he begins a three-week service trip, Vandu Paaru, to Boys’ Village in South India.
To honor Bill George’s many years of educational leadership and Lasallian commitment, La Salle Catholic College Preparatory has established the Bill George Scholarship Fund for tuition assistance.
