Rosary High School Announces New Head of School

Anthony Wilkinson to Lead Rosary into the Future

Aurora, Ill.—Rosary High School Governing Board Chairperson Austin Dempsey today announced the appointment of Rosary’s new Head of School, Anthony Wilkinson, who begins his new position July 1, 2018. Mr. Wilkinson has more than 25 years of experience as a leader in education.

“In cooperation with Rosary’s Governing Board and the leadership team of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Ill., I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Anthony Wilkinson as the new Head of School for Rosary,” said Mr. Dempsey.

The Dominican Sisters leadership team is the member board for Rosary High School.

Mr. Wilkinson comes to Rosary with extensive experience in school administration and a proven record of collaborative leadership. Currently the Principal of Our Lady of Peace School, Darien, Ill., he has also been the Principal of Fairmont Elementary School, Lockport, Ill.; Shabbona Middle School, Morris, Ill.; and St. Joseph School, Bradley, Ill. While principal at St. Joseph School, he helped to consolidate St. Joseph with two other Catholic elementary schools and Bishop McNamara High School to form a consolidated system in Kankakee County called Bishop McNamara Catholic School.

Mr. Wilkinson holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Northern Illinois University. He completed a bachelor’s degree in Education and Social Studies at Indiana University.

As Head of School, Mr. Wilkinson will work with the Member Board, Governing Board, and Rosary’s administration to provide leadership and academic excellence, and will work with the faculty and staff to ensure a bright and successful future for Rosary High School.

Sr. Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP, Prioress General of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield and Chair of the Member Board, said, “Anthony Wilkinson brings a strong faith dimension to his love of education and service to the school community. I trust he will continue to build on the existing collaborative relationships among the faculty, staff, parents, and alumnae, while providing the students with opportunities to deepen their faith, engage life-long learning and develop as servant leaders.”

“We are delighted to have Mr. Wilkinson join Rosary as we enter our 56th year of empowering young women to achieve their greatest potential,” Mr. Dempsey said, adding “Mr. Wilkinson’s commitment to excellence and dedication to Catholic principles will assist the faculty and staff in continuing the tradition of academic leadership and innovation for our students.”

In the announcement to Rosary’s faculty, staff, families and students, Mr. Wilkinson said: “Rosary already has an outstanding reputation. I look forward to working with teachers, staff, students, parents, and alumnae—the entire school community—to grow Rosary toward a strong future of educating Christian leaders in the Dominican tradition. By building on the Rosary tradition of academic excellence and pursuit of a passion for lifelong learning, in and out of the classroom, young women who graduate from Rosary High School will be prepared to transform the world.”

Mr. Wilkinson and his wife Laura have been married twenty years and have twin daughters, Abigail and Katherine, who are fifteen years old. They are parishioners of St. Joseph Parish, Downers Grove, Ill.

As Head of School, Mr. Wilkinson will take the place of Dr. Tom Choice, who made a two-year commitment as Rosary’s president in 2016, and of Springfield Dominican Sister Megan Farrelly, the current principal, who agreed to serve as principal last fall with the understanding that a new head of school would be hired for the 2018-2019 academic year. She previously served as Rosary’s principal from 1996-2004.

Rosary High School is a Catholic, college-prep high school for young women located at 901 N. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora, and sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois. Since 1962, Rosary has encouraged young women to achieve their greatest potential. For more information about Rosary High School, please visit www.rosaryhs.com.