The Jesuit High School community offers its gratitude and congratulations to Tom Bagwill, who has accepted the role of Vice President of Institutional Advancement at St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. For the past 12 years, Bagwill has served as Jesuit’s director of institutional advancement, which encompasses Jesuit’s development department, marketing and communications team, alumni affairs office, and volunteer and events office.

Bagwill, the father of Chase Bagwill ’08, Ben Bagwill ’12, and Emily Bagwill (an alumna of the Philelectic Society) and the husband of Dana Bagwill, has overseen more than a decade of successful Parents’ Annual

Giving Drives and Alumni Giving Drives along with several major capital campaigns: Home Field Advantage, the campaign to build John Ryan Stadium, Jesuit’s multipurpose athletic venue; the Holy Name of Jesus Chapel Renovation, a project to renovate the iconic second-floor Holy Name Chapel; and Minds and Hearts Enlightened, the transformational campaign that provided for the renovation of the Gayle & Tom Benson Arena, updates to almost every classroom on campus, the construction of the Madonna della Strada building, and the addition of $5 million to the endowment.

“Through four presidential transitions,” said Fr. John Brown, S.J., Jesuit’s president, “Tom has been a source of both stability and creativity for Jesuit High School in the realm of advancement and beyond. We have all benefited from his leadership, and Jesuit is a better place because of his contributions.”

“At Jesuit, Tom has worked hard to build the community, encouraging everyone in charity to support their alma mater,” added Jamie Roy, Jesuit’s major gifts coordinator. “Bright things are in Jesuit’s future as we continue to build on his legacy.”

Jesuit’s alumni director, Michael Prados ’83, said, “We wish Tom all the best as he takes on this new challenge. I’m sure that the energy and enthusiasm he has shown at Jesuit will continue to guide him in his new role at St. John’s.”

Before moving into the development arena, Bagwill was an Emmy-award winning broadcast journalist for WGNO-TV, the New Orleans ABC affiliate. His writing and reporting also earned him numerous first-place New Orleans Press Club awards and a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award.

In several respects, Bagwill is returning to his roots. He is a proud 1980 graduate of St. Paul’s School (which, like St. John’s, is a Lasallian school) in Covington, Louisiana. He also worked in the nation’s capital as press secretary to Mississippi congressman Trent Lott, spending one year in the United States House of Representatives and two years in the U.S. Senate. He spent three years as development director at the Christian Brothers Foundation, which provided financial assistance to Christian Brothers for post-graduate education and retirement.

“I am so grateful for the relationships we’ve developed, the friendships we’ve made, and the talented people who have helped in our advancement efforts to support the mission of a place that will remain special to us all the days of life,” said Bagwill.

As Bagwill concludes his time on Carrollton & Banks, Christian Bautista ’06, who has served as Jesuit’s director of communications for the past two years, will take the lead in the office of institutional advancement going forward. Bagwill’s last event in his current role will be a favorite of his and of the Jesuit community: the upcoming Brother Dardis Fishing Rodeo on July 16.