New Jesuit High School faculty members for the 2013 – 2014 school year met recently for a group photo in St. Ignatius Hall. Seated from left are Khanh Nguyen, Julio Minsal-Ruiz, S.J., Joseph Chango, Taylor Bacques ’09, Daniel Fitzpatrick ’09, Rolando Lópes Torres, and Divya Anchan. Standing from left are Jay Combe ’83, Rudolph “Rudy” Horvath ’86, Kevin Murphy ’00, Hannah Hanegan, Elizabeth Hoodless, Justin Windham ’99, Paul Dean, and Michael Armelin, Jr.

Jesuit welcomes 15 new faculty members for the 2013 – 2014 school year. Each faculty member brings a wealth of prior experience, from Chicago to Costa Rica, from new teachers to veterans.

Jesuit also welcomes members of the newly-formed Alumni Service Corps (ASC). Taylor Bacques ’09 and Daniel Fitzpatrick ’09 are the inaugural participants of the ASC. In addition to teaching, each will tutor students, assist with co-curricular activities and events, participate in retreats and service days, and work in various sectors of the school. While new to Jesuit, similar alumni service programs have been in existence for many years at other Jesuit high schools around the country, founded on the four components of service, community, simplicity, and spirituality.

New faculty members participated in an orientation session in August and will continue to meet monthly throughout the school year. In addition, new faculty members can meet with seasoned faculty members, who serve as their mentors.

Meet the New Faculty

Divya Anchan, M.A. teaches Physics and Chemistry. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University Chicago and a master’s degree from Tulane University. Prior to joining the Jesuit faculty, Ms. Anchan taught Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Forensic Science, and ACT Math at the University of Chicago High School. She has also worked at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth as a neuroscience instructor and for the Duke University Talent Identification Program.

Michael Armelin, Jr., M.A. teaches Algebra II and Geometry. Mr. Armelin joins Jesuit from Red Cloud High School in Pine Ridge, S.D. where he taught Pre-Algebra, Algebra II, and Geometry. He attended Miami University (Ohio) and the University of Maryland. Mr. Armelin attended Gonzaga College High School, a Jesuit school in Washington, D.C.

Taylor Bacques ’09 teaches pre-freshmen English and will serve as the assistant coach of the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. Bacques earned a B.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is serving as one of the inaugural members of the ASC.

Joseph Chango teaches World Geography and will serve as assistant coach of the Football and Track and Field teams. Mr. Chango joins the Jesuit faculty from St. Charles Catholic where he taught Civics, Study Skills, and Physical Education. He is originally from Kenilworth, N.J., and attended Tulane University, where he earned a B.A. in Political Science.

Jay Combe ’83 teaches Civics and Louisiana History. Mr. Combe will also serve as the assistant coach for the Tennis team. He attended University of Virginia and University of New Orleans. Previously, Mr. Combe taught at Mount Carmel Academy and Country Day School.

Paul Dean, M.F.A. teaches English I and English II. Mr. Dean, who is originally from Jackson, M.S., attended the University of Mississippi. He previously taught Beginning College Writing, Creative Writing, and World Literature at the University of Mississippi.

Daniel Fitzpatrick ’09 teaches pre-freshman Theology and assists the Campus Ministry department. Mr. Fitzpatrick, who attended the University of Dallas, is one of the inaugural members of the ASC.

Hannah Hanegan teaches Environmental Science and Chemistry. Ms. Hanegan joins Jesuit from Tilden Preparatory School, a private school in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she taught Algebra II, Chemistry, and Advanced Placement Environmental Science. She attended Louisiana State University and has worked as a medical research technician at the Tulane National Primate Research Center.

Elizabeth Hoodless is serving as a College Planning Counselor. Ms. Hoodless, who is originally from Regina, N.M., attended Tulane University. She previously served as a college counselor at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., and as an admissions counselor at Loyola University and Tulane University.

Rudolph “Rudy” Horvath, M.A. ’86 teaches Psychology and World Geography. He will serve as the Cross Country head coach and assistant coach for Track and Field. Horvath earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Louisiana State University and the University of New Orleans, respectively. Horvath previously taught at several local schools, including Archbishop Hannan High School and Cabrini High School.

Julio Minsal-Ruiz, S.J., M.A.P.R. teaches Morality and Vocations and will assist with the Sodality. Minsal-Ruiz attended Xavier University (Ohio) and Fordham University. He is originally from Miami and attended Belen Jesuit Preparatory School.

Kevin Murphy, M.P.A. ’00 teaches World Geography and serves as the Director of Community Service. He attended Villanova University and the University of Wisconsin. In his role as Director of Community Service, Mr. Murphy will organize and oversee student participation in the annual Thanksgiving Drive, as well as guide students in their volunteerism.

Khanh Nguyen, M.A.T. teaches freshman Algebra I and Geometry. Ms. Nguyen joins Jesuit from South Plaquemines High School, where she taught Algebra I and Geometry. She attended Tulane University, Purdue University, and the University of New Orleans, where she earned a master’s degree in teaching.

Rolando Lópes Torres teaches Theology to sophomores and will assist with the Philelectic Society. Lópes Torres, who is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, attended Loyola University of New Orleans and is currently working on a master’s degree in Christian Spirituality. He previously served as a teaching assistant for the Catholic Charities English as a Second Language Program.

Justin Windham, M.A. ’99 teaches English II and English IV. He will also serve as an assistant coach for the Wrestling and Track and Field teams. Windham joins the Jesuit faculty from International High School. He attended Tulane University and the University of New Orleans, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Literature and a master’s degree in English, respectively.