Hill-Murray Always Feels Like Home

Dear Hill-Murray Community,

It’s been a wonderful, whirlwind week on campus as current students celebrate Homecoming and past students return to reunite and reminisce at dozens of class reunions. There’s really nothing like the genuine connections between high school classmates and childhood friends. This year, perhaps most notably, the ‘72 Class is reconnecting a half-century after becoming Hill-Murray’s first-ever graduates.


Those bonds formed at a young age are evident everywhere I look this week, whether alums graduated as long as 50 or as little as five years ago. I’ve said this countless times: I am in awe of the genuine community, the camaraderie, and the deep connections among H-M classmates. It’s what truly makes our school so special.

As president, I so much enjoy celebrating H-M’s past, but I also never forget the importance of preserving its future. In October, we have two events that directly impact the growth of our school and our ability to provide our students with memorable experiences.


Give Day is Hill-Murray’s annual day-of-giving event. For 24 hours on October 13, the entire Hill-Murray community of alumni, faculty, staff, current and past parents, and friends will come together to support the Hill-Murray Annual Fund.

A cornerstone of our everyday operations, the Annual Fund enables us to provide a rich, transformational learning experience that’s accessible to all students.

Whether you’re passionate about Pioneer athletics, visual and performing arts, financial aid, academics, student activities or faith formation, your H-M Give Day gift will further Hill-Murray’s mission to support each student on their educational journey as they find their calling.

Click here now or next week to join in this celebration of giving!

Our Fall Open House on October 17 is where we introduce prospective families to H-M. If you have neighbors, friends, co-workers, or fellow parishioners who you think would fit in well at H-M, forward them this email and tell them to RSVP ASAP. 

You can spread the good word that H-M is a place where students support each other and challenge each other to be the kind of leaders our world needs.

Senior Ty Swanson delivers “To Be a Pioneer” speech this past week Homecoming Mass.

For example, senior Ty Swanson delivered the “To Be a Pioneer” speech after Homecoming Mass earlier this week. He challenged his classmates to go beyond simply being truthful.  He talked about the difference between being true and genuine.

Here’s an excerpt:

Truthfulness is saying something true, but it has nothing to do with meaning. Being genuine is saying something true, and meaning it…

I urge you not only to be genuine, but to seek genuineness in your relationships, words, and actions.  I believe this is what Jesus did in his life on earth. He was genuine. He had true compassion for the poor and outcasts and healed them. He also had genuine words of challenge for the wealthy and religious leaders by calling them back to humility and a genuine relationship with God. He was genuine.

Check out his full speech here 

Ty’s words of wisdom resonated with me and reminded me once again that Hill-Murray fosters and nurtures authentic relationships, relationships that endure over time and are meaningful. This is the spirit of Hill-Murray – this is the spirit of HOMECOMING. I saw it repeatedly in our classrooms, hallways, courts, and fields. I saw it at many different reunions over the past few weeks, and I am confident we all will continue to see it in Hill-Murray’s future.

I’m heading off shortly to the Nicholas Center patio to get ready to greet alums, current families, students, parents, and even sisters from the Monastery to our Homecoming pregame festivities.  I hope to see you there; if not in person, I know you will be there in spirit!