Globetrotting Latin graduate Ken Mueller `74 shares foundational advice and treasure

Ken Mueller ’74 is proud of his school and grateful for his time as a Cathedral Latin Lion. He played on the football team and recognizes that his team set a school record – the most losses in a season. When Ken was recently on campus, home from his life and work in Oman, he shared wonderful memories of his time growing up in Cleveland and how his education and his ambition took him to places and opportunities far beyond northeast Ohio.

“I never thought as a kid about work or life living abroad,” Mueller says. “There is so much in America to see and experience without going overseas. But I’d encourage young people today to experience other cultures, be open minded about new opportunities, and take risks when it comes to career choices.”

As Chief Business Development Officer for Yahya Group Holdings, his business experience in the Middle East for 35 years ranges from currency broker for American Express to oil and gas projects to packaging to hotel development. Mueller acknowledges the foundation Cathedral Latin set for him. He recalls how Latin taught him honor in his work and in how he treats others.

“When I am overseas in the Middle East, I treat the wait staff just like I do the Minister,” he says. “It’s a matter of respect to treat others like you would like to be treated.”

Stewarding the Cornerstone for over 40 years

On an evening in 1981, Ken and his classmate, Mike McGinty ’74, saw the rubble of what was Cathedral Latin School. When the decision to close the school was announced in the spring of 1979, thousands of graduates and their families mourned the loss of this treasured institution. For Ken and Mike to see the cornerstone to the 1929 annex building sitting in the demolition on top of broken bricks, they knew they needed to step in. By their own strength, they lifted the 500-pound stone into a truck. Ken has kept it at his home ever since.

In 2021, Ken met Notre Dame Schools President Dr. Michael Bates and offered the stone to the school. Dr. Bates gladly accepted.

“We want to honor our legacy,” Dr. Bates says. “This cornerstone, preserved from the ruins of a building that inspired the Men of Latin, will now inspire the young men and women of Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin. It is a touchstone to our past, and a call to our enduring faith and community. We are honored to put it on a pedestal for all to see, this cornerstone in deed and in truth.”

Mueller beams when seeing the cornerstone in place at Lion Stadium. “This is fantastic for the kids to see today. This school, this campus. It’s unbelievable!”

We are grateful to Ken because he is the reason that the cornerstone to the 1929 annex at Cathedral Latin was not lost when the building was torn down in the early 1980s. This cornerstone, stewarded by Ken for over 40 years, was recently installed and rededicated with the stadium at an event earlier this fall.