REMEMBERING PAUL J. BORGMANN ’58

Remembering the Legacy

of Paul J. Borgmann ’58

Information compiled by Richard P. Klus, Nicholas B. Kemper ’06 and Tony E. Schad ’81

This past November 3 the St. Xavier community lost a legendary leader with the passing of Paul J. Borgmann from the St. Xavier Class of 1958. As a student at St. Xavier, Paul was class president and was involved in Sodality, the X-Club as well as football and track. He entered the Jesuits shortly after graduating from St. X. He earned an A.B., M.A. and M. DIV from Loyola University in Chicago. He began teaching at St. Xavier in 1971 in the religion department and was chair of the department during the 1975-76 school year.

Paul was named the 37th President of St. Xavier High School and began his service to the school on July 1, 1976. During his St. Xavier presidency many significant changes and impactful events occurred:

• In 1977 the first “lay” board members were appointed and included

Bill Besl ’45, Bill Blum ’38, Clem Buenger ’44, Mike Conaton and

Paul Sittenfeld. • During the incredible winter of 1977, St. X was closed by CG & E and, under Borgmann’s direction, classes were moved back downtown to the Mabley and Carew Company. • New concrete bleachers were built and named after Tom Ballaban and the Bombers had a new 4,500 seat stadium. With that, Harry Foley ’27, whose construction company built the bleachers, donated a new cinder running track. It was the first track St. Xavier had on campus. • For the 1978-79 school year Borgmann appointed the school’s first

“lay” principal, Mr. Mike Trainor. • In 1979 the school’s first President’s Dinner was held in honor of the newly formed St. Francis Xavier Society, which is still the backbone of fundraising to this day. • In 1979 Sr. Grace Marie Hiltz, S.C. was the first woman appointed to the Board of Trustees • In 1981 the 150th anniversary of the school was celebrated with numerous events including, May Fete festival, Sesquicentennial

Speakers Series, Founders Day Mass and Brunch with Xavier

University, and the newly established Magis award for service was awarded to Mike Conaton. • The Magis Campaign was directed and raised $2.9 million for endowment for faculty salaries, student financial aid and building and grounds maintenance. • In 1983 Paul Sittenfeld was appointed the first “lay” chairman of the board of trustees. • The Boys Hope program came to the St. X campus in the fall of 1983. • In 1984 St. X was one of the 60 schools honored nationwide by the

Exemplary Private Schools Recognition Project. • The St. X Legacy of Leaders Campaign, conducted from 1988 through 1990, raised more than $11 million and helped to complete such projects as the Barrett Center, construction of the Jesuit residence on View Place and increased the school’s endowment for need-based tuition assistance. • Paul Borgmann completed his 15-year presidency at St. Xavier on

June 30, 1991. He still holds the longest tenure of any St. Xavier

High School president.

Paul’s sense of humor, contagious laugh and spirit will be missed and his legacy of accomplishment for the mission of St. Xavier High School will never be forgotten. His family has requested memorials be sent to the Borgmann Family Scholarship in care of St. Xavier High School.