INTRODUCING GERRY BOLLMAN

Introducing Gerry Bollman ’86

Gerry Bollman is the new Vice President for Operations and Chief Financial Officer for St. Xavier High School. He began his tenure in August. Gerry attended St. Xavier between 1982 and 1986 following a number of cousins and an uncle who are also Bombers. Since graduation Gerry has been an active and engaged alum providing financial support as well as volunteering where he could (Career ConneXions) to benefit students.

Why did you decide to come back to work at St. Xavier? I always enjoyed my time at the school and long wanted to contribute in a more meaningful way, but my career took me out of Cincinnati for quite a few years. As I thought about a “final act” to my professional life I was excited by the idea of finding a way to combine my professional skills and experience with my love of St. X and desire to be a part of the community again. For me it’s all about the motivation of pursuing a mission driven calling and waking up each day excited to come to work and collaborate with so many smart, committed, passionate and loving individuals who all support that mission.

You have a longstanding history of support for St. X. What encouraged you to stay engaged? Quite simply I believe in the mission of the school and want to do what I can to ensure that the school continues to thrive as it fulfills its goal of assisting young men in their formation as leaders and men for others. I strongly believe that I wouldn’t be the person I am today were it not for the education, as well as the spiritual and personal growth, I experienced while at St. X. I gained confidence; I expanded my understanding and appreciation for the wider world around me; I came to appreciate more deeply the value of service to others and the power of servant leadership; I allowed myself to be vulnerable and grew my willingness to trust and love others more deeply. What St. X offers is unique and irreplaceable, and I want to give back as fully as possible. What is your vision for your first year as the CFO? Well, I have had enough first days in a new role to know that the most important objectives are to listen and to learn. I think we are all people who want to have a positive impact, whatever we do, so the temptation is always to act first. Listening, though, is critical to making sure the actions we take are constructive and appropriate for the culture and context in which we work. Beyond that I am excited to be coming onboard as the Board of Trustees finalizes the St. Xavier 200 Strategic Plan for Continuous Improvement to set the course for the next decade and beyond. I think my experience analyzing, planning, and executing will allow me to be a good strategic partner to the leadership of the school in helping to bring those goals to life.

What else should we know about you? Prior to coming to St. X fulltime I spent more than 30 years in business, the last 17 as a CFO. My jobs required that I travel extensively, and I’ve now completed dozens of roundthe-world trips. I also spent time living or working in the UK, France, Australia, and New Zealand. Outside of work I love to entertain and to cook. I wish I could play golf but have terrible hand-eye coordination, so I am relegated to watching it on the weekends. I do love to work out and lift, though, and have done so regularly since turning 40. Despite all my travel for work, I still enjoy exploring new places with friends and family, although my favorites remain London and Hilton Head. I have two small dogs, Scooby & Shaggy, who have kept me company along the way.

excerpts from the ARCHIVES Nicholas Kemper ’06, Archivist

Over twenty years after its installation, the giant twisted hunk of metal that sits outside the Berning Gymnasium continues to confuse and delight. To some, it seems out of place; to others, it’s a beautiful work of abstract art; to most, though, it’s a mystery. So, what is it? Who made it? And how did it end up at St. Xavier?

In 1984 a group called the Linclay Corporation was constructing the Commerce Center, a 30-story office building located at Sixth and Vine Streets downtown. Clement Meadmore, an Australian-American artist known for his massive outdoor pieces crafted from steel and bronze, was commissioned to decorate the plaza outside with one of his sculptures. Built at the cost of $100,000 and weighing more than seven thousand pounds, the piece was dedicated in August 1984. Its name? “Open End.”

This abstract and minimalist work of art remained in its original location for fifteen years until the plaza upon which it sat was slated to be remodeled. Due to frequent pedestrian injuries caused by its sharp edges as well as its propensity for attracting graffiti, “Open End” was not included in the renovation plans. Tim Helmick ’68, regional accountant for Grub and Ellis, the property management company, contacted St. Xavier and asked whether the school would be interested in the piece. After an enthusiastic response from art teachers and administrators, the massive sculpture was refurbished and donated to St. Xavier High School where it was installed pro bono by Fenton Rigging in late September 1999.

Two decades after its relocation, “Open End” still manages to confound the St. X community as much as it did when it first arrived. Some viewers have likened it to Gumby, while others have compared it to heating pipes; some have even said it resembles a can opener. But perhaps this diversity of interpretations is part of its charm. As the late Fine Arts teacher Dennis O’Brien mentioned at the time of its installation, “Abstract art is like poetry; you bring your own background to it.” And at the very least, according to then St. X President William Verbryke SJ, the sculpture “makes a good conversation piece.”