Thomas Braunscheidel by SUE SCHAFFSTALL
In 1993 cell phones were big, had an antenna and were not smart. Only 22 percent of households had an internet connection. How can we forget Super Bowl XXVII: The Buffalo Bills become the first team to lose three consecutive Super Bowls as they are defeated by the Dallas Cowboys, 52–17? I sat down with Braunscheidel to talk about his time at St. Francis, his decision to leave and his future. When asked what has changed the most at St. Francis High School over the past 28 years Braunscheidel responded, “Fewer Friars. More students from public schools.” The inputs to education have changed said Braunscheidel. “Back in 1993 it was the dawn of the internet. I remember Fr. Mark David showing me the internet for the first time.”
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n 1993, Thomas Braunscheidel was working as a school counselor at Baker Hall when an opening came up at St. Francis in late August. Fr. Gregory Hartmayer, Principal called the young Braunscheidel about the position, and as they say, the rest is history. Twenty-eight years later, fifteen of them as Principal, Braunscheidel has decided that it is time to move on. A lot has happened in the past 28 years. Here is just a little snapshot in case you forgot. In 1993, Bill Clinton was sworn in as the 42nd President of the United States. Intel Corporation ships the first Pentium chips. Microsoft releases Windows 3.11. Ariana Grande, Megan Trainor and Stefan Diggs were all born in 1993.
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“How content is delivered has been dramatically changed due to technology and how kids consume information has changed. It used to be a hunk of chalk and a good teacher and now it’s chromebooks.” Braunscheidel goes on to say that, the school has changed in other ways as well. “St. Francis has become more diverse and we value diversity and are committed to it. We are investing more in helping students get here, to be able to afford a St. Francis education and to reap all the benefits of that education.”
What has stayed the same? “Fundamentally, the flavor and the charism
remains the same,” said Braunscheidel. “Our identity as a Franciscan school that emphasizes the brotherhood and humility. That remains the same. The essential spirit and charism remains the same, which it should.”
What will you miss the most? The people and the relationships. “I will miss the ability to help both students and faculty live out the mission of the school.
