Friendships between a faculty is an essential attribute to a school, for schools, as “schools of thought,” are groups of friends at leisure who, apart from necessary business, enjoy the free exercise of their reason; hence the term “faculty:” an enabled organ free from any purpose but its own exercise. A faculty that is joined in friendship is the strength of an institution, for human enterprises (and even divine ones depending on human instruments) most often fail because human relations are impeded or strained. The only hope (as in marriage) is a bond stronger than the individuals: the love of friends bound upon a common journey.
St. Gregory’s Academy makes every effort to maintain this ideal of forming and fostering friendship among its faculty, for a school is simply a faculty of friends learning together who, since the good is self-diffusive, teach.
Faculty and Staff of St. Gregory’s Academy
Rev. Fr. Antony Sumich, F.S.S.P., Rector (Read More)
Fr. Antony Sumich, Rector of St. Gregory’s Academy, was born in New Zealand, of Croatian descent, and spent his boyhood (amongst other things) playing rugby. At twenty-six years of age Fr. Sumich left New Zealand and traveled to Europe, where he spent the next twelve years connecting with his Slavic roots mainly in Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria. During this time, he coached the Slovenian National Rugby senior team, the Rugby Club Versailles, and the Croatian Nation Rugby teams, and also became qualified as an Austrian ski instructor. In 2002, he entered the Fraternity of St. Peter’s seminary in Germany, transferred to Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Nebraska the following year, and was ordained a priest in 2008. For the last three years Fr. Sumich worked as assistant pastor at the FSSP apostolate in Nigeria. As Rector of St. Gregory’s Fr. Sumich is dedicated to uphold, by the grace of God, the Academy’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence, religious fervor, and prowess in the game of rugby.
Rev. Fr. Simon Harkins, F.S.S.P., Chaplain and Teacher (Read More)
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Fr. Simon Harkins, F.S.S.P., was educated at St. Thomas of Aquinas High School in Edinburgh. After completing his Bachelor’s degree at Napier University, he continued to read Civil Engineering at Heriot Watt and Edinburgh Universities until he launched his career with an Engineering Design consultancy and later as Director of Social and Economic Regeneration for the City of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. After a highly successful three years managing the largest re-development project in the UK, Fr. Harkins found his attention turning toward his spiritual development and in 2003 he entered Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary. He was ordained in Lincoln, Nebraska on May 22, 2010, and is now assigned at St. Gregory’s Academy as Chaplain.
Mr. Daniel Davidson, Dean of Academics, Teacher (Read More)
Mr. Davidson received his bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College and went on to teach at the Ojai Valley School before becoming an assistant tutor at his alma mater for two years. He then taught at the Highland School in Texas, worked with the Mary Foundation, and became Headmaster at Holy Family Academy in Pennsylvania, before he joined the faculty at St. Gregory’s. Mr. Davidson serves as Dean of Academics, teaches Latin, Physics, World History, and Rhetoric I, and is the father of five.
Mr. Stephen Fitzpatrick, Dean of Student Life, Teacher, Assistant Coach (Read More)
Mr. Fitzpatrick received a degree in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College after graduating from St. Gregory’s Academy. He returned to St. Gregory’s as a dorm father, teacher, and coach. Mr. Fitzpatrick teaches Latin, Folk Music, Geometry, Humanities I, and S.A.T. preparation. He earned his Master’s degree in Theology through the University of Scranton. He and his wife have two daughters and a son.
Mr. Garret van Beek, Teacher, Dean of Discipline, Head Coach, Athletic Director (Read More)
Mr. van Beek graduated with an Honors degree from the University of Ottawa in sociology after his graduation from St. Gregory’s. He teaches freshman and junior Natural History. Mr. van Beek is the head coach for the Highlanders’ soccer and rugby teams and the Athletics Director for the Academy. He has led the Highlanders to both soccer and rugby state championships in the past two years. In addition, Mr. van Beek serves as the Dean of Discipline and College Preparation Supervisor. Mr. van Beek is married and has three children.
Mr. James Hanisch, Teacher (Read More)
Mr. Hanisch received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, and his certification in English and Mathematics from the Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. He has been a member of the St. Gregory’s Academy faculty since its first year and continues to teach Latin, Earth Science, and Rhetoric II. Mr. Hanisch is also the students’ Funds Manager. Mr. Hanisch and his wife have three daughters.
Mr. Sean Fitzpatrick, Teacher (Read More)
Mr. Fitzpatrick is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College and St. Gregory’s Academy. He has worked at St. Gregory’s as a dorm father, teacher, and fundraiser. Mr. Fitzpatrick currently teaches Literature, Mythology, Humanities II, and Drama, which includes the orchestration of the annual school play. He is also serves as special events coordinator, public relations officer, and part-time fundraiser. Mr. Fitzpatrick is married with three children.
Mr. Matthew Williams, Teacher (Read More)
Matthew Williams, of Northeastern Pennsylvania, will be St. Gregory’s Sacred Music teacher this year. Mr. Williams attended West Chester University where he gained a B.A. in Music and a love for medieval and renaissance music and theory. Raised in the Presbyterian Church and by the grace of God a convert to the Catholic Faith in 2007, he is well versed in Gregorian Chant, choral repertoire, and other forms of sacred music.
Mrs. Lisa Davis, Administrative Assistant, Registrar (Read More)
Mrs. Lisa Davis, a local of Scranton, attended Scranton Prep High School and the University of Scranton. She holds a BS in Health and Human Services, with a minor in Latin, and also an MS in Human Resources Administration. Mrs. Davis lives in Clarks Summit with her husband, Tom, and has two daughters. Her work experience includes hospital HR Administration and office management for an investment company. Mrs. Davis feels very blessed to be a part of the SGA family where she will work as the Administrative Assistant and Academy Secretary.
Mr. Eric Lewis, Teacher and Dorm-father (Read More)
Mr. Eric Lewis hails from Dallas, Texas, the second of eight children. Mr. Lewis graduated from the University of Dallas in 2007, receiving a BA in English with a concentration in Latin. He taught at Faustina Academy in Irving for a year and a half before becoming a member of the faculty of St. Gregory’s. Mr. Lewis will be teaching Latin and Algebra, as well as assisting the dorm staff and schola director.
Mr. John McCarthy, Head Dorm-father, Teacher, Coach (Read More)
Mr. John McCarthy was born and raised in Gallup, New Mexico, and is a graduate of St. Gregory’s Academy. He recently earned his BA in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College and will be the head dorm-father this year. Mr. McCarthy will also be teaching Logic and Poetry, and coaching for the soccer and rugby programs.
Mr. Dan Schiller, Dorm-father, Teacher, Coach (Read More)
Mr. Daniel Schiller, from New Baltimore, New York, graduated from St. Gregory’s Academy in 2007, and from Ave Maria University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in History. This year he will be a dorm-father and teach the American History course to the freshmen. In addition, Mr. Schiller is the B-side soccer coach and assistant rugby coach.
Mr. Sean Smith, Dorm-father, Teacher (Read More)
Mr. Sean Smith was born in Reno, Nevada, and raised in California. A convert to the Catholic Faith, Mr. Smith is an Eagle Scout and a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College. He joins the staff of St. Gregory’s this year as a dorm-father, poetry teacher, and SAT instructor.
Mr. Joseph MacDonald, Dorm-father, Teacher, Coach (Read More)
Mr. Joseph MacDonald, of Springhill, Florida, graduated from St. Gregory’s Academy in 2007. He returns to St. Gregory’s as a dorm-father this year after four years of farming and cabinetry. Mr. MacDonald has a strong musical bent, and will be teaching three Folk Music classes this year. He will also serve as an assistant rugby coach.
Mr. Michael Burns, Kitchen Assistant and Prefect (Read More)
Mr. Michael Burns was born in Sacramento, California, and raised on a small farm in Maple Hill, Kansas. He graduated from the Fraternity of St. Peter’s St. John Vianney School in 2011. Mr. Burns is discerning a vocation to the priesthood with the FSSP, and will spend the year working at St. Gregory’s as assistant cook, kitchen prefect, and helping the dorm staff as needed.
