PRESS ROOM

Editorial Column
December 21, 2007

Greetings alumni and friends of Bishop Noll Institute!  The holidays are upon us, Christmas is a few days away and 2007 will come to an end in a few short weeks. As we all begin to travel home for the holidays to be with family and friends, I want to take some time and look back at some highlights of 2007 – a year like Noll other for Noll.
The Development Office made great strides in 2007. In just two short years, the Annual Fund has more than doubled, from $94,000 to over $195,000.  The Bishop Noll Development Office contacted over 14,000 alumni and friends of Noll via our Annual Fund letter outlining our successes and encouraging them to give back to their Alma Mater.
Some of the successes of 2007 occurred when a generous alum donated money to renovate the music/band room. Another charitable Noll family donated the funds for a new chapel which was relocated to the main hallway of the school.
On the education front, with thanks to the dedication of our talented faculty, the Indiana Department of Education ranked Noll “Exemplary” for the second year in a row. This is the highest ranking available. To achieve exemplary status, the number of 10th grade students passing the ISTEP must increase significantly each year. To maintain the status quo does not rate an exemplary ranking. Noll is one of just 21 schools statewide that have accomplished top status and has done so for two years. So, Noll continues to achieve.
For the fifth year, enrollment is up; this year enrollment increased 12 percent. At present more than 550 students attend Noll.
The Bishop Noll Prep Academy welcomed its first class. The Prep Academy has moved Noll into new levels education. Some highlights from our Prep Academy include the introduction of Smartboard based instruction. Seven classrooms were remodeled this summer to integrate our one-to-one laptop program in our Prep Academy. Each Prep Academy student has been issued a Toshiba Notebook computer. The introduction of Mandarin Chinese into our language department is forward-thinking; preparing students for the language of the international community.
Alumni and friends heard the call to come home to Noll. The annual Alumni Tailgate in October has developed into a well-attended event with more than 300 friends and alumni attending this year. Tailgate attendees were treated to music, food and beverages in the BNI fieldhouse
Another generous alum sponsored a portion of the tailgate, one of the many ways our alums are giving back to their Alma Mater.
We recently had a basketball alumni night. We invited former basketball players, coaches and friends of Noll.  Attendance was impressive for the first time event.  We had a large number of basketball players and coaches recognized during half time on December 8. Attendees gathered after the game at the Cavalier Inn in Hammond for beverages, food and friendship. Despite the wintery weather, the night turned out to be perfect for Noll alumni and friends to return home and celebrate their proud achievements on the basketball court.
This was a year like Noll other. Thank you to all who have supported us in all of our endeavors this year.  Noll is looking forward to 2008 with great anticipation. The administration, faculty and staff are gearing up for the 2008 school year. One of our greatest efforts will be our Digital Learning Center campaign. We are slated to revamp 18 classrooms to integrate our one-to-one laptop program into the high school.
From all of us at Noll, we wish you and your loved ones the best this Christmas and all the best in 2008.

If you would like additional information, you can help contact a member of Noll's Development team at 219.932.9058.


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