A retirement dinner for Joseph D. Hollowell, president of Roncalli high School, will be held at The Atrium on Thursday, March 5.

The first and only president of the school for 25 years, Hollowell announced his retirement last September, effective June 30.

He has held many positions during his 41-year tenure including chemistry teacher, football and baseball coach, dean of students, principal and president.

 “The steadfast leadership of Dr. Hollowell has positively impacted tens of thousands of lives,” said Roncalli alumnae Gina Kuntz Fleming, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. “His deep desire to serve God and His people is evident in all he does. We are most grateful for Dr. Hollowell’s service and leadership and thank him for growing Roncalli High School into such a wonderful home where students are educated and formed in the Catholic faith.”

Under Hollowell’s leadership, the campus has expanded from 24 to 45 acres to meet an enrollment of 1,125 students. He led efforts to raise $35 million for capital improvements, including a chapel, administrative wing, fine arts center, addition of 30 classrooms, an auxiliary gym (“the bubble”), and a new gymnasium plus numerous renovations.

Hollowell and his wife, Diane, have 11 children and 13 grandchildren and are members of Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Parish. He is a graduate of Scecina Memorial High School and Butler University and earned a doctorate in education at Creighton University.

The dinner is open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The Atrium is at 3143 Thompson Road.

A portion of each ticket purchased creates a scholarship in honor of Joe and Diane Hollowell.
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RSVP and purchase tickets online at www.roncalli.org/hollowell-retirement for $25 per person for dinner and cash bar, or guests may contact Tina Hayes at thayes@roncalli.org or 317-787-8277 ext. 239.