Prep Talk
St. Augustine Prep Announces New Dean of Academics
Posted May 2nd, 2014
On Friday, May 2, St. Augustine Prep President Fr. Donald Reilly, O.S.A., D.Min., and the Board of Directors of St. Augustine Prep, announced a new Dean of Academics for the 2014-2015 Academic Year, Mr. Joseph Vandenberg.
Mr. Vandenberg is a 1974 graduate of the St. Augustine Prep. He taught Social Studies and World Languages at St. Augustine Prep from 1978 to 1984 before teaching in the Washington Township School District for four years. He returned to the Prep in 1988 to serve as the school’s first lay Headmaster, a position he held for two Academic Years. In 1990, he served as an elementary school principal in Collingswood before transitioning to the role of High School Principal at Washington Township in May of 1991. Mr. Vandenberg held that position for eight years before serving as the Director of Secondary Education and then Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Mr. Vandenberg is a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Sicklerville. He has two children and three grandchildren.
“It just seems fitting that Mr. Joseph Vandenberg assume the role of Academic Dean of the Prep,” said Fr. Reilly. “Besides outstanding credentials and experience in the field of education, Mr. Vandenberg is an alumnus, a former Headmaster, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Prep. I am delighted he is back on campus.”
The Dean of Academics opening was created when current Dean Mr. Kevin Burke, also a St. Augustine Prep alum (Class of 2000), elected to pursue the Dean of Students position for the 2014-2015 Academic Year, which will be his tenth year with the school. Mr. Burke graduated from Moravian University in 2004 and returned to St. Augustine Prep in 2005. He spent five years as a faculty member, club moderator, and coach before becoming the Assistant Dean of Academics in 2010. He served in that capacity until 2012 when he became the Dean of Academics. During that time, Mr. Burke completed his Masters Degree in Education at Villanova University.
“I am excited to transition into a new area, student life, and serve the school in a different capacity,” said Mr. Burke, who was an integral part of the search committee for his successor.
“I am thrilled that Mr. Vandenberg has accepted this role. His experience and his passion will benefit our young men and our faculty tremendously,” said Mr. Burke.
Mr. Vandenberg was introduced to the faculty and staff of St. Augustine Prep at a campus luncheon on Friday, May 12.
Photo: Mr. Joseph Vandenberg (left; Class of 1974) will be succeeding Mr. Kevin Burke (right; Class of 2000) in the Dean of Academics Position at St. Augustine Prep for the 2014-2015 Academic Year. Mr. Burke will assume the role of Dean of Students for the upcoming school year.