'Everything flows from our mission:' Walsh Jesuit president, successor discuss transition

"We are so blessed."

Karl Ertle, the current president of Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, repeated the words several times as he buzzed about the appointment of the Rev. Christopher Fronk as the new school president starting July 1.

"He will be such an upgrade," said Ertle, who will hand off the role after 13 years in the position. "He's already demonstrated a strong commitment to Walsh Jesuit."

Both men recently sat down for an interview with the Beacon Journal to talk about the transition.

"To me, it's a dream to take on the position and take us into the future," said Fronk, who currently serves as the school's vice president for mission and identity. "I want to build on Karl's accomplishments while remaining focused on our mission. Everything flows from our mission."

Before coming to Walsh Jesuit in 2021, Fronk was the president of Jesuit High School in New Orleans for three years. He also served in the United States Navy as a Command Chaplain assigned to Helmand Province, Afghanistan and onboard the USS George H. W. Bush along with other command chaplain assignments. He has degrees from St. Louis University, the University of London, Duquesne University and the Marine Corps University. Fronk was ordained to the priesthood in 1997.

He will live on the campus along with his dog Shipshape, a Shih Tzu-Yorkshire Terrier mix.

"My family got him for me after I got back from Afghanistan," Fronk said of Shipshape. He added that he has family in Pennsylvania, plus a brother and his family in Medina. Fronk has a nephew who is a senior this year at Walsh Jesuit.

Ertle, who announced his retirement last month, said the school has experienced a significant shift during his time there and is now drawing a high number of students from neighboring counties.

"About 15 years ago, 80% of our students came from Summit County," Ertle said. "Today, it's about 60%. Some students travel a half-hour or more to get here."

Changing of the guard:Walsh Jesuit president leaving Cuyahoga Falls school at end of next school year

Technology, too, has changed education, Ertle said. This was an advantage with the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools were ordered to close their doors in March 2020. Walsh Jesuit was able to move its classes online in a few days.

What Ertle plans to do in the near future is still to be determined, other than he wants to concentrate more on mission-based activities. He lives in Brecksville with his wife, who works in the Rocky River Schools.

One thing both Ertle and Fronk said they would like to see: More students coming to Walsh Jesuit.

"Chris and I were talking about this," Ertle said. "I wish more kids would come here and see the incredible community. We have some incredible people here in our Walsh family."

The school has scholarship opportunities for those who may struggle with paying the tuition, Ertle said. About $3 million in tuition assistance is distributed among about 64% of Walsh Jesuit students.

"I want to make sure as many people as possible who want to attend and share our mission have that opportunity," said Fronk.

Changes at school:New school year means new president at Walsh Jesuit

Ertle also has had to navigate some negative attention for the school. In 2021, six students facing disciplinary action were either expelled or withdrew after video was circulated of someone putting the nozzle of a bottle of hand sanitizer between the naked buttocks of an 18-year-old man who apparently passed out at a party in Silver Lake.

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More recently, widely viewed videos posted on social media captured members of the Walsh Jesuit school community storming onto the field amid a November girls soccer regional final match against Strongsville at Nordonia High School. The video shows angry coaches and a handful of Walsh fans confronting referees, prompting a Macedonia police officer to step in and order one parent off the field. A goal-line collision had brought a yellow card that ejected Walsh's goalie in the last minute of the game, leaving her replacement to face a penalty kick that resulted in a 1-0 victory for Strongsville.

"We learn from our mistakes and we grow from them," Fronk replied when asked about these two incidents. "There is so much good that happens here that I don't want us to lose sight of this. We take steps to be better."

Ertle added that the staff and administration have re-emphasized the school's mission and ideals of compassion and service.

Anger at game:OHSAA looking into incident at Walsh-Strongsville regional final girls' soccer game

Fronk said he was looking forward to working at Walsh Jesuit in his new position, commending the staff, students and administration.

"We have worked together as a team in mission and identity," he said. "That work gave me the hope and desire to advance the mission of Walsh Jesuit. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for the great people. ... It's not about one person but a lot of different people working together."

Walsh Jesuit, which teaches grades 9-12 and had its first classes in 1965, enrolled 1,012 students during its 2021-22 school year. It is one of 62 Jesuit secondary schools in the nation, and the only coed Jesuit high school in Ohio.

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Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Incoming, outgoing Walsh Jesuit presidents talk about school's future