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After 25-years as school president, Roncalli's Hollowell stepping down

Has spent 41-years at south side Indianapolis school
Posted at 9:59 AM, Sep 06, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-06 12:05:15-04

INDIANAPOLIS—Roncalli High School will have a new president next school year. Dr. Joseph Hollowell is retiring after 25-years as head of the south side Indianapolis Catholic school.

Dr. Hollowell has been at Roncalli 41-years as a teacher, football and baseball coach, dean of students, principal and president. His retirement coincides with the school's 50th birthday.

"The steadfast leadership of Dr. Hollowell has positively impacted tens of thousands of lives," said 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."

According to a Jeen Endris, Director of Communications and Events at Roncalli, the school has grown from 14 to 45 acres and is now the largest private school in Indiana, all during Hollowell's time as president.

Of late, the school has also been put in the local and national spotlight over the dismissal of two long time guidance counselors. Lynn Starkey and Shelly Fitzgerald were let go because both are married to women. Both are taking legal action against the archdiocese.

The search for a new president to replace Dr. Hollowell will begin next week, according to Endris.