Successfully fulfilling a goal that was outlined in Tolton Catholic’s recently-published VISION 2020 Strategic Plan, Bishop McKnight has announced the expansion of Tolton’s Board of Directors to include lay membership. Previously, the Board of Directors was composed of four appointed clerical members, with the school’s president/principal serving in an ex-officio capacity. Underscoring the critical importance of laity and clerical co-responsibility for the future growth of Tolton Catholic High School, Bishop McKnight has appointed Mr. Michael Kelly and Dr. Julie Stansfield as new voting members within this expanded governing body.
Michael Kelly has been a leader in the Columbia business community for over 35 years, with experience in real estate, construction, and banking. Raised in Edina, MO, Mike earned his Finance degree from MU’s Trulaske College of Business. He and wife Cheryl have been married for 34 years. They raised 3 children and now cherish their six grandchildren (with another on the way). Mike has lent his talents to various non-profit boards throughout his professional career. Mike is an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes parish and serves in a number of leadership roles at the diocesan level; he is a member of the Finance Council, a trustee of the Jefferson City Catholic Diocese Fund, and serves as a director for the Jefferson City Real Estate Corporation. Together, Mike and Cheryl also serve as Area Councillors for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Mike enjoys lake time with his family, travel, and continued learning as an avid reader.
Julie Stansfield is a Columbia physician with specialty training in Internal Medicine. She is currently employed at the Harry S. Truman VA Hospital in Columbia, where she has patient responsibilities in both the inpatient and outpatient areas; she also has teaching responsibilities for physicians seeking training in the internal medicine field. Having attended Catholic high school together at St. Pius X in Festus, she and husband John have been happily married for 35 years. They are long-time members of Sacred Heart Parish. In addition to her involvement with Vitae Society, she is a proud member of Boy Scouts of America, serving as Scoutmaster for BSA Troop 242 (sponsored by the Newman Center). Julie and John have two grown sons – Adam, who graduated from Helias, and Henry, a Tolton Catholic alumnus. When asked why serving in this capacity was a priority for her, Julie offered that the opportunity for young people to be educated in a faith-filled environment that addresses all aspects of their development was a gift not to be taken for granted. “Catholic education has a long successful tradition in the world…this continued opportunity must be nurtured by the members of a community to be successful over the long term. If I can provide a service in support of Catholic schools, that is fulfilling on so many levels.”
The Tolton Catholic High School community is proud and grateful to welcome Mr. Kelly and Dr. Stansfield!
Tolton Catholic High School Board of Directors, effective February 1, 2021:
- Fr. Chris Cordes, Chair – Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Columbia
- Rev. Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki – Vicar General of the Diocese of Jefferson City
- Fr. William Peckman – Pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Boonville
- Dr. Erin Vader – Superintendent of the Diocese of Jefferson City
- Dr. Julie Stansfield – Lay Member
- Mr. Michael Kelly – Lay Member
- Dr. Daniel Everett (Ex-Officio) – President/Principal of Tolton Catholic High School
