Subiaco Academy approves headmaster contract extension

Dr. David Wright’s contract extended as headmaster at Subiaco Academy

Published: December 19, 2023

By Arkansas Catholic Staff

Courtesy Subiaco Academy

Attending the contract extension vote Dec. 6 at Subiaco Abbey were Joseph Post (from left), Alumni Association president; Ryan Gehrig, board vice president; Pat Nolte, board president; Dr. David Wright, headmaster; Abbot Elijah Owens, OSB; and Glenn Constantino, abbey procurator.

Courtesy Subiaco Academy

SUBIACO — The Subiaco Academy board of trustees approved a second contract extension with headmaster Dr. David Wright. The new two-year contract begins July 1, 2024, with the option for a third year beginning July 1, 2026.

Wright began his sixth year under his current contract extension July 1, 2023.

During his tenure, the academy said Wright has emphasized unity and community building among the constituents at Subiaco, including students and their families, faculty, staff, monks, alumni and friends of the institution.

He led a campaign to position the school’s identity, mission and philosophy statements along with brand standard guidelines to align with the Catholic and Benedictine traditions of Subiaco. He created and implemented a first-of-a-kind parallel curriculum focusing on identifying and building positive character traits among the students.

In collaboration with the board, Wright piloted a strategic planning process. On the student life front, he has championed an outdoor adventure program that is fast becoming a staple at the academy. The physical footprint of the institution has seen significant upgrades, which includes 90 percent of the academic classrooms and labs.

Board president Pat Nolte said, “In this role, consistency and stability are critically important; this second extension affords Dr. Wright the opportunity to keep on utilizing his leadership skills and the academy to continue receiving the benefits of him doing so.”

According to Abbot Elijah Owens, OSB, “Subiaco Academy has been blessed with an extraordinary list of men leading our institution since its founding in 1887. Dr. Wright became the 33rd head of the school when he was first employed by our board in 2018 as the new headmaster. Since then, David's vision and leadership have formed hundreds of young men, even as our state, regional and national educational rankings rose to extraordinary heights. As the board of trustees now extends David's contract, we cannot think of a more committed and dedicated person of faith to continue the legacy of our educational apostolate. On behalf of the Subiaco monastic community, we say, ‘well done’ and ‘thank you’ for your willingness to continue serving our academy.”

Of the contract extension, Wright said, “I am deeply humbled to accept this contract extension and to continue the important work that happens here at Subiaco every day. It is an honor to serve as headmaster at the academy as we pursue the principle of growing our students graciously to manhood. It is an extraordinary blessing for (my wife) Cindy and me to work, live, and pray in community with our monastic brothers. We have thoroughly enjoyed learning and growing in faith alongside the monks.

“I appreciate the faith that the board of trustees has shown in me and the ever-present collaboration of my colleagues here on the Hill. I look forward to continuing to build on the positive momentum we have realized recently and humbly serving the students, their families, our staff, alumni and monks into the future."

Before his arrival at Subiaco, Wright served for 30 years at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. Since moving to Arkansas, Wright and his family enjoy all that the Natural State has to offer, especially hiking, mountain biking and boating.