August 14, 2020
Dear Archbishop Carroll Community,
Today marks the end of a remarkable era in Archbishop John Carroll High School’s storied history. It is the final day on the job for our president, Francis E. Fox ’77, who is leaving Carroll to become the CEO for the American operations of an international cyber security firm specializing in the protection of children in cyberspace.
For the past seven years, Frank has put his heart and soul into Carroll. During his tenure, he was a dynamic leader and a builder of school programs, of campus facilities and of relationships with people, resulting in a better Carroll.
Frank made Carroll’s Catholic identity a priority. He orchestrated the effort to develop the Dominic L. Coyle ’17 Memorial Garden and Stations of the Cross, he was involved in school liturgies and he held Carroll to its core values of faith community, virtue, Christian service, academic excellence, and diversity and inclusion.
Frank also worked hard to develop Carroll's current leadership team which will help for a smooth transition when Mr. James Nelson Leary assumes his role as Carroll’s acting president on Monday, August 17. He and the team were extraordinary when the pandemic hit last spring. Faced with that unexpected challenge, Carroll again proved itself to be a leader in creative and resourceful academics with the successful implementation of distance learning. The expertise developed by this leadership team while working through the challenges of the spring will continue to benefit Archbishop Carroll when school resumes in a few weeks.
Anyone associated with the school understands that Frank’s contributions to Carroll have been myriad. To name but a few:
- He was ever present and available to our Carroll families, especially during some difficult and tragic times.
- He led a unique commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020, a memory they and their families will always cherish.
- He was a constant presence at games, arts, and other extracurricular events.
- He spearheaded major improvements to the school’s facilities such as the football, baseball, soccer and lacrosse fields, as well as classrooms and other academic and common spaces.
- He was part of Carroll’s Middle States Association accreditation, the gold standard for measuring and advancing school improvements.
- He formed unique bonds and partnerships that allowed Carroll to prosper; a good example was construction of the all-weather baseball field in collaboration with Cabrini University.
- He was a principal driver of Carroll’s fundraising efforts, securing significant tuition dollars for countless students.
- His vision for Carroll’s 50th anniversary celebration was one for the ages by bringing back together decades of alumni, faculty, staff, coaches and friends of the Carroll community.
- He oversaw the development and implementation of Carroll's strategic plan.
- He connected with alumni and was a regular at alumni gatherings.
To say that Frank has been committed to his alma mater would be one of the great understatements for the ages. Frank has shown us all how to “pay it forward.” While we will miss his presence on campus and his constant interaction with the students, faculty and staff, Frank leaves Carroll a better place than when he returned home seven years ago.
It has been my privilege to serve with Frank, first as a fellow Board member and then with him as president. In this important time of transition and challenge for Archbishop John Carroll, please join me in thanking President Fox for all of his contributions to our school. His “secret sauce” has certainly helped Carroll “equip saints for life in this world and the next.”
In Franks words:
Warm regards!
