By CatholicPhilly Staff • Posted December 19, 2023

John A. Prendergast has been named as school president of Roman Catholic High School, according to a Dec. 18 announcement from the archdiocesan Office for Catholic Education. The appointment becomes effective Jan. 8, 2024.

Prendergast, a 2008 alum of Roman Catholic, assumes the role of school president following the June announcement of Father Joseph Bongard’s (’77) appointment as Parochial Administrator of Saint Helena Parish in Blue Bell and Parochial Administrator of Saint Titus Parish in Norristown. Michael J. McArdle served as the Interim President of Roman Catholic during that time.

The announcement described Prendergast as being a “vital part” of the Roman Catholic school community.

In his most recent capacity as Executive Director of Mission Advancement, Prendergast served as Roman Catholic’s chief development officer, providing leadership for the school’s ongoing $30 million A Vision of Promise capital campaign. Prendergast was also instrumental in securing other public and private support to advance the mission of the school through a variety of fundraising initiatives.

He previously held positions at La Salle University and Drexel University with a focus on development, marketing, enrollment, and communications.

Since 2008, he has served in various capacities in the Roman Catholic community, including time as a member of the Alumni Association’s Board of Trustees where he served as Chair of the Marketing and Fundraising Committee as well as Chair of the Day of Giving Subcommittee.

Prendergast was also the keynote speaker for Roman Catholic’s Honors Convocation in 2016, and he also served as a longtime coach of the school’s Mock Trial program until 2022.

Prendergast holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and History as well as a Master of Arts Degree in History from La Salle University.