Chicago, IL (February 15, 2008) – Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, today announced that Sr. M. Paul McCaughey, O.P., has been named the new superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago, effective July 1. A native of the Chicago area, Sr. McCaughey attended St. Paul of the Cross and Mary Seat of Wisdom Catholic Schools in Park Ridge before her family moved to south suburban Olympia Fields, where she graduated from Infant Jesus of Prague School in Flossmoor.

Sr. McCaughey, who presently is president of Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, will replace Dr. Nicholas Wolsonovich, who resigned as superintendent earlier this year. Sr. Judith A. Cauley, C.S.J., Associate Superintendent for System Vitality and Marty Frauenheim, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, currently serve as interim co-superintendents of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese.

“After an extensive search, we believe that our Search Committee identified the best possible person for this important position in the Archdiocese of Chicago,” noted Cardinal George. “Sr. Mary Paul has both the professional experience and leadership qualities that are necessary to take responsibility for the future of our Catholic elementary and high schools.”

Jimmy Lago, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, who is responsible for day-to-day supervision of the administrative and pastoral ministries that are coordinated and directed from the Pastoral Center, expressed his own welcome to Sr. McCaughey: “Sr. Mary Paul is coming to the Archdiocese of Chicago at a time of great anticipation and expectation for the future of our Catholic schools. As the ongoing Genesis plan moves into wider execution to keep school enrollment at or near capacity, there will be a continuing challenge to secure the additional funding that will ensure that our students receive the education they need in a Catholic faith community.”

Sr. McCaughey, a member of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, has more than 37 years in Catholic education as a teacher and administrator. Serving as Marian Catholic High School’s principal for all but two years from 1992 until 2004, Sr. McCaughey also served as principal at Springfield Sacred Heart and Sacred Heart-Griffin High School from 1985 to 1991.

A 1967 graduate of Marian Catholic, Sr. McCaughey, who held the dual role of president and principal, also taught Theology at her alma mater in 1983-84. Earlier in her career, she served as head of the Theology department and director of student activities at Rosary High School in Aurora from 1975 to 1983, and was vice-principal, treasurer, teacher and activity moderator at Routt High School in Jacksonville, Ill.

Her many accomplishments as president of Marian Catholic High School include raising $5.6 million for the school’s Courage to Lead Campaign, as well as building a new arts wing, a primary competition gymnasium, a Leadership Center / Student Union, college room, greenhouse, campus ministry area, two science labs and the Dominican Way classroom addition.

Under her leadership, Marian earned a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon in 1995-96 and Marian has twice been named to the Catholic High School Honor Roll (2004, 2006), which recognizes the Top 50 secondary schools in America.

Sr. McCaughey earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Quincy University. She also holds a master of arts degree in Theology from St. Louis University and master of science in institutional business administration from the University of Notre Dame. In addition, she earned her educational administration certification through DePaul University, and began doctoral coursework in Theology and the social sciences at the Chicago Theological Seminary.