New President of Saint Viator High School Returns to Lead the School that Shaped Him

The first few days of school at Saint Viator High School featured a familiar figure out in front to meet students: the school’s lion mascot – and its new president, Fr. Daniel Lydon, CSV. Along with other faculty members, Fr. Lydon greeted students as they emerged from the buses, on their first day – and his.

Fr. Lydon was named the new president in January and he began July 1. The job takes him full circle: he graduated from Saint Viator in 1973 and taught Spanish and religion before going into its administration.

In assuming his new role, Fr. Lydon says he wants to have a visible presence throughout the building, much like the Viatorians did when he was a student. 

“I intend to have an open office,” Fr. Lydon says. “I want to get to know the students – and have them get to know me.”

Fr. Lydon is a product of the Northwest suburbs, having grown up in Elk Grove Village and attending Queen of the Rosary School before starting at Saint Viator. 

“I am amazed at the journey God has led me on since I graduated in 1973,” Fr. Lydon says. “The school was less than a decade old when I entered, and suddenly this fall, the school will celebrate its 60th anniversary.”

Fr. Lydon returned to his alma mater in 1994, when then-president, Fr. Charles Bolser, CSV, hired him to teach Spanish. He eventually expanded his course load to include religion classes before moving into administration as vice principal.

“Sometimes, you never know about the hand of God at work,” Fr. Lydon says. “If Fr. Bolser hadn’t hired me in 1994, you just never know what would have happened.”

Fr. Lydon left the school in 2012 to begin his seminary studies at Catholic Theological Union before being ordained in 2015. He returned to teach religion for three years before leaving for his first assignment in pastoral ministry, as associate pastor of Maternity BVM Parish in Bourbonnais.

All of these experiences, including academic, administrative, and pastoral, he believes will enhance his new role as president.

“What has changed more – me, the school, education, or the world we are called to serve,” he asks. “The one constant in my life, it seems, is this school."

“I am humbled to follow in the extraordinary footsteps of those who have come before me in shepherding this exceptional community as president,” Fr. Lydon says. “I feel that I have grown and developed my skills along these and other stops – and am excited to embrace this new role.”