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Last Fall, Tom was able to see the Great Wall of China
during his first visit as a CMH representative for the
Wisconsin International Academy.

“I’m doing what I love in a place I love.”

FACULTY PROFILE Tom New

Despite his last name, Tom New is a veteran On top of all that, Tom oversees administration of

English teacher at Catholic Memorial High School. the Maggie New Scholarship, established in honor

He’s now in his 17th year and is active in the of his late wife, who died of ovarian cancer in

school’s theater and international-student September 2010 at the age of 60. She was a nurse

programs. who met Tom when he worked at a Milwaukee

“I find that Catholic Memorial has a really hospice, and because of Maggie’s cancer, the
wonderful sense of family,” says Tom, whose own couple encountered a lot of wonderful healthcare
family includes his Aunt Julie McHale, former professionals along the way.

CMH English teacher. “I love infusing English with Together, Tom and Maggie decided to create a

the ability to teach morals and right actions. I love $500 scholarship in Maggie’s name to be awarded

having the freedom to talk about that kind of to one CMH senior with plans to enter the hands-

stuff.” on healthcare profession.

Tom does a lot of talking on Catholic Memorial’s “We both felt so lucky to have so many good

behalf outside of the classroom, too. hands-on healthcare people helping us, especially

“Extracurriculars are very important,” he says. “If in the last year-and-a-half of Maggie’s life,” Tom

you really want to enjoy your high school years, says. “This seemed like the logical thing to do.”

ideally you’re doing something that’s both fun and That’s the kind of commitment to a cause that
school-centered after that last bell rings.” makes CMH such a welcoming and supportive

He’s doing his best to help students get the most community. “It’s a gift to teach here,” he says. “I’m

out of their CMH experience. Tom is heavily doing what I love in a place I love.”

involved in the school’s drama department,

directing productions and managing the Sticky

Rhinoceros student improv troupe.

He has also represented Catholic Memorial in the
school’s efforts to bring students from China to
Waukesha via the Wisconsin International
Academy, traveling to the country and meeting
with candidates whose ultimate goal is to attend a
college or university in the United States.

Catholic Memorial currently enrolls 32 students
from China, five from South Korea, two from
Germany, one from Nicaragua, and one from the
Faroe Islands. Tom says one of the sophomore
classes he taught last year included kids not only
from China but also from South Korea, Pakistan
and the Philippines.

A familiar face to every graduating student,
Tom has been the Master of Ceremonies at
8 Commencement for the past nine years.