Community bids a fond farewell longtime Carmel principal

Members of the Carmel Catholic High School family said goodbye Sunday to their longtime spiritual leader and beloved administrator.

The Rev. Robert Carroll will leave the Mundelein school at the end of June, after serving as principal since 1994.

"I'm moving on to pursue other religious and academic pursuits," Carroll said. "The day has been overwhelming. We have a great family here."

About 200 people attended a special Mass and celebration for Carroll Sunday in the school gymnasium. Secretary of State Jesse White was in attendance, saying he wouldn't miss a chance to wish his friend, Father Bob, farewell.

"He has proven to be not only a leader of the church, but a great educator," White said. "As a result of his efforts, many young people have gotten to fulfill their dreams."

Carroll announced in April that he would leave the school. He wouldn't say Sunday if the decision was his or the Archdiocese's. He declined to comment Sunday on his future plans.

Associate Principal Lynne Strutzel, who has worked at Carmel for nearly 30 years, will take Carroll's place July 1.

Cathy Smolka, dean of students, said Carroll has been a role model for the entire staff.

"From the beginning he always had a vision for the school," Smolka said. "But we had a lot of fun over the years, too. I will never forget his wit, his jokes and his poetry."

Under Carroll's leadership, Carmel earned three of its four U.S. Department of Education No Child Left Behind Ribbon awards in 1996, 2002 and 2007.

Only five high schools in the nation have earned as many blue ribbons and Carroll has been considered among the top principals in the country.

Michael Fusz, whose children graduated from Carmel in 1998, 1999 and 2000, said he has never met a person with such enthusiasm, love for life, a great sense of humor and as engaged as Carroll.

"I know one student who forgot her lunch money and he helped," Fusz said.