St Ignatius College Prepatory - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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Father Walsh Si’s New Man of Mystery Sitting comfortably in a plush mauve armchair, the priest settles into conver- sation, as he casually sips a Diet Coke. With his collar undone, he warmly wel- comes the interviewers. The meeting is spontaneous and natural, and the in- terviewers gradually discover the man behind the name: Walsh, Father Walsh. Ignatian: How do you think the SI experience has changed since you were a student? Fr. Walsh: Well, it was radically different on the Stanyan Street Campus. We were crammed into a small four story building with one gym and a dirt track. The facilities the students enjoy today do not even compare to my humble time at SI. That being said, the quality of the education was amazing. A dif- ference is that two thirds of my teachers were Jesuits, and I also had many great lay teachers. Also, the curriculum has drastically changed since I was a student when there were hardly any electives offered. The students at SI today have many more options in choosing classes. Also, the students in the class- room have changed over the years. When I was a student, at least 90% of the students lived in the city, and it was all boys! The demographics of the student body have definitely evolved, and SI today is a very diverse and wonderful place. Ignatian: How do you feel coming back to SI after a hiatus? Fr. Walsh: It is an honor to return to my alma mater to give back a little of what I once received. Ignatian: What is your typical day like? Fr. Walsh: I feel like I am a juggler, a topic is only in my hand for a second be- fore I toss it to do something else. For example, I want to do all the fun stuff like athletic games, retreats, and campus ministry events, but my job requires some more serious activities like Board of Regents and Finance Meetings. Ignatian: What did you want to be when you were in high school? Fr. Walsh: I wanted to be one of two things: a teacher or an architect. When I became a Jesuit, I never thought I could be both! But when I was President down at Loyola, I helped to plan a new 60,000 square foot addition to the school. Now at SI, I love being able to do more architectural work planning our new constructions. I feel so lucky to be able to fulfill these dreams. Ignatian: What was your favorite subject in school? Fr. Walsh: I most enjoyed studying theology and philosophy. Actually, phi- losophy was quite tedious, but I stuck with it and studied the equivalence of a Master’s degree. I could see a student of philosophy being a lawyer, but I never was interested in that. When I was a junior or senior in high school, it sounds creepy, but I did feel a calling from God. I have always had an affinity for all things spiritual, and I knew being a Jesuit was what God wanted for me. Student Life 01 3

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