Jesuit Announces Michael Prados ’83 as Alumni Director
Michael Prados ’83 has been named Jesuit High School’s next alumni director. He will be responsible for leading the school’s effort to keep alumni connected and engaged with their alma mater and with each other.
No stranger to Jesuit, Prados has served the school for 28 years as a teacher and administrator. His ability to connect with members of the Jesuit community will help the school foster understanding and support among its constituencies.
“I am honored to serve the school and its alumni in this new capacity,” Prados said. “Inspired by the enthusiasm and creativity that Mat Grau has brought to this position, I look forward to building on a strong foundation of alumni involvement. Throughout my teaching career at Jesuit, I have sought to influence student life, community service, and spiritual development. I’m looking forward to translating this energy into strengthening relationships with my fellow Blue Jays. Our alumni care deeply about Jesuit, and the opportunity to work with them in supporting the school’s mission is exciting.”
As alumni director, Prados will work to enhance programs for alumni cultivation, whether through class leadership teams or alumni events or opportunities for alumni to volunteer and inspire today’s students. He was chosen from a field of 82 candidates, of which 26 were Jesuit alums.
Three Blue Jays representing different generations of grads played key roles in the search process: John Zollinger ’85, current president of the Jesuit Alumni Association; Jim Ryder ’62, a long-time class leader, member of Jesuit’s President’s Advisory Council, and Alumnus of the Year in 2013; and Jeremy Reuther ’01, Jesuit’s communications director. They joined Tom Bagwill, who leads Jesuit’s Office of Institutional Advancement.
“The input, guidance, and wisdom that John, Jim, and Jeremy provided was extremely helpful as we transition the office from the excellence it is to the greatness it will be,” Bagwill said.
Previously, Prados has worn many hats in his professional life at Carrollton and Banks. Most recently, he has been the director of the Alumni Service Corps, a program for young alumni to volunteer one year at Jesuit, teaching and getting involved as much as possible. Previously he has served as student activities director, service project director, and manager of the Blue Jay Shop. His involvement in other programs has had a profound impact on student formation. In addition to creating and, for many years, directing the Appalachia service project, Prados is a regular presence on retreats, World Youth Day trips, the March for Life in Washington, D.C., and the 8th grade pilgrimage to San Antonio. He regularly reconnects with former students at alumni reunions, and his presence at school events is an important part of his ministry to the community.
Jesuit’s president Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., was the first to congratulate Grau’s replacement. “Mike’s deep knowledge of our school’s culture and his commitment to the charism of Ignatian spirituality are extremely valuable to our community, and his ability to draw others into our mission will be important for shaping Jesuit’s future.”