The Will J. Hancock Unsung Hero Award is given to business officers who have made extraordinary contributions to their schools and exemplify exceptional integrity, knowledge and motivation. At the end of each school year, new Unsung Heroes receive their award from their head of school, often at a significant school occasion such as a board meeting or an all-school ceremony. What makes these Unsung Heroes so special? The highlights below come straight from their colleagues' nominations.
See a full list of the 2018 recipients. Stay tuned to NetAssets.org for additional profiles.
Title: CFO/VP of Operations
School: De Smet Jesuit High School, St. Louis, Missouri
Years in current position: 35
Years in an independent school business office: 35
Superpower: Financial savvy. "Credited by very many as having 'saved the institution' (from financial ruin) at various points in the school's history, Steve continues to rise to the current set of challenges by recognizing the need to mix tried-and-true tactics with innovative and creative solutions for a new and rapidly changing context."
Versatile: "He has served nearly every head of school in the 50-year history of the institution, and that includes dramatic changes, including significant ebbs and flows in enrollment and a transition from a religious- to lay-led administration." One example: he recently helped steer the school towards a new enrollment model based on net tuition revenue.
Congratulations to our own Steve Burr who received the prestigious @NBOAnet Will J Hancock Unsung Hero Award - Steve has guided the #DSJ community for nearly 40 years as CFO & has been a great steward of our mission in all aspects of #SpartanCountry - #ThankYou Mr Burr #AMDG pic.twitter.com/Pi9wAAT6lY
— De Smet Jesuit (@DeSmetJesuitHS) June 21, 2018
Team Player: "He is always willing to place himself at the service of a team, a board committee, or anyone who needs his assistance. He knows the answers to nearly every financial question and never shows frustration or impatience with those who are eager to learn from him."
Power Listener: "Steve doesn't waste words. He is an attentive listener and will frequently relinquish his opportunities to speak. I've come to appreciate in Steve that this is an expression of his humility, which I regard as one of his strongest assets as a professional and as a human being."
See a full list of the 2018 recipients and read more about the Will J. Hancock Unsung Hero Award. NetAssets.org will post additional profiles of Unsung Heroes over the summer and into the fall — check in to learn more about other recipients.
