Dean of Student Formation Selected for Leadership Program
Dr. Brian Johnson, Brophy's dean of student formation, was selected for the prestigious 100 Black Men of America Leadership Institute and completed the six-month program earlier this year. On June 16, Brian and his cohort group were recognized at the organization's 37th annual conference and black-tie gala in Las Vegas.
Elected by his local chapter, Dr. Johnson has spent a Saturday each month in full-day programming that includes guest speakers who lead in their industries. The speakers have addressed technology-forward planning, succession planning, mentorship and other topics at the forefront of today's conversations.
He joined the local chapter of 100 Black Men of America in 2018 and has been nominated to be on the group's Health and Wellness Committee at the national level. The organization focuses on youth mentorship with the motto "What they see is what they'll be." The Phoenix chapter sponsors outings with 12-18-year-old youths and regularly participates in events such as the MLK Day March and Brophy's Black History Month Festival.
Nationally, 100 Black Men of America is engaged in establishing a Collegiate 100 group, as well as a Junior 100 group for middle schoolers. And the nonprofit is going global with its first international chapter established in London.
Dr. Johnson notes that he is looking toward partnerships with Brophy as the school continues to emphasize "Journeying with Youth," one of the Universal Apostolic Preferences established by the Society of Jesus in 2019.
Brophy is grateful to Dean Johnson for this important community work.
Brophy College Preparatory celebrated its 76th commencement on Saturday, May 18, at 9 a.m. in Robson Gymnasium. This graduation was significant for the Class of 2024, who began their high school journey remotely due to the pandemic.
The Class of 2024 demonstrated resilience and connection despite the challenges of starting their education online. Their unity and adaptability were evident throughout their time at Brophy, embodying their class theme: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Valedictorian Doer Leo He delivered a memorable speech, drawing parallels to the movie "Finding Nemo" and encouraging his classmates to persevere with the phrase, "Just keep swimming." President Bob Ryan and Principal Jim Bopp also spoke, highlighting the graduates' resilience and urging them to be agents of positive change.
The ceremony concluded with a strong sense of pride and accomplishment, celebrating the Class of 2024's journey from remote learning to a united and triumphant graduation.