By Unsie Zuege
Jim Hamburge is an ENTJ. Those familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (personality evaluation) immediately know what they’re in for.
For those unfamiliar with this personality type evaluator, it means that he is extroverted, intuitive, thinking, and judging. In other words, he’s a idea guy. Take a deep breath, hang on tight, and be prepared for fun.
Hamburge arrived this summer from Salt Lake City, Utah, where he was principal of Judge Memorial Catholic High School. He was there for five years and while he enjoyed it, he’s very happy to return to Minnesota, his hometown of St. Paul, and to live to in Victoria where he took a new job, that as president of Holy Family Catholic High School (HFCHS), taking the place of Frank Miley.
The decision to return to Minnesota was further sweetened by the prospect of being closer to his grandchild who lives nearby.
HFCHS President has passion for community, education and coaching: Hey Neighbor! PHOTO BY UNSIE ZUEGE Jim Hamburge is the new president of Holy Family Catholic High School. Hamberge has been involved with Holy Family since its inception more than eight years ago and is delighted to be part of the school.
Hamburge has been involved with HFCHS ever since Victoria’s selection as the community to get the first new Catholic high school in the Minneapolis & St. Paul Archdiocese in more than 30 years. Hamburge volunteered to work with each of the three communities—Woodbury, Lakeville, and Victoria-- that hoped to have the school. At the time, he was the president at Benilde-St. Margaret’s in St. Louis Park.
What stood out for him was Victoria’s passion, “and that’s why the school is here,” Hamburge said. He came to the groundbreaking ceremony and remembered thinking as he look at the surrounding fields of corn, cows, and horses, “ someone’s got a creative vision.”
An idea guy, he realized that Victoria was an area of growth.
“Holy Family has a phenomenal future,” Hamburge said. “The city accepted Holy Family and it’s been a wonderful partnership.”
One of his loves is promoting his school. He understands not only the importance of getting the schools achievements and good stories out into the community, but that it enhances the school’s image and position in its community. Reading about the latest programs, successful teams, and academic achievements creates pride in the students, their parents, and the city’s residents.
“I love public relations,” Hamburge said unabashed and enthusiastic. “I love to celebrate the good things, our volunteers, parents, students. Our school community needs to see itself as part of the larger community. If parents pick up the local paper and we’re not in it, what does that say about us? And it’s a two way street. If something bad happens and we ask the community to come together, it knows who we are and what we stand for.”
Q: How did you get into teaching?
A: I’ve known I wanted to be a teacher and coach since I was in fifth grade. And, Sister Marie Gregory and Sister Elizabeth were phenomenal examples of what makes a great teacher. I love the thrill of helping people come together.
Q: Surprise me. What’s your birth order?
A: (Laughs) I’m the oldest.
Q: What made you consider coming to Holy Family?
A: The people. I knew some of the folks involved with the pursuit of the school that I admired and respected. To be able to join them was pretty powerful.
Q: What challenges face Holy Family as it goes into its eighth school year?
A: Holy Family has an outstanding faculty and great programs. The founders did a good job. Now it needs more promotion to attract more students and more funds to continue into the future. We survived, now we thrive. When the boys won the state championship in basketball, we had a lot of media who didn’t know where Victoria was. For being a new school, we had more fans than anyone. The announcers noticed and said, “Wow, what a great community!”
Q: How did you get so PR savvy?
A: I learned at an early age that schools like Regina and St. Joseph’s were very good but they closed because they weren’t run very well as businesses. I learned from the Holy Cross Sisters in Salt Lake City that if there is no margin, there is no mission. If you go out of business, you can’t help anyone. You have to promote your achievements to your community and your alumni, raise the profile and keep investing in technology and scholarship to create a sense of pride.
Q: What’s your secret dream?
A: To be a coach. I love coaching.
Q: Do you have secret talent?
A: I’m very good at video poker.
Q: A talent you wished you had?
A: I wish I could play the piano. I took lessons as a kid but didn’t have the gift.
Profile
Name: Jim Hamburge
Family: Sue, wife of 37 years, and four adult daughters--Kristine, Joanne, Mary, and Nancy. One granddaughter, age 4-1/2 .
Occupation: As of July 1, 2007, President, Holy Family Catholic High School.
Background: Principal at Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Salt Lake City, 2002-2007; President, Benilde-St. Margaret’s School, St. Louis Park, 1987-2001; Assistant principal, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, 1980-1987.
Education: Educational Administration Doctoral 1989, Master of Arts in Teaching 1971, Bachelor of Arts in English and Education 1970.
Awards: Salt Lake Diocese School Administrator of the Year 2007; St. Paul & Minneapolis Archdiocese Lifetime Achievement Award for Commitment to Catholic Education 2001; NCEA Region 8 Leadership Award 2001; Archdiocese President of the Year Awards 1997, 1994.