The Eight Headmasters: The Men Who Built Northridge

Northridge owes its existence to the tenacity, courage, and sacrifice of its headmasters: eight men whose service spans half a century. Many never envisioned leading the school, but answered the call when Northridge needed them. Their broad variety of temperaments, interests, and strengths shaped the institution Northridge is today, and we could not be more grateful to them. Below is a little bit about each of them.

 

1976–1988 Jim Stenson 

Dr. James “Jim” Stenson co-founded Northridge’s brother school, The Heights, in 1969 and worked as a teacher and administrator there. The founding parents of Northridge recruited Stenson from D.C. in 1976 to be the school’s first headmaster. Though a writer and teacher at heart, Stenson agreed to the endeavor and kept Northridge afloat in its early years. 

Pat Hunt ’88 remembers Stenson for his strong Boston accent and easygoing, approachable nature. 

“He always had a good relationship with the student body, as small as it was back then,” Hunt said. “He was very welcoming, a father figure.” 

According to Tom Carter ’83, Stenson embodied the ideals of the founding parents. 

“He was very articulate,” Carter said. “When he spoke, you heard the mission.”

Periodically, Stenson would come by to take over a classroom lecture—times Carter described as the highlights of his Northridge education.

“He would just talk and captivate,” Carter said. 

After his time at Northridge, Stenson moved back to the East Coast, where he continues to teach, write, and lecture. 

1983–1984 George Herman (deceased 2022) 

George Herman, a Navy veteran and the father of nine, helped to found Northridge alongside his wife, Geraldine. He was instrumental in starting its advising program. Herman taught English for 50 years, 22 of those at Northridge. When Stenson took a sabbatical during the 1983–84 school year, Herman stepped up as headmaster. Herman retired from Northridge in 2000, continuing afterwards to mentor young teachers—including Michael Burns ’93.

“He loved the craft of teaching,” Burns said. “He was great at teaching people how to teach.”

Hunt said that, as a teacher, Herman was remarkably patient and compassionate. 

“He gave his students the understanding that they were great people, regardless of their academic showings,” Hunt said. 

When Herman passed away on January 31, 2022, he was the grandfather of 39 and great-grandfather of 24. 

1988–1997 Jerry Shepherd (deceased 2016)

  

Dr. Gerard “Jerry” Shepherd graduated from Harvard and earned his doctorate in English literature from Washington University in St. Louis. He began teaching at Northridge in 1977. In the decade Shepherd was headmaster, Northridge hired its first admissions director, moved into the former St. Isaac Jogues building (1991), and purchased its current Ballard Road site (1997). Though he could seem gruff, his former students recall Shepherd’s kindness. Hunt remembers Shepherd visiting him in the hospital after his brain surgery. 

“He didn’t forget about you,” Hunt said. “He had a great heart.”

Burns called Shepherd a very melancholic soul.

“He was constantly distressed, constantly busy, but always found time for other people,” Burns said.

Shepherd had a remarkable ability to connect with alumni through the many gatherings he hosted and the regular school updates he shared. After stepping down as headmaster, Shepherd worked as chair of the English department and college counselor. He left Northridge in 2011 to run Midtown Achievement Center, serving underprivileged Chicago youth. Shepherd died on October 2, 2016—the anniversary of the founding of Opus Dei. 

“I carry his holy card in my briefcase every day,” Burns said. 

1997–2000 Bob Pasquesi (deceased 2016) 

Robert “Bob” Pasquesi earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from John Carroll University. He became a gifted physics and mathematics instructor at Loyola Academy and then spent 15 years as an analyst and researcher at Stein Roe & Farnham. He and his wife, Janet, had 10 children. 

Burns described Pasquesi as a great administrator and calm leader. 

“Bob always had a smile,” Burns said. “he was always able to maintain a certain demeanor of professionalism and joy regardless of what was going on in the school.”

After Northridge, Bob taught for another decade at New Trier and tutored high school students in his retirement. He passed away on April 30, 2016. 

2000–2007 Luke Ferris (now Fr. Luke Ferris)   

 

After attending Marquette University, Luke Ferris earned his master’s in Government from Notre Dame. He became the admissions director and associate headmaster at Northridge, also teaching religion and Spanish. Ferris helped to find, fundraise for, and purchase Northridge’s Ballard campus. 

Burns said Ferris had strong public-relations skills and the ability to unite his staff.

“I don’t know how he convinced kids to come to school at that tiny little Isaac Jogues property, but he did it,” Burns said. “He was good at knowing what he did not know and asking people for their expertise.”

As headmaster, Ferris oversaw the construction of the gymnasium and atrium addition (completed 2002) and chapel (completed 2004). The Northridge student body grew significantly under him. 

“Athletics really kicked into high gear during Luke’s time at Northridge,” Hunt said. 

Today, Ferris serves as the pastor of the Kaukauna Catholic parishes in Wisconsin, after being ordained a priest in 2011.

 

 

 

 

2007–2012 Rich Meyer  

Richard “Rich” Meyer graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign before earning his master’s in Spanish from Middlebury College. Before coming to Northridge, he taught in Chicagoland and Spain and worked as an education consultant. 

In Meyer’s time as headmaster, the school’s academics improved—so much so that the Acton Institute named Northridge one of the top 50 US Catholic high schools. Enrollment continued to grow. 

Burns called Meyer a man of vision, professionalism, and humor.

“Rich wanted Northridge to be a beacon for every other school,” Burns said.

Meyer replaced Northridge’s student government with the Hall System in 2008.

“It doesn’t sound like that big of a deal, but it totally changed the dynamic of building school spirit,” Burns said. 

After Northridge, Meyer became the president of JSerra Catholic High School in California, a position he holds today.

2012–2016 John Kestler 

 

John Kestler graduated from DePaul University, began teaching in 1973, and came to Northridge in 1990. He developed the running program and was the first coach to bring the Northridge cross country team to the State Finals.  

“As headmaster, John Kestler did something that a lot of people did not know he had in him,” Burns said. “He turned into a very good budget manager and fundraiser.” 

Current headmaster Niall Fagan and Kestler together started Northridge’s endowment fund and capital campaign, which have beautified the school, aided faculty and parents, and given Northridge increasing institutional stability. 

Hunt called Kestler the best teacher he could think of.

“His presence demands respect,” Hunt said, “both through the way he carries himself and through his preparation, knowledge, and classroom organization.”

That personal gravitas, Hunt said, carried into Kestler’s administration. 

“John was very supportive of the faculty,” Hunt said. “He gave them their space to work and thrive.”

Kestler continues to teach mathematics at Northridge. He and his wife, Sharon, have seven children—all graduates of Northridge and Willows—and many grandchildren. 

 

 

2016–PRESENT Niall Fagan 

While a student at The Heights, Niall Fagan was advised by former Northridge headmaster Jim Stenson. Fagan graduated from Princeton University and earned a master’s in business administration from Notre Dame. After working as a director of development for Harley-Davidson, Fagan came to Northridge as admissions director. He became headmaster the following year. 

“What Niall has brought to the school is a big vision with an excellent sense of timing,” Burns said. 

Like Meyer, Fagan is encouraging of school spirit, Burns said. His business marketing background has allowed him to grow Northridge boldly yet prudently. 

During the COVID-19 shutdowns, a troublesome time for education, Fagan captained the school with poise and sanity—his far-thinking helping Northridge thrive while other schools floundered. He has hired talented young faculty out of the best universities in the nation and set Northridge up for future success.

“Niall’s taking the school to the next level,” Hunt said. “He’s a visionary. He really looks ahead and knows what he wants.”

 

Though each led Northridge in his own way, these eight men shared a commitment to its mission and the boys entrusted to their care. As we celebrate fifty years, their legacy lives on in generations of alumni and in the school they helped build.

We hope to welcome all of Northridge’s living headmasters to our 50th Anniversary Gala, where we can thank them in person and honor the contributions of all eight. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating their service and Northridge’s next chapter.