SAN ANTONIO — The diocese’s associate superintendent is heading west.
Pattie Davis has been hired as the first laywoman superintendent for the Archdiocese of San Antonio. She will begin her new duties July 20.
Archbishop José H. Gomez and Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantú introduced Davis July 7 during a press conference at the Pastoral Center.
Her predecessor, Sister Carla Lusch, SSND, accepted a position at St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home, a residential care facility for abused, neglected and abandoned children in San Antonio.
Davis, a member of St. Edward Church in Little Rock and native of England (Lonoke County), joined the diocesan staff at St. John Center in December 2006 after 12 years as a Catholic teacher and principal in Little Rock and North Little Rock (Marche). Teaching was her third career choice. She first worked as a veterinary technician and later in banking before going back to school to become a Catholic school teacher.
Her responsibilities at the diocese included facilitating and developing diocesan-wide curriculum review. She was involved in teacher training, evaluation and recruitment.
The Diocese of Little Rock has 31 schools. The Archdiocese of San Antonio has 45 schools in 10 counties.
In an interview with Arkansas Catholic, Davis said, “I feel God has blessed me with an opportunity for myself and my family.”
She praised Vernell Bowen, superintendent of schools, for teaching her about diocesan leadership.
“I feel she has really equipped me with the knowledge to take this job on,” Davis said.
While in Texas, Davis said she will continue to focus on the same areas she did in Arkansas — Catholic identity, quality academics, affordable tuition and making sure “the vulnerable,” including children with special needs, are served.
At the press conference July 7, Bishop Cantú, who was part of the search committee for the position, welcomed Davis as a blessing to the archdiocese’s ministry of Catholic education.
Archbishop Gomez echoed those sentiments, adding, “It is a great blessing to have you come with us and to have your commitment to Catholic identity, academic excellence and the formation of parents and teachers which is a reality of life for Catholic schools in the archdiocese.”
Davis, in responding before a crowd that included many elementary and high school principals, said, “It is simply the greatest honor.” She affirmed her commitment to implement, promote and strengthen the goals and priorities of Catholic education in the archdiocese, to build community and to be of service to others.
Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in education administration from the University of Arkan sas at Little Rock. In addition, she attended post-graduate courses in special education at UALR. She also completed course work in marketing/finance and attended the University of Dallas Catholic Leadership Program.
Educational distinctions include the Rose Berry Award for Writing from UALR in 1994 and the Knights of Columbus Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award in 2002.
She is the mother of four daughters, ages 13 to 21, all of whom have attended Catholic schools.
Joann Hopkins and Malea Hargett contributed to this article.
Davis named superintendent of San Antonio Catholic schools
