The Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City, has appointed Ron Vossen as president of Helias Catholic High School. The appointment comes with the support of the school’s advisory council and at the recommendation of its board of directors.

Vossen had been serving as interim president since May. He was previously the Helias Catholic director of alumni relations, a role he assumed following a 43-year career in teaching and administration at the school.

“I thank Bishop McKnight and our school community for placing their trust in my leadership at this exciting time in our school’s history,” said Vossen. “As we move forward together, I want to invite our students, teachers, staff, families, alumni, and partner parishes and schools to unite in spirit as we build on Helias Catholic’s traditions of faith and pursuit of excellence.”

Vossen is a 1974 graduate of Helias High School. He has a master’s degree from Lincoln University in secondary school administration and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in industrial arts education.

Since beginning his career at Helias Catholic in 1979, Vossen has served the school as a teacher, assistant principal, director of campus ministry, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Department chairman, spring musical production manager and coach. He has served as director of alumni relations since fall 2022.

Ron and his wife, Carol, live in Jefferson City and are parishioners at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. They have four children, all of whom have graduated from Helias Catholic, and three grandchildren.

Vossen’s leadership as president comes at an important time as Helias Catholic continues to work toward the final phases of its campus master plan, including major enhancements to the school’s performing arts, academic and extracurricular facilities.

“Helias Catholic has long benefited from the leadership and dedication of Ron Vossen. With his installment as president, I look forward to his continued service as the school embarks on an ambitious path of development and growth,” said Bishop McKnight. “I thank Ron Vossen for accepting this responsibility and I ask everyone to join with me in praying for him as he begins this next stage of his service to Helias Catholic.”

Helias Catholic High School, founded in 1956 on the traditions of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and the De La Salle Christian Brothers, serves about 700 students in grades 9-12 from throughout Central Missouri. It is one of three high schools under the direction of the Diocese of Jefferson City.

Helias Catholic began a strategic growth planning process in 2019 to strengthen and enhance the school’s Catholic identity, academic excellence and organizational vitality as it works toward the vision of building a community of saints and scholars for Christ.

Recent developments at the school have included expansion of academic space through addition of the Science Center, enhancing the school’s Catholic mission by adding a new chapel, and construction of the Crusader Athletic Complex, with the future goal of completing the campus master plan with a performing arts center and additional facilities.