GROSS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
BOARD OF EDUCATION
2012 - 2013
Tom Kjar, Chairman of the Board
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born in Lexington, Nebraska and after graduating from St. Ann High School came to Omaha to attend Creighton University. I received a Bachelor of Science degree (BSBA) in business administration and a masters degree (MBA) in business administration from Creighton. I am the President of Creighton Federal Credit Union where I have worked for the last 20 years. My wife, Christi Kjar (graduate of Holy Name High School), works as the Executive Director of the Nebraska Lions Eye Bank. We have three children, all Gross graduates - Dain '05, Breanne '07, and Blake '10. We have been members of St. Gerald's Parish since 1981 when we were married.
What is your connection to Gross Catholic?
In 2001, My oldest son Dain started at Gross as a freshman. Neither my wife nor I had any prior connection to Gross. We chose the school for all the usual reasons such as academic reputation and spiritual focus, but most importantly because it felt like home. It felt like the welcoming, caring, friendly, and spirited atmosphere my wife and I both experienced in our Catholic high schools. We were pleased that all three of our kids attended Gross because we were able to develop such wonderful relationships with the teachers and administrators.
What is your role on the Board?
I am serving my sixth year on the Advisory Board and am the current Chairman.
What else should the Cougar Family know about you?
I know this is no record, but I like to tell Dr. Ostrowski that I had perfect attendance at both the fall and spring parent teachers conferences for 10 straight years!
By: Elizabeth Leibel Transferring schools can be difficult, new kids, new teachers, new atmosphere. It definitely is an adventure. Transferring isn’t always the solution for everyone, but sometimes there is a need for...
Read moreBusiness Education instructor Shelby Sweetmon is proud to continue Gross Catholic's partnership with Junior Achievement by bringing in guest speakers from the private sector to volunteer their time in the...
Read moreMeet Advisory Board Members Fr. Ryan Lewis, Susan Aguilera- Robles '82 and Dan Placzek '80. Father Ryan Lewis Tell us a little bit about yourself. Originally from Valley, NE. Mount Michael graduate. I have...
Read moreby Emily Fanslau '13 When I first came to Gross as a freshman, I didn’t know all that much about the place. Sure, I knew the colors were orange and blue,...
Read more
As the Universal Church celebrates a year of Faith our Cougar Family celebrates years of faith by highlighting our alumni who have chosen to live their faith through consecrated religious...
Read moreMeet Advisory Board Members Jeff Moore and Chris Reed. Jeff Moore '82, Vice-Chairman of the Board Tell us a little bit about yourself. I was born and raised in Omaha. I am a...
Read more
Maddie was recently featured in a PBS series on Dementia called Now What?: The Caregiver. You can watch the full episode online!She is the Top Youth Fundraiser for the Alzheimer...
Read more
I have always thought that working at Gross Catholic was a blessing, but after two straight days and one overnight retreat experience with this year's senior class I know it;...
Read moreGROSS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOLBOARD OF EDUCATION2012 - 2013 Tom Kjar, Chairman of the Board Tell us a little bit about yourself. I was born in Lexington, Nebraska and after graduating from St. Ann...
Read more
I am thrilled to be back in Catholic secondary education and a part of the Cougar Family! I am excited for the future and I look forward to an amazing...
Read more
by Kelsey Ackerman '13, Staff Writer, Paw Prints. Kelsey's editorial was published in the November 2012 issue of Paw Prints. It's that time of year seniors, when you're starting to get...
Read more
When a Los Angeles film production company needed vintage wrapping paper for a scene in a movie about a talking teddy bear, the prop master beckoned a stay-at-home mom in...
Read more
Bro. Leo Willett served as the founding principal of Gross Catholic High School from 1967 - 1974. He now resides in the Marianist Residence at the University of St. Mary's in...
Read more
Amanda Lehotak, Gross Catholic alumnae of 1999, recognized a good opportunity when she saw it. That’s why the chance to be the head softball coach at the University of Texas-San Antonio was something...
Read more
Victoria McNamara '14 tells us about the April 2012 meeting of the student Marianist LIFE Community. The MLC invited Gross Catholic alumni Susie Jankowski McGuire '92 to share her experiences in...
Read more
