Faculty-Trustee Dinner Honors Michael Deschenes

Our annual Faculty-Trustee Dinner is a great opportunity for St. Sebastian's employees and board members to strengthen the bond that ties us and celebrate outstanding service to our School. On Thursday, November 9, Michael Deschenes, Director of Library and Information Services, was honored for his 25 years of service to St. Sebastian's.

After faculty members and trustees had the opportunity to mingle during the cocktail hour in Ward Hall, the formal event began with a prayer from Fr. John Arens. In his remarks, Board of Trustees President Jim Elcock ’77, P’08 thanked the faculty and staff for all they do to support and build up St. Sebastian's.

Sean Albertson, Chair of the Classics Department, delivered heartfelt remarks about his colleague and friend, noting Michael’s famous attention to detail and willingness to help others. “His sense of duty demands that he thinks of others before himself. He possesses a loyalty the Roman philosopher, Seneca, called the sanctissimum bonum—the holiest good--in the human heart.” Sean also shared words of admiration from current and former faculty members.

Headmaster Bill Burke followed, praising Michael for the many ways in which he has contributed to St. Sebastian’s.

For a quarter of a century, Michael has been at his many posts, teaching Latin, teaching computer science, singing on the altar, advising students, running the library, helping colleagues, generating, sending, and printing schedules, grade reports, NEASC documents, and God knows what else, his intelligence, talent, energy, work habits, loyalty, kind and giving nature, wry and witty essence, and unwavering love of God, of people, and of all things St. Sebastian’s forever holding sway and conspiring powerfully. His colleagues praise him for being detail-oriented, organized, dedicated, hardworking, kind, intelligent, a computer whiz, reliable, diligent, calm, patient, thoughtful, and forever loving.

In his remarks, Michael took the opportunity to honor others who have served and continue to serve the School and to express his gratitude for the opportunity to be among those displayed on the Wall of Honor. “Whether I have known you from my first year, or if this is your first year, your service to St. Sebastian’s enriches the school, and it enriches me.” He also shared the many ways his family has benefited from being part of the school community and offered words of thanks to his wife, Mary-Ellen, and three children, Olivia, Ben ’28, and Alexandra.

From all of us at St. Sebastian's, we thank Michael for his devoted service to our School. We have been truly blessed by his many talents and tireless efforts. Congratulations, Mike, on joining the Wall of Honor!