Press Release
For Immediate Release:
Dec. 10, 2024
Contact: Christian Kendzierski
Tel. 410-547-5378
christian.kendzierski@archbalt.org
Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic schools superintendent honored with “Icon” award
Donna Hargens recognized by The Daily Record
(Baltimore, MD) – Donna Hargens, retiring superintendent of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Catholic schools, is honored as one of The Daily Records 2024 Icon Honors recipients, according to an announcement Tuesday.
The honor recognizes Hargens, a 45-year educator, for her dynamic leadership of the Archdiocese’s Catholic Schools. During her tenure, Hargens guided the schools through the COVID-19 global pandemic and opened the Mother Mary Lange Catholic School in 2021, a $25 million investment and the first new Catholic school in Baltimore City in six decades. Of the 10 Maryland schools recognized by the U.S. Department of Education this year for the prestigious 2024 National Blue Ribbon School Award, five were Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Catholic schools.
Under Hargens’ leadership, several area Catholic schools were also recognized this year by The Baltimore Sun as Top Workplaces. The recognition is based on confidential employee surveys that showed employees feel empowered to make decisions, have work-life balance and receive strong benefit packages.
Hargens has led Catholic schools in the Archdiocese since July 2018. The schools enroll nearly 25,000 students at 40 elementary and middle schools and 18 high schools in Baltimore City and Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard and Washington counties.
The Icon Honors recognizes Maryland business leaders, at least age 60, who have demonstrated strong leadership and notable success, moving the state forward by growing jobs and making a difference in their communities. The honorees are profiled in a special magazine published in Tuesday’s issue of The Daily Record. The profiles are also available online at TheDailyRecord.com.
“A quality education, where students grow morally, academically and as a whole person, provides a return on an investment for the individual and for all the people that that individual will interact with in the future,” Hargens told The Daily Record. “What teachers do daily is invest their time and talents to make a difference for students. Many things other professions build or produce fade, but what a teacher does lasts a lifetime.”
Hargens is among a group of 29 Maryland business leaders who were honored this year.
“The 2024 Icon Honors recipients are visionary leaders who make a difference for many of us in Maryland and beyond. Their professional achievements, community awareness and action are outstanding, and they are role models for all of us,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/The Daily Record. “They also look to the future by mentoring the next generation of leaders. We at The Daily Record congratulate this year’s honorees.”
Hargens previously served as superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, chief academic officer for Wake County Public Schools in North Carolina and worked as a principal, assistant principal, and a high school Spanish and English teacher. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership, management and policy from Seton Hall University.