HUNTERSVILLE — After nine years of administrative guidance, Christ the King students and staff bid farewell to beloved president Dr. Carl Semmler.
He won’t be far as he transitions into his new role as executive director of Catholic Identity, Operations and Capital Improvements for the Diocese of Charlotte’s Catholic Schools office.
His fan club of 435 students and 60 staff gobbled down donuts decorated in Crusader colors – white frosting and blue sprinkles – while students repeating the pun, “'Donut' know what we’re going to do without you.”
Greg Stump, art teacher and stained-glass artist, designed a memento for Semmler, a commemorative plaque made from Polish blue glass.
“This is the same glass used to make the St. John Paul II glass window in the chapel, something Dr. Semmler has admired for years,” Stump said.
Embedded in the glass is the white CTK crest with its mantra, “Crede + Cogita + Servi,” Latin for “Believe, Think, Serve.”
Although he is leaving the school, Semmler ended the event by reassuring all, “once a Crusader, always a Crusader.”
— Lisa M. Geraci
