ATLANTA--Father Joel Konzen, SM, who served at Marist School from 1980-89, has been named principal of Marist effective Nov. 1.

Father Konzen succeeds Michael Maher, who resigned Oct. 8 after serving as headmaster for six years. A resolution made by the Marist board of trustees returned the school to a traditional form of governance, placing Father James Hartnett, SM, president of the school, at the top. The principal and chaplain will report to him. This alters a structure put into place in 1988 under which the school was governed by a three-person leadership team made up of the president, headmaster and chaplain.

Father Konzen served in a variety of positions during his time at Marist, including director of admissions and financial aid, headmaster and president.

He received a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Ind., in 1972 and a master of divinity degree from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans in 1979. In 1987, Father Konzen received a master’s degree in systematic theology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and in 1991 he earned a master’s degree in educational administration from CUA.

In addition to his time at Marist, Father Konzen taught at St. Peter Chanel High School in Bedford, Ohio, from 1976-77. He served as a priest at St. Edmond Church in Lafayette, La., from 1979-80, and as the principal and president at St. Michael’s Academy in Austin, Texas, from 1992-97.

Father Konzen currently serves as the vicar provincial, assistant to Father William Rowland, SM, provincial superior for the Marists of the Washington Province.

In a press release, Father Konzen said he looks forward to his return to Marist, while recognizing the significant changes that have taken place at the school in the last decade.

“I enjoyed my years at Marist in the 1980s as a teacher and administrator and I am aware that the school has made a great deal of progress since then, so in some respects it will be like coming into a new place,” he said. “Most of my work as a Marist priest has been in the field of Catholic education, so it’s a welcome call to return to Marist where I have many happy associations.”

“I was privileged to work under Father Hartnett when I first came to Marist and I am pleased to have the chance to do so again,” he continued. “I look forward to becoming reacquainted with the faculty and staff, to getting to know the students and to pursuing the mission of Marist education along with the many people in the area who are a part of the school’s efforts.”

In a telephone interview, Father Hartnett said that he is looking forward to being reunited with his colleague.

“I worked with Father Konzen in the past and it will be a pleasure to work with him again,” he said. “He’s been here before, he knows the position, he knows the ropes and he enjoys what he does. That’s a key ingredient.”