A retired Moose Jaw school trustee who spent 30 years with Holy Trinity Catholic School Division has received a prestigious provincial award for his contributions to Catholic education.
During a ceremony on Nov. 13, the Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association (SCSBA) awarded Delmer Wagner the Julian Paslawski Meritorious Service Award.
The organization gives this award yearly to individuals who have “made a highly significant contribution” to Catholic education in Saskatchewan.
According to his bio, Wagner was one of the pioneering members of the Catholic Curriculum Online when it started in 2000. In 2002, he helped the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (Catholic Section) write professional development modules on faith permeation, which became an online resource for teachers.
That same year, the National Catholic Educational Association awarded the project — and Wagner — with the Catholic Schools for Tomorrow Award in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
“I’m deeply honoured and humbled being chosen as a recipient of this award. And of course, I feel great gratitude to the Holy Trinity board for the nomination and the SCSBA for its decision in supporting the nomination,” Wagner told the Moose Jaw Express.
He felt blessed to work in a career where his Catholic faith and job were not separate endeavours; instead, he could weave both together. This allowed him to be the same person — whether he was interacting with his faith community or family — without apologizing for it.
Paramount to Wagner was the support he received from his wife of 46 years, Doreen, and three children. He noted that Doreen was, and continues to be, the glue that holds everything together.
The former education director added that while he received the award, education is a teamwork-oriented environment.
Ward Strueby, current education director for Holy Trinity, said Wagner has been a strong advocate for Catholic education wherever he’s been. He mentored Strueby, while in general, he is a high-quality person.
“I think his biggest contribution is just being Del. … he is just a caring man who leads by example. He’s willing to help out anybody around him,” Strueby said, adding Wagner loves his Catholic faith and is guided by principles of hope, faith and love.
Wagner spent 35.2 years in education, most of that in Holy Trinity.
He was a teacher for nine years, a vice-principal for two years, a principal for 12 years, a superintendent for two years, and then five years as education director. Although he retired in 2009, he spent two years afterward as acting education director at Holy Family School Division in Weyburn.
Wagner returned to Holy Trinity in 2016 to serve as a board trustee for four years while also the president and vice-president of the SCSBA. He officially retired in 2020.
Wagner enjoyed every position he held during his career. His most enjoyable time was working as a teaching principal in Swift Current, a fulfilling position since he could be a leader but still interact with kids personally.
“That’s really important because … Catholic education — any education for that matter — has to be focused on the kids, or you’re missing the mark,” he said. “And that’s what I can say about Holy Trinity: Holy Trinity is very student-focused.
“It was really nice to be part of an organization like that.”
Since retiring, Wagner has remained active with the Knights of Columbus and has been part of many community boards.
He believes Catholic education is at a crossroads, given some tumultuous times it has experienced in the past few years. He thinks it can clearly “reassert our identity” with its mandate to deliver faith-based education.
“We just need to keep our compass on a forward path,” Wagner added, “thus paving the road for a continued bright future where Catholic education is available to all."
