Patrick Lambert will return to his alma mater, Judge Memorial Catholic HS, as its principal

Friday, May. 22, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Patrick Lambert has been appointed as the new principal of Judge Memorial Catholic High School; a position he wasn’t thinking about when he graduated from the school in 1997. 

“We each take on our own path and this wasn’t one I had planned when I was in high school; I was thinking about football, lacrosse and basketball, but I am thankful to be given the opportunity to step into that role,” Lambert said. 

After a national search and a review of many good candidates from across the country, the search committee recommended that Lambert be appointed to the position beginning July 1, said Holy Cross Sister Catherine Kamphaus, Utah Catholic Schools superintendent.

“Patrick was a great vice principal at the Madeleine Choir School and has been a great principal at Saint Joseph Catholic High School,” Sr. Cathy said. “The experience in Catholic school leadership has prepared him well for the position at Judge Memorial. As an alumnus of Judge Memorial he has a great love for the school and an understanding of its unique charism and culture. Patrick is excited to return to Judge and has a lot of energy for the principal position; it’s a big job but we are confident that he will fill these shoes.”

Lambert became the principal at SJCHS in 2013, and since then he has received a master of science in educational leadership from Creighton University.

He was new to the Ogden area, but from “the very start, the St. Joseph community welcomed me and allowed me to be myself and develop the school in different ways, and I feel thankful for that opportunity. It felt like I was home for those two years,” he said.

Lambert continued to strengthen the faculty, supported coaches, and worked on long-term projects, he said. 

He wanted the students who toured the school to “feel welcome and to recognize the positive relationships the students likely feel from the faculty and staff,” he said. “One of the initial challenges I had was that SJCHS is one of the best-kept secrets in the diocese; we wanted word to get out about St. Joseph’s incredible Robotics Club, Chess Club, Green Squad and athletics. … 

“There are a lot of things in the fullness of the SJCHS education that have been incredibly impressive to me: the academics and extracurricular activities, the faculty, the students and the dedicated parents who rally around the faith-filled mission of the school,” Lambert said.

Judge Memorial also has a faith-filled community and “I’m proud to be a Bulldog,” said Lambert. “I recognize and I’ve experienced the pride alumni have and it’s an honor that this community has lifted me to this position. I’m excited to work with the faculty; they are diverse, forward thinking and innovative. The parents put their heart and soul into making a Judge education possible for their children, and I’m excited to work with the talented student body and see where their academic interests lie.”

Lambert enjoyed his time as a student at Judge, he said. “I went into my college experience feeling very prepared. As leader of the institution, I would like to be able to help students feel the same way I did coming out of high school. My education provided me a community service aspect that I don’t think many high schools in the country focus on.” 

Lambert, an avid outdoorsman, and his wife will enjoy a river rafting trip down the Grand Canyon before he starts his new position. “It will be a nice transition time as I say ‘goodbye’ to a community that I absolutely adore and ‘hello’ to a new community,” Lambert said.