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School Commission

- Who we are

School Commission members 2023-2024

Fr. Sengole Gnanaraj, STL, Pastor/Administrator
Fr. Sengole T. Gnanaraj, Pastor of our parish arrived in Richmond in July 2019.
He was Pastor of St. Pius and St. Michael in Perry County prior. He has a post-graduate degree in Theology from the Angelicum, Rome through the Faculty of Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, MI. He was an attorney at Law in India before moving to the United States.
His hobbies include sketching, playing the guitar and graphic designs. The most favorite Bible text for him is John 3:16.
One of his favorites in being at Seton School is being able to say Mass for the school students three times a week and spending brief time with them during lunch hours.
Mrs. Jane Brack, Seton Catholic High School Principal
Mrs. Brack lives on a farm in southern Franklin County. She and her late husband Rob, have three children, Amber, Alex, and Aaron, and six grandchildren, Jackson '26, Lily '27 (SCHS students) Violet, Eivin, Jude, and Evelyn. Mrs.Brack is a member of St. Michael parish where she is a member of their school commission. She attended Indiana University East for her Bachelor of Education degree, Xavier University for her Master of Education degree, and Indiana Wesleyan for her administrator's degree. She has been in education since 1998. Her hobbies include horseback riding, quilting, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Mr. Victor Berger, Seton Catholic Elementary Principal
Mrs. Beth Van Der Burgt, Chairperson
A retired pharmacist, Beth volunteers as parish Sacristan at the St. Andrew campus and serves as Past Board President of the Richmond Area Rose Garden in addition to serving on our school commission. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Butler University and also graduated with a Master's in Theology from St. Meinrad in May of 2022. Beth and husband, Marty, are very active in the parish and are long-time supporters of Seton Catholic Schools. “I chose to serve on the school commission for Seton Catholic Schools because Marty and I greatly value Catholic Education, and I felt honored to be asked to be more involved with our school. We must catechize our youth to ensure a solid future for our Church. Seton is a vital part of this process, and I feel it is important to support our school in other ways than just financially. I look forward to serving with everyone on our 2023-2024 school year.”

Dr. Roy Teng, Vice Chairperson
Seton Catholic parent and parishioner Dr. Roy Teng has spent the last fourteen years supporting our school through the gifts of time and treasure. Roy works locally for Richmond Radiologist Inc. and is married to Jackie. They have one son, Zachary, a recent Seton graduate who attended Seton Catholic since he was three years old.
“I choose to serve the Catholic community however I am called.”
Mr. Ed Martin, Secretary
Ed is a familiar face around Seton Catholic Schools. He is the father to Seton Catholic alums Kelsey Martin (’17) and Jack Martin (’23). Ed has been active in several ministries within the parish, most recently finishing his last term on the pastoral council. Ed’s wife, Jennifer was a long-time Varsity Coach for the high school’s volleyball team.. Ed received his Juris Doctorate in May 1994 from Valparaiso University School of Law and is self-employed in Centerville. “I choose to serve on the commission to cultivate kindness. Mrs. (Kara) Hamilton and Father Sengole asked that I volunteer, and I accepted. I believe Catholic education is a mission, and as a parent, I am grateful to be part of this ministry.”
Mr. Tony Talbert, Finance Committee Chairperson
Tony Talbert is a lifelong Catholic along with his wife Donna. He recognizes that the Catholic School is our most important ministry shaping our future parishioners and the future leadership of the Catholic church. Giving our students a Christian foundation as well as a premier academic educational experience is the top priorities of our schools. With our principals, teachers, staff, students, parents and commission members working together we can collectively make our catholic school experience one of great impact on our community and society today, tomorrow and for decades to come keeping Christ and His love as our center.
Mr. Brad VanVleet
Brad was born and raised right here in Richmond, Indiana. After graduating from Richmond High School in 1997, Brad headed to the University of Dayton, where he met his future wife, Kelly. Brad played on the Dayton Flyers football team through all four years of college, and was voted captain during his senior season.

After graduating from University of Dayton with a degree in Marketing, Brad moved home and started working with his father, Eric VanVleet, founder of VanVleet Insurance. Today, Brad is President of VanVleet Insurance. He takes pride in the relationships his family has built with clients. “I see myself as an insurance advisor more than a sales agent,” Brad says. “I really enjoy helping people. That’s why we’re here: our goal is to educate clients about risk management, come to shared understanding, and create realistic solutions.”

Brad and his wife, Kelly, have two children, Drew and Bryn. A true Richmond local, Brad has served on several local boards. He has spent time on the Boards of Directors for the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Cope Environmental Center, YMCA, and HYPE Wayne County (Helping Young Professionals Engage). Brad and Kelly are parishioners of St. Andrews parish and avid supporters of Seton Catholic Schools.
Mrs. Kelly Knapke
Kelly is a proud cradle Catholic. Her grandparents, Linus and Alma Lamm, had dreams establishing Holy Family Church. Kelly’s mother, Ruth, along with her aunt and uncle attended Holy Family Catholic School from its time of conception. Kelly was enrolled in Holy Family School for eight years along with her brother, Troy. She graduated from Centerville High School and settled in Richmond, Indiana after marrying her spouse, Dave. Kelly and Dave’s two sons, Klinton and Kurtis attended Seton Catholic Schools for their preschool through eighth grade years. Kelly has worked her professional career in the Richmond area and encourages everyone to get involved and volunteer with something they enjoy and receive fulfillment. Dave and Kelly are members of Holy Family parish and active in our Catholic community. Forever Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God”.
Amy Meyers is a current parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, former teacher and counselor at Seton Catholic High School, as well as a parent of a Seton Catholic elementary student.
She has over 10 years of high school education experience both as a math teacher as well high school counselor at Seton, Noblesville High School and Blue River Jr/Sr High. She earned her bachelors of education at Anderson University and her Masters of School Counseling at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Amy and her husband Allen live in Richmond with their three children; Jack, Owen, and Callie.
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Seton Catholic Schools is extremely blessed to have an outstanding school commission. All commission members generously give of their time, talent, and treasure on behalf of our schools. We thank each member for answering this call to serve the young people of the greater Richmond community.
The commission usually meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month, beginning at 6:30 p.m., in Father Hillman Hall at Seton Catholic High School. Every other month, there is a work session. All are welcome to attend. Please notify the commission at least two weeks in advance if you wish to be added to the agenda.