Trinity High School is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Nathan Sturtzel ’05 as its seventh principal in school history. He will succeed Dr. Dan Zoeller H’07, who will retire at the end of June after serving as principal since 2004.
Dr. Sturtzel will be the first Trinity alumnus to serve as principal, marking a historic milestone for the school.
A dedicated Catholic educator and experienced school leader, Dr. Sturtzel brings more than a decade of leadership experience in Catholic education, along with a deep personal connection to Trinity and its mission.
Dr. Sturtzel has built a strong record of success forming collaborative teams, strengthening community partnerships, and leading schools with a focus on relationships, growth, achievement, and innovation. His experience spans public, charter, and Catholic school settings, including his current role as principal of St. Patrick Catholic School in Louisville, where he has led a thriving parish school community since 2016.
During his tenure, St. Patrick has experienced significant enrollment growth, expanded academic programming, and completed major campus improvements. Dr. Sturtzel has led initiatives in standards-based grading, social-emotional learning, and school safety, while fostering a culture of collaboration, professional growth, and continuous improvement. He has also served on parish and Archdiocesan leadership teams, has presented to fellow principals on innovative systems of learning and school improvement, and partnered with Cognia, a nationally recognized school accreditation and certification organization, as a data & quality contractor and presenter.
Throughout his career, Dr. Sturtzel has emphasized the importance of building strong relationships, cultivating a vibrant Catholic identity, and guiding school communities with clarity and vision. He is known for his ability to bring together students, faculty, families, alumni, and the school community in support of a shared mission.
A proud Trinity alumnus, Dr. Sturtzel credits his high school experience as transformative in shaping his faith, leadership, and sense of vocation. He often reflects on the brotherhood, mentors, and programs that influenced his life, from the House System and senior retreat to academics, athletics, and service, and sees his new role as principal as an opportunity to give back to the school that helped form him.
“Trinity’s influence on my life cannot be understated,” Dr. Sturtzel shares. “It awakened my Catholic faith, taught me the meaning of brotherhood, and helped me understand how to be a good steward of my gifts. Serving as principal is a continuation of that stewardship. Working alongside dedicated and talented faculty, staff, coaches, advisors, mentors, and families to honor Trinity’s legacy while preparing our students to lead with faith and character is both a profound honor and a true blessing.”
With valued experience in leadership development, organizational growth, curriculum and instruction, accreditation, strategic planning, and community engagement, Dr. Sturtzel is committed to ensuring Trinity continues to lead as a college-preparatory Catholic high school, forming men of faith and men of character. He believes deeply that Catholic education, rooted in the Gospel and centered on faith and discipleship, has the power to transform lives and communities.
School President James Torra H’12 shared his enthusiasm for the appointment:
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Nathan Sturtzel home to Trinity. As a proud alumnus and proven Catholic school leader, Nathan understands our mission, and he lived that mission. His experience, vision, and collaborative leadership style make him exceptionally well-suited to guide Trinity into its next chapter. I look forward to partnering with Nathan as we continue building on Trinity’s strong tradition and bright future.”
Dr. Sturtzel looks forward to partnering with the entire Trinity community to build on the school’s strong tradition, culture, and vision for the future. Inspired by Trinity’s motto, Maximo Animi Ardore, he is eager to help the school continue forming young men of faith and character who will “Live the 4th” in service to others and graduate prepared for success.
He accepts this leadership role at an exciting time, as transformational campus projects are underway. Construction of the David and Beth Scinta STEM Career Center is in progress, which will expand our already strong STEM and arts opportunities. Additionally, plans for the Wilson Center for the Performing Arts are moving forward, creating enhanced spaces for our performing arts program and further enriching student experiences.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Dr. Nathan Sturtzel ’05 as the new principal of Trinity High School and in offering prayers for him and our community as we begin this exciting new chapter together.
