After 35 years of service, and 22 years serving as principal, Dr. Dan Zoeller is retiring. Dr. Zoeller has been the drive behind many of the things that make Trinity unique in comparison to other schools such as the block schedule, our house system, an international exchange and travel program, and the countless staff members he has hired.

Dr. Zoeller has played many roles over his 35 years at Trinity. His most impactful title other than principal was as the Activities Director, from 2000 to 2004. This era is marked by the creation of Trinity’s House System. Trinity’s House System is a significant factor used in the school’s marketing as something that sets the school apart from other Catholic High Schools in the area and has become a model for schools across the country. The system has opened opportunities for students to bond and work together to not only compete in fun events but to also to make a meaningful impact through service in the community.

Taking over as Trinity’s principal did not stop Dr. Zoeller from bringing groundbreaking ideas to the table but rather gave him a better opportunity to do so. Dr. Rob Mullen, Trinity’s president from 2000 until 2025, was a key player in naming Zoeller as leader of the academic side of the school and turned out to be a true mentor for the young principal. “He was the president at the time, and he (Mullen) had a great confidence in me, even though I was a very green principal. He taught me a lot of valuable lessons about leadership.”

Dr. Zoeller as principal implemented many of the programs Trinity is known for including the block schedule, student exchange program, and drug testing. However, he is most proud of the teachers and faculty that he has been able to bring on the staff. “I think my biggest accomplishment has been hiring

His time as principal hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park. This biggest innovation that occurred in his time was the creation of the internet along with the introduction of the smartphone. This brought an unknown challenge to the table that he was in charge of overseeing. Dr. Zoeller says that the internet has been an overall positive, while smartphones on the other hand are not so much. “I was here when the internet was introduced, to Trinity, which was a big deal, and we became the first school to have internet in classrooms. The whole smartphones revolution has been both good and bad, mostly bad, I think to be honest for education.”

Trinity officially recently announced that Dr. Nathan Sturtzel from the Class of 2005 to fill Dr. Zoeller’s shoes as principal. Dr. Zoeller plans to stay around in an advisor role for Dr. Sturtzel as he begins this new position. Dr. Zoeller told him that Trinity is a great place with talented people here to help him and guide him into the new era. “My advice to my successor is, don’t come in with a lot of change in mind right away. He should sit down and listen to the people who are already here.” Dr. Zoeller encouraged Dr. Sturtzel to be open to their ideas. “There’s a great team in place, both with teachers, administration people like Mr. Henning, Mr. Jackson, Mrs. DeGolian, the faculty senate and student government. My advice, that I have already given, is for his first year here, listen a lot.” Dr. Nathan Sturtzel will officially take over the position on June 1, 2026.

Dr. Dan Zoeller has dedicated over half of his life to Trinity High School. In his era, he has accomplished more than anyone could’ve imagined. Zoeller was advised by Dr. Tom Zehnder to keep Trinity on the right track. “I remember him saying not to drop the ball, and so, I like to think that I didn’t drop the ball. Trinity was great before I arrived, I think I carried the ball forward, and it will now be the next generation’s turn to carry it to even more greatness” Dr. Zoeller’s legacy is one of the most notable in Trinity and will live on for generations to come. Thank you to Dr. Dan Zoeller for his ministry and service to Trinity High School over the years, and good luck to him in his retirement.