Continuing Academic Excellence for Future Generations

By Paul E. LeMal, M.D. ’69

On a cold and snowy Saturday morning in 1965, I experienced a grueling entrance exam for St. Xavier High School. It consisted of four parts: math, language proficiency, IQ and reading comprehension. My grade school in Mt. Adams, Holy Cross, gave me as much preparation as possible. Most of my impetus for my taking the exam was Sr. Terence Marie, who strongly suggested to my parents that I take it. The rest is history. I passed it, much to my parents’ delight.

The acceptance certainly became the springboard toward an awesome education. The first year was tough, to say the least: Shakespeare, followed by Latin, followed by algebra. Things gradually sunk in, to the point where I was actually enjoying academics. But, it took an outstanding faculty to promote that interest, including, but not limited to, Mr. Kilgore (English), Mr. Berning (World History) and Mr. Moran, a Jesuit scholastic (Latin). I was bad in Physical Education, but Mr. Ballaban gave me a great deal of confidence and esteem.

After graduation, the rest, again, is history, including pre-med at Xavier University, medical school at Medical College of Ohio at Toledo and OB/Gyn residency at Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati. I can certainly assert without question that St. X gave me the academic base to excel at the aforementioned institutions in an extremely confident manner.

I am indebted to St. X. The least I can do is include it in my estate planning toward a scholarship fund. My friend Don Capannari ’68 influenced me toward this decision. I literally grew up with him and his 12 siblings in Mt. Adams, myself being an only child.

In closing, as my father once said, no one can take away one’s learning capabilities. I have attributed these to St. Xavier High School. St. X has instilled in me a respect and acceptance of all cultures and all walks of life. In addition, as Fr. Boyle related at my graduation in 1969, a sense of humor can help at times as we go through the various challenges of life, both professionally and socially.