Father Judge on Oct. 3 held the grand opening of its Career Pathways Academy, located on grounds that were once the Oblates residence. A Salesian garden sits out front.
The Friends of Father Judge raised $11 million to build the CPA, with most of the money coming from generous alumni and the state.
The 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility is home to the Faulkner Automotive Institute, Connelly Welding Lab and the Elliott-Lewis Mechanical Services Institute. Faulkner, Connelly and Elliott-Lewis each donated $1 million toward the effort for career and technical education.
The building trades and their employer partners were also key to construction.
Art teacher Ricky Haldis created a 3-minute time lapse, set to the theme from Rocky, of pictures of planning and construction.
“That was three minutes of five years,” said school president Brian King.
Thus far, the program has graduated 75 certified welders under the guidance of instructor Joe Williams. The grads have received job offers ranging in annual salary from $46,000 to $74,000. Going forward, the three programs will produce certified skilled auto technicians, welders and mechanical service technicians.
King said some of the grads make more money than their parents.
“Imagine that on day one being in that position,” he said.
Judge recognized state Sen. Tina Tartaglione as the CPA’s main funding champion and named the mezzanine in her honor. Tartaglione became emotional at the grand opening.
“We did it,” she said. “I know the young men who go here will go far.”
Others in attendance included Mayor Cherelle Parker, state Sen. Jimmy Dillon, state Rep. Pat Gallagher, City Councilmen Mike Driscoll and Jim Harrity, city elections commissioner Lisa Deeley, L&I Quality of Life Commissioner Bridget Collins-Greenwaldl former state House Speaker John Perzel; and Debora Carrera, the city’s chief education officer.
“You have created a model for the city of Philadelphia to follow,” Parker said.
“The Career Pathways Academy is going to be historic,” Dillon said.
In addition to King, Father Judge and the archdiocese were represented by principal James Hozier; the Rev. Joseph Campellone, president emeritus; Bill St. Clair, Friends of Father Judge board chairman; and Jay DeFruscio, chief operating officer of archdiocesan schools.
“3301 Solly will be here for a long time,” Campellone said.
“Isn’t this a great night for Father Judge,” St. Clair said.
DeFruscio said he wished he could clone King, the Judge president, for the other 14 archdiocesan high schools.
Archbishop Nelson Perez will celebrate a Mass and bless the Career Pathways Academy at a later date. ••
