Bigalke named new LAC principal.

Jan Bigalke

Bigalke named new LAC principal.

LUDINGTON — Jan Bigalke has been hired as the new principal of Ludington Area Catholic School, replacing Collin Thompson, who recently retired after serving in that role for 21 years. Bigalke started working at LAC on July 6.

Bigalke’s background includes nearly 17 years in education. For six years, she served as principal of Manistee Catholic Central School, a preschool- grade 12 school. She has also been a teacher and the dean of curriculum at Manistee Catholic Central, as well as an adjunct instructor at Baker College of Cadillac and West Shore Community College in Scottville. Additionally, she has more than 16 years of experience working as a registered nurse.

Bigalke earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Ferris State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership, with Catholic school emphasis, from the University of Dayton. She earned an associate degree in nursing from Suomi College in Hancock, Michigan (now Finlandia University).

“We are blessed to welcome Mrs. Bigalke as our new principal,” said Father Wayne Wheeler. “With her commitment to nurturing students’ relationship with Christ and her passion for preparing students for future success, we look forward to her leadership.”

“I am eager and excited to begin my tenure at Ludington Area Catholic School as we work together as a diocese, parish and school to help our students grow in faith and virtue,” said Bigalke. “Our greatest task is to help these souls reach heaven and to realize that truth comes from the Word of God and in the example of Jesus Christ. Having given my four children the gift of a Catholic school education, I can attest to how much this learning experience helped us, as the first faith-formers of our children. I want our students, staff and families to develop and nurture a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that will help them to be the persons that God has created them to be.”

Ludington Area Catholic School serves more than 80 students in preschool through 8th grade. Learn more about Ludington Area Catholic School at LACschool.com.