Cover Story - John Proos Reflects on the Value of Catholic Education

As he walks the halls of his alma mater, John Proos stops to greet the
school staff, joke with one of the high school students and give a shoutout
to his daughter Nora’s soccer teammate on a great game. The memories come flooding back for the 1988 graduate of Lake Michigan Catholic (LMC)* [now Our Lady of the Lake] as he recalls the lifelong friends he made and the faith-centered education that paved his path to public service. As he looks back John can easily trace the impact of his Catholic school education as influencing every aspect of his life. Today John’s interest in the success of Catholic school education extends beyond being an alumnus; he is now a parent, community member and president of the Lake Michigan Catholic School Fund.

John is standing on the street corner of the school’s campus as we’re shooting
photos, and the proof of his deep roots in the community are evident in the countless cars that slow down to say “hello” or ask him a quick question or offer a smart remark. Maybe it’s due to his lifelong residency in St. Joseph or his 14 years in public service as a representative in Michigan’s State House and Senate. Whatever the reason, John is happiest in his hometown and is fervently committed to both its success and the success of Catholic school education.

“The impact of my time at Lake Michigan Catholic was that deep sense that I have a responsibility to serve others — that was modeled at home with my parents. My father was engaged in the community with many different activities and volunteer pursuits and my mother was always volunteering in the library
and even worked in the business office at school.”

In fact, John estimates that his father, a family doctor who passed away suddenly in 2014, delivered more than 1,500 babies over the course of his career and as a family doctor journeyed with people from before birth through end of life.

“There wasn’t an evening when we were out and about that he didn’t get stopped,” he smiles, “everybody wanted to talk to Doc Proos.”

And like many children, John may have temporarily dreamed of following in his
father’s footsteps, but instead of family medicine, his service would lead him to a career in government service and now in the private sector consulting for clients in government affairs and working at home with community leaders.

So, it’s easy to assume that during his time at LMC he was in student government.

“No, not at all,” he laughs, noting that he didn’t have any interest at all. That is, until an inspirational teacher gave him a life-changing assignment. And it all started with a mock presidential candidate debate.

When John was a high school senior the 1988 presidential elections were gearing up in the spring.

“’88 had a slate of candidates on both sides,” he recalls. “My English teacher Caryl DaDan assigned me the role of Jesse Jackson, and I had to portray him in an actual debate — right in the cafeteria.

“Caryl and the experience really spurred my interest in government and the public sector,” explains John, who notes Caryl helped shine a light on the higher calling that a life in government can be, “to try to properly represent the people.”

John went on to earn his Bachelor of Political Science at Marquette University,
where he met his future wife and fellow alumna, Kristy. He continued his education with a Master of Education at Michigan State University. His political career began as district representative and deputy chief of staff for Rep.
Fred Upton, a role he had for nearly a decade. Then he embarked on his 14 year career as a legislator,where he served three terms as a state representative
and two terms as a state senator.

And it was that idea of service and listening, values reinforced in his Catholic schooling, that formed how he ran his office. “Chances are if you’re calling your state senator it’s likely the only time you’ll do it. So if you do, you’re probably at your wit’s end and frustrated with something in government and you need a solution. It was something I learned while on staff for Fred and an attribute that I
instilled in my staff: every call that comes in is probably a crisis of some sort and every person needs to be heard.”

And while he admits that in the beginning of his public service his own expression of his faith was more private, he began to be more comfortable with an outward expression — for example, wearing his Knights of Columbus pin on
his lapel. This small gesture turned out to be a conversation starter.

“For some people, the design of the fourth degree pin actually looks a bit like the
Indiana University logo,” he laughs when explaining why colleagues would want to engage, probably to start talking about sports rivalries.

“But it lead to great conversations as I was able to explain about who the Knights
are and about all they do for the community.” It was also in his legislative work that John could draw direct lines to his Catholic faith, explaining, “Criminal justice work may be the most faith-driven work I’ve done.

“Incarceration is a tool that’s necessary but not the only tool [for] rehabilitating
offenders. If you’re able to solve some of the underlying problems that are likely
related to drug and alcohol addiction or mental health concerns — you have a
chance to break the cycle of crime.”

That work extended to his writing the law for the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation program and being appointed chair of the corrections budget — projects he admits were both frustrating but rewarding.

This work, he notes, “fit directly into my faith growth over the years and valuing the need to reach out to those on the margins.”

Today John’s average day looks a bit different than it did when he was in government. His term ended at the end of 2018, and he transitioned into the private sector where he’s now president of JP4 Government Solutions, a consulting firm.

“I thank God every day that I had the year to get established [in his private business] and to transition from a very public position to a private one; and to find my way into serving the community in new ways.”

So what’s his day look like now?

“Today, it’s a mix of Catholic school activities,” he says. His youngest child, daughter Nora, plays varsity soccer, volleyball and basketball. And he has more flexibility to visit his other children — son Jack, who’s at Butler University, and daughter Elena, who’s at Marquette University. He is quick to credit his wife Kristy for balancing the needs of the household and maintaining a career in finance at Whirlpool Corporation while he served in the legislature. “For me it’s a different pace, but just as busy.”

Part of that busy schedule includes his work for the Lake Michigan Catholic
School Fund. At the urging of his father, John became a board member of the local foundation (formerly the Twin City Area Catholic School Fund) and now serves as its president.

“In 1971 the fathers and mothers of the fund got together and said ‘how can we provide support to Catholic education in Southwest Michigan?’”

Over time, John explains, the foundation has become a significant support and
subsidy system to Our Lady of the Lake school.

“The foundation is blessed to be available for family tuition subsidies, emergency
needs at the school and for the support of our teachers through technology grants made possible by the support of the Caryl DaDan Technology
Fund,” explains John.

“And, in the last five years the foundation has been able to provide over $1.7 million in total support to Catholic Education at Our Lady.”

Additionally, the foundation provides annual endowed support for maintenance
and technology. “We just helped to purchase 100 new Chromebooks for elementary students,” notes John.

And now his alma mater stands at a monumental time in its history — recently
announcing its name change from Lake Michigan Catholic to Our Lady of the Lake but retaining the much loved nickname, “Lakers”.

“I understand that changing the name ‘Lakers’ was never in consideration,” explains John. “Identifying clearly and definitively as Catholic was the key for the
conversation for changing the name.”

Johns believes this is the start “of many great things to come” but he’s also quick to add that changing the name alone is not the secret for success.

“A name change does nothing to change the trajectory — that’s where the leadership comes in.” John credits Fr. John Fleckenstein, Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, St. Joseph, for his strategic planning and drawing inspiration from the writings of his predecessors from years ago. “We need to invite people into evangelization of our school. We have to be advocates.”

So how will Catholic education thrive into the future?

“We need to clearly define who we are as Catholics and never apologize for it — ever. I pray that’s the formula for growth in Catholic school participation, enrollment and a better understanding of the value of Catholic Education in Southwest Michigan.”

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