The new Dean of Students, Mr. Jesse Alexander ‘81 has been a grand addition to the community. Mr. Alexander, referred to by students as “The Shanley Eagle” has continued to stay involved at SBP past graduation, serving as the President of the Alumni Association. He has played a multitude of roles over the years, but this is his first time being a part of the day-to-day operations of the school since his time as a student.
The Eagle started his time as the Dean of Students in the fall term, taking the place of John Rowe, who is now the Head of Crisis Management. Students and faculty have come to love his old-school style and attitude which makes him effective in his role in addressing disciplinary issues.
His beginnings start with his peers in the class of 1981, where they experienced one of the staple experiences of St. Benedict’s: The Overnight. Mr. Alexander’s class was the first to share the experience of learning the traditions, values, and history of St. Benedict’s Prep. His class paved the way for the model and leadership development we see at Benedict’s today. Although their overnight may look altered compared to now, the structure and foundations of brotherhood taught have never changed.
Contemplating where to attend high school, the Eagle initially held some resistance to attending St. Benedict’s, but his childhood friend and future classmate, Joe Scott ‘79 convinced him to come. Despite not wanting to attend Benedict’s, it quickly became home for him.
He reflected on his overnight experience saying, “It was one of the most important moments from my time at Benedict’s. Being the first class to experience the overnight was special. The Brotherhood was established immediately and it has paved the way since.”
With the Overnight experience propelling his connection to the school, he quickly became a household name in Varsity Basketball and Student Leadership. He served as the Senior Group Leader for his class and earned All-State honors under Coach Dalton. His goal when leading was to follow in the footsteps of those who came before him and show those who would follow him the way of Benedict’s Man.
Alexander gave some insight into one of his old school Benedict’s stories as a senior. “Nate McDougle, the school’s janitor, told my classmate to stop playing in the halls while he was mopping. The kid kept going and McDougle told him to stop playing and he kept playing. McDougle smacked him with a wet mop and told him he’s no less of a man for pushing a mop.” He noted that it taught him to respect someone regardless of their profession.
The story of Mr. Alexander cannot be told without the story of his best friend’s death, Michael Snead ‘81. On New Year’s Eve of 1979, Michael passed away from a heart attack in Mr. Alexander’s Kitchen. This shattered Alexander’s world at the time. Alexander provided advice to the current students who may be dealing with things silently saying, “I am glad there is now a counseling center for kids to get the resources they need. It hurt me deeply and you can’t deal with grief alone.” Mr. Alexander continues to serve and be a positive influence on others to honor his childhood friend. Now, SBP students remember Mr. Snead as a flag inscribed with a large “81” in a circle hanging in the HAB gym in his honor.
Following his time at Benedict’s, Mr. Alexander received his bachelor’s degree in mass communications/radio television and received his master’s in human services from Lincoln University. He then served for 13 years as a Youth Development Specialist/Court liaison in juvenile correctional facilities for Abraham Clark High School in Roselle.
Mr. Alexander has found his way back to The Hive for a reason he holds dear to him: his mother. “I’ve been wanting to come back for a while. My mother pushed me to [return], but the timing never lined up. She died and then me and Fred lined up what I would do. I wanted to do it for my mom and I was just ready to come back.”
He is happy to see that the place has evolved and he gets to experience the brotherhood with a different perspective. “The brotherhood never changes. Experiencing the brotherhood differently, we can gather with everyone from any class and tell stories, as we went to school together. I see all the current students like my little brothers because they are going through the same things I went through as a student. I don’t have friends, I have brothers and sisters.”
Mr. Alexander is a reminder to current students that this place runs because of alumni. Without alumni serving as faculty in different parts of the school the brotherhood would not be as effective. He is a mentor and an invaluable asset to the community and its mission.
