Tom Zehnder, Ed.D. is a member of the Trinity Class of 1963. After graduating from Trinity, Tom earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Bellarmine University in 1967. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. In 1973, he earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Louisville. In 1983, he earned a master’s degree in business administration from Bellarmine University, and in 2002 he obtained his doctor of education degree from the University of Louisville.

In 1972, Tom was hired to teach at Trinity by then Principal Rev. Tom Duerr H’92, beginning a 44-year teaching career. He taught English and history but moved to economics and money management. He also taught economics at U of L and Bellarmine University for more than 30 years.

In 1978, Tom was awarded the Rev. Thomas Duerr Award for his work in the classroom, positive attitude, sense of humor and willingness to go over and above the call of duty. In 1992, he was named Teacher of the Year. Tom’s involvement in paper drives, the Pep Band and the Benefit Dinner reveal his dedication and love for Trinity.

Tom’s zeal for education did not stop in the classroom. He was a retreat leader, member of the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society and Bowling Club moderator. He was well known for his wins in the annual Stock Market Game. Tom received the 1980 Trinity Honor Alumnus Award. He gave the faculty address at graduation in 1998.

A student favorite through the years, Tom’s distinctive voice and laugh will always be remembered echoing through the halls of Trinity. He believes a teacher never knows where his or her influence ends. One of Tom’s favorite quotes is from Confucius, who said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Tom is a regular donor to the Trinity Annual Fund and the Sgt. David Wimberg ’99 Memorial Scholarship. “I love this place,” Tom said, “Trinity really has been like a second family to me.” Whether they be students or colleagues, all say Tom is one of a kind.

Tom and his wife, Barbara, are longtime members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. They have three children Kurt (Trinity,1998), Heidi (Assumption, 2001) and Hilary (Assumption, 2002), and four grandchildren. “I have had the same wife, job and house for all my adult life, and not many people can say that” he said, in true Tom Zehnder fashion.

Rev. David H. Zettel is the embodiment of a Trinity man and a Catholic priest.

Father Dave came to Trinity from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and is a proud member of Trinity’s second graduating class. As a Trinity student, Father Dave participated in a variety of activities, especially The ECHO newspaper and The Shamrock yearbook.

Father Dave attended St. Mary’s Seminary and was ordained a priest in 1966, when he returned to Trinity to work as teacher, counselor and assistant principal. He retired in 2012 after 46 years of service. At the time of his Hall of Fame induction, he was the longest-serving priest employee, college counselor and senior class moderator in school history. He has served on Trinity’s School Board since its inception in 1980.

After retiring, Father Dave remained resident chaplain and worked closely with Campus Ministry in areas involving prayer, public worship and retreats.

In 1974, Father Dave co-founded Trinity’s Christian Awakening Senior Retreat program, which is still in use today. Thousands of Trinity alumni recall their Senior Retreat as pivotal in helping them to more deeply explore their faith and relationships with God and people.

In 1987, Father Dave received the Alumni Association’s prestigious Honor Alumnus Award, presented to graduates who distinguish themselves in their professional life, demonstrate values and ideals taught at Trinity, and maintain a strong loyalty to their alma mater. In 2000, he received an award from his brother priests for outstanding pastoral service, and in 2011 he was a St. Matthews Area Chamber of Commerce Community Pride Service Award recipient.

Father Dave was a pastoral minister to thousands of Trinity students, alumni, co-workers and community members. He answered the call from the Lord. He taught. He served. He counseled. He lived our mission.