Oldenburg, In. — The Roger Bacon High School Alumni Association honored Oldenburg Academy President Diane Laake ‘ 75 with the prestigious Amaranth Award at the annual Alumni Awards Dinner. This award is given to a graduate of Our Lady of Angels High School who has lived her life in true Franciscan spirit and has demonstrated significant achievements and dedicated service to the larger community since graduation.
The daughter of Russell (RB ’45) and Irene (OLA ’47), Diane (and her twin sister Donna) graduated from OLA in 1975. Younger brother Larry would join their ranks as an RB grad in 1986. In 1979, Diane graduated from Xavier University, magna cum laude, University Scholars program/BS in Biology and began her teaching career at Mother of Mercy High School. During her 33 years there, she served in many different roles including teacher, Admissions Director, Assistant Principal and Principal. Among her accomplishments at Mercy, she is most proud of her work in securing grants for the school and individual teachers to pursue innovative and enriching professional development opportunities, initiating and leading an international student leadership program for over 25 years, serving as the chair of the National Blue Ribbon School Award team (received in 2002), and being a founding member of the INTERalliance (technology) Advisory Team and Board member of the Network for Mercy Education. She received an M.Ed. in Science Education from Northern Kentucky University in 1987 and has 50 + additional graduate credits, including Administrative Certification. She was hired in March of 2013 as President at Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception (IN), sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis – Oldenburg, where she continues to serve today, her 40th year in Catholic education. There Diane has lead the Academy to its largest enrollment in over 35 years, launched an ambitious capital campaign resulting in the first major building project in over 50 years, and strengthened the network of relationships with the local community as well as the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
Diane also serves as a Board member for Franciscans Network since 1998. This non-profit works closely with grassroots Franciscan women and men all around the world who are striving for justice and peace. For ten years this included an alliance with Franciscans International and their home office at the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, especially focusing on advocacy work for the landless poor in Brazil. She was responsible for their annual donor/awards dinner and has led multiple pilgrimage programs to Italy, Brazil and Ireland.
“During my high school years at OLA, I was blessed to become one of the earliest members of the New Jerusalem Community, an intentional Catholic lay community led by Franciscan Fathers Richard Rohr and John Quigley. The teachings and shared community experiences over the next 30 years provided the vision and guiding principles for my faith journey ever since. I am grateful for my strong Franciscan roots and delighted to finish my professional career ‘back home’ with the Sisters of St. Francis and the mission and values that have inspired and guided me most of my life.”
