Stag Symposium

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 21. Publication date 6/15/26 The 3rd season of Stag Symposium wraps up with a discussion of summer plans and projects and highlights from the year. We expect to return for a new season on September 7, 2026.  Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landin...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 20. Publication date 6/1/26 Andrew Bright ‘03 joins the podcast to talk about his varied career in teaching, coaching, and college counseling.  Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00 . Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 19. Publication date 5/18/26 Mike and Dan talk about “coverage” vs.”mastery”; the impact of technology; and which texts are the first ones into your heart and mind.  Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00 . Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptom...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 18. Publication date 5/4/26 Mike G. Jones joins the podcast to talk about his journey to DeMatha from Oklahoma, from TCU, from overseas, from the NBA, from st. Stephens St. Agnes. The discipline of the many and the one, teaching team concepts, and evaluating players and teams are all part of a coach’s job. Music: Gustav Hol...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 17. Publication date 4/20/26 Rich Blorstad ‘10 joins the podcast to talk about his work in Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Math–and crew.  Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00 . Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 16. Publication date 4/6/26 Mike and Dan look back at 50 episodes of Stag Symposium over 3 years. They use a series of questions that ask, “What was the best thing? What was the most surprising or interesting thing? "And what did you work hardest at–or what was the hardest part of the job?” The discussion ranges across...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 15. Publication date 3/23/26 Michael Johnson ‘80 joins Mike and Dan to talk about his work at DeMatha as “the campus architect.” Mike has designed the Trinitarian Heritage Plaza, The Cross Center, the cafeteria expansion, the Hanley Science Wing, and he is responsible for the refurbishment of St. John de Matha Hall. You wil...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 14. Publication date 3/9/26 Pete Strickland ‘75 and current DeMatha Way Teacher and English Department member joins Mike and Dan to talk about his journey in teaching and coaching. In particular, Pete is interested in the intersection of teaching, parenting, coaching and on the nature of performance (he acts in local theate...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 13. Publication date 2/23/26 The snow and ice and other obligations interrupted Stag Symposium’s opportunity to interview a guest. This episode Mike and Dan talk a bit about poetry and the movies and what Mike is teaching. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. The thumbnail icon was designe...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 12. Publication date 2/9/26 Sarah Stockton , joined DeMatha as a mid-year replacement and has never looked back. Her expertise in managing special projects (DeMatha Leadership Institute, Sophomore Conversations, relationship mapping, and more) have had an enormous impact on the school. Sarah brings her sense of service and...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 11. Publication date 1/26/26 Maureen Ritz , Director of Counseling and Guidance, is the Symposium guest. Her near quarter-century of service to DeMatha has seen her lead several safe-school initiatives, counsel hundreds of students, help numerous families, and teach Psychology. A highly respected clinician and diagnostician...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 10. Publication date 1/12/26 Mike and Dan look back at the past semester and look forward to the new. Books and movies get discussed. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching....

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 9. Publication date 12/29/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest is Dave DiLuigi ‘88, former Chair of the Board of Trustees.  Dave is Head of US Markets for Wilmington Trust. He joined M&T Bank in 1992, which acquired Wilmington Trust in 2011. During his more than three decades with the institution, Dave has served as the regional...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 8. Publication date 12/15/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest is Robert Reeser, senior at DeMatha.   Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taug...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 7. Publication date 12/1/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest is Gordon Johnson, senior at DeMatha. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 6. Publication date 11/17/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest is Dafydd Evans, former soccer coach and business teacher at DeMatha. Daf discusses his career and the impact that DeMatha had on him. He shares great stories about his teams and assistant coaches and the importance of building trust and community. Daf talks about the Na...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 5. Publication date 11/03/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest is Jim Turk, Director of Vocal Music. Jim talks teaching, music, his journey to DeMatha and shares some of his favorite stories. Jim also talks about his The Ohio State University experience and his composition of DeMatha’s school song. He might teach Mike and Dan to sin...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 4. Publication date 10/20/2025 Stag Symposium talks with Mingming Hao about her journey to DeMatha and her love of the Chinese language and culture. She explains how she arranged a trip to China for students this past summer and why she is excited to be teaching a History of China class for those not studying the language....

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 3. Publication date 10/06/2025 Stag Symposium talks with Brendan Shea about his three different times at DeMatha and his journey from student to teacher to admissions director. Brendan tells how he first invented a House System for his classes and he talks about what he learned from other charisms when he worked for the Xav...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 2. Publication date 09/23/2025 Stag Symposium talks with Fr. Albert about his three different times at DeMatha and the history and mission of the Trinitarians. He tells us what he misses most as he transitioned to President and what he likes best about being President. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMath...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 3, Episode 1. Publication date 09/09/2025 Stag Symposium looks back at the summer events and discusses academic plans for the year and podcast plans. Mike makes a bold promise to have Fr. Albert on!  Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teachin...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 21. Publication date 6/30/2025 Stag Symposium wrap up of season 2, summer plans, and ideas for next year. Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble. Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 20th year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is curr...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 20. Publication date 6/16/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is senior Dr. Michael Gatti. Mike Gatti began at DeMatha as a private teacher in percussion and then was hired 23 years ago. His expertise allows us to have two percussion ensembles and to give much more individual attention to the percussionists in all of t...

Stag Symposium ( stagsymposium@dematha.org )  Show Notes Season 2, Episode 19. Publication date 6/2/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Distinguished Alum, currently professor at Baylor, Dr. Thomas Hibbs ‘78. Dr. Hibbs is the author of 8 books. He is the J. Newton Rayzor Sr. Professor of Philosophy and Dean Emeritus at Baylor University. We talk with Tom about his career at DeMatha, his ac...

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 18. Publication date 5/19/2025 Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is faculty member and fellow alum Martin Hager. Marty’s family has deep roots in DeMatha: his mom worked in the library for years, his three sons graduated from DeMatha, and his brothers did too. Marty has taught virtually everything in the Science Department curriculum and his work with the Ecology Clu...