From the Heart: Judith Wampach Amberg

“The crucifix is a symbol of how the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary built a spirit that continues today at Saint Viator High School,” says Judith Amberg, who celebrated 50 years of service to the two school communities on July 1.

 

As Director of Alumni Relations Emeritus, you could say she is the wind beneath the wings of the development department and of its Alumni Relations Manager, Krystal Harris ‘15, the fourth one Amberg has assisted. “I provide a sense of history,” Amberg says simply, though her indispensable role goes much further than that.

 

In fact, Fr. Daniel Lydon, C.S.V. ‘73 credits Amberg with supporting him in his new role as president, with her vast network of alumni and years of experience at both schools. “Judy has made a tremendous contribution to our community by her presence in times of both sorrow and joy,” Fr. Lydon says. “She continues to support our efforts to build our relationships with our alumni, past parents and current families.”

 

Amberg’s introduction to the two schools came back in June 1973, when she came across a job posting for an associate principal position at Sacred Heart. She had just earned her master’s degree in administration at Illinois State University, and even a classmate told her that it sounded like she was made for the job.

 

She was. Amberg arrived at Sacred Heart on July 1, and she immediately felt welcomed. She began collaborating with fellow administration members and was hired as Associate Principal for Academics.

 

“From the very beginning, I was impressed by the talented and dedicated faculty and staff, and the talented and engaged students,” Amberg says. “It was always clear to me that the mission at Sacred Heart of Mary was to provide a program of academic excellence in a faith-based setting.” Amberg taught religion and served as assistant principal for the next 14 years. Even as talks surfaced about merging with Saint Viator High School into a coeducational institution, morale at Sacred Heart remained high.

 

Once the Archdiocese of Chicago approved the merger of the two schools, talks began in earnest between the two administrations, led by Fr. Charles Bolser, C.S.V., at Saint Viator and Miss Fran Harwas at Sacred Heart. They began meeting weekly in January 1987.

 

“My involvement in the transition planning is one of the things I am most proud of in my educational career,” Amberg says. “I would not have stayed at Sacred Heart of Mary if I didn’t think it was a great school, but I always felt that coeducation done well was the best of both worlds.”

 

Amberg would serve as chair of the religion department in the new co-educational school, before working in the Campus Ministry office, and ultimately being named Director of Alumni Relations.

 

When she began working with alumni, her late husband, Tom, gave her an image of her role which continues to inspire her, even as a volunteer. “Tom gave me the image of alumni being like balloons,” Amberg says. “I held the strings, connecting them to each other and the school.”

 

Amberg retired in 2008, but she continues to remain devoted to alumni through her participation on the Alumni Association Board and the Distinguished Alumni Committee. But she also brings the heart of both schools to grieving alumni, at wakes and funerals when a loved one dies, and she dutifully documents them in the In Memoriam section of every newsletter. 

 

“The constant throughout my time at both schools has been the blessing of working with dedicated and talented people,” Amberg says, “and being a part of a faith-filled, supportive, and loving community of alumni, students, parents and co-workers.”

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