Stag Symposium

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 17. Publication date 5/5/2025

Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is senior Jackson Ross. Jackson shares his introduction to DeMatha, his experiences in class and in sports, and the things he will take with him to Randolph-Macon. Jackson’s tenure as the Student Government President has been marked by collegiality, school spirit and pride, expanded events, and the introduction of freshmen into leadership roles. We get to hear a bit about Jackson’s plans for the future.

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 currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 16. Publication date 4/21/2025

Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Scott Sicko. Scott’s work at DeMatha in the classroom has been notable for its range. He has expertly directed students through AP US Government, AP Comparative Government, Psychology, US History (on different levels), and a highly sought after elective, The History of Terrorism and Extremism. The latter he offered to his colleagues as a Cerfroid Summer Seminar and it was a terrific experience for all. Scott is in his second stint at DeMatha and in his 7th year total and while he remains devoted to the classroom he has recently accepted a much larger role in Student Life. His work with the SGA and across all of the clubs and organizations is designed to privilege brotherhood and thereby fulfill the mission and improve the student experience.

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 currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.Stag Symposium ([email protected])

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 15. Publication date 4/7/2025

Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Erin Bright. Erin’s primary work for the past 14 years has been in Campus Ministry where she has done exemplary work with our service program and various drives as well as supporting retreats and liturgies and faith opportunities for students and adults alike. She has taught Theology and AP Government. A graduate of Mount St. Mary’s and then Notre Dame’s ACE (Alliance for Catholic Education) Program, Erin worked in a variety of different schools before coming to DeMatha. She is married to Andrew Bright, ‘03, DeMatha’s College Counselor.

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 currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 14. Publication date 3/24/2025

Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Jamie O’Connor who is in his 20th year at DeMatha.  Jamie’s relationship goes back much further though as he was a student, musician, athlete. He taught Spanish for 14 years and has been Associate Dean of Students for 6; he works and helps plan retreats, has coached soccer, football, and crew, and had two sons attend DeMatha–and he has moderated trips including to Spain in 2024. He is not only a Swiss army knife of an employee, he is a bridge guy or glue guy connecting different parts of the community with insight, wisdom and a healthy dose of humor.

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 currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 13. Publication date 3/10/2025

Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Michael Boxley ‘25.  Michael is a current senior and this is the first time we have interviewed a student. We discuss how Michael got to DeMatha, what some of his formative experiences have been, and where he goes from here. Both Mike Ptomey and Dan have had Michael in class where his willingness to confront and wrestle with ideas and to fight against groupthink has been notable.

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 currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 12. Publication date 2/24/2025

Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Mark Jefferson ‘87.  Mark joins Mike and Dan to talk about his varied career as a laborer, teacher, divinity student, lawyer, and administrator. Mark is one of those remarkable “bridge” people who connects with others and connects people to each other. He has been instrumental in helping DeMatha’s summer Civil Rights trip. Though you can’t see it on the podcast, Mark was completely decked out in DeMatha regalia for this, our first remote interview. This is a slightly longer episode–hope you enjoy it.

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 currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 10. Publication date 2/3/2025

Stag Symposium visits with Andrew Eck (‘11) for a far-reaching discussion on integrating the variety of roles one can play in a high school such as DeMatha. Andrew has taught different levels of English, moderated Chorus, assisted with the drama program, lent his beautiful singing voice to numerous occasions, attended numerous service trips, and worked in admissions and transportation. He will be pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership.

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 currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 10. Publication date 1/20/2025

Stag Symposium spends this episode with Mike and Dan talking about books they are reading, movies they are watching, and reflecting on what they are learning from colleagues and texts–and how that shows up in their teaching.

Lots of shout outs to stoicism and a request to listeners that if they know a movie that deals with theological or moral issues that you think might belong in a faculty summer seminar–please send them to us.

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 currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 9. Publication date 1/6/2025

Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Kelly Lama. Kelly joins Mike and Dan to talk about his career teaching and coaching at DeMatha. Kelly has chaired the Mathematics department for many years and he worked in the Dean of Students Office with Tom Burke. He is a recipient of the Collins-Wootten Chair of Teaching Excellence and has received numerous other awards for teaching. His mentorship of young teachers is a particular gift to the school.

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 currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 2, Episode 8. Publication date 12/16/2024

Stag Symposium’s guest this episode is Charlie Kenny ‘68. 

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 currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 44th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76.