"I couldn't say no to Fenwick!"

In May 2024, Fenwick High School announced a new leadership structure to strengthen the school for its second century. Following the end of his current term, President Fr. Richard Peddicord, OP, will continue at Fenwick, transitioning to the newly created position of director of Catholic and Dominican mission, focusing on spirituality on campus. On July 1, 2024, Fenwick’s own Dr. John Finan ’87, began his new role as principal. A search is currently underway for a new president.

            In the meantime, Mike Comiskey serves at interim president at his alma mater. A Fenwick student between 1962 and 1966, he was class valedictorian and attended Notre Dame, studying mathematics. He served in the army and later attended Harvard Law, earning his degree in 1975. Mike worked at Lord, Bissell & Brook (later Locke Lord) beginning in 1975, specializing in business litigation. In 2001, he assumed the additional role of general counsel. Initially, he believed his additional responsibilities would involve a small slice of his time, but soon realized he was spending nearly 125 percent in this role! In 2016, after more than 40 years at the firm, he retired to spend more time with his family.

            Mike never stopped being part of the Fenwick family. He and his wife, Barbara, raised four children, three daughters and a son, all of whom attended Fenwick between 1997 and 2010. He regularly sees some of his Fenwick classmates for a monthly “Geezer Coffee Conference Call” on Zoom.

Mike has served on Fenwick's board of trustees for nearly 25 years: first as an active trustee beginning in 2000 and transitioning to life trustee in 2009. He continues to serve as a member of the board’s Facilities Committee, dealing with the complexities of campus maintenance, renovation, and upgrades, including the addition of a much-needed parking structure. This experience prepared him well for his current role at a time when the school is anticipating its centennial and strives to improve and expand its physical campus to best serve future generations of Fenwick Friars. 

            As interim president, Mike believes that “the buck stops here.” While the principal focuses on the educational mission of the school, Mike ensures that the needs of students, faculty, and staff are being considered and met in all aspects of administration.

            This summer, he enjoyed seeing his grandchildren on campus, participating in educational and sports camps. While he will step down from his current role when the new, permanent president is hired, Mike will likely remain an active member of the Fenwick family. As he says, “I couldn't say no to Fenwick!”