ESCANABA — Holy Name Catholic School/Holy Name High School is pleased to announce two new employees. Jane Arts has been hired as the school’s new Advancement Director. Arts will replace Michelle Bink, who has worked as HNCS and HNHS alumni/development director since 2014. Amy Lawrence has been hired as the school’s new business director. Lawrence replaces Margaret Renner and Todd C. LaFave, who both worked part-time in the business/payroll/accounting roles at the school.

“Jane has been working closely with Michelle to ensure a smooth transition,” Holy Name Catholic School Principal Nathan Vande Hey said. “Michelle has built a strong foundation and Jane will be tasked with building upon that success. Our tuition only covers about 35 percent of the actual cost, with our wonderful supporting parishes and donors supporting us financially through their mission. Jane will be our lead person in raising money to keep our tuition costs down.”

Bink says she feels she is leaving her position in great hands.

“Jane is going to do great in continuing the mission of serving family, friends and alumni of Holy Name,” she said.

On the business side, Lawrence will be spending the next several weeks training for her new position with LaFave and Renner. “Amy has been learning from Margaret about the state requirements and human resources work, and she will soon be training with Todd to learn the accounting, payroll, and bookkeeping side of her job,” Vande Hey explained. “We are confident that Amy will be well-trained and confident in her new role. We will be here to support her as she learns the business-side of our school.”

Both women are excited to be joining the Holy Name family.

“I love my new community and wanted to find a way to be of service,” Arts said. “I am thrilled and humbled to have been offered such an integral role at Holy Name, and look forward to meeting all the Holy Name families.”

Arts grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, attending Prince of Peace Grade School in Lake Villa, then graduating from Carmel High School for Girls in Mundelein, Illinois. In the spirit of service, she worked at a local hospital in the ICU and emergency room monitoring cardiac patients. During that time, she also volunteered as a crisis counselor with domestic violence survivors. She then worked as a dispatcher in the 911 center at the local sheriff’s office.

In her nearly 25-year tenure as a dispatcher, she was humbled and honored to receive certifications and awards from Northwestern University, as well as the National Emergency Number Association and Association of Public Safety Communications Officials. After her husband retired from a federal law enforcement role, he asked her if she would consider moving to the Upper Peninsula. They had vacationed in the U.P., and since he has a large extended family here, she happily said “Yes.”

Lawrence brings with her a wealth of knowledge in bookkeeping and accounting to Holy Name, having worked for over 25 years in the financial services industry.

She and her husband Dave live in Hyde with their two children, Jacob and Emily, and is a familiar face at Holy Name Catholic School.

“Both of our children began their academic journeys at Holy Name in preschool, so we have a long history as Crusaders,” she said. “Jacob graduated in 2022 from HNCS and is now a junior at Bark River-Harris High School. Emily is currently a seventh grader at HNCS. Both keep busy with track, football, cheerleading, and volleyball. I am now looking forward to getting to know the Holy Name family as a member of the staff.”

Lawrence and her family are members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Bark River, and she is proud to be a charter member of the Heart of the North Lions Club. She has also volunteered at the Bark River Lions Off-Road Races for over 35 years.

Lawrence gives her time as a volunteer at Holy Name, helping organize HN’s annual Spring Fling Fundraiser. In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting, attending local plays and concerts, watching her children and nieces/nephews in sports, and spending time with family and friends.

“It was apparent in both Amy’s and Jane’s resumes, as well as throughout their interviews, that both of them are very qualified for their respective positions, and that their faith is an integral part of their lives,” Vande Hey said. “I am confident that both will make great additions to our school staff. I know they are eager to share their knowledge to help Holy Name thrive, and we are grateful to have their dedication and work ethic.”

Though she is moving on to the next chapter in her life, former HN Alumni Director Bink looks back on her 11 years at Holy Name with gratitude.

“I am so thankful for the time I have spent working at Holy Name Catholic School. I will forever be grateful for the people I have worked with and the connections I have made with alumni and friends of Holy Name. The generosity and the love of Holy Name from alumni and supporters inspired me every day to continue to do God’s work,” she said.

For more information on Holy Name Catholic School or for a tour of the school, call 906-786-7550 for the elementary school or 906-398-1155 for the high school; visit holynamecrusaders.com; or visit the elementary school at 409 South 22nd Street or the high school at 2203 7th Ave. South, Escanaba.