“Determined,” “dedicated,” “ferociously driven,” “a wonderful human being.”
    Those accolades and more were pronounced by prominent citizens who gathered to honor Brother Stanley Culotta, CSC, at a luncheon on April 18 at the Doubletree Hotel. Approximately 200 business and civic and education leaders, many of whom included Holy Cross alumni, took time to recognize his 50 years of service to San Antonio, particularly in the Westside neighborhoods.
    The ultimate tribute came when Veronica Salazar Escobedo and Lawrence Noll, Holy Cross ’63 alumnus, co-chairpersons of the luncheon, and Steve Davidson, event director, presented Brother Stanley with a check for $50,000 that established the Brother Stanley Culotta Scholarship Endowment Fund at Holy Cross of San Antonio, a college preparatory middle and high school located at 426 N. San Felipe. Money raised for the scholarship came from alumni and the business community.

    A gift of artwork, depicting a montage of scenes from Brother Stanley’s years of service at Holy Cross, was created by artist Tommy Hopkins and alumnus, class of 2001.

    Brother Stanley, who is most comfortable getting things done in his usual quiet and efficient manner, is not one to sit on his laurels. Many did not know the depth of his leadership and involvement in the community. A video documentary chronicled the life of Brother Stanley who arrived with others from the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1958 to begin an educational ministry at Holy Cross, at the time just a high school.

    When he first arrived in San Antonio, this native of New Orleans found the city “hot, dry and dusty.” However, as it turns out, he found his new home very much to his liking. Brother Stanley credited his elementary education as the beginning of a lifelong lesson of learning to work with people of all ages.     His brother-in-law, Joseph Boe, who drove from Lacombe, La., to attend the luncheon, said, “Brother Stanley always knew what he was going to do. Once he made up his mind, he was completely dedicated.”

    Brother Stanley became passionately dedicated to teaching and Holy Cross High School in San Antonio. When Holy Cross faced imminent closure from the archdiocese in 1968, Brother Stanley, then principal, and fellow Holy Cross educators, including Brother William Dooling, CSC, enlisted the support of students, parents and friends. Popular singer Vikki Carr remembered getting the call from Brother William Dooling. She later found that the hotel’s doorman, a graduate of Holy Cross, had secured her number for the Brothers. Affectionately known as the Angel of Holy Cross for the 10 benefit concerts she staged on behalf of Holy Cross, Ms. Carr identified Brother Stanley “the savior of Holy Cross.” She was quick to also acknowledge the yeoman efforts of Brothers Dooling and Michael Spencer who were present at the luncheon.

    Five years later, after assessing a need for adequate medical care in the city’s Westside, Brother Stanley took the first step by entering medical school at the age of 37. After he became a physician, he developed and obtained funding to open the Holy Cross Family Medical Center in 1981. “I believe my skills as a teacher helped me communicate better with the patients,” he said.

    Brother Stanley is an educator at heart and returned to Holy Cross. As principal and, president of Holy Cross since 2001, Brother Stanley continues to steer men and, as of last fall, women through a period of growth. He speaks eloquently on the issue of parental choice in education. “Everyone should have the right to attend the school of their choice, whether it has a religious affiliation, a charter school, a military school or whatever and have that the tax money collected for education will follow the student.”

    The luncheon drew many distinguished guests including Frost Bank chairman of the board Tom Frost. Citing gratitude for his Catholic education, Frost praised Brother Stanley for his vision and accomplishments. He attributed a quote to Henry James who said that leadership springs from individuals within groups. Frost said, “Brother Stanley is a prime example of this. I also want to say that the affirmation you have given students through the years has steered them to become successful in many positive directions.”

    Then, from one great man to another, Frost put his hand on Brother Stanley’s shoulder and said, “We love you Stanley!”