John Moylan of DeMatha

John Moylan (1932 – January 15, 2021) was an American educator. After growing up and attending school through undergraduate schooling in the Worcester, Massachusetts area. He then received a post graduate degree from Catholic University of America and later was hired as a teacher and coaches for various sports programs at DeMatha Catholic High School, just outside of Washington, DC. He then, in 1968, became principal there, the first lay principal in the Archdiocese of Washington.

Early life and education John Lawrence Moylan was born in Montague, Massachusetts. Throughout his childhood and teen years, he attended Catholic schools. Moylan went to St. Anns Elementary in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, and later went to Assumption High School. After high school Moylan attended Assumption College in Worcester, where he majored in both French and philosophy. Upon graduation from Assumption, he pursued and earned his master's degree in school administration at the Catholic University of America. Moylan then served in the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command for two years, between 1954 and 1956, before he turned to teaching.

Career In 1956 John Moylan was hired by DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland as a French teacher. He also served the school as a guidance counselor, football coach and basketball coach. In 1968, Moylan was appointed principal of DeMatha. This marked the first time that a lay person was made principal of a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Washington. All of these changes to the school led to DeMatha being named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education in 1984 and 1991. He eventually stepped down from his principal duties at the age of 68 but continued to be involved in academic administration until his death on January 15, 2021.