Editor’s Note: This article was also published in the Benet Herald 2025 Graduation Edition.
If there was a singular person who represented Benet Academy the most, Mr. Noel would be it. Along with teaching courses like America Since 1945, U.S. History, and Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics for 39 years, Mr. Noel was an authentic, natural leader.
At this school year’s jam-packed Christmas Drive ceremony, a special moment was taken to recognize the efforts of Mr. Noel as the Student Government Moderator for nearly two decades. With over a dozen previous Student Government Presidents and Vice Presidents surprising him with their attendance, they revealed the close to half-million dollars that, through his efforts, were raised towards the many causes of the Christmas Drive. The nearly two-minute-long standing ovation he got from the audience of nearly 1,500 members of the Benet community exemplifies just an iota of the gratitude Benet has for his selfless service.
After graduating from Western Illinois University and deciding to become a history teacher, he embraced the community that Benet offered and started teaching in 1986. He soon became friends and occasional competitors with many of the longtime teachers of the Social Studies Department, including Benet legends Mr. Dan Nagis and Mr. Gaughan.
Early in his career, he became a Girls Freshman and JV Volleyball Coach for the school. During his time as Student Government Moderator around the turn of the millennium, he shaped SG from a club that often took a backseat in areas of student life to the dominant club in the Benet community that it is today.
After handing off the reins of SG, he became the leader for the Social Studies teachers as their Department Chair, and began to serve on the Faculty Welfare Committee, which negotiates benefits for Benet employees. Even in areas far removed from student eyes, his ability to represent the voices of many was seen by his colleagues, with one going far enough to say “When a teacher sought advice, he’s one of the first people that they would go to.”
Not only was Mr. Noel a deeply likeable leader, but he was knowledgeable and passionate about his subject material. Every student that has been in Mr. Noel’s room will remember how adorned it was in political paraphernalia. From the intentionally crooked portrait of Richard Nixon, to the bulletin boards of political pins, the cabinets of presidential figurines, and most noticeably, his wall with dozens of political signs from the past several decades. Mr. Noel’s room, one of the only that is decorated with such detail, was a reflection of his willingness and enthusiasm to teach Benet students.
This dedication does not go unnoticed by Benet students. Many have wished for Mr. Noel to run for political office, so much so that commemorative shirts were made with Mr. Noel “running for president” in both 2016 and 2020. Mr. Nagis, Mr. Noel’s colleague, illustrated his teaching philosophy best, that “Mr. Noel is a man who could talk from bell to bell and not breathe.”
Students see his desire for success as well. Gianluca DiCosola, a AP US Government student with Mr Noel, shared that “His endless effort and enthusiasm is appreciated by everybody in his classes and he always has wisdom to share when needed.”
Mr. Noel’s fantastic energy, dedication to his craft of teaching history and political science, and participation in the intellectual growth of his students make him perhaps the most storied and passionate teacher to wander the halls of Benet Academy. Put simply, every student and colleague of Mr. Noel knows that he is a teacher whom our community will never forget.
