ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Stag Symposium (stagsymposium@dematha.org)
Show Notes Season 3, Episode 15. Publication date 3/23/26
Michael Johnson ‘80 joins Mike and Dan to talk about his work at DeMatha as “the campus architect.” Mike has designed the Trinitarian Heritage Plaza, The Cross Center, the cafeteria expansion, the Hanley Science Wing, and he is responsible for the refurbishment of St. John de Matha Hall. You will enjoy his stories about the process of how he thinks, about the role of DeMatha in his life, and about how he forced a compromise between Virginia Tech’s Bill Dooley and the chair of the architecture department by making himself (in his mother’s words) “invaluable to both.”
Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.
The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.
Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.
Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76
