Baldwin-Whitehall names administration building for late superintendent

When Baldwin-Whitehall School District named a stadium for retired superintendent Rosemarie Cibik in the 1980s, then-teenager Michael Faust attended the ceremony with his family.

“I remember my sister and I saying, ‘Dad, that’s going to be you someday,’” he said. “And today is that day, and that’s a very meaningful thing for us.”

On June 7, district headquarters in Whitehall received official designation as the Dr. Charles H. Faust Administration Building, named for the educator who succeeded Cibik in 1986 and served at Baldwin-Whitehall’s helm through 2004.

His son was among the day’s speakers who attested to the character and contributions of the longtime superintendent, who died March 22 at age 82.

“I saw him as someone quietly looking out for all of us, making sure everyone was treated with fairness and dignity,” said Janeen Peretin, a 1998 Baldwin High School graduate whose family lived near the Fausts.

“The sense of protection inspired me even before I fully understood why. I looked up to him and to members of his team as examples of who I might like to become,” she continued. “That childhood admiration slowly transformed into a commitment to contribute meaningfully, to lead with heart and to follow in the footsteps of those that inspired me.”

So she became an educator, starting as a Baldwin-Whitehall teacher 22 years ago and now serving as the district’s assistant to the superintendent.

“I’ve spoken with many longtime district employees and many retirees who shared very specific stories with me of how he showed them individual compassion, grace and calm in personally challenging times,” Peretin said. “He had a way of de-escalating situations, of listening with an open heart and mind, and making every person feel valued.”

Patti Milsom, a 37-year teacher at McAnnulty Elementary School in Baldwin Borough, agreed with her assessment.

“His love for our children and what was best for our kids was so obvious throughout his leadership: always a positive comment, a pat on the back,” Milsom said. “I always felt like we were working together as a team to make Baldwin-Whitehall a fun place for our kids to learn, and it showed. Our district was ranked up there with a lot of the very good surrounding school districts. The kids were achieving, and we were loving every minute of it.”

Superintendent Randal Lutz, who graduated from Baldwin in 1986, began his career in the district a decade later under Faust’s leadership.

“From 1996 to 2004, it was an opportunity to really be mentored by one of the best: what to do, sometimes what not to do,” Lutz said.

In fact, he and other staff members made wristbands bearing the acronym WWCD, for “What would Chuck do?”

“Because ultimately, we believed that,” Lutz said, “and I think I still may have one in my desk drawer.”

Attending the ceremony with her son and Wendy, her daughter, was Cathy Faust of Sarasota, Fla., Charles’ wife of 58 years.

“May I just say, my husband followed Baldwin-Whitehall every week on the computer. And Randy,” she told Lutz, “he was so proud of you.”

As it turned out, Michael Faust joined the ranks of educators, as well. His wife, Kara, is a teacher, and when he was between jobs in the technology field and contemplating going back to school, he called his father for advice.

“He said, ‘Mike, two teachers can make a great life together.’ I’ll never forget that. He was right,” the younger Faust said. “He gave me that gift, to value educational learning with all of our hearts and minds, and my wife and I have passed that along to thousands of students.”

In concluding her comments, Peretin reiterated Charles Faust’s legacy as a role model.

“As we celebrate his life today,” she said, “I hope we honor him by living just as he did, not just through what we accomplish, but through how we make others feel: truly valued, genuinely heard, deeply inspired and proudly loved.”