By Marc Corteguera
According to Webster's Dictionary, leadership is the capacity to guide the actions of a person or group. And Christopher Columbus High School Principal David Pugh has done just that.
Mr. Pugh has dedicated 27 years to the institution, including a decade as principal. In his time here, he has worn many hats, from counselor to coach, and has even taught psychology and religion.
“There’s not much I haven’t done,” Mr. Pugh says, “I try to treat each and every one of you guys the way I treat my own son,” he shares, “The day I feel like I’m not making a difference... I’d probably need to retire.”
His role as a principal, however, is not only demanding but also extremely necessary. He makes a difference in so many lives here in Columbus on a daily basis. He shows us that being the principal of Columbus is a full-time job that requires complete devotion on his part.
“Being principal is a 24-hour, seven days a week job,” Mr. Pugh explained. “You never know what’s gonna happen... you gotta be flexible. In fact, being flexible is very important in this role. and you've got to be ready to communicate all day long with people, providing information, set up appointments on time to meet, and going over plans. For example, something I'm doing this week is interviewing. We have a few positions available now. strength and conditioning coach, a science teacher, a counselor - all for next year, but you have to begin that interview process now. You have got to be five steps ahead.”
Students at our school recognize his impact as well. They place their trust in him on a daily basis, and they notice the effort that Mr. Pugh puts in every day towards making the school as best as it can be.
Sophomore Gianmarco Fior shared his thoughts on the principal’s dedication: “Mr. Pugh is everywhere. He knows what’s going on in every part of the school, and you can tell he genuinely cares about us. Whether it’s afterschool clubs and activities, greeting students, or making sure events run smoothly, he’s always involved.”
Other administrators here in Columbus see eye-to-eye with students, too. Ms. Insua, a former teacher and current dean of faculty, adds her perspective on Mr. Pugh's leadership.
“He's somebody who wears his heart on his sleeve. He's super supportive, he lets you kind of like run your own course and do your own thing," she said.
Ms. Insua followed up more, sharing her experience in her transition into becoming the dean of students, and the support Mr. Pugh showed her in her transition into that position, which formerly belonged to Mrs. Chomat.
“Mr. Pugh has enabled me and told me from the beginning saying, ‘look, you're not Mrs. Chomat. You're gonna do this your own way.’ And I really appreciated that because it made me feel like I could first have the autonomy to make [my position] my own and also, I could embrace it in my own way.”
She continued to emphasize the leadership qualities that define Mr. Pugh’s role as principal, highlighting the way he leads by example rather than from a distance.
“He's not afraid to get his hands dirty, and I think that's what people here appreciate about him, that he's not the principal who sits in an ivory tower and just kind of like looks down upon people and makes decisions.”
Rather than remaining behind closed doors, Mr. Pugh actively engages with students, faculty and staff, ensuring that his leadership is not just seen but felt throughout the school. His hands-on approach fosters a culture of trust, dedication, and community which are values that align with Columbus’ core principles and shape the school’s environment.
Looking towards the future, she comments, “I think Mr. Pugh has a tremendous impact on our school community, and yet his impact is gonna continue long after him retiring one day.”
Despite a busy schedule, Mr. Pugh remains deeply engaged in multiple aspects of the school.
“Maybe people don’t realize how involved I am when things happen in this school,” he said.
At the same time, his leadership is defined by trust in those around him. Rather than controlling every detail, he believes in empowering his faculty and staff to take ownership of their roles.
He balances this leadership with trust in others, “I’m not a micromanager... I trust people to do their jobs.”
And this trust is what allows Columbus to forge forward. Looking ahead, Mr. Pugh is excited about what the future holds, both for Columbus as an institution and for the students who call it home.
“When you see construction you realize that we are growing as a school... providing better resources and better facilities,” he stated.
His vision is to see continued growth and excellence, driven forward by student effort.
“Everything we decide to do here is to benefit students,” he said.
And for those students, especially the ones just beginning their Columbus journey, his advice is simple yet essential.
“There’s nothing more important than your academic grades, but also getting involved early.”
Mr. Pugh embodies the philosophy of leading by example. He walks the walk, proving that true leadership is about commitment and presence, one of Marist pillars at Columbus.
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