Buffy Boesen SL, longtime president of Loretto Academy in El Paso, passes the baton to Academy graduate
Posted on July 1, 2022, by Loretto Community
The goodness I have experienced here is a font of endless joy and energy for me.
Mary E. “Buffy” Boesen
For more than 22 years Mary E. “Buffy” Boesen SL has headed Loretto Academy in El Paso. She arrived to act as interim president for the 2000-2001 school year, fell in love with the school’s extended El Paso/Juarez, Mexico, community and decided to stay. Buffy, who entered the Sisters of Loretto in 1978, will act as Loretto Academy’s advisor to the president for a year to facilitate a smooth transition. Her post-retirement plans include traveling, spending time with family and friends and continuing to serve the Loretto and El Paso communities.
Buffy treasures her years at the school. “The students have given me life. I have made great friendships with students, teachers, staff and administrators. I treasure those relationships. The goodness I have experienced here is a font of endless joy and energy for me.”
Photo courtesy of Nicole Cobb
Nicole Ortega Cobb, El Paso native, Loretto Academy graduate and former Academy science teacher, has been appointed the school’s next president. She plans to “honor Loretto’s history and further integrate its core values and Catholic social teachings into everyday life at Loretto Academy.”
Loretto’s holistic approach to educating the mind and the heart is needed more than ever.
Nicole Ortega Cobb, incoming president, Loretto Academy
Nicole holds a bachelor’s in chemistry from Harvard University and two master’s degrees from Stanford University — in biochemistry and in education. While teaching at Loretto Academy, she developed the Women in Science and Engineering Festival, and in 2018, she was named teacher of the year. She believes strongly in giving back to her community and co-founded El Jardin Birth and Family Resource Center, an El Paso advocacy and education nonprofit nurturing and empowering women during pregnancy, birthing and early parenthood. Serving as Loretto Academy’s next president will offer a fresh opportunity to use her skills and experience in service of school and community.
