2023 Catholic Schools Week

Doing ‘the next right thing’—with the help of a blowtorch—motivates mentor

By John Shaughnessy

Dave Ungru’s approach to life flows from the belief that God gives all of us gifts—and our responsibility is to keep developing our gifts and using them to help others.

“God wants us to keep growing every day,” says the member of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison. “My main focus anymore is to try to do the best I possibly can—the next right thing.”

For Ungru, that approach has meant trying to have an impact on the lives of high school students whose future may not include college.

Not graduating from college didn’t stop Ungru from being a successful business owner in the welding industry, operating a company in Madison that provides supplies to customers in Canada, Mexico and several states in the United States, including Indiana.

While the 67-year-old Ungru has turned over the daily operations of the business to two of his three grown sons, he has helped create welding and industrial arts programs at Ivy Tech Community College in Madison that have provided opportunities for students at nearby Father Michael Shawe Memorial High School.

Shawe and Pope John XXIII Elementary School were where Ungru wanted his three sons—Brad, Doug and Todd—to have the same faith-based education that he received as a child growing up in northern Kentucky. At the two schools, the priests and the religious sisters instilled in him the belief that God comes first, and one way to honor him is to use the personal gifts he has given.

Ungru is convinced he’s doing just that for some Shawe students.

“My whole thing is to focus on the kids who aren’t going to college,” he says. “I wanted to show them something that was possible, something they could be passionate about, something that would let them make a living. The kids who stay with it are getting employed, and they’re accelerating in their careers.”

As part of his effort, Ungru covers the costs of all the protective equipment that the welding students need for the program.

“There are six kids involved now,” he says. “It gives them a chance to try this in high school. If they don’t like it, that’s fine. But 70% are now staying in the field. My biggest reward is that when these kids get out of school, they will still reach out to me.

“For me, it’s all about their success.

It’s all about trying to make everybody better. God gives you gifts so try to take advantage of the gifts he’s given you. When you make mistakes, try to improve upon them. That’s the way I live my life.” †