On April 2, 2007 after an opening prayer by Fr Mark Hunt, thirty-two Juniors and Seniors at Father Ryan High School were installed to the Hibernian Chapter of the Cum Laude Society. Fr Ryan is only the fourth high school in Nashville to be granted such a charter.

Founded in 1906, The Cum Laude Society recognizes academic achievements in secondary schools for the purpose of prompting excellence, justice, and honor. Modeled Cum Laude after the Phi Beta Kappa, Cum Laude has grown to 344 chapters worldwide in the years since its founding. The presence of a Cum Laude chapter at a secondary school is an indication that superior scholastic achievement is honored.

In 2003, the Hibernian (from the Latin word meaning Irish) Chapter of Father Ryan High School officially joined the prestigious collection of schools recognized for their superior academic programs.

Membership is based on grade point average, nationally normed test scores, and strength of curriculum. This year’s inductees have a weighted cumulative gpa of 4.0 or higher, are enrolled in at least one Advanced Placement class and have a SAT score above 1200 , an ACT 26 or higher.or a PSAT of 180 or higher.

Anthony J. Spence was raised in Nashville and attended St. Ann School before graduating from Father Ryan in 1970. He attended Vanderbilt University and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Urban Planning. He worked in the healthcare field before going to work at the Diocese of Nashville Catholic newspaper, the Tennessee Register, and he was it's editor for over 9 years.
       Spence worked at Vanderbilt University as executive Director of Advancement Communications and Publishing before joining the Catholic News Service in Washington DC as director and editor in chief. While in Nashville he was involved in the Metro Arts Commission, Project Reflect, and Nashville Cares and directed Vanderbilt’s Alternative Spring break.

A Agassi
J Burnett
D Cranfield
K Cranfield
A Eckerle
B Egger

L Elder
N Lewis
Z McCann
K Newton
A Pace
K Page
C Porayko

B Prosise
W Sharber
P Smith
K Spellman
A Winnard
B Young