31 Years at Nichols - Nichols School

and delight in great classes, like the
amazing Class of 1963.
As a result of the kindness of so many,
we find ourselves in 2013, with balanced
budgets, no debt, a growing endowment,
and two straight years of solid enrollment
despite a shaky local economy.
My colleagues over the years have been
very special. They are the heart of Nichols
School, just as alumni are the soul, and
students are the joy. Over these 30 years, I
have been blessed by their dedication not
just to their subject areas or the sport that
they coached or the play they directed.
Rather, they have been committed to the
idea that great schools are defined by the
character and leadership development of
the students. We have been of one voice
in demanding
that students
treat their
peers with
respect and
compassion,
that honesty
prevail in all
that we do,
and that it
is perfectly
fine to make
mistakes as
long as we
learn from
them. Lately,
we have also
focused on the value of resiliency in our
students. It is clear that the demands of the
next century will require our students to be
tough enough and strong enough to meet
challenges head on, instead of taking the
easy way out. I have loved sharing stories
with my colleagues, laughing and thinking
about ways to improve the School or help a
struggling student.
I am grateful for the support of my
wife, Judith, throughout all these years.
She put up with hours of me recounting
my days and asking for advice on a tough
situation. It was her hospitality that made
the senior dinners so special in our home,
and her understanding that school days
often extended long into the evening or
weekends. I am thrilled that my daughters,
KC ’97 and Ginny ’00, both graduated
from Nichols School, and both thrived
6 Nichols School
under great teachers and coaches. I am
equally grateful for the support of my
extended family throughout my years as
Head of School. We are so grateful for all
the support the Nichols community has
generated for research into cystic fibrosis
and myoclonus dystonia, in honor of our
children.
In reflection, I am the last of the old
style Headmasters who had to make the
transition to the modern Head of School.
The changing reality of independent schools
has also changed the role of the School
Heads. Most like me came up through the
ranks of teaching and coaching, becoming
Department Chairs, and then Division
Heads. Often, little prepared us for the
modern challenges of raising Capital
As a result of the kindness of so many,
we find ourselves in 2013, with balanced
budgets, no debt, a growing endowment,
and two straight years of solid enrollment
despite a shaky local economy.
Campaign funds, working with architects on
campus design, working with professionals
on Marketing and Communications, or
understanding today’s social media and
technology innovations. In my 19 years as
the Head of Nichols, I had the pleasure to
work with students, faculty, staff, alumni,
parents and volunteers who taught me
so much and enriched my life and my
family’s more than anyone will ever know.
I grew along with the times thanks to their
combined knowledge and help. Together we
helped forge Nichols School proudly into
the 21 st century.
What will I miss The laughter in the
hallway on Opening Day. The excitement
of the opening night in the Flickinger
Performing Arts Center. Sept. 11, 2001,
when I realized that the two divisions
of students were safe on one campus.
Watching four Nichols teams win state
basketball championships in Glens
Falls. The parade of alumni marshals at
my convocation in 1994. Going to the
Lawrenceville tournament with George
Truscott ’55, Kim Kimberly ’47 and Dave
Strachan ’51. Attending school meetings
in the gym, the Pond and the Flickinger.
Watching Frank Sacheli, Beth Stone and
Jim Kramer coach. Commencement in the
Quad. The moment when the 5th grade
students greets their pen pals from the 50 th
Reunion class. Watching great, inspired
teaching on a daily basis. Dogs on the
Nichols campus. Calling the play-by-play
for the football home games. Seeing 5th
graders mapping the campus with their
iPads. The Jazz Band. Visiting the exchange
schools in Le
Havre, Wuhan
and Gijon.
Cabaret.
Touching base
with Larry
Desautels in
the morning.
Alumni
Reunion night
in the Quad.
Dick Stratton
reading “Casey
at the Bat.” The
bells tolling in
the Albright
clock tower.
The dedication of the green roof. Friday
night hockey games in the Rink. Any
play directed by Kristen Tripp Kelley. The
faculty band. The Geography and Spelling
Bees in the Middle School. The thrill of
handing out diplomas to joyful graduates.
What will I miss Each of you who makes
Nichols so special.
It has been my honor to have been at
Nichols School all these years. I believe
that the School’s best years are yet to come,
and I look forward with excitement and
anticipation to new ideas, new innovations,
and many more talented young people
joining the ranks of the impressive Nichols
alumni core.