Spring 2011 - Manlius Pebble Hill School

MPH MOURNS THELOSS OF HEAD OF SCHOOLWith the unexpected death of Head of School Baxter F. Ball, Manlius Pebble HillSchool has lost a longtime leader and mentor – and a beloved friend. Mr. Ballpassed away in his sleep Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011 at the age of 64.During Mr. Ball’s 21-year tenure as Head of School, Manlius Pebble Hill grew invirtually all aspects – enrollment, endowment, physical space, curriculum, and reputation.The School grew from roughly 250 students when he took the reins in 1990 to nearly600 students. The endowment, which in 1990 was a mere few thousand dollars, is now$4.7 million.The campus configuration changed radically under Mr. Ball’s leadership, as well. Threenew buildings were constructed (the McNeil Science and Communications Center, theMezzalingua Humanities Center, and the Laurie Mezzalingua ’86 Center for EarlyLearning) and a fourth is planned. The Jean Paul Chappell athletic field and new tenniscourts were built; the Andrews Farm practice fields were developed. Numerous spaces –including classrooms, the Falcone Dining Hall, and the Coville Theater – were renovatedand updated.Perhaps most notably, Mr. Ball oversaw a remarkable expansion in the breadth and depth ofthe MPH curriculum – from the creation of a Performing Arts Department (staffed byfulltime, professional faculty) to the introduction of an Upper School Chinese languageprogram; from an expansion of AP courses to the introduction of elective course offeringsin virtually all disciplines.As Head of School, Mr. Ball saw the reputation of Manlius Pebble Hill solidify as aninstitution dedicated to the life of the mind, as a school devoted to allowing students to takerisks in order to find their own talents, their own passions. The Central New Yorkcommunity has come to recognize MPH as a school that in earnest helps students developinto people of accomplishment, knowledge, and character.Our heartfelt sympathies go to Mr. Ball’s family. We will remember him with enormousfondness and appreciation for his devotion to MPH. We will remember him, too, as a proudfather, a kind and generous friend, a historian, a reader, a learner and teacher, and a devoutchampion of children. We will remember him as a very remarkable man.MPH REFLECTIONS 20113