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Eras of Leadership

Proctor has been blessed with stable, wise, and visionary leadership over the past eight decades. The product of that leadership is evident in the school we know today. The following is a brief history of the school—chaptered by its leaders—over eighty years.

Halsey Gulick 1935-1952

Halsey Gulick became Headmaster at a time of economic desperation at Proctor. His strategy was to establish "win-win" situations that simultaneously benefitted students and the school. A "General Course" was offered for boys seeking practical skills in machine work, woodworking, carpentry, boat building, and auto mechanics. Work teams and "improvement squads" built tennis courts, mowed lawns, fought fires, delivered coal, constructed The Cabin, cut ski trails and installed a rope tow lift. When the General Course was discontinued in the late-50s, the practical arts became Skills Courses that enrich the academic curriculum with a broad set of electives, and the spirit of service instilled by improvement squads endure today through a variety of community programs.
Lyle Farrell 1952-1971

Lyle Farrell's tenure as Headmaster is notable for strengthened academics, growing student enrollment and the construction of new facilities. Nicknamed "the great builder," Farrell turned to Trustees for financial support of capital projects including an addition to Maxwell Savage Hall (five classrooms and Holland Auditorium), Shirley Hall (sciences, mathematics, Lovejoy Library), athletic fields, Proctor Ski Area and Farrell Field House. But Farrell's greatest impact was to Proctor's academic mission, when he established a tutorial support program inspired by the research of Samuel T. Orton. Providing opportunities for bright, hard-working students with learning disabilities to find success remains central to Proctor's mission.
David Fowler 1971-1994

An iconoclastic visionary, David Fowler empowered Proctor's faculty to define the policies and programs of their school. The result was revolutionary. Proctor became co-educational immediately. Relationships between students and faculty became informal and non-adversarial; seniority systems were abolished, and the value of hands-on, real-world educational experience was reflected in Wilderness Orientation, Project Period, Mountain Classroom, and language immersion programs in Spain and France. (Ocean Classroom was introduced in 1991.) To nurture Proctor's "soul," David introduced regular all-school assemblies at which anyone was welcome to speak. The school found and embraced distinctly human values.
Steve Wilkins 1994-2005

A lifelong student of teaching methodologies and learning styles, Steve Wilkins led Proctor on a decade of self-analysis through ad hoc "study groups" which explored everything from sleep needs (and the schedule) to gender issues in classrooms. Figuratively, he held a mirror to the community and asked, "How can we be the best at what we do?" Steve declared that—in ideal learning environments—any student can absolutely master any subject. He also posited that increased support enabled increased academic challenge. Those simple, bold assertions stirred the passions of many when Proctor embarked on a capital campaign that exceeded its initial goal by 100%. The success of that campaign is seen across campus: EcoDorm, Teddy Maloney Rink, the Wise Community Center, and a state-of-the-art music/recording studio. Yet his great legacy is the set of teaching methodologies that established a distinct standard for college preparation: challenging, experiential, and supported.
Mike Henriques 2005-2021

Head of School, Mike Henriques has championed the mission, values, and essential character of Proctor Academy while guiding the community with a clear and exciting new vision for enhanced residential life and student wellness programs. Recent accomplishments are unprecedented. A new Dining Commons and new dormitories--built to exacting environmental standards--reflect Mike's commitment to residential life initiatives and environmental sustainability. His enthusiastic support of Proctor Ski Area has resulted in significant upgrades to snowmaking, lighting and grooming capabilities, and the hill has been commended by the National Ski Area Association for its leadership in environmentally responsible practices. New, multi-layered service opportunities enable every student to give back to the school community, the local region, and villages and organizations around the globe. A highly successful new experiential program, European Art Classroom, and Summer Service Trips demonstrate Proctor's continued ability to innovate and capitalize on emerging realities. The school's market position is recognized with greater clarity than at any time before, a fact witnessed in demand for admission, low student attrition and record-breaking annual giving. Mike speaks of balance within healthy communities. Proctor is a school in positive motion, and in balance.

Featured Yearbooks

Eras of Leadership

Halsey Gulick 1935-1952

Lyle Farrell 1952-1971

David Fowler 1971-1994

Steve Wilkins 1994-2005

Mike Henriques 2005-2021

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