11-10-2011Headmaster Installation Ceremony
Peter Caldwell officially welcomed
A new era at Morristown-Beard School officially began on November 4th as more than 650 people gathered in Founders Hall to watch the installation of the School’s new Headmaster, Peter J. Caldwell.
For a complete transcript of Mr. Caldwell’s Installation Address, please click here.
In his acceptance address, Mr. Caldwell emphasized that the ceremony was more than just the celebration of one person’s assumption of office. He stated that the day was a celebration of the entire Morristown-Beard School community, and a time to reflect on the mission and the work of the School.
“This installation is for the entire community; this celebration is about the School,” he said. “There is a reason that this building is called Founders Hall, rather than the name of a specific person. You will see on the dedication plaque at the entryway for this building that it says: “A gift from the entire Morristown-Beard School community.” This building and this ceremony celebrate the work of many.”
The ceremony itself drew from talents throughout the community, including an invocation by Caroline Bernardon ’18, a benediction by John Pisano ’12, and music by members of the Middle School Chorus, the Upper School Chorus and the Brass Ensemble. The keynote address for the installation was delivered by Edward Strong, a founding partner of Dodger Theatricals. Dodger Theatricals has produced more than two dozen Broadway shows, which collectively have won 50 Tony Awards.
For a complete transcript of Mr. Strong's Keynote Address, please click here.
Mr. Caldwell comes to Morristown-Beard School from St. Andrew’s School, a coed preparatory boarding school in Middletown, Delaware, where he served as Assistant Headmaster. The son of boarding school teachers, Mr. Caldwell has been deeply immersed in the life of an independent school community since childhood, and his professional experience reflects this fundamental truth: he is a life-long educator.
Mr. Caldwell received his undergraduate degree in History and Music from Bowdoin College and his Master’s degree in Education from Harvard University. He taught, coached soccer, skiing, and lacrosse and served as corridor parent at Vermont Academy, where he was appointed Dean of Students at the age of 26. Subsequently, he served as Director of Admission and Financial Aid at Riverdale Country School in Manhattan before joining St. Andrew’s in 1991. During his twenty-year tenure at St. Andrew’s, Mr. Caldwell has been involved in all facets of the school: serving as a history teacher; academic advisor; soccer coach; cello instructor; Director of Admission and Financial Aid; and for the last twelve years, Assistant Headmaster.
Peter and his wife Darcy, who is also an experienced and well-respected educator, have three children: twins Tyler and Alexa who recently graduated from Harvard and Brown, respectively, and Lucinda, a sophomore at Brown.
For a complete transcript of Mr. Caldwell’s Installation Address, please click here.
In his acceptance address, Mr. Caldwell emphasized that the ceremony was more than just the celebration of one person’s assumption of office. He stated that the day was a celebration of the entire Morristown-Beard School community, and a time to reflect on the mission and the work of the School.
“This installation is for the entire community; this celebration is about the School,” he said. “There is a reason that this building is called Founders Hall, rather than the name of a specific person. You will see on the dedication plaque at the entryway for this building that it says: “A gift from the entire Morristown-Beard School community.” This building and this ceremony celebrate the work of many.”
The ceremony itself drew from talents throughout the community, including an invocation by Caroline Bernardon ’18, a benediction by John Pisano ’12, and music by members of the Middle School Chorus, the Upper School Chorus and the Brass Ensemble. The keynote address for the installation was delivered by Edward Strong, a founding partner of Dodger Theatricals. Dodger Theatricals has produced more than two dozen Broadway shows, which collectively have won 50 Tony Awards.
For a complete transcript of Mr. Strong's Keynote Address, please click here.
Mr. Caldwell comes to Morristown-Beard School from St. Andrew’s School, a coed preparatory boarding school in Middletown, Delaware, where he served as Assistant Headmaster. The son of boarding school teachers, Mr. Caldwell has been deeply immersed in the life of an independent school community since childhood, and his professional experience reflects this fundamental truth: he is a life-long educator.
Mr. Caldwell received his undergraduate degree in History and Music from Bowdoin College and his Master’s degree in Education from Harvard University. He taught, coached soccer, skiing, and lacrosse and served as corridor parent at Vermont Academy, where he was appointed Dean of Students at the age of 26. Subsequently, he served as Director of Admission and Financial Aid at Riverdale Country School in Manhattan before joining St. Andrew’s in 1991. During his twenty-year tenure at St. Andrew’s, Mr. Caldwell has been involved in all facets of the school: serving as a history teacher; academic advisor; soccer coach; cello instructor; Director of Admission and Financial Aid; and for the last twelve years, Assistant Headmaster.
Peter and his wife Darcy, who is also an experienced and well-respected educator, have three children: twins Tyler and Alexa who recently graduated from Harvard and Brown, respectively, and Lucinda, a sophomore at Brown.
