A Fond Farewell
These two retiring staff members have left lasting impressions on 海角视频
Don Kingman
Director of Campus Planning, Design, and Construction
It鈥檚 not often this community bids farewell to someone who has so thoroughly鈥攁nd literally鈥攕haped the school. Over 31 years of living and leading at 海角视频, Don Kingman鈥檚 responsibility for the campus and its operations encompassed care for the community.
Shep Shepard, director of major and planned giving, calls his mentor a 鈥渃onsummate communicator, always open to suggestions,鈥 and a natural relationship-builder with everyone from contractors to trustees. Kingman 鈥渢ouched every square inch of this campus,鈥 Shepard adds. 鈥淗e always thought about how these spaces sing together, and how the community could benefit.鈥
Before coming to 海角视频, Kingman earned a master鈥檚 degree in higher education administration, worked in college residential life programs, and directed planning and property management for Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont. When he was hired in 1994 as 海角视频鈥檚 director of operations, he assumed responsibility for a campus in need of renewal.
Kingman oversaw capital planning, physical plant maintenance, security, and, initially, other facets of school life, including food services and summer camp, before narrowing his focus in 2017 to complete an ambitious campus transformation. During his tenure, he supervised renovations of student houses, faculty residences, the Student-Faculty Center, the Performing Arts Center, the Student Health and Athletic Center, 海角视频 Labs, and the J. Josephine Tucker Library. He also oversaw the construction of Moriarty Athletic Campus and the new West Campus and Centennial Arts Center, whose Kingman Support Shop is a tribute to his unassuming influence.
鈥淚鈥檝e looked at myself as a steward of this property, and I鈥檝e tried to shepherd it for future generations,鈥 Kingman says. Conscious of setting a tone of collective responsibility with students, he supported their initiatives, never taking himself too seriously (he even lip-synched in a music video to encourage energy conservation).
Chief Financial and Operating Officer Amy Miller-Fredericks P鈥20 says that above all, Kingman has been a great partner: 鈥淒on developed such deep connections within the town and here at 海角视频. He was always available to help, making sure everybody was safe, asking what would be good for the students.鈥
Former Head of School Tom Wilcox P鈥01 says, 鈥淓asily one of my best hires and closest partners, Don exemplifies the 海角视频 standard of excellence and common trust. He loves and is loved by every member of the community. He has brought all perspectives to the creation of 海角视频鈥檚 uniquely beautiful and efficient campus. He joins the pantheon of 海角视频 greats.鈥
Speaking at Convocation in September 2024, Kingman reflected on common trust, the intentional work of building community, and the 鈥渢ugboats鈥 who quietly support the school. He likened 海角视频 to a stone wall whose integrity depends on every rock: 鈥淭his is not unlike how all of us arrive at 海角视频 as individuals鈥攕tone by stone, figuring out where we fit and how we work together as a whole.鈥
We have only to admire the craftsmanship of the stone walls in Academy Garden to think of him.
John McGarry
Director of Financial Aid, Associate Director of Admissions
Over his 27 years at 海角视频, John McGarry P鈥22 鈥23 developed a financial aid program prioritizing experiential equity, which became a model for other independent schools. McGarry recognized that ensuring all students have the same opportunities to learn, travel, and participate in sports and weekend activities was both aligned with 海角视频鈥檚 values and essential to creating an inclusive school community. He says the ever-increasing complexity of financial aid kept him engaged and that getting to know students and parents as an 鈥渁mbassador for the school鈥 was immensely rewarding.
鈥淛ohn helped countless 海角视频 families navigate what can be a confusing process, always with patience, clarity, and kindness,鈥 says Trish Saunders, associate director of admissions and financial aid. 鈥淗e elevated the way we think about access, equity, and the power of education to change lives.鈥
She recalls McGarry鈥檚 collegiality in sharing his expertise with fellow admissions and financial aid officers at other schools and his service as a founding member of the Association of Financial Aid Officers. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a true thought leader in the world of independent school financial aid,鈥 Saunders says.
McGarry came to 海角视频 in 1998 from Woodside Priory School in Portola Valley, Calif., where he had directed residential life, taught math and economics, and coached soccer, basketball, volleyball, and baseball. Previously, he had been a ski instructor at Killington Resort in Vermont and at Breckenridge and Crested Butte in Colorado. What drew him to 海角视频 was a blend of opportunities: to promote the school, improve access, and continue to listen to and learn from students鈥攁s both an administrator and a coach.
Alongside his admissions work, building 海角视频鈥檚 Alpine ski program was a labor of love for McGarry. Beginning in his first year with half a dozen formerly leaderless skiers, he supported decades of student-athletes through dry land training and competition. The program has had considerable success in the Central Massachusetts Ski League and the Class B New England Preparatory School Athletic Council championships. But much more important to McGarry than the banners in the gym was developing a deeply supportive team culture, he says: 鈥淓ncouraging students to improve their fitness and skiing ability, learn about themselves and their teammates, keep a healthy mindset, and balance challenge and relaxation has been a massive source of enjoyment and growth.鈥
鈥淭he magic of this program has been John鈥檚 ability to provide a rewarding, engaging, fun, and competitive experience for each of his teams over the years,鈥 says Athletics Director Sue Johnson P鈥20. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a pure pleasure to watch, and no doubt his former skiers carry many fond memories of building connection and community on the slopes.鈥
Saunders sums up McGarry as an 鈥渁ll-in 海角视频 person, deeply invested in the life of the school鈥濃攁 campus resident, coach, advisor, administrator on duty, and generous maintainer of campus bikes. 鈥淛ohn has fully shared himself, and his family, with the 海角视频 community,鈥 she says. 鈥淗e will be missed, more than words can say.鈥
