EA's Head of School Announces Departure

NEWTOWN SQUARE–The announced on Tuesday that L. Hamilton “Ham” Clark will step down as Episcopal’s 10th Head of School at the conclusion of the 2012-13 school year. Clark made the announcement to faculty and students during Tuesday's chapel talk.

 Clark told students in chapel:

“Ever since I arrived 10 years ago, I have been asking you to take some risks, to try some new things… I hope I have continued to challenge you as individuals to whom so much has been given, to think about what is required of you, what you can give back to a world that so desperately needs your good hearts and minds. So having told you to take some risks and to test your comfort zones, it seems that it is now time for me to follow that same advice. It is time for me to take on some new responsibilities and to see more of the world, and accordingly, I announce today that next year will be my last at Episcopal and that I will leave this great community in June of 2013.”

Clark took over leadership at EA in July of 2002, following long-time Head of School, Jay Crawford '57. Under his leadership, EA has focused continually strengthening its already very strong academic program, increasing its diversity and accessibility to all students, incorporating experiential learning and global education into EA’s curriculum, focusing on character education and service to others, and finding and retaining the very best teachers.

However, Clark’s biggest legacy will undoubtedly include the relocation of Episcopal to Newtown Square and the completion of the $100 million Ever Episcopal Capital Campaign that made it possible.

“No one has worked more tirelessly and selflessly for Episcopal than Ham,” said Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Gary Madeira '72. “He has overseen one of the most prosperous and historic decades in Episcopal’s rich history, and his legacy at Episcopal will undoubtedly include our move and the completion of the Ever Episcopal Campaign. It’s hard to remember what monumental tasks both of these projects were because they both went so smoothly under his leadership.”

Madeira will head the leadership search committee for EA's next Head of School. The school expects to name a new Head of School by this coming November-December.