Head of School Thomas Gregory has announced that he will retire from Lawrence Academy on June 30, 2017. Mr. Gregory has served as the school’s Head during two separate periods: 1986 through 2000 and since January 2011.
During his first 14 years as Head of School Mr. Gregory expanded the curriculum and established Lawrence Academy as the finest educational option in northeastern North Carolina. Additionally, he oversaw > 40% growth in student enrollment to 418 students, spearheaded a facilities transformation that included, among many upgrades, a new high school building, six new elementary classrooms, a renovation of the Webster Daniels Building, and the current softball and baseball fields.
In January 2011, Mr. Gregory returned as Head of School and brought with him a proven repertoire of independent school knowledge and experience. The Board of Trustees asked him to focus on two areas primarily: finance and school environment. To that end, Mr. Gregory dramatically re-shaped the school’s finances and re-invigorated the school’s family atmosphere.
“Thomas has successfully accomplished exactly what we asked him to do back in 2011. And, with those two building blocks in place we are now poised to not only celebrate Lawrence Academy’s 50th anniversary, but to plan for our next 50 years. Originally Thomas agreed to a five year plan, but he has graciously offered to stay on for an additional year as we search for a candidate who can build on his strengths,” said Jon Powell, Chair, Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees is focused on a plan to build on the momentum created through Mr. Gregory’s hard work, and it is determined to identify a candidate who will be passionate about Lawrence Academy and its future. The Board began planning for the transition in early 2016.
“We fully expect our next Head of School to provide continuity in leadership, an understanding of the school’s community, and a vision for the future," remarked Powell.
The Board of Trustees will launch a nationwide search to identify strong candidates able to move Lawrence Academy's student body to new levels of academic and personal achievement.
The new Head of School will be expected to identify and implement strategies that will enable Lawrence Academy graduates to meet the demands of a technically-skilled and adaptable workforce; this will require a curriculum and an academic setting that will prepare students to continue their education at a college or university of their choosing, if that is their desire.
"As everyone knows, the success of the new Head of School at Lawrence Academy relies on the support of everyone here; the Board, the staff, the families, the alumni, and the students. This is a very important decision for all of us," Powell explained.
The Board plans to announce a new Head of School in January 2017.
Timeline:
January 2016 – Thomas Gregory announces his retirement to the BOT effective June 2017
June 2016 – Public announcement of Thomas Gregory’s planned retirement
June 2016 – National Search for new Head of School begins
January 2017 – Announcement of new Head of School
June 30, 2017 – Thomas Gregory’s final day as Head of School
During his first 14 years as Head of School Mr. Gregory expanded the curriculum and established Lawrence Academy as the finest educational option in northeastern North Carolina. Additionally, he oversaw > 40% growth in student enrollment to 418 students, spearheaded a facilities transformation that included, among many upgrades, a new high school building, six new elementary classrooms, a renovation of the Webster Daniels Building, and the current softball and baseball fields.
In January 2011, Mr. Gregory returned as Head of School and brought with him a proven repertoire of independent school knowledge and experience. The Board of Trustees asked him to focus on two areas primarily: finance and school environment. To that end, Mr. Gregory dramatically re-shaped the school’s finances and re-invigorated the school’s family atmosphere.
“Thomas has successfully accomplished exactly what we asked him to do back in 2011. And, with those two building blocks in place we are now poised to not only celebrate Lawrence Academy’s 50th anniversary, but to plan for our next 50 years. Originally Thomas agreed to a five year plan, but he has graciously offered to stay on for an additional year as we search for a candidate who can build on his strengths,” said Jon Powell, Chair, Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees is focused on a plan to build on the momentum created through Mr. Gregory’s hard work, and it is determined to identify a candidate who will be passionate about Lawrence Academy and its future. The Board began planning for the transition in early 2016.
“We fully expect our next Head of School to provide continuity in leadership, an understanding of the school’s community, and a vision for the future," remarked Powell.
The Board of Trustees will launch a nationwide search to identify strong candidates able to move Lawrence Academy's student body to new levels of academic and personal achievement.
The new Head of School will be expected to identify and implement strategies that will enable Lawrence Academy graduates to meet the demands of a technically-skilled and adaptable workforce; this will require a curriculum and an academic setting that will prepare students to continue their education at a college or university of their choosing, if that is their desire.
"As everyone knows, the success of the new Head of School at Lawrence Academy relies on the support of everyone here; the Board, the staff, the families, the alumni, and the students. This is a very important decision for all of us," Powell explained.
The Board plans to announce a new Head of School in January 2017.
Timeline:
January 2016 – Thomas Gregory announces his retirement to the BOT effective June 2017
June 2016 – Public announcement of Thomas Gregory’s planned retirement
June 2016 – National Search for new Head of School begins
January 2017 – Announcement of new Head of School
June 30, 2017 – Thomas Gregory’s final day as Head of School
