John A. Nagl, D.Phil. P’20 became ninth Headmaster of The Haverford School on July 1, 2013. Nagl is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, an award-winning educator, accomplished author, and a widely recognized military and history scholar. In a recent question-and-answer session, he opened up about his life, his appointment at Haverford, his first six months on the job, and his vision for the School’s future. HST: John, thank you for making time for this Q&A session! Our community will be excited to get to know you a little better. So, first things first: tell us how you came to be at The Haverford School. JN: I spent the first 25 years of my professional life engaged in what I believed was the most pressing concern facing the country: national security policy and execution. As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan came to an end, however, I began to believe that the most serious problems we faced were at home. I had seen the value of leadership on the battlefield, and I had developed future leaders at West Point and Georgetown. Thus, when I was offered the chance to teach again at the U.S. Naval Academy, I leapt at the opportunity to build America’s future. So, I was happily teaching some of the finest young men and women in the country when I received a call inviting me to apply for a college presidency. Although I enjoyed teaching, it was a somewhat lonely profession, and I missed being in charge of a team of people, one of the best parts of being in the Army. So, I decided to think about academic leadership and applied for the job. My family ultimately decided that that college wasn’t a good fit for us at this time, and I withdrew, explaining to the academic search consultant that my priorities were a good school for my son and a place with access to culture for my wife Susi, who gets to choose where we live after 20 years of the Army making that decision for her. The search consultant said, “Well, I wouldn’t have thought of you for this, but I’m looking for a headmaster for a nationally ranked boys’ school on the Main Line. That would fit the bill for your wife and son; how do you feel about being a headmaster?” Turns out that it’s the most enjoyable role I’ve ever filled! What does it mean to you to be Headmaster of The Haverford School? JN: Before I decided whether to apply for the position, I came to the campus on a weekend and walked it. I saw the “Man in the Arena” quote in the Upper School entryway, “Mens Sana in Corpore Sano” over the gym, and best of all, the Walk of Virtues. The fabric of the School sang to a place deep inside me of the things I value most: a life dedicated to public service, filled with health and vigor, lived according to the principles of respect for others, and compassion and dedication to a cause. Then I met the Board and the faculty and the boys, and they all shared this common vision of a life well lived in service to a greater good. I wanted to be a part of this team, and I was delighted to be chosen to lead it. You’re following Headmaster Joe Cox, who made an indelible mark in his 15 years at Haverford. We know you have “Joe’s big shoes” prominently displayed in your office. Tell us about your connection and relationship with Joe and what it means to you to follow in his footsteps. JN: I met Joe Cox when we were both teaching in Lincoln Hall at West Point, Joe in the English Department, me in Social Sciences downstairs. Joe had established West Point’s “Big Brothers, Big Sisters” program some years earlier, and I became the faculty representative running that program under Joe’s mentorship. That mentorship continues
POSITION Ninth Headmaster HOMETOWN Omaha, Neb. FAMILY Wife Susi Varga, son Jack, Maggie the Lab, Sparky the Jack Russell terrier, Spot the Rat, and Bun Bun the bunny. EDUCATION B.S., United States Military Academy M.Phil., St. John’s College, Oxford University D.Phil., St. Antony’s College, Oxford University M.M.A.S., United States Army Command and General Staff College
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