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ON JANUARY 3, 2007, THE HOLTON-ARMS SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNOUNCED THAT SUSANNA A. JONES WAS UNANIMOUSLY SELECTED AS THE SEVENTH HEAD OF SCHOOL, EFFECTIVE JULY 1.
Jones’ leadership was cited as embodying the qualities of strong moral character with a passion for academic excellence. The board believed her to be a leader whose strength of intellect, enthusiasm for educating young women, and excitement for the love of learning would serve as an inspiration to all members of the school community.
“I am very attracted to Holton-Arms’ ‘open door’ and its emphasis on the individual girl and her potential,” Jones said at the time. “I love the motto, ‘I will find a way or make one,’ with its optimism, its encouragement of perseverance and its implied creativity. Though written more than a century ago, it could not be more relevant in the flat world of the Twenty First Century.” Jones had most recently served as head of Ethel Walker School in Connecticut for eight years and brought to Holton extensive experience across independent schools and organizations.
“We have complete confidence that Susanna will continue the School’s history of outstanding, visionary leaders, which began with Mrs. Holton and carries on through Diana Coulton Beebe,” commented Susie Cole Wean ’67, then-Chair of the board and search committee.
”"What a privilege it was to chair the Search Committee that hired Susanna as well as to serve as her first Board Chair!
It is never easy for a school or organization to transition to a new leader. However, Susanna’s intellect, energy, knowledge of academics, love of education, ability to problem solve and focus on the many tasks at hand were the right attributes to grow and sustain Holton as a school in the forefront of girls education."

—Susie Cole Wean ’67
SUSANNA REFLECTED ON HER EARLY TENURE IN A NEWSLETTER:

Personally, I have been trying to make connections with the many constituencies of the school: students, faculty and staff, parents, and alumnae. I have seven wonderful advisees who are juniors, and I have tried to go on some trips and take part in some activities such as the ninth grade visit to the museums on the Mall and the River Road clean up. I’ve learned my Holton history by sharing it with the third graders; fourth graders visited Granger House on Halloween, and the sixth graders and I discussed our favorite books. Watching games, soccer, field hockey, tennis and volleyball in the fall, and swimming and basketball so far this winter (and I’m looking forward to a hockey game soon) is always great fun. Of course, at Holton, the many Arts performances are inspiring. I’ve taken part in a number of parent events including a reception for parents of the Class of 2007, who are still eager to see each other even though their daughters are off at college. I’ve been attending Alumnae Board meetings, and had the great pleasure of having dinner with four Holton alumnae who are students at alma mater, Princeton. This is a large community and I’m only just beginning to get to know its many members. However, schools are all about people and I’m looking forward to continuing to make my own connections in the months and years to come.
"Susanna inspired novel programs such as the Online School for Girls and our own Global Education program. Increasing the endowment by developing named Instructorships and numerous funds for financial aid have put Holton in an enviable position. She accomplished all that while improving the physical campus and meeting the needs of students to tackle the 21st century.
Our school has benefited tremendously from Susanna’s vision and leadership. The direction she provided will have a lasting impact on our students for years to come. It has been rewarding to have shared this period of Holton’s history with her."

Tutu is one of many notable speakers to visit campus in the past 16 years. Others include Maya Angelou, Elie Wiesel, Nancy Pelosi, Shelly Moore Capito ’71, and Christine Lagarde ’74.