1
3
THE
FONDEST OF FAREWELLS 4
Roby and Elaine McClellan, teachers extraordinaire and exemplary role models for four decades, retire. By Steve Kelly, Chronicle editor
2
5
1. For many students over the years, Roby and Elaine McClellan served as exemplary role models.
3. Roby officiated and Elaine cheered on their sons, Edson, left, and Pete, at Halloween in 1979.
2. On teaching art history, Roby said, “Once I got hold of it I wasn’t going to let go of it, because you didn’t have to sell art history to kids; they just liked it.”
4. Peddie graduates Edson and Pete with their parents at Pete’s commencement in 1990.
The unimaginable is about to happen. When Peddie opens for its 147th year next September, school will be in session without the presence of Roby and Elaine McClellan. Really. The couple that has meant so much to so many students and served the school in every imaginable way for more than 40 years is retiring next month. “Looking back as an alumnus,” said Steve Rogers ’88, “it is hard to picture Peddie without them on campus.” Peddie was a boys-only school, Masters House still had that fresh-paint smell, and plans for the original Ian H. Graham Athletic Center were just being drawn up when Florida native Roby McClellan, fresh out of grad school, was hired by Headmaster Albert L. Kerr to teach world and U.S. history in September 1968. Over the next 40 years, generations of students connected with his can-do attitude and down-to-earth yet passionate teaching style, parents felt better knowing he was on campus, and fellow teachers followed his incredible example. In essence, he would become the face — and conscience — of Peddie. And he and Elaine, who joined the school in 1978 as a French teacher, would embody the values that Peddie holds dear. They made everyone feel like members of their family and consequently they were embraced by the entire Peddie community. “Families like the McClellans are the bedrock of the Peddie community,” said Board of Trustees Chair Chris Acito ’85, a former student of Roby’s. “Their devotion to the school and to each other is special. Elaine and Roby are exemplary on so many dimensions.”
The bond between the McClellans and Peddie took hold in the early 1970s when Roby entertained a job offer at another school, but ultimately decided to stay in Hightstown. “We had a wonderful group of students and teachers, and this was true long before the Annenberg gift. I don’t know if that would’ve been true at other places,” said Roby during an interview in his Caspersen History House classroom. He and Elaine chalked it up to a learning experience, never looked back and came to realize that Peddie was home, where they and their boys — Edson ’88 and Pete ’90 — felt happy and comfortable. Roby went on to teach humanities, math, English, studio art, religion and — his favorite — art history. He coached football, baseball, wrestling, golf and tennis. He even coached ice hockey back when it was a club activity. He also served as director of admission, associate director of college counseling and headed the arts and history departments. “There were certainly times when I had no idea how I could get everything done,” he said. Meanwhile, Elaine taught for 16 years before joining the Admission Office in addition to leading several community service projects and the International Students Association. Roby credits the ever-changing landscape at Peddie for enabling him to stay fresh. “I think being able to switch around, so I wasn’t doing the same job year after year, was critical for me,” said Roby. “Every five years or so I was able to change the combo of things I did. That’s very important to longevity. It keeps you moving.
5. Roby loves football and coached the sport for 16 years at Peddie, including five as head coach. Spring 2010 9