An Important Announcement from St. Mark's

an

important

a n n o u n c e m e n t

from

St. Mark’s School of Texas

St. Mark’s School of Texas

March 11, 2013 head of school Search Committee President, Board of Trustees Randall S. Fojtasek ‘81 Executive Advisory Council Robert W. Decherd ‘69 Elliott Roosevelt, Jr. Carl Sewell ‘61 Committee Co-Chairs Kenneth A. Hersh ‘81 Leonard M. Riggs, Jr., M.D. Committee Members George S. Bayoud, Jr. ‘73 Katherine R. Crow The Rev. Michael B. Dangelo D. Scott Gonzalez Kathryne B. Hillier Amee Joshi Christen E.J. Lee ‘96 Jon L. Mosle III ‘79

Dear St. Mark’s Community,

On Saturday, March 9, 2013, Arnie Holtberg announced to the Board of Trustees his intention to retire on June 30, 2014, at the end of the 2013-2014 academic year. Arnie is the longest-tenured Headmaster in the School’s one-hundred-year history and, at retirement, he will have served St. Mark’s for twenty-one years.

Since he first arrived at 10600 Preston Road in 1993, Arnie has been an advocate for the “whole boy.” He set the School on a clear and steady path from which we have never wavered.

His constant message of “striving for excellence” and “continuous improvement” can be seen throughout the School.

Among his many contributions, Arnie has overseen two successful fundraising campaigns, including the soon-to-be-completed Centennial Challenge, one of the largest such efforts ever by an independent day school. The vitally important resources generated have provided the School with the long-term stability to move our mission forward. This has allowed us to recruit the best teachers and coaches from across the country, creating one of the finest academic environments in America. St. Mark’s has become a leader in its focus on character education, the use of technology, our commitment to financial sustainability, and global learning.

Arnie’s good work can be seen in our teachers, students, programs, and our buildings.

More than sixteen-hundred Marksmen have joined the ranks of our alumni since he began as Headmaster. Today, our nearly four thousand graduates are spread around the globe, yet their connection to and support of the School has never been stronger. Their pride of place is seen by their astonishing and generous contributions, and they now regularly return to show their attachment and gratitude to the School.

Ross Perot, Jr. ‘77 Judith T. Sutcliffe Taylor H. Wilson ‘81

Arnie Holtberg will certainly leave St. Mark’s a better place. We now have the responsibility to continue his legacy of leadership. The process to select a new Head of School will be co-chaired by Ken Hersh ’81, our immediate past President and the parent of a senior Marksman, and Leonard Riggs, also a past President and parent of two alumni. The Search Committee is comprised of leading members of our community who not only reflect our composition, but also serve the School with distinction. Ken and Leonard will communicate details about the search process and its timing shortly and provide regular updates on our progress.

I can’t thank Arnie enough for his thoughtful and steadfast leadership over the past two decades and for his continuing commitment to our School for the next sixteen months as we work together to select a new Head who will successfully lead St. Mark’s into the future. On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, I extend my warmest thanks and congratulations to Arnie and Jan as they prepare for the next chapter in their lives.

Thank you for your strong support of St. Mark’s School of Texas.

Randall S. Fojtasek ’81 President, Board of Trustees

OF F I C E OF t h e H e a d m a s t e r S t. M A r k ’ s S c h o o l o f T e x a s

March 11, 2013 Dear Members of the St. Mark’s Community,

For nearly twenty years, Jan and I have been blessed to serve the St. Mark’s School of Texas. And what a glorious time it has been! Yet even the best of things have their endings. So, we have concluded that I will retire at the end of the 2013-14 school year. The Centennial Challenge will come to full fruition this spring, and by June 2014 we will have served the School for twenty-one years. It has been a distinct pleasure and honor to work within this School community because it is “all about the boys” and mission, mission, mission. Perfect!

Being at the School has been fulfilling and satisfying in every way for Jan and me. We have both grown and developed. We enjoy relationships that are fulfilling, even priceless. Our son, Michael ’04, received a superb education both in and out of the classroom. Life at 10600 Preston Road has been full, and for that, we are thankful.

We often say at St. Mark’s that people make the place. What more could we ask for here: a talented, motivated, accomplished student body; supportive and engaged parents; and loyal and devoted alumni. The faculty, staff, and administration have been recognized both for their excellence and for their caring. The Board of Trustees has addressed the School’s mission squarely and has worked intelligently and indefatigably to ensure the School’s success today and tomorrow. The “can-do” spirit is alive and well at St. Mark’s. Being good is never good enough as the dynamism of the place is palpable at every turn.

Together, we have worked conscientiously to fulfill the School’s mission. We have strengthened programs, developed the campus, and have always put the needs of our students first. So much has changed, yet the fundamental principles and values of the institution remain. We care about that.

Jan and I are grateful to be part of a school community of such exceptional quality. Agree or disagree, we always point forward. We count ourselves blessed in myriad ways. And please know that we will give as much effort over the next sixteen months as we have to this point. The energy we have invested in St. Mark’s is remarkably meaningful. As Rudyard Kipling wrote, we will continue to “fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run.”

We thank the entire St. Mark’s School of Texas community for extraordinary opportunities, wonderful and deep relationships, and incomparable support. We are proud to be part of this great School’s history.

Yours truly,

Arnold E. Holtberg

A r n ol d E . Holt b e r g

•

Eugene McDermott Headmaster

H e a d of s c ho ol S e a r c h C o m m i t t e e

President, Board of Trustees

Executive Advisory Council

Randall S. Fojtasek ’81 Trustee, 1997– Parent, ‘15, ’20

Robert W. Decherd ’69 President, Board of Trustees, 1988–1991 Trustee, 1978–1998 Life Trustee, 2004 President, Alumni Board, 1977–1979 Parent, ‘96

Committee Co-Chairs Kenneth A. Hersh ’81 President, Board of Trustees, 2010–2012 Trustee, 1998– Parent, ‘13

Elliott Roosevelt, Jr. President, Board of Trustees, 1991–1993 Trustee, 1981–2002 Life Trustee, 2003 Parent, ‘81, ‘89

Leonard M. Riggs, Jr., M.D. President, Board of Trustees, 2002–2004 Trustee, 1996–2008 Parent, ‘04, ‘07

Carl Sewell ’61 President, Board of Trustees, 2000–2002 Trustee, 1979–1985, 1991–2003 Life Trustee, 2007 Parent, ‘02

Committee Members Christen E.J. Lee ’96 Trustee, 2008– New York Alumni Club

George S. Bayoud, Jr. ’73 President, Board of Trustees, 2008–2010 Trustee, 1993–2011 Parent, ‘08

Jon L. Mosle III ’79 Chair, Committee on Trustees Trustee, 1995–2001, 2006– President, Alumni Board, 1996–1997 Parent, ‘16

Katherine R. Crow Co-Chair, The Centennial Challenge Trustee, 2003– Parent, ‘14, ‘17

Ross Perot, Jr. ’77 President, Board of Trustees, 2004–2006 Trustee, 1992– Parent, ‘05, ‘06

The Rev. Michael B. Dangelo Chaplain History Faculty, 2012– D. Scott Gonzalez Provost, Dean of Campus English Faculty, 1995–

Judith T. Sutcliffe Faculty Senior Master Suzanne & Patrick McGee Family Master Teaching Chair in Mathematics Mathematics Faculty, 1984–

Kathryne B. Hillier President, Parents’ Association, 2008–2009 Trustee, 2007–2010 Parent, ‘09, ‘13

Taylor H. Wilson ’81 Chair, Executive Committee Trustee, 1999–2002, 2006– President, Alumni Board, 1999–2001 Parent, ‘12, ‘14

Amee Joshi Treasurer-Elect, Parents’ Association Parent, ’19, ’21

St. Mark’s School of Texas

10 600 Preston Road

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Dallas, Texas 75230 - 4047

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214.346.8000

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Fax 214.346.8002

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smtexas.org