A lifelong Principian, Bill has touched the lives of Panthers across decades. Whether in the classroom, where he taught mathematics at the Upper School for almost 40 years, or on the baseball field as a teammate and coach, Bill makes sure to give back to the community that gave so much to him. Now, with his grandkids at Principia School, he’s part of a legacy four generations deep!
Read more about Bill’s Principia story below.
What brought you to Principia and kept you here?
Principia has pretty much been my life. I first attended Principia when I was three years old. I went almost all the way through. A year after I graduated from the College, a spot opened up in the math department at the Upper School, and I had always thought I'd like to try teaching. So, I came with the idea of just staying a few years. And I stayed a few more than that—39 years. Both my kids went through Principia, and now my grandkids are attending Principia School. That’s four generations! It's been such a special part of my life.
What’s something you value most from your time at Principia?
There are so many things that stand out, both as a student and a teacher. The relationships I have, and still have, with the people in the community are definitely something I value.
But one of the most special things that stands out to me was when my kids—Jenna (US’09) and Chris (US’06)—were attending Upper School. I had both of them in class and on the baseball team. When my son was a senior and my daughter was a freshman, they played together on the team. It was just the coolest experience as a parent and a coach.
As we look ahead to the College’s Gold & Blue Weekend and Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony in October, what role has Principia athletics played in your life?
I have always appreciated the opportunities Principia’s athletic program provides. I thought it was fantastic that, even though I wasn’t a top-notch athlete, I had the opportunity to be part of a team in all three seasons, all four years of high school. Even as youth sports participation have become increasingly specialized, Principia continues to give students the opportunity to participate in more than one sport. Both of my children played three sports at the Upper School, and I believe that experience gave them a foundation, both mentally and physically, that helped prepare them to play their primary sport at a high level in college.
Coaching the Upper School varsity baseball team for 30 years gave me the opportunity to develop a different kind of relationship with students, one that often carried over into the academic building and my math classroom. One of the great things about Principia athletics is that it gives students and coaches the opportunity, through the fun and challenge of competition, to push beyond their perceived limitations and work together toward a common goal. And now I get to watch my son do that as a coach of the College baseball team.
What stands out to you about Principia alumni?
Principia is so global. On both campuses, there are people from all over the world. And when you travel, there's a good chance you’ll know someone. My brother-in-law once said to me, “You know so many people around the country,” and I said, “Yeah, that’s Principia!”
What is special about Principia?
The emphasis on character. Even with all the other wonderful things going on around Principia—the beautiful facilities and such—it wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t have that emphasis on character education.
What do you want others to know about Principia today?
Principia is the same special place you knew, with all the people and relationships that you loved. It’s doing what it does best and creating lifelong connections.