Convocation 2024: Ivory Hills Installed as 16th Head of School

Dr. Ivory D. Hills was installed as St. Mark’s 16th head of school as part of the School’s traditional Convocation ceremony, held this year on Friday, September 6, in the Putnam Family Arts Center’s Class of ’45 Hall.  

After a musical performance by Jasmine Liu ’25, violin, and Aaron Zhou ’26, piano, and an opening invocation from Head Chaplain Katie Solter, Board of Trustees President Michael B. Moore ’80 officially installed Dr. Hills as head of school, presenting him with a ceremonial key to St. Mark’s and inviting him to “be among us as one who opens the door to new possibility, as one who unlocks the vitality, purpose, and hope of our great School.” 

Following a prayer of installation from Rev. Patricia Phaneuf Alexander ’84, clerk of the Board of Trustees, Parents’ Association Chairs Dr. F. Stephen Hodi, Jr. ’84, P’26 and Juli Hodi P’26, staff member Leslie Dowst, faculty member Karen Bryant, and Trustee Tarah Donoghue Breed offered community prayers. After a musical offering from pianist Kangdi (Condy) Bao ’25, Anne Bruder, dean of academic affairs at Deerfield Academy, presented some words of reflection about Dr. Hills. 

Bruder noted that Dr. Hills “wants to know every person in this room” and encouraged students to “pop into Dr. Hills’s office, waylay him on a path, or track him down at a meal. He’ll ask you what’s on your mind, and I promise you’ll leave the conversation with a new way of thinking about wherever it was that brought you into the conversation.” 

After a presentation of community gifts from the Monitors and readings by Head Monitors Divi Bhaireddy ’25 and Jared Vilcina Brown ’25, Dr. Hills addressed the audience. 

Utilizing the theme “this I believe,” Dr. Hills spoke about a number of personal tenets, including “I believe the purpose of the School is to prepare students for their futures,” “I believe that we are stronger together than apart,” and “I believe that my beliefs can change over time, and who you are today is not who you will be tomorrow,” concluding this portion of his remarks with “Finally, I believe that each of us needs to find our purpose.” 

Dr. Hills then turned to thoughts on shared beliefs of the School, offering that St. Mark’s believes in challenges, the passion of discovery, cooperation over self-interest, and that our students can go on to lives of consequence. He closed with a quote from George Bernard Shaw: “I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no ‘brief candle’ for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” 

The second portion of the program began with a musical offering from Divi Bhaireddy ’25 and Eliza Visconsi before academic and character prizes were presented. 

The Walter Clair ’73 Prize, selected by a vote of the faculty, is awarded to a rising VI Former who embodies the intellectual and community service priorities characterized by Dr. Clair’s life and career. A celebrated medical researcher, practitioner, and innovator, Dr. Clair has worked tirelessly to enhance the educational and economic opportunities for underserved members of
his community. The Walter Clair ’73 Prize was awarded to Jared Vilcina Brown ’25. 

The Alice Hung ’86 Prize, selected by a vote of the faculty, is awarded to the rising VI Former who best embodies the global citizenship priorities that distinguish Ms. Hung’s life and career. The founder and director of a highly successful international business operating on multiple continents, Ms. Hung has been instrumental in the establishment of a St. Mark’s partner school
relationship in China. The Alice Hung ’86 Prize was awarded to Aurora Hutchins ’25.

The Peter Saccio ’58 Prize, selected by a vote of the faculty, is awarded to the rising VI Former who best embodies both the academic and the community and equity priorities that characterize Dr. Saccio’s life and career. A leading Shakespearian scholar, who has participated in and steadfastly supported the arts, Dr. Saccio has been a strong voice for diversity, and a thoughtful source of support for students, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community, throughout his career at Dartmouth College. The Peter Saccio ’58 Prize was awarded to Diya Bhaireddy ’25. 

The Dorothy Anderson Prize, selected by a vote of the faculty, is awarded to the rising VI Former who best embodies the character qualities inside and outside the classroom that Ms. Anderson emphasized during her tenure on the St. Mark’s faculty. The first woman to teach advanced math courses at St. Mark’s and the coach of numerous ISL and New England championship teams, Ms. Anderson steadfastly inspired collaboration, resilience, and rising above one’s own expectations. The Dorothy Anderson Prize was awarded to Ifeoluwa Lawore ’25.

The Peter M. Schuh ’92 Scholarship Award, selected by a committee that includes the dean of academics, the dean of students, and the director of athletics, is awarded to a rising VI Former in memory of Peter M. Schuh ’92. The recipient of this award has maintained at least a B average during their V Form year, participated in more than one varsity sport, exhibited
leadership as a monitor, prefect, Peer Discussion Leader, team captain or other similar position and who has exhibited exceptional loyalty to, and enthusiasm for, St. Mark’s School. The Peter M. Schuh ’92 Scholarship Award was presented to Hadley Gibbons ’25.

The Andrew Michael Sheridan ’05 Prize, given in memory of Andrew Michael Sheridan ’05 and each year is awarded to the rising VI Former who best exemplifies the character of Andrew, as remembered with these words: “Through acts of kindness, optimism, faith in God and humanity, hard work, and gentle humor, Andrew strived to do what is right and shared his joy of life with others...every day. In so doing, he encouraged us to believe in ourselves and inspired us to be our best.” The recipient of the Sheridan Prize is selected by a committee that includes the dean of students, dean of academics, director of athletics, and chaplain. The Andrew Michael Sheridan ‘’05 Prize was awarded to Henry Wang ’25.

To view Ivory Hills's installation speech, select this link. 
 

Photograph by Thorn & Petal Films. 

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