Words About Dad

Carson Williams '19

My mother and father have served this campus for twenty-five years now in more ways than I can count. They’ve made it a home for thousands of people that have come up the hill and lived here at Cate: students, faculty, and residents. I recall the Quizlet nights when Ginger would help Ben study and remember the names of each incoming first year so that when they arrived on campus, they would feel welcome.

In the Williams clan, our love for canines runs deep, and for good reason. They are the silent leaders of the family. They are always happy to see us when we come through the door, regardless of the events of the day, they listen without judgment, support us, and love unconditionally. Our dogs set an example of service and faithfulness that we all try to live up to.

I don’t believe that the leadership style my father employed was learned just willy-nilly. As humans we emulate and what my mother and father have done at this school is the work of the dog. They have listened, supported, and welcomed every person into the lovely home atop this Mesa.

Before he passed, my grandfather wrote, “Given the qualities which I have so admired, respected, and valued in the four-legged members of our family over the years, I’d like to be remembered as a good old dog.” That is exactly what I feel my parents have done at Cate. In addition to the campaigns he led, the minds he inspired, the speeches he gave, and the legacy he built, I hope my father, like his own, is remembered as the good-old labrador of Cate School. Always listening, ever faithful, and perpetually devoted to making this school a better place.

Grace Williams '10

I was lucky enough to witness the tremendous impact Ben Williams has had on Cate Mesa since he arrived 25 years ago. My perspective is unique, as his daughter, because I saw the work he put in from all angles. I was a firsthand witness to the praise and criticism that came with being the head of a school, and how my dad received it and moved forward.

I am most grateful for the community he has had a hand in growing. Cate goes far beyond the boundaries of the Mesa – it lives within the hearts of those who have been students, teachers, parents and friends of the school. My dad has always been diligent about caring for this community and all those who are in it. He takes the time to know everyone, and make sure all voices feel heard as the school evolves and grows.

As my parents move on from this place, they too will carry Cate with them wherever they go. They leave behind a lasting impact that will continue to make Cate a home for years to come.

Greg Kubicek '74

It was a privilege and honor to have worked closely with Ben Williams for the past 27 years. During the years I was head of the Board, Ben and I had a call every Thursday to check in. I am not a sentimentalist, but while I have not had that call with Ben in more than a decade, I have not taken it off my calendar. Each week I see it and am reminded of things that made my life better—the Mesa, the school Cate is, was, and has become, and Ben.

I certainly enjoyed working with Ben, but there were times…One of the hardest assignments I ever received was to roast Ben when he returned from sabbatical. I talked to everyone I could, including his family members, to get dirt and other suitable material for a roast. It was a frustrating process. How does one roast Howdy Doody?

I’ve often thought being a Head of School is one of the most difficult jobs there is. All of his constituents know they have a valid viewpoint. The parents pay tuition and entrust their children to Cate. The alumni support the school and want it to be the way it was when they were here. The faculty live and work on the Mesa and have a strong voice, rightfully so. And of course there are the students, brilliant and energetic and in the midst of hormones. And then there are the Trustees… great investments. He helped found the inquiry program that is one of the key features he’s leaving on the Mesa. Ben’s tenure will have profound effects on students for generations to come.

Reconciling and balancing these frequently opposing viewpoints can often be near-impossible. I am in awe of how Ben was able to stand apart and be an adult in the room.

Ben is an avid sportsman who loves the outdoors. And although he hides it well, he’s very competitive. One time we were shooting sporting clays, and after a couple rounds that did not go the way Ben would have liked, I looked over to see Ben jumping up and down like a frustrated 8 year old, and while I am not have been able to hear him clearly, I believe he was questioning my parentage.

I have previously stated in a talk that I have seen and worked with many headmasters in my time and have come to the conclusion that Ben could be the best Head of School there has ever been.

One of the duties of the head of the board is to draft the headmaster’s performance review. One year, I stole the line that I overheard at a parent’s weekend—that Ben was the headmaster from “Central Casting.” He is tall, good looking, always a presence, and often clad in bowties and Brooks Brothers. He is a regular Mr. Chips. And why not? He was born to it—his father was a headmaster and both his brothers are current headmasters. It’s the family business.

It is a legacy that he can and should be very proud of.

Family is very important to Ben. We have seen his children grow up on the Mesa, and of course none of this would have been possible without his close partnership with Ginger.

I was on the board when we hired Ben to be Head of School. We took a chance— he was 34 years old—thank goodness we took that chance. Whatever we

I love Cate and can never do enough to thank the school for all it has done for me. Even more powerful, my son attended Cate and loves it every bit as much as I do, and maybe even more. Cate keeps on getting better and a big part of that is what Ben has done for the school over the last 25 years. He has transformed for the better literally every aspect of the school. As I look around, we can see the additions to the campus and the new fabulous facilities, including where we are seated right here. But it is more than buildings that make a school. Ben has improved the curriculum, has worked to reward and develop the faculty, has raised funds for scholarships, and worked to diversify those on campus and the board. More than just asking for money, he’s proved that these are might have seen in him at that time—he has exceeded all our most ambitious expectations and been transformational. Cate is a far stronger school now than it was 25 years ago when Ben first walked onto the campus.

I know I speak for the entire Cate community when I say to Ben—I could not be more grateful for your wisdom, empathy, patience, vision for the future, and leadership for the past 25 years.

Paul Denison '79 OUTDOOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR

It is an unenviable task to try to present a written snapshot to Ben, for any effort to encapsulate an experience in words will inevitably pale in comparison to his own penned tributes. Ben, the ultimate wordsmith. Thus, recognizing that my efforts will be unable both to appropriately represent Ben’s impact on this place and to measure up to his mastery of words, I forge, flailing, onward….

There are countless tangible relics of Ben’s impact at Cate, from the transformative building projects, the expansion and improvement of academic offerings, and the substantial increase in endowment. These are all obvious, significant, and impressive. However, when I think of Ben’s legacy, I’m impressed by something much more subtle, yet I’d argue equally impressive and perhaps more impactful. I’ve met all of Cate headmasters (including Mr. Cate) save one, and I’ve worked for three of them. All, including Ben, have cast themselves in the mold of “benevolent dictator” – strong personalities that lead with measures of both strength and fear, and it’s a model with which I am both familiar and very comfortable. And while Ben brings that same combination, he has been the first, I believe, to introduce a different facet to that model. While there has never been a question of the strength of his convictions or his willingness to stand by them, no matter pressures to the contrary, Ben has balanced that with an emotional component unseen in his predecessors. I would imagine Ben has shed more public tears than all of his predecessors combined, and I would argue this has been his greatest display of strength. Those tears have always arisen out of a deep love –love for family, institution, values – and they have helped to underscore how profoundly he feels about all he does. In a society that doesn’t necessarily celebrate the display of emotions as a strength, Ben has shown us all, faculty and students alike, that it is a powerful demonstration of leadership and a true sign of strength to share one’s sorrows and disappointments, and when he has done so, it has made me appreciate my own family, my own school, and my own values all the more. Ben has brought his authentic self for all of us to see and has shown us what it means to be human, what it means to truly care, and what it means to be strong and confident enough to be vulnerable. Those moments have never been easy for Ben (or for us), but how lucky it is to have had the leadership of someone who not only can so clearly and obviously role model his own commitment and passion but who can also display that real strength is not feeling we have to hide those feelings. Thank you, Ben. Excuse me while I shed a tear…

Monique Parsons '84

Like most Cate alumni, I have some vivid memories of the Hitchcock Theatre. But when I stood in the back of Hitchcock in 2010, at my first morning assembly 26 years after graduating, I thought I was in a different school. In a way, I was. Aside from the stage curtain and seat cushions, all upgraded to Cate blue, the space looked much the same. But that day in 2010, I saw a racially diverse student body. I saw women in leadership roles on the faculty. And I saw—and felt— kindness. Kids were singing and cheering for one another, wishing each other happy birthday, applauding for each other’s achievements large and small. The Cate School I went to in the 1980s prized a snarky, mean kind of humor; for many of us, including a nerdy, introverted Carp kid like me, assemblies always felt like a bit of a minefield. I once asked Ben Williams if this culture change evolved naturally or intentionally. He chuckled and told me a story. Not long after arriving as Head of School, he was in a morning assembly in Hitchcock and witnessed students mocking a guest speaker who’d visited the evening before. Soon after, in an inspired move to cultivate empathy and humility in the young critics in his care, Ben introduced the Tuesday Talks, where students stand up to give a formal address to the school. The mockery stopped, and these talks—now known as the Servons Speeches— are a valued weekly tradition at Cate. While serving as a trustee at Cate, I’ve learned that change doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because leaders with foresight and courage see where change is needed and inspire others to join the effort. When we reflect on the Ben Williams era at Cate, we can point to new buildings, new curricula, new policies, and new accomplishments, and rightly so. But for me, the Ben Williams era will always be the era of kindness.

Mattie Brickman '01

What I did not know, when I first met Ben, is that headmastering is the best writing gig in town.

I did not know this my freshman year when, rounding the corner by High House, I first shook his hand. I did not know this during our first long conversation at the square dance, when he had just become Head of School. But twenty-five years later — twenty-five years of assemblies, ceremonies, graduations, parents weekends, and alumni gatherings...of e-mails, Cate Bulletins, welcomes, intros, and countless other examples of casual, but crafted storytelling — one thing became clear: Ben may be the most prolific writer I know.

What I did know when I first met Ben — immediately — is how present he is when he speaks to you. How open and responsive he is to the moment. How connected he is. How quickly, yet gracefully, he discerns the things that make you tick. And how he encourages those things to grow.

This was certainly the case at that square dance, when I remember being surprised that he would take the time to have such a long, involved conversation with a tiny little sophomore. I’m grateful for that first exchange and for every one since. Conversations full of curiosity, exploration, and connection — the very traits, I now understand, that have made him both a great writer and an exceptional headmaster.

Knowing this, I can only imagine that the 1997 job description must’ve read:

“Thoughtful, confident writer who can compellingly craft and deliver a resonant story for any occasion. Must be able to create for a variety of venues, from large theatrical spaces to an audience of one at a square dance. (Oh, and can also run a school.)”

Lisa Stanson '92 PRESIDENT, CATE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Many know Ben as a storyteller, an accomplished outdoorsman, an educator and a visionary – someone whose legacy will be seen and felt on this Mesa and in the boarding school community, for generations to come. I have come to know him as a steadfast partner in some of the most challenging and exciting times for our families on and off the Mesa in the last century – taking on natural disasters, leading us through social justice movements and spearheading a complete re-imagination of our school’s curriculum and physical plant – all the while, focusing on the success of both the faculty and the students who are the heart of this community. But for me, in the last 25 years, I have also come to know Ben as a friend. My calendar has a one hour slot on Thursday afternoons reserved for “Meeting with Ben.” We usually start these with a few minutes of catching up on where the week has taken us, outside of school business. Sometimes it’s a discussion of the water levels on the creek near B Camp. Or the latest antics of his youthful Labrador Hopper. I share with him my encounters with Cate friends and pepper him with questions about Ginger and Montana. And then we get down to Mesa business. It is these moments at the beginning of our calls that I will miss the most. They are filled with stories, observations on our world experiences and always my favorite thing, Ben’s laugh. While I will no longer have these weekly calls, I will forever remember and channel Ben’s positivity and his unrelenting faith in our community. And most importantly, a commitment to its people. This will be one of the many impacts of his enduring legacy here on our Mesa and beyond. For a quarter century Ben has selflessly dedicated his life to the success of this community and its people. While many have contemplated the exact meaning of our motto Servons, to serve, I can say with great confidence that there is a person who has defined it for us. It is Ben.

Fred Williams HEAD OF SCHOOL THE RECTORY SCHOOL

As Ben retires, I have come to learn that Ben’s childhood and his life with his siblings have been regular topics in his oral and written remarks shared with the Cate community. While I question, with good reason, the accuracy of his memories, particularly those that put Joe and me in a questionable light, I do not dispute his purposeful intention to use his upbringing as teaching moments for the Cate students. These students would be wise to listen closely for Ben’s wisdom is without dispute. The same is true of his ability to lead a school.

The three Williams boys, like their father, have had the good fortune to serve as heads of school. Ben has done so in a most impressive fashion. So rather than celebrating this moment as I would have during our teen years—with a headlock and a charley horse—I instead take this moment to congratulate my brother on his exceptional leadership. From my vantage point, he has served the Cate School and the boarding school association as a whole with notable distinction, and there are so many beneficiaries, myself included.

Cate now finds itself without Ben Williams at the helm. This means I now have a full-time fishing guide at my disposal and ready access to one of the most impactful heads of school ever, one I have the privilege of calling my brother. Congratulations, Ben.

John Endres '22

The sound of birds chirping interrupts the cool ocean breeze in the air. The sun is just starting to set beyond the horizon, and a beam of light shines onto the grand mountains in the foreground. Ben Williams stands before every Cate student and faculty member, as he reads the same passage he always does. Sunset Ceremony is a tradition synonymous with Cate School. However, for me, what made the ceremony memorable was Mr. Williams’ distinctive, dare I say iconic, voice echoing in every single person’s ear. What made the Sunset Ceremony so special was Mr. Williams. However, in reality, what made all of Cate so special happens to also be Mr. Williams. You hear that iconic voice in assembly making the simplest of stories sound like death-defying adventures. You hear the voice in sports games. You hear the voice when he says hello to you every time he sees you, and he somehow always knows your name even if you’ve never talked to him before. And you hear his voice read off the most incredible words you could ever hope to hear about yourself when you walk across the stage at graduation. So much of what made Cate memorable was only memorable because Ben Williams made it so. And as this special human prepares to leave an unforgettable legacy behind, it’s only right that we leave him with the kind of thanks that such a memorable human deserves. Thank you, Ben Williams. Cate School and the world are better places because of you.

Juarez Newsome HISTORY INSTRUCTOR

As we delved into Lincoln’s humble beginnings, his rise to power, and his pivotal role in guiding the United States through one of its most turbulent times—the Civil War, “the Big Man,” the students and I examined Lincoln’s political philosophy, his stance on slavery, and his unwavering commitment to preserving the Union. Additionally, we analyzed his iconic speeches, such as the “Gettysburg Address” and the “Second Inaugural Address,” and his personal writings, the Meditation of the Divine, to understand his profound eloquence and rhetorical skills. During our lively discussions, debates, and critical thinking exercises, the “Big Man,” although earning his “street cred” as a 21st century educator from day one, surprised the class with unanticipated “colorful language” to emphasize a particular point. He and I first taught “Lincoln and His Words” twelve years ago, and as the students grappled with slavery’s pernicious effects, and a divided nation, a few constants stand out. The Big Man’s teaching needs are simple: a whiteboard, a pen and the text. The Big Man’s love for Lincoln is undeniable. Three hours a week spent in the classroom with our talented students enriched and expanded the Big Man’s perspective of our beloved Mesa while offering him a respite from other job-related issues. Lastly, the Big Man and his command of Lincoln’s words will be eternally missed.

Joshua Jongsoo Han '09

I still remember the first time I saw Mr. Williams at the 2004 Cate School reception in Korea. To a Korean boy in the 8th grade, his physical appearance, which to me appeared to be nothing short of a giant, was to some level intimidating. Then, I heard him speak. He spoke with much passion and sincerity, about how Cate was a community, a place where students feel at home, and how it’s a place where students learn not only academics but how to become a dedicated member of society. This short 15 minute speech that gave my parents the courage to send their 14 year-old son across the Pacific, and had me hooked onto the idea of becoming a member of the Cate community.

Over the next 4 years on the Mesa, I had the honor of seeing Mr. Williams’ leadership first hand. He truly was a giant: an exemplary leader who instilled upon us the meaning of community and service. A leader that taught us about passion, dedication, and much more.

He has been and always will be my role model.

Thank you Mr. Williams for your service. Servons.

Rebecca Haile EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ETHIOPIA EDUCATION INITIATIVES

In recent years, one of the great blessings I’ve received has been the evolution of my Williams College friendship with the extraordinary Ben Williams. Thirty-five years ago, I knew Ben as a friend, admired for his warmth, kindness, humor, and generally dashing upperclassman-scholar athlete-aboutcampus self. After Ben joined the Board of Haile-Manas Academy, a residential school for Ethiopian students of promise, I came to understand the true depth of the waters that run within him. In every interaction, Ben revealed the wise, insightful, and inspirational educator he grew into, the school leader the Cate community knows so well. Hearing him weigh in on complex issues, I’ve been in awe of his discerning judgment and realize how fortunate we are to have him. Ben has helped us navigate many tricky shoals, doing so with generosity of time and spirit, a remarkable ability to identify and balance competing interests, clarity of thought and expression, and always with student well-being and advancement of mission at the fore. No matter the problem – or the opportunity – a conversation with Ben makes for better decisions and better outcomes. In short, Ben Williams has been a gift in my life. I am lucky to count him as both a dear friend and a wise and valued colleague.

Meg Bradley

HEAD OF SCHOOL, SANTA CATALINA

2016-2022

MEMBER OF CATE SCHOOL STAFF

1998-2016

I first met Headmaster-elect Ben Williams in 1998, in Texas, to interview for a position at Cate. As good fortune would have it, I was Ben’s first hire. From the beginning, he was unabashedly clear about his vision for Cate. In 1997 he shared his belief that the school head is: “Endowed with the responsibility of leading a community of learners, he or she must be the head learner: the one willing to listen patiently, to process carefully, and to respond thoughtfully.”

In a recent Headmaster’s Notebook, Ben wrote about a trip in which he reconnected with Cate alumni from around the country. Ben noted the earnest affirmation of the alums regarding so much of what makes Cate – Cate. Reflecting on his tenure, I believe that so much about what makes Cate – Cate, reflects his vision. Sunset and Moving-Up-Day ceremonies, Chapel talks, inquiry and the cohesion of pedagogy, capital improvements that have transformed the Mesa and so much more. Along the way, Ben worked with a team of dedicated faculty and staff to re-create the Cate academic experience. At the heart of this work was a goal of designing space and time for independent student inquiry. Ben observed, “This kind of curriculum builds not simply subject mastery, but cognitive versatility, intellectual agility and creativity, and an awareness of the interconnectedness of all things.” As a non-teaching member of the faculty, it was a heady experience to observe the commitment and hard work that Ben and Cate teachers put into implementing this comprehensive project. Ben served as the “head learner” and because of this gentle man’s conviction, Cate has evolved from a strong regional school in 1998, to one of the nation’s most selective boarding schools.

For me and so many others, Ben has generously served as a mentor. Over the arc of his career, he opened his door, day and night, to listen, coach, mentor and care for students and employees. On a trip to an NAIS conference, as the hallways filled with professionals, I could see Ben off at a distance, towering above the crowd surrounded by colleagues. For those of us seeking advancement in our careers, Ben readily provided his support, encouragement, and faith along with introductions to his vast network of colleagues. He showed me what an authentic vocation looks like through his untiring dedication and sacrifice along with his vast appetite to search, dream, and build.

In 2006, Ben asked and answered— What is an education? “It is an opportunity to broaden and sharpen one’s intellect, to develop one’s character and personality, and to realize all the potential available to create, to enhance, and to perpetuate the continuing evolution of our individual and collective humanity.”

Ben has left his mark on Cate helping to shape generations of individuals “lifting” their vision to higher sights while building something great—Cate today.

Joe Williams HEAD OF SCHOOL NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL

I am honored to have this opportunity to share a reflection on Ben’s tenure at Cate, his leadership in the independent school world, and more importantly his role as my big brother.

Ben has always led from the heart with an authenticity and humbleness that brings personality and purpose to his work at Cate. He has been steadfast in his values, beliefs, understanding for the needs of young people, and the importance of having high standards. I have always admired how Ben has navigated difficult topics and situations, finding clarity in the uncertainty of change or hardship, and just the right words to inspire, motivate, and unite his audience.

It has been my privilege to work in the same industry as Ben, to benefit from his guidance and perspective as I have navigated my own career and been proud to witness his impact on the boarding school world. And like any proud sibling, I sing his praises as often as I can! Ben, thanks for modeling servant leadership so well, for maintaining your sense of humor despite the demands of the work, and providing your wisdom and support so generously.

Sarah Appleton Pine '10

Sitting on the couch one evening, after playing Mario Kart or watching a movie with the Williams family, I noticed Ben writing, brow furrowed in thought. It was mid-year, and Ben was writing the paragraphs he reads for each student at graduation. The act of beginning them so early demonstrated to me that words matter so much to Ben because people do. He is invested in us well beyond knowing our names. I saw this in other ways, too, especially my senior year when classmates of mine, including school leaders, violated a major school rule, the repercussions of which reverberated throughout the community. When Ben addressed us at an assembly a few days later, what struck me most was his sorrow. We’d let ourselves down, and we, he knew, could do better. Rather than guilt, he communicated how much each individual matters in a community and how important community is. I’ve yet to find a community like Cate and a leader like Ben, someone with more fortitude and wisdom than anyone I know, yet who is unintimidating and generous. He embodies the spirit of this place more so, I’d argue, than Mr. Cate himself. It’s difficult for me to imagine the Mesa without Ben—from cooking our favorite Aunt Mary’s chicken at Mesa House to his campus presence—but we’re all growing older, and I’m excited for what’s to come for Ben—more Labs and a book, I hope.

Susan Baldridge TABS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

It’s no secret that Ben Williams has served the Cate community with extraordinary dedication and aplomb as your long time Head of School. What you may not know is that he has also skillfully and steadfastly served the broader world of boarding schools as a trustee for The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) since 2009. For 14 years – including for 4 years as chair of the Board – he has helped to steer the organization and its hundreds of member schools throughout North America and around the world with the same steady hand, navigating challenges and embracing opportunities for the good of so many. He has shared his time, his wisdom, and his experience, and the boarding school community has benefitted in countless ways from that generosity of spirit. I feel so fortunate that in my first year as Executive Director of TABS, I have had the opportunity to benefit from that same wise counsel and thoughtful attention. Ben, the boarding school community will miss you, your warm support, and your dedicated leadership – you have our deepest gratitude for all you have done!