From the Hilltop

We don’t know a lot about the Rev. John Diman’s decision to open St. George’s, which was actually originally called Mr. Diman’s School for Boys. What we do know is that Diman, 33, with a grand total of three years of teaching experience under his belt, borrowed $5,000 from his mom, rented some houses in Newport, and advertised his new school in local newspapers. He somehow scrounged up a dozen students and convinced his sister to come along and be the “housemother.” By all accounts, it was a terrible business decision. The economy was in awful shape, and there was already a prep school, called Cloyne House, here on Aquidneck Island. But Diman had a vision, and he turned that vision into a reality, moving from those tiny little rental houses to a mansion over on the Cliff Walk, and then here to the Hilltop in 1901.

A tireless cheerleader for the school, Diman spoke often of the importance of school spirit, once calling on students to, “show our school spirit in as many ways as possible and pass it on each year to succeeding forms ...” Through his personal charisma and sheer dedication, he made this school into one of the preeminent boarding schools in the United States. In fact, Diman was such a skilled leader that at some point in the school’s early years, St. Paul’s tried to steal him away. To no avail.

The Rev. Diman’s vision was also remarkably prescient. In his early writings, he called for “respect for all members of the human family.” Late in his life, he also wrote, “the greatest disappointment of my school career has been that the schools with which I have been most closely connected have always been classed as ‘expensive schools.’” I am confident that he is smiling down, delighted by the fact that this school strives to be as diverse, equitable, and inclusive as possible.

So, why did Diman do all this? Borrow money from his mom, stalk students to get them here, and then build this school up from a couple of rental houses to this grand campus, all with the unerring hope and vision that it would become a school like the one it is today? It appears that he did it because he felt a calling. He believed in something bigger than himself. He was cheerfully adamant that this little school here on this Hilltop could prepare students to go out into the world and do great things. There is evidence of this throughout his sermons, many of which are preserved in the St. George’s Archives. He repeatedly called for “the highest standards of honor.” In one sermon to the students, he said: “I trust that in many a heart the desire is born here to live worthily, and to strive for truth and honor ...” He wanted a school that stood for something, that called on students to be honorable, and that prepared students for lives of service. I find the timelessness of his vision humbling.

Today’s school stands as a testament to John Diman’s vision. Our yearlong 125th anniversary celebration gave us the opportunity to celebrate that timelessness. Indeed, every St. George’s student — from those 12 boys sitting in a rental house to today’s thriving community of 380 students — has benefited from his vision. How lucky we are.