5 minute read
An Evening with the Heads of School
Fort Worth Country Day’s 60th-anniversary celebration culminated in a gathering that blended legacy and leadership with Heads of School Geoffrey Butler H’98 (1987-96), Evan Peterson H’15 (2002-15) and Eric Lombardi (2015-present). Their unscripted panel discussion at Shady Oaks Country Club took the audience through the past and was filled with cherished memories and profound insights. Nearly 150 people attended the event, spanning alumni and current and former faculty, staff, parents, past parents, grandparents and Trustees, bridging the gap between the past and the present.
Board of Trustees President Brian Crumley ’92 opened the evening, highlighting that, as a student, Peterson was his Upper School Head and Butler was his Head of School. “I look around at the group assembled here and am humbled to see so many School leaders, past and present,” he told the audience. “We really stand on the shoulders of the leadership that has been instrumental in creating and guiding the development of this school.”
Butler and Peterson shared a bit about their experiences and observations with Lombardi serving as a moderator of sorts, facilitating a lively discussion. Their stories vividly depicted FWCD’s evolution over the decades, from its humble beginnings to its current standing as a leading educational institution in Texas.
Peterson proudly recalled watching the entire School community – students, faculty and staff – come together in the Fisher Dining Pavilion for lunch each day. He noted that building the FDP and shifting to an all-inclusive dining plan was a significant accomplishment during his tenure.
For Butler, establishing a successful full-day kindergarten program that boosted enrollment is a pride point. In 1996, the Butler Kindergarten Building was dedicated in his honor. In addition, Butler implemented an honor system in the Upper School that focused on trust and integrity. Despite initial resistance, that honor system eventually became a cherished aspect of the School’s culture and remains so today.
The two former heads also shared inspiring stories about students. Butler highlighted Austin Jones ’93, who, despite having a shorter right arm, courageously climbed a challenging ropes course. Jones’s determination and bravery inspired his peers, exemplifying the School’s spirit of perseverance and courage. Butler also noted how the ropes course, now called the Falcon Challenge Course, was Peterson’s idea. It became a significant part of the School’s character-building activities and is still used today. Peterson met Laura Bonnell Alexander ’88 when he was interviewing on campus. She was sitting in Trustees Plaza reading a chemistry textbook. He struck up a conversation with her and was impressed. He later encouraged her to run for Student Council: She did and she won. After Alexander graduated they stayed in touch: Peterson offered her a teaching job, he wrote her a letter of recommendation for Stanford, and she later served on FWCD Board of Trustees.
When asked about FWCD’s legacy and moving forward, both former heads highlighted the importance of maintaining the School’s core values and maintaining a balance between academics, arts, and athletics. They stressed that the future of education at Fort Worth Country Day should focus on improving existing practices and ensuring the well-being of students. This includes fostering a supportive environment where students can thrive academically and personally, preparing them to face societal challenges effectively. Focusing on the future of the School, Lombardi outlined plans for a new Lower School and ongoing strategic initiatives aimed at maintaining a balanced focus on academics, arts, and athletics. There was a strong emphasis on student health and well-being, acknowledging the growing concerns in this area. The commitment to continuing the tradition of excellence and community at Fort Worth Country Day was clear, with efforts to capitalize and enhance the School’s existing strengths.
Crumley closed out the evening with a thank you to all three leaders. “Each has respectively enjoyed their role,” he said. “These gentlemen embody the spirit of FWCD, and their contributions have left an indelible mark on our school community.”
Following the event, the current and past Board Presidents enjoyed a private dinner with Peterson, Butler and Lombardi.
Scan the QR code to view the Evening with the Heads of School video.
