“Leading this great school—following in the incredible and faithful footsteps of Willy MacMullen—is humbling and daunting, and it is the opportunity of a lifetime,” incoming Head of School Peter Becker ’95 told the Taft community during his first visit to campus since announcement of his appointment was made.

In an uplifting and enlightening address, Becker spoke of his experiences as a Taft student, and of the changes he has seen in the school community since that time. Changes, he says, which have made Taft a place where a sense of belonging and connection have helped strengthen and define what Taft is as a school, and we are as a community. 

“A great school constantly pursues excellence,” Becker noted. “Excellence requires the habit of defining our goals—our aspirations, reflecting on how well we’re doing in our pursuit of those goals, and then committing to improvement.”

He is and his family are committed, he says, to continuing the important work of growth and meaningful change, and doing so in the spirit of “beloved community” articulated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“At the most basic level,” says Becker, “this work happens not out of good intentions alone. My motivation in this work is at its core, about love: love of neighbor, love of self, love of community—of the eco-system that we create together every year at boarding schools.

Watch Becker’s full address to the Taft community here.

Watch Becker’s full address preceded by remarks from Head of School Willy MacMullen ’78, Search Committee Co-Head Kate Genung Taylor ’94, and Board Chair Grant Porter ’69 here.