Hotchkiss Appoints a New Headmaster; Arrives with Global Agenda
By Vivian Brodie ‘07
News Associate Editor
Before Hotchkiss students had departed for winter vacation, they received an e-mail was sent out informing them that a new head-of-school had been appointed. This new appointee, Malcolm McKenzie, had been chosen by a search committee along with the Board of Trustees after matching every one of the stiff requirements. In addition, McKenzie had spoken with many current students and every member of the faculty. Although being extremely well qualified and fit for the job, the announcement of his arrival caused some unrest among students. A small portion of the Hotchkiss community believed the announcement of such a large decision should not be made via e-mail. This caused a select group of students to speak out against the administration with e-mails saying they did not like the “indirectness” of the mass e-mail sent by the Hotchkiss administration.
Despite the low level of friction caused by the administration’s handling of the announcement, the majority of Hotchkiss students are willing to acknowledge how well qualified Mr. McKenzie is for the job. Mr. McKenzie, who was born in South Africa, holds dual citizenship to both South Africa and the United Kingdom. He was a Rhodes Scholar and studied at Oxford to earn a Masters degree in literature. Furthermore, he earned a second masters in linguistics for his work teaching English to Africans. By a number of accounts, Mr. McKenzie is also a very gifted teacher. He taught at two South African universities, University of the Witwatersrand and University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, in addition to teaching at several other high schools. One of his most important accomplishments is that he has been the Principle of Atlantic College in Wales, which was the first of the United World Colleges, for the last seven years.
The United World Colleges is a group of twelve international high schools. This group was founded during the Cold War in 1962 by a German educator named Kurt Hahn, at a time when an emphasis on understanding and peace was especially imperative. Its goal is to encourage interaction among youths from many different nations by working, living, and studying together. Its current mission statement is as follows: “United World College makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. We educate individuals to take responsibility for shaping a better world.” Some of the countries included in the United World Colleges are Canada, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Norway, Singapore, Swaziland, the United States, Venezuela, Great Britain, Costa Rica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Students are allowed to partake in this organization based solely on merit and regardless of financial situations. They are able to fund the program with financial support from graduates, supporters, businesses, non-governmental organizations and governments. It is evident that being the principle of such a prestigious program, Mr. McKenzie will bring a global perspective to the Hotchkiss community.
It seems that for the most part, Hotchkiss students are impressed with their new Head of School. Brad Lightcap ’08, a student at Hotchkiss said, “he is extremely well qualified and has a lot to bring to the school.” Hotchkiss students know that, in the words of Teddy Himler ’07, “headmasters at Hotchkiss are brought in for certain tasks.” In the case of Mr. McKenzie–globalization. At the same time, though he is intent on globalizing the school, “he is aware of the importance of maintaining the principles and traditions of Hotchkiss.” In the eyes of Brad Lightcap ’08, McKenzie is “genuinely interested in the lives of students.”
