Board of Trustees Celebrate Bo Lauder and His 20 Years of Service to Friends
- Friends Seminary
- Jun 2, 2022
- 2 min read
The Board of Trustees recently celebrated Bo Lauder and thanked him for his 20 years of service as Friends' Head of School. Current and former trustees and administrators attended the event, which was held on the Upper School Terrace. "In today’s world, being a Head of School is not an easy job," Isaac Henderson, Clerk of the Board, said. "It was never easy, but the challenges over the past 20 years have been unique, nuanced, and divisive at times. But Bo persists and we persist. Without a doubt, he cares greatly and deeply for this school and its people. Above all, he cares for our students." During his remarks, Isaac also shared a few of Bo's accomplishments which include:
The creation of the Center for Peace, Equity and Justice—a substantial platform for our Quaker values.
The addition of two non-Western languages, Arabic and Chinese, to the curriculum.
The first Faith and Practice document for Friends Seminary, a guide to how we live the Quaker testimonies.
The creation of the Academic Center to provide equality of access to learning support for all students in Grades 7-12.
The creation of the School's annual Peace Week celebration, and the creation of the Visiting Scholar Program.
The complete renovation of the School, making the campus 100% ADA accessible.
The growth the endowment from $6 million to $41 million, an eight-fold increase.
The long-anticipated independence from the NYQM and the incorporation of a Board of Trustees.
Gift income of more than $100 million for endowment, the operating budget and capital improvements.
The expansion of enrollment by 200 more students, stabilizing the School’s admissions and the expanding diversity of students and employees.
Over the past two decades, Bo, the School's 35th Head of School/Principal, has transformed Friends in many ways, while underpinning the foundation of the School – its Quaker heritage and values.