Opening Convocation Address
August 30, 2003 The Road Not Taken
- Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

From all across the United States and from around the world, we have come together to begin Foxcroft's 90th year. Different cultures, different languages, different accents, different opinions, different food preferences, different gifts-all our differences are here joined by a powerful common denominator: each of us has chosen to be in a school that in and of itself is proud of being different; each of us has chosen "a road less traveled."

Charlotte Haxall Noland, our founder, had hated her school experiences, loved adolescents, and passionately believed in a "different" model. Like other schools, of course, "the 3 R's"-academics/education-would be central; however, in her model the delivery, the physical, emotional, and spiritual environment, the expectations, and the life would be equal partners with that core. Simplicity in style and substance, directness, personal integrity, institutional responsibility, and community would be the guiding principles in her holistic model. And her unwavering focus-not indulgence-would be on "her girls." To accomplish this, she would gather together people of like minds, and they would forge a new paradigm despite her lack or rather dearth of capital. People would be her capital; people were her "soul of substance," and the "understanding heart," her shield. Thus, "her girls" would juggle the life of the mind with responsibilities of the soul and in so doing, prepare to lead.

In her "sermon" at the first reunion in 1934, twenty years after the founding, Miss Charlotte said, "I have always had an idea that if I could get true ideals and standards firmly into the lives of the few girls out of all the world who come to me, I could help to leaven hundreds of people outside." And leaven she did. Throughout the world Foxcroft women-Foxcroft leaders stand out. Some of those are leaders with titles, and some are informal leaders, the ones found in every community who make a quiet, often unrecognized, difference. Strong and healthy communities, countries, and families rely on both kinds, and both are in "the active pursuit of the common good."

Consider these:

Frances Stevens Reese '35, recently deceased, came to Foxcroft a shy, young woman from a family tradition where women were "seen and not heard." Yet, one headline after her death read: "key leader of modern environmental movement leaves powerful legacy!" The ensuing article said:

"The Hudson Valley would be a far different place today if it were not for the nearly four decades of Franny Reese's vision and unceasing dedication. Long before it was fashionable, she saw intrinsic value in the myriad of people and places that make our valley a touchstone for our national heritage. She viewed the whole fabric of our region as one piece and understood that like the delicate ecosystem of our river, the Hudson Valley's treasures are inextricably intertwined."

Frances Stevens Reese found a voice at Foxcroft.

Anne Legendre Armstrong '45, a quiet girl from New Orleans, was eventually the head of the student body here and therein learned quite well. The first woman appointed the U. S. Ambassador to Great Britain, a former counselor to Presidents Nixon and Ford, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, she serves as an Honorary Trustee for Foxcroft because she believes the school shaped her life.

Diana Hardin Walker '59, Time Magazine's photographer at the White House, completed the book on her experiences last October. Public & Private: TwentyYears Photographing the Presidency chronicles American history as well as an individual career. In the copy Diana sent to our library, she wrote: "Thanks to Peter Hemmenway, a math teacher who loved photography. From his wife Chal, I learned much of the history of art, and she taught us color and form. All this has helped me through the years. I owe Foxcroft for this and much more."

Ferrell Page McClean '64 was never a shrinking violet; however, like her peers in 1960 which was prior to the women's movement, she had no idea what would follow Foxcroft. Ultimately though, after Harvard, she was the highest ranking woman ever at J. P. Morgan, Wall Street's flagship, from which she retired as a Managing Director of Corporate Finance. When Ferrell spoke to the student body two years ago, she explained her leadership gift to our math department by saying "Foxcroft's math classes laid the foundation for my career by giving me the tools to feel confident in myself, to always ask why, and to ask for an explanation when I didn't understand."

Patti Mora '95 came to Foxcroft as a very quiet ninth grader. Her demeanor then was certainly not an omen for her career. The only softball player in recorded Foxcroft history to pitch four straight seasons, Patti did model stick-to-itiveness and patience. A scholar, she left for Stanford, major unknown. She now teaches elementary school in intercity Los Angeles. Patti says that from the time she took Mr. Weinbach's Nazi Germany history class at Foxcroft she couldn't just sit around and read about social injustices. "I learned we could actually do something about them." She tosses around the idea of eventually trying to start a prep school for disadvantaged kids in East Los Angeles. "My teachers at Foxcroft-every single one of them-made a difference."

The environment, public service, photojournalism, finance, and education offer just five examples of this small school's huge contribution to the greater world. The stories are endless; their message, whatever the decade, the same: Foxcroft "grows" leaders in disproportional numbers for its size. Perhaps a more apt phrase would go: Foxcroft's size allows its people-its "soul of substance"-to connect and in that connection to know one another. When a young woman is known in her formative years, she will develop the confidence to go anywhere and to do anything.

A writer's work becomes a classic when it stands the test of time. And so it is with schools. By remaining faithful to our roots, Foxcroft's legacy grows. As in 1914, Foxcroft remains simple in style and substance. No glitz, time-honored rules, hard work, the assumption for integrity and honor, and the expectation for service. The key: be kind-kind, not blind; questioning, not demanding; precise, not picky; challenging, not threatening; inclusive, not clique-ee; laughing, not sneering; joining in, not hiding; tolerant, not wishy-washy; loving, not condescending-authentic!

Sitting here today are the formal and informal leaders of tomorrow. I know that because you have already led with your choice of the Foxcroft model, "the road less taken." And I believe for you, as it has been for your sisters over nine decades, your road less taken will prove that different makes the difference.


Mary Lou Leipheimer
Head of School