Mary Louise Leipheimer receives Foxcroft's McGuire Award, Dedicates new building
Mary Louise Leipheimer, whose visionary ideas and uncanny leadership skills have guided Foxcroft School through transitional times to a position of strength and leadership among the nation’s top independent schools, Friday was presented with the School’s highest honor, the Anne Kane McGuire Distinguished Service Award.
Pamela Mars Wright, chair of the Foxcroft School Board of Trustees’ Committee on Trustees, made the surprise presentation at a luncheon at Foxcroft celebrating Leipheimer’s 20th year as the Head of School. Wright, a 1978 Foxcroft graduate, further surprised Leipheimer by announcing that the new gymnasium, for which ground will be broken later this year, would be named in her honor. The crowd of almost 600 trustees, alumnae, faculty, students, staff, friends and family gave Leipheimer a standing ovation at both announcements.
After the luncheon, Leipheimer led the crowd to the just-completed 18,000 square foot maintenance facility at the far end of Foxcroft’s 500-acre campus for a dedication ceremony. Board member Thomas D. Lane, of the Trustees’ Buildings and Grounds Committee, and Facilities Manager Dale E. Stotler also spoke at the first opening of a new building at the School in many years. A blessing and ribbon-cutting were followed by tours of the facility.
A country girl from Western Pennsylvania who began as an English teacher at Foxcroft in 1967 and became Head of School in 1989, Leipheimer is the 24th recipient of the McGuire Award. The award was established in 1984 in honor of Trustee Emeritus and 1952 graduate Anne Kane McGuire, who guided the School through some difficult times during her tenure as President of the Board of Trustees.
When Leipheimer took over as Head of School in 1989, Foxcroft faced many challenges in the wake of changing times, revolving-door leadership and economic unease. Today, Foxcroft boasts a vibrant student body, passionate faculty, blossoming grounds and buildings and the most successful capital campaign for endowment in the history of girls’ schools. Currently in the midst of updating the campus via a master plan that calls for a half-dozen new buildings, the School also announced recently that it had raised the $11.2 million required to begin building a new and expanded Athletic/Student Center.
Borrowing a theme from the Broadway hit A Chorus Line, commemorative materials distributed at the luncheon tabbed Leipheimer “One Singular Sensation” and the anchor of a collaborative leadership style which has “entailed a magical melding of people, program and plant with hard work, teamwork, precision, talent, inspiration, courage and creativity into a glorious kick line that launched Foxcroft into the 21st century and is ready to bring down the house.”
Alix Clark Diana, president of Foxcroft’s Board and a 1960 graduate of the School, welcomed guests to the luncheon, saying, “It is an honor and privilege to work with this outstanding educator and leader. She makes everyone around her look good and is an inspiration to all.”
Diana also read letters from the leaders of educational organizations, reflecting Leipheimer’s abundant contributions to the larger educational community. A founder of the National Coalition for Girls’ Schools (NCGS), Leipheimer is a member of the exclusive Headmasters Association and has served as chair of the Secondary School Admission Test Board, secretary of the National Association of Principals of Schools for Girls and treasurer of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) board and as a board or committee member of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
“Your passion for school leadership, your extensive knowledge of what makes for effective teaching and learning, and most of all, your unabashed love for the young women and families you serve, are not only a credit to Foxcroft but a credit to boarding schools—and indeed fine schools everywhere,” wrote Peter W. Upham, Executive Director of TABS.
Added NAIS President Patrick F. Bassett, “The world of independent schools in general and high quality education for girls in particular has been advanced at Foxcroft by many fine leaders, none more exemplary than you.”
“You have served Foxcroft School magnificently these past 20 years,” wrote Whitney Ransome, Co-Executive Director of the National Coalition for Girls’ Schools, “At the same time you have been a pivotal leader of girls’ schools around the country and the world. As one of the founding forces behind NCGS, you helped transform the educational landscape for the better.”
“In addition to Mary Lou’s remarkable leadership of Foxcroft School, she has graciously made the time over many years to be of service to countless independent school colleagues and schools within the Virginia Association of Independent Schools,” wrote VAIS Executive Director Sally K. Boese, Ed.D., who attended the luncheon. “VAIS will be forever grateful for her spirit of generosity through which she has shared her wealth of experience with all those in the greater community of independent schools.”
Back
After the luncheon, Leipheimer led the crowd to the just-completed 18,000 square foot maintenance facility at the far end of Foxcroft’s 500-acre campus for a dedication ceremony. Board member Thomas D. Lane, of the Trustees’ Buildings and Grounds Committee, and Facilities Manager Dale E. Stotler also spoke at the first opening of a new building at the School in many years. A blessing and ribbon-cutting were followed by tours of the facility.
A country girl from Western Pennsylvania who began as an English teacher at Foxcroft in 1967 and became Head of School in 1989, Leipheimer is the 24th recipient of the McGuire Award. The award was established in 1984 in honor of Trustee Emeritus and 1952 graduate Anne Kane McGuire, who guided the School through some difficult times during her tenure as President of the Board of Trustees.
When Leipheimer took over as Head of School in 1989, Foxcroft faced many challenges in the wake of changing times, revolving-door leadership and economic unease. Today, Foxcroft boasts a vibrant student body, passionate faculty, blossoming grounds and buildings and the most successful capital campaign for endowment in the history of girls’ schools. Currently in the midst of updating the campus via a master plan that calls for a half-dozen new buildings, the School also announced recently that it had raised the $11.2 million required to begin building a new and expanded Athletic/Student Center.
Borrowing a theme from the Broadway hit A Chorus Line, commemorative materials distributed at the luncheon tabbed Leipheimer “One Singular Sensation” and the anchor of a collaborative leadership style which has “entailed a magical melding of people, program and plant with hard work, teamwork, precision, talent, inspiration, courage and creativity into a glorious kick line that launched Foxcroft into the 21st century and is ready to bring down the house.”
Alix Clark Diana, president of Foxcroft’s Board and a 1960 graduate of the School, welcomed guests to the luncheon, saying, “It is an honor and privilege to work with this outstanding educator and leader. She makes everyone around her look good and is an inspiration to all.”
Diana also read letters from the leaders of educational organizations, reflecting Leipheimer’s abundant contributions to the larger educational community. A founder of the National Coalition for Girls’ Schools (NCGS), Leipheimer is a member of the exclusive Headmasters Association and has served as chair of the Secondary School Admission Test Board, secretary of the National Association of Principals of Schools for Girls and treasurer of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) board and as a board or committee member of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
“Your passion for school leadership, your extensive knowledge of what makes for effective teaching and learning, and most of all, your unabashed love for the young women and families you serve, are not only a credit to Foxcroft but a credit to boarding schools—and indeed fine schools everywhere,” wrote Peter W. Upham, Executive Director of TABS.
Added NAIS President Patrick F. Bassett, “The world of independent schools in general and high quality education for girls in particular has been advanced at Foxcroft by many fine leaders, none more exemplary than you.”
“You have served Foxcroft School magnificently these past 20 years,” wrote Whitney Ransome, Co-Executive Director of the National Coalition for Girls’ Schools, “At the same time you have been a pivotal leader of girls’ schools around the country and the world. As one of the founding forces behind NCGS, you helped transform the educational landscape for the better.”
“In addition to Mary Lou’s remarkable leadership of Foxcroft School, she has graciously made the time over many years to be of service to countless independent school colleagues and schools within the Virginia Association of Independent Schools,” wrote VAIS Executive Director Sally K. Boese, Ed.D., who attended the luncheon. “VAIS will be forever grateful for her spirit of generosity through which she has shared her wealth of experience with all those in the greater community of independent schools.”
This website uses cookies to ensure the best experience for visitors to our website.
By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of these cookies.
See our Privacy Policy for additional information.
By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of these cookies.
See our Privacy Policy for additional information.
An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.
