Michael Smerconish ’14: As Episcopal continues its own search for a new headmaster, The Haverford School has announced that Dr. John A. Nagl will become their ninth Head of School, beginning in the 2013-2014 school year. Nagl boasts a PhD. from Oxford University and over twenty years of service in the United States Army. Although he has no professional background in independent school administration, the decision of Haverford’s search committee was “unanimous,” according to the school’s website.
Nagl, originally from Omaha, Nebraska, attended the United States Military Academy, where he graduated in the top of his class. According to a New York Times Magazine profile on Nagl, his decision to attend West Point was “out of a desire to serve his nation and spare his family the expense of putting him through college.” After being selected as a Rhodes Scholar, Nagl spent two years at Oxford before returning to the military as a tank platoon commander in the Persian Gulf War. Over the course of his career in the army, Nagl fought in both Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, receiving two Bronze Star Medals for his heroism.
He has appeared on 60 Minutes, NPR, and NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. He has also written for the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.
Nagl played an integral role in the writing of the The U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual, a guide that revamped strategies for U.S. counterinsurgency. The New York Times noted, “[in his writing] Maj. John Nagl approaches war pragmatically and philosophically, as a soldier and a scholar.”
On Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show, Nagl summarized the book’s message to soldiers, simply stating, “Be polite. Be professional. Be prepared to kill.” While this mantra certainly applies to his work in the military, Nagl will have to create an entirely different strategy for his new position.
Haverford’s search committee made it clear that, even with such an impressive resume, it was “John’s inspirational leadership and passion for educating future generations of boys and young men” that made him stick out.
Nagl will replace current Head of School, Dr. Joseph Cox. According to a letter released by the school last November, “[Cox’s] decision to retire from Haverford in twenty months is based on personal, physical and professional considerations.”
Referencing one of his favorite poets, Robert Frost, Cox noted, “It is the end of a season but not the end of my love of The Haverford School, and for the sake of the long term health of the school I believe this is the best time to step aside.”
Haverford’s search began with the organization of a committee composed of parents, alumni, and faculty to guide the selection process. In a school-wide email titled “Headmaster Search Update” from last year, the committee noted that they expected “to consider candidates from near and far throughout the independent school world, as well as potential candidates from higher education and other related fields.” 300 candidates were screened and 65 were considered.
The school credits Cox’s “extraordinary leadership” for being able to attract so many high- quality candidates. Nagl will join Haverford not only as Head of School but also as a parent; his son Jack will begin Middle School at the school there next year.
Before the committee decided on Nagl, Cox stated, “I wish you, my successor, and The Haverford School the greatest possible success.”