Andrew Jannetta ’14, Taryn Gallegher ’14:
Scholium: So to begin, how do you feel about having a new head of school and new head of upper school?
Locke: Ham Clark and Geoff Wagg have brought EA so many years of good service, and the School will certainly feel that loss. One need only to look at the magnificent campus and the talented faculty to see tangible evidence of their leadership. I am sure it will be unsettling for some to have change in two major positions at the School, but I am confident that Dr. Dinkins and I will effectively continue the tradition of excellence. I think the entire EA community will feel our enthusiasm next year. Change is part of the natural evolution of schools, and I for one feel fortunate to be inheriting a school in such good health. With all great schools, there will always be challenges and areas for growth, and I cannot wait to begin working with the entire EA community to continue our path toward our potential.
Scholium: As you mentioned in your previous response, change is a natural and good thing in schools. On that note, are there any adjustments you are looking to make to the Episcopal community, and what traditions or aspects do you wish to preserve?
Locke: That is a great question and one that many people have asked me. Because the School is doing well, I do not have an agenda for what needs to be changed. My intent is to “hit the ground learning” and have many conversations with students, teachers, parents, and staff to hear their thoughts on this question. There will be many important traditions that we will preserve for sure.
Scholium: On the subject of traditions, are you excited to join the Episcopal-Haverford-Agnes Irwin rivalry? Do you have anything like it at the Newman School?
Locke: On my first visit to EA after being offered the position, I spent close to $300 in the school store buying EA gear for my family and me. One thing you will find out quickly is how passionate and supportive I am of athletics. The EA-Haverford-Agnes Irwin rivalry is something I am looking forward to. I can only imagine the school spirit that infests the entire community. I’ll be cheering loudly and proudly from the sidelines. We do not have anything like that here at Newman. We play in the state league with public and private schools together. In our football conference this year, we had the number one team in the country. Also in our conference were some charter schools that had just formed a high school. We were either winning by 50 or losing by 50! We do have some local independent schools that we play, and our basketball rivalry with one of them has been very good over the last few years, but it is not the same as what happens in the Inter-AC.
Scholium: Continuing the subject of sports, we’re aware that you’re a volleyball enthusiast, and an extremely successful one at that. Are you considering adding volleyball as one of the sports available to students?
Locke: Volleyball is a great sport, and I would love to see it come to EA. But just because I love the game does not mean it is the right move for the school. The great thing about a new sport is it gives athletes a chance to try something new and perhaps find a new passion. I remember coaching a young, ninth grade boy. He was a tall, skinny basketball player who had never picked up a volleyball in his life. We convinced him to come out for the team, and four years later, he was playing Division I Volleyball for Ohio State. He had found a new passion. Volleyball is the kind of sport that you can learn quickly if you work hard. Adding additional sports to an already vibrant program can have unintended, negative consequences, and
my goal is to further strengthen our athletic program. We can look at the issue down the road, and if it makes sense we could add it. Honestly, I think the chances are remote.
Scholium: J-term has become a topic of some controversy, with opinions on both ends of the spectrum. Some students and faculty find it a great opportunity to explore new fields of learning, while others would rather take midterms. What are your thoughts on J-term? Do you see longevity in the program if it is “successful” next year?
Locke: I think it is critical in today’s world that we create educational opportunities that build upon a strong liberal arts foundation. Branching out into learning that is experiential, interdisciplinary, or technology-enhanced is a compelling goal. I am excited about J-Term and look forward to seeing what we can do with it. There is a lot of discussion and movement in higher education these days, and I am proud that EA is trying new things. I am seeing examples of innovative approaches to education that also have tremendous rigor and value. I am sure we will learn a lot from the J-Term experience, and I am confident it will help us to grow as a school.
Scholium: There has been a lot of talk recently on dress code issues, what is your stance on dress code? What do you think dress code says about our school?
Locke: Dress is an issue that is complicated in schools. At a school like EA, people expect to see students well dressed. Alumni and even the larger community expect a professionalism about an EA student, and dress is a part of that. Dressing well says something about taking the academic pursuits seriously. When I first came on campus, I was impressed with the
look of the students (though I do agree about the skirt length issue). As with many issues, I try to keep an open mind, and I am open to further conversation.