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About NMH Future
President Mueller Announces Plans
to Retire
January 26, 2005
 On January 24, 2005 President Richard W. Mueller announced that
he had decided to step down as president of Northfield Mount
Hermon School in June 2005. He was head of school from 1998-2004
and became president last year.
President Mueller said, “After seven years leading NMH, this is
a good time to make a change. We have a clear vision for the
future based on the bold decision of the board of trustees
last year to become a smaller school on one campus and to
find good alternative uses for the Northfield campus. We will
be an even better school with a unique educational program
of the head, hand, and heart that serves students well. I have
confidence in the solid senior team in place led by Head of
School Thomas K. Sturtevant.”
Mueller said, “My wife Claire and I will be forever grateful for
the opportunity to lead such a wonderful institution through
an historic period to a bright future. We will cherish the memories
of working with such a talented and dedicated faculty and staff.
They and our students are the heart and soul of this very
special place.”
Mueller said he and his wife have not yet decided on any
specific plans after they leave Northfield Mount Hermon.
Chairman of the NMH Board of Trustees William R. Rhodes said
he accepts Mueller’s decision with regret. “Richard has led
Northfield Mount Hermon through an extraordinary period of
change, both through the economic downturn and the strategic
planning for the future. His leadership of the school was a
key factor in the board of trustees’ unanimous, strategic decision
of January 17, 2004. There is good momentum and a clear set of
plans that will serve the best interests of our students over
the long run.”
Mr. Rhodes expressed his confidence in Mr. Sturtevant, who had
come to NMH as associate head of school in 2003 and became head
of school in 2004, as will as in the senior leadership team.
“Each is an experienced leader who knows the school well and is
excited about our plans for the future. I have equal confidence
in the leadership and strength of the faculty, staff, and
administrators during this time of transition. They deserve
special appreciation and thanks for their support of our
students and school.”
Mr. Rhodes said he looks forward to Mr. Mueller’s continued
support of NMH both as an alumnus of the Class of 1962 and a
former head of School.
More information about this important announcement
Timing of the decision
Mueller’s decision to retire in June indicates his strong
confidence in the school’s future and the leadership team. After
seven years at NMH he has decided that, for two reasons, the
end of the school year would be a good time for him to step
down.
First, it’s a time that works for NMH. There is a an exciting
vision for the future, with clear directions from the board of
trustees; good momentum in implementing our plans; a solid
leadership team in place led by Head of School Tom Sturtevant;
a strong board that has grown to 23 trustees from 15 when Mueller
first arrived seven years ago; and a clear process underway
for finding alternative uses for the Northfield campus.
Second, it’s a natural time for Claire and Richard Mueller to
consider the next chapter of their lives and careers. Mueller
says they learned in the Foreign Service to move on while
feeling positive and before becoming burned out. He strongly
believes the school is in excellent hands under Tom Sturtevant’s
and the board’s leadership.
Leadership planning a natural part of our overall strategic
planning
As a natural part of the overall strategic planning, the
position of associate head of school was created in 2003, and
Tom Sturtevant was hired to support Mueller’s leadership as head
of school.
At Mueller’s recommendation, the board of trustees recreated the
position of president last year and appointed Mueller;
simultaneously, Tom Sturtevant was appointed head of school.
This arrangement has worked well during the intensive
implementation of the board’s January 2004 decision. Mueller,
Sturtevant, and the board have worked closely together.
Looking ahead
With respect to the Northfield campus, the Northfield
Stewardship Committee of the board will continue to oversee the
active process underway and work with Mueller, Tom Sturtevant,
and Director of the Northfield Campus Initiative Carol Lebo.
After the upcoming February 11 meeting of the board, we will
describe the next steps in the carefully considered plan to
find alternative uses for the Northfield campus, in particular,
a single educational institution.
With respect to fundraising and alumni relations, Dean of
Development and Alumni Relations Peter Ticconi continues to lead
a strong DAR staff. Sturtevant will work with Mueller and
Ticconi over the next six months to meet alumni and donors. In
addition, Sturtevant is adjusting the leadership structure to
ensure that students continue to be well-supported and the
transition proceeds smoothly.
About President Mueller
President of the School Richard W. Mueller ’62 spent 32 years in
the Foreign Service, including an appointment as US consul
general to Hong Kong. A speaker of Chinese, Vietnamese, and
German, he has lived in Hong Kong, Beijing, Saigon, Australia,
Taiwan, and Europe. He served as head of the school at NMH from
1998 to 2004, when the board of trustees appointed him
president. Mueller earned an AB from the College of William and
Mary.
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