What are some things you see at Emma that most people don’t?

Everybody walks by these buildings and just looks at their beauty. They are, indeed, beautiful. I see all the little things that need to be fixed. I get to see a lot of spaces that nobody else really gets to see—like the attics, the roofs, and places like that. One of my favorite places has always been the top of Sage Tower. I get to take people up there and do tours. Matter of fact, I’m taking an advisee group right after this. 

There are also parts of the Back 40 that people don’t get to. There are a lot of little spaces on this campus that nobody really knows. We own two satellite properties that nobody really sees. From Central Avenue to the Crossways—we own all that property in between, and it was originally given to the school for horse riding. There were trails in there, and I monitor it—make sure nothing silly is happening. And then, if you go out Spring Avenue, we own 28 acres of woodland between two cemeteries—it was, again, for riding. 

What’s your perspective on the historical preservation work on campus?

I think many things should be preserved. But like anything else, it takes funding, and the program takes priority. I’d really like to continue the masonry and parapet restoration, some of which didn’t happen this summer due to labor shortages. But hopefully next year we can get back on it. 

Regarding the Lafayette mural, I had a strong feeling that we’d be coming back around to [restoring that space]. That is why the wall we installed [to make an office] is very temporary. It’s friction-fit, so we can just pop it out and go back to normal. I actually had a young lady living with my family from kindergarten through high school, and she came here for a year. I would find her almost every time she didn’t have class in the Lafayette Suite, sitting on the couch, reading. That’s a special place for me. I’m glad that we’re getting it restored—really happy.

What’s something that’s crucial to the school running smoothly that most people don’t think about?

Putting together all the events and things that happen on campus. It’s actually a lot of work. I don’t think many people realize how much work goes into every little setup, meeting, and all the coordination that happens. I have a very strong, dedicated team that brings a variety of talents to accomplish just about anything we need to. We also have a lot of good leadership and support here.

What are some positive changes you’ve seen in your time on Mount Ida?

Once upon a time, we would invest money into something that was tired just to keep it running rather than replace it. The mentality was that if it only costs $1,000 to fix it, that’s what we are going to do, because it costs $10,000 to replace it. I thought, ‘Yes, but in three years, we’ll spend that $10,000 and still have an old piece of equipment that needs to be replaced.’ I have ended that. No more saving junk—only things that are worth saving. Good furniture is always worth saving, but an old piece of equipment that has passed its prime is not worth saving. We’ve also been able to invest in quality tools over the last several years. You can’t make miracles happen without proper tools. Fortunately, I have a great team that takes good care of the tools, so we’ll have those for a long time. Probably long after me.

You have a student who has been shadowing you for a year or so—Ava V. ’26. What’s that been like?

Ava is the first student I’ve had work with me that much. She just has an incredible thirst for learning. She’s planning to go to school for engineering, and she just really wants to know how things work. Ava is a quick learner and very enthusiastic. Last year, I got her into running wire, doing electrical troubleshooting, working on the fire alarm with me, doing some plumbing. Towards the end of the school year, we got into fine woodworking as she helped me build the box for well-wishes we sent with Jenny. Currently, we’re on a top-secret mission for Karen, which won’t be a secret by the time you read this. We’re making a box to hold the hopes and dreams students shared with her. I let Ava design it. She came up with the concept, and we’re executing it together. I wouldn’t mind if other students wanted to do this. It’s a really fun way to learn. 

What’s up next for you?

Just a continued effort to make this place as good as it ever was, or better. Leave the place better than we found it.

 

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This article was originally written for the Fall 2025/Winter 2026 edition of Signature magazine.
 

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