Bruce McClellan

Bruce McClellan, Head Master of The Lawrenceville School from 1959-86, died peacefully on October 31, 2008 in Peterborough, New Hampshire. He was 84.

Lawrenceville School Head Master Elizabeth Duffy said "The entire Lawrenceville School community is saddened by the passing of Bruce McClellan. He was a scholar, a gentleman, and as he would often say, first and foremost, a teacher, who led Lawrenceville with intelligence, wisdom, and grace. During his 27 years as Head Master, he preserved Lawrenceville's traditional strengths in teaching, learning, and residential life, while ushering in important changes to reflect broader societal trends, most notably the admittance of African American students and girls. His legacy is evident in all aspects of Lawrenceville today and for that we are grateful."

McClellan began his Lawrenceville career in 1950 as a member of the School's English Department and became the Hamill Housemaster in 1953. He was appointed Head Master in 1959 at the age of 35. Lawrenceville was transformed under his leadership, most notably with a student body that became both coeducational and increasingly diverse.

During McClellan's tenure as Head Master, the School's endowment grew from $5.3 million to more than $76 million, and annual giving increased from $23,000 to $1.3 million. This rise in finances enabled, among other things, increased student financial aid as well as the construction of Lawrenceville's Abbott Dining Room, Allan P. Kirby Arts Center, Curtis W. McGraw Health Center, Irwin Dining Center, Karl W. Corby Mathematics and Computer Center, Tiihonen Athletic Field, and the Carpenter wing of the John Dixon Library, along with four new girls' Houses. McClellan, who referred to himself in a 1986 Trenton Times interview as "a teacher by profession," continued to instruct English all through his time as Head Master, explaining, "It feeds my spirit to teach." Under his leadership, the School's academic calendar was modified to its current trimester system and the curriculum revised to become more varied and to encourage thoughtful discussion of issues.

McClellan continued to serve the School after his retirement, volunteering his expertise as a part of Lawrenceville's Residential Initiative and Head Master Council. In 1998, McClellan received one of the School's highest honors, the Masters Award, presented by Lawrenceville's Alumni Association to teachers who are retired or who have, in the past, distinguished themselves as teachers for a prolonged and sustained period of service at the School. A former Lawrenceville Trustee, McClellan was an honorary member of the classes of 1912, 1957 and 1960 and of the John Cleve Green Society.

McClellan was born on April 10, 1924 in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1941 and went to Williams College as a member of the Class of 1945, graduating cum laude in 1946 with highest honors in English. At Williams, he was a member of the Gargoyle and Phi Beta Kappa and played varsity squash. Between his sophomore and junior years at college, McClellan served as a pilot in the United States Air Force and was separated from service in September 1945 with the rank of Captain. He saw combat service over Europe with the Eighth Air Force and earned the Air Medal with clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

McClellan taught at Deerfield Academy for one year immediately after his graduation from Williams. He then studied for two years at New College, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar, earning his M.A. degree in English Language and Literature. From Oxford he returned to Williams College as Assistant Dean, a post he held one year before becoming a member of the Lawrenceville English Department.

McClellan received honorary degrees from Williams College, Lafayette College, Rider University and York College of Pennsylvania. He is a former Trustee of the Lawrenceville School, Williams College, Deerfield Academy, Historic Deerfield, "A Better Chance," The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, and the Monadnock Conservancy of which he was co-founder. He was a past president of the Headmasters Association, the American Association of Rhodes Scholars, and secretary of the New Jersey Committee for Selection of Rhodes Scholars. He was a trustee of the Heritage Foundation of Historic Deerfield and director of the Foundation\'s Fellowship Project. McClellan was also an executive assistant to New Jersey Governor Alfred E. Driscoll.

Upon his retirement from Lawrenceville, McClellan and his wife Mary Elizabeth moved to Dublin, New Hampshire. During those years he was active in conservation affairs, serving as Chairman of Dublin\'s Land Conservation Investment Program Committee and was one of three founders of the Monadnock Conservancy. He was as well a Docent and Trustee for the Society for the Preservation of New Hampshire Forests. In that period he was for four years Moderator of the Town of Dublin. He was an active member of the First Church in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, serving terms as Deacon and Moderator. The McClellans moved to RiverMead, a continuing care retirement community in Peterborough, New Hampshire, in 2005 where McClellan served as Vice President of the Resident Council and co-chair of the Current Issues Committee, planning monthly programs for residents.

McClellan is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Elizabeth (Wisotzkey) McClellan (honorary member, Lawrenceville School Class of 1950 and the Class of 1957); daughter Ann I. McClellan; son William S. and daughter-in-law Nelda Z. McClellan, their daughter, Kate (Lawrenceville School Class of 2010); and son Robert N. and daughter-in-law Linda S. McClellan, their daughter, Cassandra (Lawrenceville School Class of 2010), and son Garrett Bruce.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the McClellan Fund of the Lawrenceville School, or to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, 54 Portsmouth Street, Concord, NH 03301,or to the charity of your choice.

Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

At the family's request, there will be no calling hours.

The first of two memorial services will be at First Church, Jaffrey Center, New Hampshire, on Saturday, November 15th, 2008 at 2:00 PM.

The second memorial service will take place at The Lawrenceville School on Sunday, May 3rd, 2009.