When Rick Hardy assumed the position of interim head of school on July 1, 2007, he began his 25th year of commitment to the unique culture of learning and living that distinguishes Milton Academy. Rick’s understanding of Milton’s mission has evolved through his participation in numerous roles and leadership positions since his arrival in 1983.

Over the last two years, Rick was Upper School principal. He chaired the English department for five years, interrupting that tenure to serve for a year as interim principal, in 2000–2001. He and his family have lived on campus during his Milton years; Rick served as co-head of Faulkner house and as a house parent in Goodwin House. He coached softball, baseball and boys’ soccer, and was the advisor to the Milton Paper.

Rick chaired search committees that last year recruited Milton’s athletic director, Bill Whitmore, and this year our dean of students, Bridget Johnson. His participation in ad hoc committees over his many years of teaching provided direct experience with issues crucial to sustaining the quality of the educational experience at Milton: from the Schedule Review Committee and the Curriculum Committee to the New England Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Committee on professional staff. He has been involved in the recent renovations of Warren and Wigglesworth halls, as well as the integration of the Schwarz Student Center into campus life.

Rick graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Hampshire and earned his master’s degree from Brown University, where he was awarded one of four annual teaching fellowships in the Writing Program. He is a runner, reader, and writer, and enjoys spending time with his wife Adele Gagne, and his children, Aidan ’06 and Owen ’10.