Milton welcomes Lucretia Wells, dean of students

Lucretia (Lukie) Wells arrived at Milton this July, enthusiastic about plunging into the life, times and people of Milton Academy. Lukie came to Milton from Darrow School in New Lebanon, New York where she had been the dean of students since 1999. At Darrow, Lukie managed the residential life and discipline programs, health services, advisor program, and guidance committee.

Lukie also taught English at Darrow as she did at the Oregon Episcopal School in Portland, Oregon and Groton School in Groton, Massachusetts. Lukie spent three years at the George School in Newtown, Pennsylvania as a learning specialist and head of the Campus Life Study Group. During her 13 years in the field of education, Lukie also worked as an admission officer, a summer programs coordinator, director of study skills, a basketball, running and crew coach, and as a dorm parent (for 10 years). Lukie attended Groton School and Boston University and earned a master's degree in special education from Portland State University.

Lukie didn't take a direct route to her work in schools, however. After college, she spent three years working in finance, where she was "miserable." Finally at dinner with her family, Lukie's sister-in-law asked, "If you could have any job in the world, what would if be?" "Teaching English and coaching crew at a boarding school," Lukie retorted without a pause. "Then do it!" her family responded in chorus. She called her former headmaster at Groton, and sent her resume along.

"I had a truly positive experience in boarding school," Lukie says, "and I wanted to give back in my professional life. What always struck me was how much adults give and get from students. Boarding school is a life style, where life isn't about just a narrow specialty, like sports or drama. I couldn't believe how much adults were ready to give to help me develop my whole person."

Shortly thereafter, Lukie was teaching at Groton, providing study skills support to 25 students, and coaching crew, and her life in schools has continued. With regard to her role as dean, Lukie sees herself as a liaison between students and the institution. Her goal is to "have them understand one another well. My career has been about supporting students so that they can be successful, within but not limited to academic situations - with overall social and community life as well.

Lukie adds some interesting personal goals to her professional ones. As she starts at Milton, her husband Jonathon also begins a new career. "I want to support my husband who has just finished a program in professional photography at the International Center for Photography. His photographic focus combines his love of landscaping and his training as a hydrologist, and I'm excited about what he plans to do."

Lukie also wants to continue her hobby competing in triathlons. She trains year-round, running, biking, swimming and working with weights. Summer is the race season, and this summer Lukie has competed in a bike race in the Berkshires, as well as a triathlon and a road race, both in New York. Not incidentally, Lukie and Jonathan would like to maintain a social life, too - a full plate for their lives as members of the Milton community. Welcome, Lukie.