Sept. 5, 2018

Dear Shady Side Academy Community,

I am pleased to provide you with an update on the status of our search for the next president of Shady Side Academy.

Our 16-member Presidential Search Committee, under the leadership of trustees Jeff McDaniel '88 and Rob Mullin '93, has been extremely busy over the summer. The initial pool of applicants for the position of president exceeded 200, including applicants from across the country and around the world. The strength of this pool confirmed our belief that the position of president is a true "destination" position, and that Shady Side Academy's reputation in the academic world is very strong.

With the help of our search consultants from RG 175, we narrowed the field to 20 very well-qualified candidates. Each of these candidates was reviewed and vetted by the Presidential Search Committee in July. After many hours of review and study, the committee selected a diverse and inclusive pool of six semifinalists, including high-profile school heads, associate heads and university leaders. Notably, the committee's decision on the selection of the six semifinalists was unanimous.

In late August, the Presidential Search Committee hosted each semifinalist in Pittsburgh for a weekend of interviews. Each member of the committee met with the candidates and had the opportunity to ask many thoughtful and detailed questions. The process was very rigorous and, at the same time, educational in many respects. After much debate and deliberation, the committee unanimously identified three finalists, each of whom will be visiting Shady Side in the upcoming weeks. In order to protect the integrity of the process, each finalist's name will be announced the week before their visit.

The three finalists' visits are scheduled on the following dates:

• September 23-26
  
• September 30-October 3
• October 14-17

The schedule for these visits is extremely busy. Each finalist will meet with the Presidential Search Committee, the Advisory Committee, the administration, and the faculty and staff at all four campuses. During each finalist's visit, there also will be two evening events for parents, alumni and other SSA community members to meet and learn about the finalist. These events are scheduled as follows:

• Monday, Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct. 15, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Hillman Center, Senior School
• Tuesday, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 16, 5:45-6:45 p.m., Junior School Library

The Board of Trustees plans to make its selection shortly after the last finalist has departed.

This tremendous undertaking would not have been possible without the significant effort, energy and time of the members of our Presidential Search Committee, the administration and especially Board Secretary Debi Mauder. I would like to thank each and every one of them for their participation in this process and their devotion to Shady Side Academy.

The Board of Trustees recognizes that the hiring of a new president is the single most important decision a board must make. I assure you that we understand the gravity of the decision that has been entrusted to us and that we will carry out our duty with fidelity to our mission and to this great institution. Thank you again for your trust. We hope that you will have the opportunity to join us for all of the excitement over the next several weeks.

Glory to Shady Side!

Jon Kamin '91
Chair, Board of Trustees