Sept. 21, 2018

Dear Shady Side Academy Community,

Ten months ago, the Board of Trustees embarked on a journey to select the next president of Shady Side Academy. With the trusted counsel of our search consultants from RG175, our Presidential Search Committee, comprised of 16 trustees, methodically worked through the credentials of more than 200 applicants to reduce the applicant pool to 20 applicants. From the pool of 20 applicants, our Presidential Search Committee selected a diverse and inclusive pool of six semifinalists to come to Pittsburgh for interviews in August. Upon completion of these interviews, the Presidential Search Committee narrowed the field to three finalists. The first finalist's visit was scheduled to begin on September 23, 2018.

The strength of Shady Side Academy's reputation, and the desirability of this position, placed Shady Side in a position where the Academy was competing, on a national basis, for the most talented candidates in the country. In fact, two of our three finalists were also finalists in other prominent independent school searches. Earlier this week, we learned that there were significant competitive forces who were extremely interested in our top candidate. Faced with this information, and the chance of losing our top candidate, the Presidential Search Committee unanimously recommended last night that the Board of Trustees take swift and decisive action to make a formal offer to our top candidate. This morning, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved this recommendation at a special meeting.  It is my great honor to inform you that Shady Side Academy has hired Bartley P. Griffith, Jr. '93 as its next President.

Bart currently serves as the assistant head of school at Gilman School, which is a K-12 independent day school in Baltimore, MD.  He was the leading candidate at every stage of the Presidential Search Committee's process. We were impressed by his thoughtfulness, integrity, track record of innovation, ability to answer tough questions, and, most of all, by his heart. As part of our rigorous vetting process, the Presidential Search Committee commissioned a professional surveyor to solicit feedback from direct reports, peers, and supervisors in organizations where each of our finalists previously worked. Bart's references and comments were exceptional. One of Bart's direct reports stated "Bart is one of a kind - a soul called to the work of teaching, learning and leadership in schools – a joy to know and a pleasure to work for." One of Bart's peers stated "Bart has a strong command of what makes an educational institution strong. He is able to create processes to bring a new idea or vision to fruition." Finally, one of the heads who has served as a mentor to Bart stated "Bart has wonderful organizational skills, attention to detail, and great follow through – he is very clear, extremely passionate and always motivational." The Board of Trustees also saw each of these qualities in Bart. In addition, Bart, as an alumnus and long-term member of the Academy's Board of Visitors, has the incredible intangible attribute of a deep love of Shady Side Academy and Pittsburgh. We encourage you to review Bart's bio and resume to see all that he has accomplished.

The selection of the Academy's President is the single most important function of the Board of Trustees. As a result of the tremendous efforts of search co-chairs Jeff McDaniel '88 and Rob Mullin '93, and my fellow trustees on the Presidential Search Committee, the Board of Trustees was well positioned to exercise its fiduciary obligation to achieve this outstanding outcome.The Academy is greatly indebted to every member of the Presidential Search Committee for their loyalty, devotion and service. Additionally, it is a great privilege to chair a Board of Trustees that is so deeply committed to this special institution.

We are thrilled to announce that Bart and his wife, Danica, will be coming to Shady Side Academy to visit this Sunday, September 23, through Wednesday, September 26. There will be opportunities for the community to meet them on the following dates:

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

The Griffith family, including their daughter, Colette (8), and son, Cannon (7), will move to Eastover this summer. Bart will officially start as Shady Side Academy's next President on July 1, 2019.

Please join me in welcoming our next President – Bartley P. Griffith, Jr. '93.

Glory to Shady Side!

Jon Kamin '91
Chair, Board of Trustees