William Mann Irvine
Boyd Edwards
Charles S. Tippetts '12
William C. Fowle
Walter H Burgin, Jr. '53
Douglas Hale
William Mann Irvine
1893–1928
William Mann Irvine, Ph.D., was appointed to lead Mercersburg in 1893 at the age of 28. Previously an instructor at Franklin and Marshall College, Dr. Irvine earned a Ph.D. in political science from Princeton University in 1892.
Within months of his appointment, Dr. Irvine renamed the school Mercersburg Academy and reorganized it as a college preparatory school on the Exeter model. Dr. Irvine launched the new school in the fall of 1893 with 40 boys, four instructors, and four acres of leased ground.
During Dr. Irvine's tenure, Mercersburg rapidly grew in size and stature, gaining regional and national recognition as a top college preparatory boarding school with strong ties to Princeton University. Among his achievements was the construction of three dormitories, a dining hall, gymnasium, infirmary, administration building, and the Chapel. A new Main Hall and Annex were built after a fire gutted Old Main in 1927.
Boyd Edwards
1928–1941
Boyd Edwards, D.D., was elected headmaster in 1928 on the death of the previous headmaster, William Mann Irvine. Dr. Edwards, who held a doctor of divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary, successfully guided the school through the Great Depression, while further raising the academic standards and improving the physical plant of the Academy.
Charles S. Tippetts '12
1941–1961
Charles S. Tippetts ’12, Ph.D., resigned from a deanship at the University of Pittsburgh to become headmaster in 1941. A graduate of Harvard and Princeton universities, Dr. Tippetts presided over the difficult war years and the completion of a new development program begun in 1949. During this time, Irvine Hall was competed and the James Buchanan cabin, birthplace of our 15th president, was moved onto the campus.
William C. Fowle
1961–1972
William C. Fowle came to Mercersburg in 1961 from The Hotchkiss School in Connecticut. As headmaster, Mr. Fowle greatly enhanced the Academy’s facilities, strengthened its endowment, and smoothly introduced coeducation and racial integration. Among other projects, his tenure saw the completion of Tippetts Hall and the construction of Boone Hall and Ford Dining Hall.
Walter H. Burgin Jr. '53
1972–1997
In 1972, Walter H. Burgin Jr. ’53 left his teaching post at Phillips Exeter Academy to take over as headmaster at Mercersburg. Mr. Burgin previously served as chair and members of the Academy’s mathematics department. During his 25-year tenure, Mr. Burgin fully integrated girls into all areas of school life and led a comprehensive reshaping of the Academy's academic facilities, including the construction of Lenfest Hall, the school’s 55,000-volume library. Mr. Burgin developed a tradition of strong partnership in the decision-making process between headmaster and faculty, and greatly strengthened the Academy’s financial and physical assets.
Douglas Hale
1997–present
Douglas Hale came to Mercersburg in 1997 from Baylor School, where he served variously as teacher, assistant headmaster, and headmaster since 1973.
Mr. Hale’s tenure has been marked by remarkable growth in faculty, admission, academic programs, technology, endowment, and the overall physical plant.
Since 1997, Mercersburg has renovated every residence hall, and connected the entire campus to a wireless network. The academic program has grown to include more than 35 AP and Honors courses. The athletic program now supports 29 teams; the department’s outstanding facilities include a new squash center, tennis center, and baseball field. The fine arts program has expanded to include dance, instrumental and vocal programs, and visual arts—and the remarkable new Burgin Center for the Arts, opened in September 2006.
Mr. Hale has also presided over dramatic growth of the School’s endowment, which now stands at more than $170 million.
Find out more about Head of School Douglas Hale.
