Academics
Faculty Chairs
Named Faculty Chairs
Westminster School takes great pride in its dedicated and inspiring faculty, whose vocational commitment to teaching excellence shapes the lives of our students every day. To recognize and support their invaluable contributions, we are honored to offer named and endowed Faculty Chairs that celebrate outstanding educators and their impact on our community. Established through the generosity of alumni, parents, and friends of the school, these chairs not only acknowledge distinguished faculty members but also reinforce Westminster’s tradition of academic excellence and lifelong learning.
Mike Van Dolah
Robert F. Bynum ’69 Chair in Science
Established in 2019 by alumnus and Westminster Fellow Bob Bynum, Class of 1969, this chair supports the Head of the Science Department.
Sara Mogck
Coumantaros Family and William V.N. Philip
History Department Chair
History Department Chair
John and Elena Coumantaros, along with their daughter, Sophia ’21, established this chair in 2020 to honor William V.N. Philip, the school’s eighth head of school and a lifelong historian and educator. The chair supports the Head of the History Department.
Jessica Keough
Walter E. Edge Jr. Master Chair
Established in 1984, this chair is awarded every five years to a distinguished teacher whose performance sets a standard of excellence for others. The award is named in honor of Walter Edge Jr., Class of 1935, whose love of Westminster and generosity to the school are legendary.
Todd Eckerson P’09, ’11, ’17, ’21
Gow Senior Master Chair
Established in 1972 by C. McGhee Baxter Jr., Class of 1937, and former students of John Gow in honor of his 47 years of service to Westminster, this chair recognizes the faculty member with the longest tenure.
Lee J. Huguley P’26
John Sherwin Jr. ’57 and W. Graham Cole Jr. Chair
Established in 2010 by Jack Sherwin, Class of 1957 and chairman of the Board of Trustees 1997–2004, to honor his close friend Graham Cole, the school’s seventh head of school, and to recognize Westminster leadership. This chair is awarded every three years to recognize a senior faculty member who sets the standard for leadership and embodies the true meaning of Grit and Grace.
Kelly Curtis P’24, ’27
The Simpson Family Chair for Teaching and Learning
Established in 2024 by trustee Gary Simpson and his wife, Sandi, in honor of their son, Max ’24, this fund supports the Director of Learning Services.
Colleen Joncas
C. Hiram Upson Family Chair
Established in 2003 by former trustee and alumnus Hi Upson, Class of 1950, this chair is awarded every five years and honors a faculty member in the humanities who is a master teacher of writing.
Mike Lawler
Donald H. Werner Chair in English
Established in 1992 in honor of Westminster’s sixth head of school, Donald H. Werner, this chair supports the Head of the English Department.
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In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School.
In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School.
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