by Liz Mantush ’25<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Friday, September 6th, Mr. Martin Mooney was officially Installed as Wyoming Seminary\u2019s 15 Head of School after almost a year and a half of coming to know and love our community. He was surrounded by his peers, friends, family, and students from both the Upper and Lower School campuses. The ceremony was preceded by Mr. Mooney’s favorite way to begin an event, whether it\u2019s graduation or his own installation, a pipe band. As the band played, faculty entered the building in their academic regalia, led by a team of SEM students acting as flag bearers, proudly displaying the array of countries that Wyoming Seminary represents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seated on-stage among Mr. Mooney were his colleagues, Anthony Berger, Raymond Cabot, Rev. Charles Carrick, Jay Harvey, Kathryn Mercado, and student speaker Ifechi (Chi) Ebi-Ekweozoh.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Levi Sprague Fellow, Ifechi (Chi) Ebi-Ekweozoh began the ceremony with a moving speech regarding Mr. Mooney, touching on both the impact he has had on her and the friendship that they have built over the past year. She spoke on her feelings and hopes for SEM\u2019s future, as well as Mr. Mooney\u2019s character. To both Chi and all of Wyoming Seminary, we are \u201con the right track\u201d as we enter a new era of growth, change, and excitement. As a Levi Sprague, Chi exemplifies the core values of Wyoming Seminary, and the connection that Mr. Mooney has built not only with Ebi-Ekweozoh\u00a0 but the entire student body is something that brings hope to all parts of our campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over\u00a0the\u00a0last\u00a0year\u00a0Mooney\u00a0has\u00a0made\u00a0himself\u00a0a\u00a0\u201cnoticeable\u00a0and\u00a0welcoming\u00a0presence,\u201d\u00a0Ebi-Ekweozoh said.\u00a0Whether\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a\u00a0handshake,\u00a0a\u00a0smile\u00a0in\u00a0passing,\u00a0or\u00a0a\u00a0conversation\u00a0over\u00a0lunch,\u00a0Mooney\u00a0has\u00a0solidified\u00a0himself\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0kind\u00a0and\u00a0approachable\u00a0face\u00a0on\u00a0our\u00a0campus.\u00a0His\u00a0belief\u00a0that\u00a0\u201ccommunity\u00a0must\u00a0be\u00a0built\u201d\u00a0comes\u00a0 from\u00a0years\u00a0of\u00a0experience\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0world\u00a0of\u00a0teaching\u00a0and\u00a0mentoring\u00a0young\u00a0people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last year, Mr. Mooney has made himself a \u201cnoticeable and welcoming presence\u201d Ebi-Ekweozoh said. Whether it\u2019s a handshake, a smile in passing, or a conversation over lunch, Mr. Mooney has solidified himself as a kind and approachable face on our campus. His belief that \u201ccommunity must be built\u201d comes from years of experience in the world of teaching and mentoring young people.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earning his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth, following that with a masters from Middlebury College, Mr. Mooney went on to teach English at Peddie and Hill, where he solidified his love for teaching. Before his time at SEM, Mr. Mooney held multiple offices at The Hill School and Peddie, such as the Alumni and College offices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Mooney\u2019s experience in both administration and teaching has caused him to have a genuine affinity with students, their lives, goals, and achievements. When speaking to him, he makes it a point to make you feel special, like he\u2019s truly hearing what you have to say. Mr. Mooney truthfully stated that \u201cSEM\u2019s resilience has been tested over the last 5 years\u201d but it\u2019s safe to say that Mr. Mooney\u2019s addition to our school will bring nothing but growth, and our community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"