LAWRENCE: Retired Lawrenceville School Head Master Bruce McClellan dies

   PETERBOROUGH, N.H. — Bruce McClellan, head master of The Lawrenceville School from 1959 to 1986, died Oct. 31. He was 84.
   Mr. McClellan began his Lawrenceville career in 1950 as a member of the school’s English department and became the Hamill housemaster in 1953. He was appointed head master in 1959 at the age of 35.
   During his tenure the school underwent major changes, most notably with a student body that became both coeducational and increasingly diverse. Mr. McClellan was the driving force behind the admission of black students in 1964 and girls in 1987.
   He was the second longest-serving head master in the school’s history.
   During his tenure, the school’s endowment grew from $5.3 million to more than $76 million, and annual giving increased from $23,000 to $1.3 million.
   This rise in finances enabled, among other things, increased student financial aid as well as the construction of the Lawrenceville’s Abbott Dining Room, Allan P. Kirby Arts Center, Curtis W. McGraw Health Center, Irwin Dining Center, Karl W. Corby Mathematics and Computer Center, Tiihonen Athletic Field, and the Carpenter wing of the John Dixon Library, along with four new girls’ houses.
   Mr. McClellan continued to instruct English through his time as head master, explaining, “It feeds my spirit to teach.”
   Under his leadership, the school’s academic calendar was modified to its current trimester system and the curriculum revised to become more varied and to encourage thoughtful discussion of issues.
   Mr. McClellan continued to serve the school after his retirement, volunteering his expertise as a part of Lawrenceville’s Residential Initiative and Head Master Council. In 1998, he received one of the school’s highest honors, the Masters Award, presented by Lawrenceville’s Alumni Association to teachers who are retired or who have, in the past, distinguished themselves as teachers for a prolonged and sustained period of service at the school.
   A former Lawrenceville trustee, Mr. McClellan was an honorary member of the classes of 1912, 1957, and 1960 and of the John Cleve Green Society.
   Lawrenceville School Head Master Elizabeth Duffy issued the following statement: “The entire Lawrenceville School community is saddened by the passing of Bruce McClellan. He was a scholar, a gentleman, and as he would often say, first and foremost, a teacher, who led Lawrenceville with intelligence, wisdom, and grace. During his 27 years as head master, he preserved Lawrenceville’s traditional strengths in teaching, learning, and residential life, while ushering in important changes to reflect broader societal trends, most notably the admittance of African American students and girls. His legacy is evident in all aspects of Lawrenceville today and for that we are grateful.”
   Born in Spring Grove, Pa., he graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1941 and went to Williams College as a member of the class of 1945, graduating cum laude in 1946 with highest honors in English. At Williams, he was a member of the Gargoyle and Phi Beta Kappa and played varsity squash. Between his sophomore and junior years at college, Mr. McClellan served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps and was separated from service in September 1945 with the rank of captain. He saw combat service over Europe with the 8th Air Force and earned the Air Medal with clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
   Mr. McClellan taught at Deerfield Academy for one year immediately after his graduation from Williams. He then studied for two years at New College, Oxford, earning his master’s degree in English language and literature. From Oxford he returned to Williams as assistant dean, a post he held one year before becoming a member of the Lawrenceville English department.
   Mr. McClellan received honorary degrees from Williams College, Lafayette College, Rider University and York College of Pennsylvania.
   He was a past president of the Headmasters Association, the American Association of Rhodes Scholars, and secretary of the New Jersey Committee for Selection of Rhodes Scholars. Mr. McClellan was also an executive assistant to New Jersey Gov. Alfred E. Driscoll.
   Upon his retirement from Lawrenceville, Mr. McClellan and his wife Mary Elizabeth moved to Dublin, N.H. During those years he was active in conservation affairs.
   Mr. McClellan is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Elizabeth Wisotzkey McClellan; daughters Ann I. McClellan; sons and daughters-in-law William S. and Nelda Z. McClellan, and Robert N. and Linda S. McClellan of West Windsor4; and grandchildren Kate McClellan, and Cassandra and Garrett Bruce McClellan, both of West Windsor.
   The first of two memorial services will be 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at First Church, Jaffrey Center, N.H. The second memorial service will be May 3 at The Lawrenceville School.
   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the McClellan Fund of the Lawrenceville School (contact Jack Werts Jr., manager of Gift Records, [email protected]) or the charity of the donor’s choice.