On Friday, September 11, an intimate gathering of family, former colleagues, special guests, and students joined Headmaster Emeritus Arch McIntosh in front of the McIntosh Leadership Center to officially open this newly renovated facility.
Head of School Chuck Baldecchi welcomed guests and thanked Vision2020 donors, board members, Mr. McIntosh, Ann Brock ’81, and other key individuals for their vision for this flexible space. “It is hopping!” he said as he described a typical day: the seniors eat lunch in their “cool space” — the Café and Learning Commons, Middle School students love their classrooms, and excited second graders learn in their vibrant, temporary classroom.
In fall of 2018, Board leaders who served during Arch’s tenure surprised him with this recognition as a way to honor his legacy of leadership at Latin and the influence he had on this priority of the Vision2020 campaign. Representing that group were George Mackie and Thad Sharrett ’89, whose board tenures served as the bookends for Arch’s Latin career. He also shared that the vision for a leadership program dates back to our founders. When the conversations first began under Arch’s headship, Frank Thies’ words resonated, saying in essence that parents sent their children to Charlotte Latin to be leaders. “If they don’t become leaders,” Mr. Thies was quoted, “They may not like the results.”
“I am honored to see my life’s work in this beautiful, functional, new, renovated building,” Mr. McIntosh said. He credits many individuals for years’ worth of intentional work developing servant-leaders — across our campus — but especially now in this open, vibrant, collaborative space: Ann Brock, Fletcher Gregory, David Gatoux, Heather Finke, and Gary Anderson ’75 among many others.
“We did something magical in that planning,” McIntosh continued. “We engaged students from day one. It has become one of the most engaging and growth-promoting opportunities for all Latin students. I’ve always dreamed big.”
Mr. McIntosh cut the ribbon to the McIntosh Leadership Center and it was declared officially open for learning, teaching, collaborating, and leading.
Pictured: Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh, along with daughter Avery, cut the ribbon at Alumni Way, the McIntosh Leadership Center’s new entrance.
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Charlotte Latin School observes and enforces all safety precautions with regard to COVID-19, including social distancing and face coverings.