A message from Principal Bill Rawson ’71; P’08
It is with understandably mixed feelings that I have informed the Trustees that I will retire as principal of Phillips Exeter Academy at the end of the next school year (June 2026).
It is a great privilege and deeply meaningful to serve as principal of Phillips Exeter Academy. I was warmly welcomed by all members of the Exeter community upon my arrival in July 2018. That warm welcome has had everything to do with the success that we have achieved together. I am enormously grateful for the dedication, hard work and support of our faculty, administrative team, and all our employees. I am enormously grateful for the support and partnership of the Trustees. I am enormously grateful for the friendship and support offered to me by many alumni and parents and the broader Exeter community. We have accomplished much together, and the school is in a strong position to conduct a successful search for our next principal. I write now to give the Trustees ample time to conduct a search and plan for a smooth transition in leadership.
There is much that I will miss about Exeter when I retire. I will miss working with Trustees to help secure a strong future for our school. I will miss working with faculty and staff to help the school transform the lives of our students, as Exeter changed my life when I was a student. I will miss engaging with alumni and parents who care so deeply about our school. And certainly I will miss my interactions with students. I will miss seeing their joy in their learning, their delight in their friendships, and their excitement in moments of triumph or achievement. Perhaps most importantly, I will miss how they express gratitude for all they have experienced and the many ways they have grown during their time at Exeter.
A couple of years ago, a student came up to me at Senior Sunrise in the stadium and said, “Mr. Rawson, when you tell me at Opening Assembly every year that I belong here, it means a lot to me.” I will miss moments like this.
But that is in the future. I have said many times that Exeter has never stayed strong by staying the same. That still applies. We have important work to do this year and next to support our students and build for the future. I look forward to doing that work with all of you.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
William K. Rawson ’71; P’08
Principal
A message from the President of the Trustees
Dear Exeter Community,
It is with deep gratitude for his service that we learn of Principal Bill Rawson’s plans to retire at the end of the 2025–26 academic year. Since his arrival in 2018, Bill has provided steady, thoughtful leadership, guiding Exeter through both challenges and progress with an unwavering dedication to our mission and values.
During his tenure, Bill has championed initiatives that will shape Exeter for generations, most notably leading the historic transition to need-blind admissions— an achievement that exemplifies his lifelong commitment to non sibi. His leadership, defined by purpose and selflessness, has inspired our community to embrace these values in turn.
Under Bill’s guidance, Exeter has thrived as a place where knowledge and goodness live together. His commitment to inclusion has strengthened our sense of belonging, while his forward-thinking approach to sustainability and campus stewardship has positioned Exeter for long-term success. His constant presence at student performances, athletic competitions, and academic events reflects his deep joy in seeing students shine — not just in the classroom, but in every aspect of their Exeter experience.
Bill’s leadership reflects Exeter’s ongoing evolution, shaped by his own journey as a student. His Exeter of 1971, my Exeter of 1996, and today’s Exeter stand as testaments to our school’s enduring commitment to growth. He often reminds us that change at Exeter is not only inevitable but essential, and he has laid a strong foundation for an innovative and resilient future.
Thanks to Bill’s thoughtful advance notice, we will conduct an inclusive and comprehensive search for Exeter’s next principal. Trustee Janney Wilson ’83 will lead this effort, supported by Perrett Laver, the global executive search firm that recently facilitated the successful appointment of our new dean of students. We will share further details on the search process next week.
As we celebrate Bill’s remarkable legacy, we are grateful for the next 18 months to continue working alongside him. His continued leadership during this period will guide Exeter through important work ahead, ensuring a smooth transition for his successor and building on the strong foundation he has created.
With gratitude,
Kristyn McLeod Van Ostern ’96
Trustee President