The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Trustees remove ‘interim’ from title
The University School Board have announced the appointment of Patrick T. Gallagher as the school’s 10th head of school, effective immediately.
Gallagher was serving as interim headmaster.
“The Trustees were impressed by Patrick’s proven, thoughtful leadership, and his vision and passion for University School,” said board president Christopher E. Smythe, in a news release.
Gallagher’s appointment culminates an eight-month nationwide open search by the school search committee and Educators’ Collaborative, a firm specializing in head of school and senior administrator search services. The process was highly comprehensive and engaged all segments of the US community: faculty, staff, parents, students, alumni, and trustees, the release stated.
As interim headmaster since February, Gallagher has articulated his vision for US as a boys’ school, and has supported the faculty as they continue their work on the school’s 2020 Curricular Initiative, the release stated. Prior was to the this, co-director Gallagher of the Upper School and Hunting Valley campus for five years. He began his US career in 2005 as an Upper School English teacher and later worked with boys and families as part of the college counseling team.
Since 2009, he has been the Upper School Dean of Faculty, responsible for the recruitment and development of all part- and full-time faculty. During this time, he also chaired the Upper School Curriculum Committee, comprised of grades 9-12 department chairs and K-12 administrators. He designed, implemented, and oversaw the Faculty Development Program, and served as a liaison with the University School Parents Association leadership for grades 9-12, the release stated. His tenure has seen curricular expansions such as new AP and postAP courses, the growth of the computer science program, and the inception of robotics. He grew up in Cleveland and was valedictorian at St. Edward High School. Prior to US, Gallagher taught English and humanities at The Culver Academies.