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THOMPSON --- Joseph Hanrahan has accepted the position of Marianapolis Preparatory School’s new headmaster, effective July 1, 2011. Hanrahan is currently associate head of school for Development and Alumni at Cheshire Academy, a private day and boarding school in Cheshire. He was chosen from a group of 8 semifinalists, and was among three finalists who met with all constituencies at the school over a two-day period in October.
At a Nov. 11 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Trinity Foundation, the oversight body that runs Marianapolis, “enthusiastically and unanimously voted to offer the position of Headmaster to Hanrahan,” said Board Chair Ken Ebbitt.
In his 17 years at Cheshire, JHanrahan gained wide experience in day and boarding school life. A history teacher for many years, Joe also served as Dean of Student Affairs, Dean of Residential Life, Director of Summer Programs, and Alumni & Development Major Gifts Officer as well as a basketball, baseball, golf, and soccer coach. Heleft Cheshire for three years, 2006- 2009, to serve as director of Development, School of Engineering, and assistant vice president for Development, UConn Health Center. He has a master's in history and an MBA from UConn.
Hanrahan said, “We are all extremely happy to be joining the Marianapolis family. Going through the search process and visiting campus at length validated my initial feelings about the strength and warmth of the Marianapolis community. Everyone - from students to faculty, staff to parents, alumni to the Board of Directors - made us feel at home here. My wife Jane and I were impressed with the curricular and program offerings, as well as the vibrant community spirit. We are thrilled that three of our four children will matriculate at MPS next fall (our youngest will be in fourth grade). I feel very fortunate and blessed to succeed Marilyn Ebbitt as headmaster. It is evident that Marilyn has done a tremendous job over the last decade leading a wonderful team of faculty, staff and administrators. In the coming months, I look forward to working with her as I transition into the daily life of the school. On behalf of my family, thank you all for the opportunity to join the MPS family; I am honored to serve as Marianapolis’ 12th headmaster.”
Ebbitt said the board felt Hanrahan "meets and exceeds the criteria established by the Board in its search for the next head of Marianapolis.” he explains. Hanrahan also received “overwhelmingly positive feedback” from directors, faculty, administration, parents, students, and alumni who met him during his school visit in October.
In March Headmistress Marilyn S. Ebbitt announced her intention to retire at the end of the 2010-11 school year. Ebbitt joined Marianapolis as its headmistress in 2001, when the Congregation of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception ceded daily operations of the independent day and boarding school to the then newly formed Trinity Foundation, a group of parents, faculty and alumni. At the time the school enrolled 194 students, including 49 boarders and 25 faculty members. Under Ebbitt’s leadership, the school has grown to 318 students, 153 of whom are boarders, and 48 faculty members, and has seen a 100 percent increase in applications.