Principal Tyler C. Tingley

Tyler C. Tingley, a nationally recognized leader in secondary education, was appointed Exeter’s 13th principal in 1997. Tingley’s great energy and his deep involvement in all areas of Academy life have characterized his leadership. During his tenure, he has overseen the completion of an extensive master planning process, an ongoing review of Exeter’s curriculum, and a revitalization of many campus facilities.

Tingley spearheaded the fundraising for numerous building and renovation projects, including the state-of-the-art Phelps Science Center, which was completed in the fall of 2001; the Phelps Academy Center, completed in 2006; the Harris Family Children’s Center, also completed in 2006; and the renovation of Phillips Church, completed in 2003, which now provides appropriate worship space for students of numerous faiths. Additionally, a major landscape plan resulted in the planting of almost 500 trees on campus.

Three large brick dormitories, Cilley, Amen, and Peabody Halls, have also been substantially renovated, with a goal of providing a more supportive environment for students and encouraging connections within the dorms that mirrored those in the classroom. Eighteen new faculty houses were constructed or purchased; 22 new faculty chairs have been established.

Under Tingley's leadership the Academy launched a $305 million comprehensive campaign in October 2004. In the fall of 2007, the school crossed the campaign's initial dollar goal 20 months ahead of schedule, and work continues under Tingley's leadership to meet the remaining goals by June 30, 2009. The school has seen its endowment top the $1 billion mark and has significantly increased its financial aid to students. “Our fundraising success, coupled with the growth of the endowment, allowed us to become need-blind two years ago and free, beginning next fall, to students from families that make less than $75,000,” said Tingley in announcing a new financial aid program in fall 2007.

In 2005 and 2006, Tingley received a six-month sabbatical. During the fall term he was a visiting scholar at Oxford University studying the works of J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. In spring 2007, he returned to the classroom to teach “Fellowship and Fantasy,” a senior course that examined the Tolkien-Lewis connection.

Tingley received an A. B. degree cum laude from Harvard College and Ed.M. and Ed.D. degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining the Academy, Tingley was the head of school at the Blake School in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1991 to 1997. He also served as the headmaster of Kingswood-Oxford School in West Hartford, Connecticut from 1986 to 1991. An alumnus of Kingswood-Oxford, he returned there to teach English after graduating from Harvard in 1968. While at that school, he added the titles of dean of boys, director of college counseling, treasurer and assistant head master respectively to his wide-ranging responsibilities.

Tingley has been president of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools and the Minnesota Association of Independent Schools, vice-chairman of the Minnesota Independent Schools Fund, and a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). He has served as a director of Secondary School Admissions Testing Board (SSATB) and as president of the Headmasters Association. He is the author of numerous scholarly papers and has been a presenter at many conferences nationally and internationally.

Marcia and Tyler Tingley have been married since 1968. A former executive in information services for the financial services industry, Mrs. Tingley is project manager of the Critical Digital Assets Management and Preservation project at the Phillips Exeter Academy Library. The Tingleys have two sons, Chase a software engineer in San Francisco, California, and Morgan, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California at Berkeley.

Principal Tingley announces intention to retire in June 2009...