May 29, 2025
from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school
When I walked through the doors of Mounds Park Academy for the first time as head of school, I was filled with a sense of awe for this extraordinary institution and immense gratitude for the opportunity to lead it. Today, as I write my final head’s message, I find myself feeling those same emotions once again.
MPA is not just a school. It is a place where dreams are nurtured, voices are heard, and people are known, deeply and truly. It is a place where belonging isn’t just a value on a poster, but a daily practice. It is a place where students grow not only in intellect and skill, but in empathy, courage, and character. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to walk alongside you—students, families, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and friends—as together we lived out the mission to dream big and do right.
Over the past 12 years, we have celebrated many milestones: the construction of new learning spaces like the Martin Lenz Harrison Library and the Family Commons; the launch of transformative programs in competency-based learning, diversity and belonging, and global partnerships; the growth in enrollment, philanthropy, and student support; and perhaps most meaningfully, the everyday moments of discovery, laughter, resilience, and care that happen in classrooms, hallways, and on playgrounds.
We have also faced challenges together, none greater than the global pandemic and the social reckonings that followed. Through it all, this community responded not with retreat, but with resolve. You chose collaboration over isolation, hope over cynicism, and kindness over fear. You showed me—and each other—that schools are not just institutions. They are ecosystems of possibility.
I have had the profound privilege of working alongside a faculty and staff whose passion, dedication, and brilliance continually inspired me. These extraordinary educators and professionals embody the very heart of our mission—nurturing curiosity, fostering compassion, and empowering students to dream big and do right. Their commitment to students goes far beyond the classroom; they are mentors, innovators, collaborators, and champions of every child’s potential. Together, we weathered challenges, celebrated triumphs, and shaped a school culture rooted in trust, excellence, and love. I will forever be grateful for their partnership and their unwavering belief in what education can be.
As I prepare to step away from my formal role, I carry with me countless memories: senior speeches that moved me to tears, Lower School students greeting me with joy and questions, heartfelt conversations with parents, moments of growth and grit from faculty and staff, and the quiet courage of students navigating their way toward becoming their truest selves.
To the Class of 2025: you and I are graduating together this year. Thank you for letting me be a small part of your story—and for being such an unforgettable part of mine. I have seen in you the very best of what education can do: create thoughtful, ethical, passionate people who care deeply about the world and their place in it.
To all of you: thank you. Thank you for your trust, your partnership, your candor, and your care. Thank you for believing in the mission of MPA and in the potential of every child who walks through our doors. Thank you for making this school not just strong—but whole.
As I move on to new adventures, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and a deep sense of peace. MPA is in excellent hands, and its future is bright. This is not goodbye, but simply a turning of the page. I will always be cheering you on—and holding this special place close.
