January
1974
The two schools merge to become Buckingham Browne & Nichols
Fall
1980
Head of School Peter Gunness creates BB&N's motto
Fall
1992
Mary Newmann becomes Head of BB&N
Fall
2001
Rebecca T. Upham becomes Head of BB&N
Fall
2018
Dr. Jennifer Price becomes the Head of BB&N
Leadership, Mission, and Values
Buckingham and Browne & Nichols officially merged on January 1, 1974, but the two schools had collaborated for several years leading up to signing the paperwork. Several co-educational classes were offered in the early 1970s, and the schools had put on joint theater productions since Oklahoma! in 1958. Buckingham Head Elizabeth Stowe retired in January 1974, and Browne & Nichols Head Peter Gunness continued on through the merger as the first Head of BB&N.
Below: a co-educational class, 1972.
Above: the well-known photo from the Spring 1974 issue of the Bulletin, showing Elizabeth Stowe, Peter Gunness, and several students updating the school sign.
Above: BB&N's Heads of School, left to right: Peter Gunness, Mary Newmann, Rebecca Upham, and Dr. Jennifer Price.
Fifty years later, BB&N has seen four different Heads of School help to steer BB&N through the decades: Peter K. Gunness (1969-1991), Mary Newmann (1992-2001), Rebecca T. Upham (2001-2018), and Dr. Jennifer Price (2018-present). Each Head of School has created their own unique legacy at BB&N, but those legacies are not made by the Heads on their own. Campus Directors have shaped each campus over the course of the last 50 years, and BB&N's current Senior Leadership Team works closely with Dr. Price on decisions at the school.
Below: BB&N's Campus Directors from the last 50 years.
US, 1970-1988
US, 1988-2000
US, 2000-2005
US, 2005-2010
US, 2010-2022
US, 2022-present
MS, 1974-1991
MS, 1991-2002
MS, 2002-present
LS, 1972-1977
LS, 1977-1986
LS, 1986-1994
LS, 1994-2002
LS, 2002-2011
LS, 2012-2013
LS, 2011-2012, 2013-2017
LS, 2017-present
The Boards of Trustees at both Buckingham and Browne & Nichols were instrumental in supporting the process of merging the two schools. Since then, the Board has continued to collaborate with the Head of School to support BB&N's strategic plan. Thank you to all members of the Board over the past 50 years, and a special note of appreciation to the following Chairs of the Board:
Leonard Dowse '35 (1974-1975)
Lloyd Weinreb (1975 - 1979)
Cyrus Durgin '55 (1979 - 1984)
David Roberts '67 (1984 - 1988)
Nathaniel Gorton '56 (1988 - 1993)
Berenice Ronthal (1993 - 1995)
Stuart Cable '71 (1995 - 1998)
Paul Maeder (1998 - 2001)
Steve Woodsum (2001 - 2006)
Laura Hodges Taylor '74 (2006 - 2010)
Peter Slavin '75 (2010 - 2012)
Brace Young (2012 - 2018)
Chuck Brizius (2018 - 2024)
After the merger, BB&N needed a new motto, and Head Peter Gunness settled on "Honesty, Scholarship, Kindness". In an oral history interview in 2014, Peter Gunness explained the origins of the phrase: “In 1980 with the Centennial Celebration of the founding in 1883 of Browne & Nichols School approaching, we commissioned a history to be written by our graduate Thomas H. Eliot. By this time I knew we should have a motto to inspire and raise our sights. As two secular institutions we didn’t have the inspiration of a religious identity. As I read the proofs of Tom’s history, the words of Willard Reed [Co-Head of School of Browne & Nichols, 1910-1928], “Honor, scholarship, but most of all kindness”, captured the essence of what I hoped BB&N could become.”
Today, BB&N moves toward the future with newly adopted mission and value statements, which reflect the core of the school and its community. Both statements were crafted through a collaborative process involving all faculty and staff in the decision-making process.
Mission
BB&N is an academically excellent, diverse, and inclusive community where students develop into lifelong learners who lead with kindness, curiosity, and integrity. We prepare students to be responsible and open-minded as they engage with the world around them.
Core Values
Inquiry
We promote curiosity and critical thinking to inspire a lifelong love of learning.
Integrity
We strive to be honest, conscientious, and accountable in our actions even when no one is watching.
Belonging
We foster a culture of respect, well-being, and connection that values all individuals and empowers them to discover and be their authentic selves.
Kindness
We strengthen our communities by recognizing our common humanity and treating ourselves and others with respect and compassion.