Remembering John Pierce Cotton
The KUA community was saddened to learn of the passing of the Academy’s 15th Headmaster, John Pierce Cotton, who died peacefully in his home in Maine on January 27 at the age of 86.
The KUA community was saddened to learn of the passing of the Academy’s 15th Headmaster, John Pierce Cotton, who died peacefully in his home in Maine on January 27 at the age of 86.
Headmaster Cotton arrived at KUA in 1969 just eight years after graduating from Harvard University and after serving his country in the United States Navy. He led the Academy for five years before accepting the position of headmaster at the St. Andrews School in Florida.
As any student or faculty member during those years could attest, the world’s troubles reverberated through campus as the Vietnam War and Kent State massacre brought unrest to the Hilltop. Cotton cared deeply about his students and was moved deeply by the unrest in the world. A former colleague of Cotton’s remarked that despite the division and challenging topics of the day, Cotton always ‘tried to stay above the melee.’
Cotton compassionately led KUA through a turbulent time in America and indeed on the Hilltop too, and you can read more about his life and his contributions to the educational organizations he served in his obituary.
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Headmaster Cotton arrived at KUA in 1969 just eight years after graduating from Harvard University and after serving his country in the United States Navy. He led the Academy for five years before accepting the position of headmaster at the St. Andrews School in Florida.
As any student or faculty member during those years could attest, the world’s troubles reverberated through campus as the Vietnam War and Kent State massacre brought unrest to the Hilltop. Cotton cared deeply about his students and was moved deeply by the unrest in the world. A former colleague of Cotton’s remarked that despite the division and challenging topics of the day, Cotton always ‘tried to stay above the melee.’
Cotton compassionately led KUA through a turbulent time in America and indeed on the Hilltop too, and you can read more about his life and his contributions to the educational organizations he served in his obituary.
