A Celebration of the Generalist: Roxbury Latin Begins Its 382nd School Year
“Teachers and scholars of the oldest school in continuous existence in North America, good morning and welcome back,” began Head of School Sam Schaffer in Rousmaniere Hall on Wednesday, August 26. “What a great place to be, here in this splendid Hall, surrounded by our friends and classmates, teachers, coaches, and advisors, in this sanctum sanctorum, gathered with one another as we begin our ancient Latin school’s 382nd year.”
Together, along with new and returning faculty and staff, were 303 boys—all ready to kick off the year together. Dr. Schaffer went on to recognize the boys in Classes I and VI, those oldest and youngest in the school, as they stood to applause and recognition from the community. He also honored members of the faculty and staff celebrating significant anniversaries at the school, and welcomed new members of the faculty and staff, joining us this year. Among robust renditions of America the Beautiful, Commemoration Hymn, and The Founder’s Song, Class I President James Skeffington read excerpts from a sermon delivered by General Joseph Warren, RL Class of 1755, at Boston’s Old South Meeting House on March 6, 1775.
Dr. Schaffer continued by offering gratitude for the work of various individuals over the summer, who carefully maintained and prepared the school for the arrival of a new academic year. He then moved on to his opening address, celebrating the generalist.
“I will note that sometimes the term ‘generalist’ gets a bad rap,” he said. “Some people associate it with shallowness or dabbling… But that’s not what we mean here. We also don’t mean someone who does everything. Being a generalist isn’t about counting. There isn’t a number of things that you do that makes you a generalist—not three or five or eight or ten. It’s not about the numbers, or checking off a box, or filling up a resume. It’s about trying more than one thing. It’s about engaging meaningfully. It’s about having depth as well as breadth.
“Ultimately, being a generalist at Roxbury Latin is about the approach. It’s about a willingness to try something new, to take a risk. It’s about curiosity. It’s about cultivating habits of mind and body and spirit. A generalist at Roxbury Latin doesn’t necessarily do everything. He learns from everything. He seeks to make connections. He draws on multiple experiences. He appreciates multiple perspectives. He embraces the approach of a generalist.
“So that’s what a generalist is, but what about the value of being a generalist? Why do we think it is so important? Why is it so central to Roxbury Latin? There are many reasons, and we believe them as much as we believe in honesty in all dealings, as we believe that the kind of person you are matters most, as we believe in the life of the mind.
Dr. Schaffer went on to underscore the value of being a generalist—that it teaches you empathy, makes you a better learner, and can help you find a passion or talent that you didn’t know about.
“We believe that being a generalist makes you a better person,” he continued. “You learn to take risks. You learn to interact with new people. You learn how to stretch yourself. You learn how to be uncomfortable. You learn humility. You learn to fail and to succeed. Sometimes it is great to be the best player on a team. And it is equally great to be the worst player on that team. You can be a leader in either situation. All of this will make you a better adult, too. A better parent, or spouse, or employee, or leader. In all of those situations, you will have to display the skills and inclinations of a learner. You will have to see experiences from a different lens. You will have to grapple with failure and novelty. You will have to take risks. You will have to understand different perspectives. And if you have experience as a generalist, you will be better at it.”
After the final remarks, students, faculty, and staff then gathered in the main courtyard, around the Senior Grass, relishing the sunshine and cooling air of late-August, to welcome new members to the community and wish one another a wonderful school year.
Watch the morning’s Opening of School Hall, and hear Dr. Schaffer’s complete remarks.