Trustees do not confer awards, typically, at Milton. The Milton Medal is the exception. Established by the board in December 1982, the medal considers candidates from the ranks of trustees, faculty and administration, alumni and parents. On Reunion Weekend in June, trustees made this prestigious award to H. Marshall Schwarz ’54 and Franklin W. Hobbs IV ’65.
Both men hold trustee emeritus positions today. Marshall Schwarz began his tenure as a trustee in 1985, and he led the board as president from 1997 through 2002. Fritz Hobbs was elected to the board of trustees in 1990, and he served as president from 2002 through 2009.
The medal recognizes extraordinary volunteerism on Milton’s behalf. These two graduates’ service as trustees and board leaders spans five heads of school. They significantly strengthened Milton’s financial position and addressed, with energy and generosity, the emerging and diverse needs of a historic School and a tradition of academic excellence.
Trustees have honored 31 individuals in the 29 years since they established and described the award. The most recent recipient was trustee and Milton parent George A. Kellner, who received the award in 2008.
H. Marshall Schwarz ’54
Marshall Schwarz began his tenure as a trustee in 1985, and he led the board as president from 1997 through 2002. As a trustee emeritus, Marshall leads us still—with joy, skill, magnanimity, and unfailing insight. During Marshall’s presidency, Milton achieved new levels of philanthropic support; restored the Academy’s historic identity as a boarding and day school; and transformed campus facilities. At the center of student life today, the Schwarz Student Center helps students discover and build relationships, with peers and with adults, that will endure and transform over time, a mark of the Milton experience particularly meaningful to Marshall. During his board tenure, Marshall thoughtfully advised four heads of school and he serves as a wise counselor for Head of School Todd Bland today. With grace, humility, and gentle humor, Marshall models core ideals: responsibility and commitment. Marshall’s greatest hope is that members of every generation understand their important role in shaping Milton’s history, and through their generosity and service, they continually strengthen Milton’s leadership in education.
Franklin W. Hobbs IV ’65
Fritz Hobbs was elected to the board of trustees in 1990, and he served as president from 2002 through 2009. A trustee emeritus and a member of the trustee Investment Committee, Fritz still stewards Milton’s strength and identity. Intellectually incisive and relentlessly curious, Fritz is a master of great questions, committed to excellence, compassionate and generous. As a leader, Fritz consistently focused on the strength of academic, extracurricular and advising programs, and the diversity and academic talent of our students. During his tenure, Fritz and his fellow trustees achieved unprecedented growth in the endowment; prioritized expanding faculty salaries and financial aid; and addressed diverse and pressing facilities needs. His service spanned fi ve heads of school. As president, Fritz worked closely with Robin Robertson, mentored interim head of school Rick Hardy, and guided Milton’s leadership transition to Todd Bland. On all matters, Milton will continue to expect Fritz’s clarion query: “What does excellence look like? What will it take to make that happen?”