No Geniuses

A Yaleman, crossing Ohio's Western Reserve Academy in the twilight, would find the surroundings familiar; sons of Eli, who founded the school 120 years ago,/- modeled its architecture after their memories of Yale. For many years the little "Yale of the West" also had a Yaleman for headmaster. But last week when it hired a new scholastic head, Western Reserve Academy signed on a Harvardman.

Western Reserve's 28th headmaster, John W. Hallowell, 37, has a lot in common with a fellow Harvardman, Phillips Exeter's new Principal William G. Saltonstall, 40 (TIME, June 17). Both are tall (6 ft. 3 in.) and lean, with rugged Yankee faces. At Harvard they won crew and hockey letters, went on to teach at prep schools (Hallowell at Groton, Saltonstall at Exeter). Both served in the Pacific, ended up as lieutenant commanders.

Hallowell returned to Harvard after the war as an English instructor and assistant dean, there was spotted by wealthy Western Reserve. The Academy was endowed with $4 million in 1925 by the late James W. Ellsworth, coal-mining father of Explorer Lincoln Ellsworth. His will tied up the money so that future headmasters could not spend it on buildings. Ellsworth's endowment pays the 30 faculty salaries, which are among the highest in U.S. prep schools, and provides scholarships for one-third of the 210 students. Tuition for the rest is $1,100 (board included), lower than most Eastern prep schools.

Western Reserve sends 95% of its graduates to college. But Headmaster-Elect Hallowell says: "We do not want to produce intellectual geniuses, but only good citizens." Among the Academy's "good citizens": Author Rupert Hughes, three senators, four governors, ten congressmen.

/-As part of Western Reserve College, from which it separated in 1903.

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