The Distinguished Service Award is the preeminent service award which the school bestows upon members of our community. Since its inception in 1959, the Distinguished Service Award has been given to individuals who have shown through their actions an exceptional measure of devotion to the Williston Northampton School. I’m going to invite Bob Hill back to the podium for this next presentation.
Chuck McCullagh became the Chief Financial Officer for the Williston Northampton School in 1999.
From the beginning of his independent school career, Chuck has been a presence in professional organizations at the local, state, and national level. Always leading by example, Chuck is motivated by a keen desire to make things better: operating systems, policies, handbooks, relationships.
While in the service of the Williston Northampton School, he skillfully managed all aspects of the Business Office and its staff, as well as Physical Plant operations, the Technology Department, Campus Safety, Human Resources, and auxiliary programs that included dining services, the Children’s Center, the Campus Store, and Summer Programs.
During his tenure he opened the school’s first Children’s Center as an auxiliary enterprise, redesigned the general ledger, implemented a purchase card system, completed multiple tax-exempt bond issues, coordinated Williston’s first comprehensive Master Plan, oversaw a significant number of construction projects and approximately 18 property purchases, lead the efforts to install and utilize geothermal wells for several buildings, and so much more.
Chuck has faithfully served as Assistant Treasurer to the Williston Northampton School Board of Trustees and as the staff liaison to the Board’s Facilities, Finance, Investment, and Audit committees.
Chuck’s impact has also extended into the Easthampton community where he has generously given his time. He was a co-founder of a non-profit initiative to support public school teachers (ELF, the Easthampton Learning Foundation); he was deeply involved with the building committee for the town’s new high school; and he has offered his financial expertise to such groups as Northampton Community Rowing and the Easthampton town library board of directors.
He and his wife, Martha – also a long-time math teacher and cross-country coach here at Williston — are devoted parents of two alumni — Sarah ’10 and Laura ’13.
His retirement this month caps a remarkably distinguished 24-year career of service to the school. It is an honor and personal privilege to confer Williston Northampton School’s 2023 Distinguished Service Award to Chuck McCullagh.
