Additional reporting by Emmie Huynh ’27.
The Head of School’s Residence, located on Main Street near MFS’s entrance, was unnamed until Friday, September 27, when it was named after Paul Mecray ’56 in light of his historic involvement with the school and, more recently, a gift valued at four million dollars.
The day’s beautiful weather helped create a perfect environment for the ceremony, which took place right outside of the home. The School Committee, Head of School Julia de la Torre, a cohort of students including preschoolers and seniors, the Upper School choir, and other MFS faculty and staff attended the event. Some attendees were personally close with Mecray, such as his children and grandchildren, who traveled from North Jersey and Massachusetts to attend. Former Head of School Larry Van Meter, a personal friend of Mecray, was also present.
Following a performance by the Upper School Choir and a reading from the Head of the School Committee Ivy Brown, de la Torre, and Van Meter led the ceremony together, reflecting on the significance of the house itself.
“[My family and I] lived here for 17 years [during my time as Head of School], which is actually longer than I lived in any one place my entire life … The house looks beautiful, it’s a wonderful location, and it’s so fitting that it’s being named after Paul Mecray” said Van Meter.
de la Torre and Van Meter also discussed Mecray’s lasting impacts. Mecray’s career has included time spent as a geologist, businessman, and negotiator, and he has given several monetary donations to MFS in the past. Most recently, Mecray gifted four million dollars to the school: $50,000 immediately, along with $3,950,000 in his estate. The gift is the largest valued donation in MFS history.
Along with his generous donations, Mecray organized the conversation garden in front of the West Gym, a gift from his class for their 50th reunion in 2006. Mecray was previously honored by the naming of the “Mecray Courtyard” outside of the Field House, which opened in 2012.
Mecray addressed the group and affirmed his love for the schools and its values, emphasizing the impact that his history teacher, Macculloch “Cully” Miller, had on him.
“I think I became a young man from Moorestown Friends. Coming from a military background, and an active Presbyterian background, I was devoted to becoming a responsible U.S. citizen. What Cully Miller taught me is, don’t be a little boy. Learn to be respectful,” said Mecray.
After the ceremony, de la Torre mentioned the significance of this particular space.
“We talked about the whole host of options of what will be an important space to name. And I think what was most important was that it’d be a place that has prominence, a place that is bricks and mortar, and may be here for a long time. The Head’s Residence, I think, is something that shows continuity between many leaders over time and will continue to for many years to come, so naming the Head’s Residence and specifically honoring him through that dedication is also a permanent mark on the campus,” she explained.
Both during the ceremony and afterward, while socializing with friends and students, Mecray commented on the impact that the school had on him during his professional life.
Mecray noted, “I found whether you’re royalty or an elected leader, that you can learn a lot by treating other people as well as possible even if [you] don’t like what they say. These are the things that Moorestown [Friends] has taught me.”
