"We prepare students to engage in the world that is and to help bring about a world that ought to be."
Philip E. Schwartz
Minute of Appreciation
Philip E. Schwartz
Faculty Emeritus
May 17, 2014
Friends Seminary is deeply grateful to Philip Schwartz for his 48 years of service to our School during which he has been a teacher of English and classical languages, Department Chair, Dean of Students and coach of two sports. He holds much of our School’s recent history in his memory; for five decades he has honored the primacy of our Quaker history and values. During his tenure, he has seen upheavals in world politics and their impacts on Friends, the growth of campus facilities, changes in school leadership through five principals, and the transformation of our New York City neighborhood. Philip’s passion for the life of the mind and his scholarly gravitas mix happily with an irreverent sense of humor and fun.
Philip is known for leaving a lasting impression. His students effortlessly recall their first interactions with this giant of stature and spirit. His presence is one that initially paralyzes and soon captivates his pupils. Armed with a booming voice and sometimes startling classroom theatrics, Philip demands his students’ attention. Their initial fear soon gives way to deep respect and, eventually, deep affection. Philip teaches his students to read, write and think. He teaches them to question the environment around them, to persevere, and to appreciate the journey of learning. He opens doors in their minds and challenges them to take their gifts seriously. He encourages connections between seemingly disparate texts and stretches his students’ ability to form connections between genres, styles and eras. Phil, at once, holds his students to a high standard and offers second chances. He believes in his students’ academic capacity and becomes a part of their intellectual heritage.
In overwhelming numbers, alumni claim Philip Schwartz to be one of the best teachers they have ever had. Perhaps this is because Philip is a perennial student himself. Friends students emulate his thirst for knowledge and the voracity with which he embraces new challenges and ways of learning. His dedication to his studies inspires his pupils to commit to their academic endeavors with joy. Without overtly directing them along this path, he has motivated a great many to follow in his footsteps as educators themselves. Many have returned to work at Friends, and even though they are now colleagues, most are still incapable of addressing him as anything other than “Mr. Schwartz.”
Even in advance of his retirement, Philip Schwartz is a legend in the Friends Seminary community. Alumni have, for generations, shared his lessons with spouses, children, pupils and friends. The imprint he has made on the lives of his students and on Friends Seminary is deep and unquestionable, perhaps matched only by the gratitude and esteem we feel for this humble man. Philip, we thank you for embracing our imperfections and for inspiring us to be always be better, whether we are a 7th grade student new to Latin or the School’s new Principal.
We express heartfelt gratitude for the breadth and depth of service “Mr. Schwartz” has given to Friends Seminary and are proud to honor him as Faculty Emeritus.
Friends Seminary actively promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all its programs and operations, including admissions, financial aid, hiring, and all facets of the educational experience. To form a community which strives to reflect the world’s diversity, we do not discriminate on the basis of race or color, religion, nationality, ethnicity, economic background, physical ability, sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. Friends Seminary is an equal opportunity employer.
Friends Seminary — the oldest continuously operated, coeducational school in NYC — serves college-bound day students in Kindergarten-Grade 12.
