A Legacy of Service: Honoring Six Individuals Who Helped Shape Holderness

For generations of students, the Fords, the Paro-Mulcahys, the Thompsons and Paul Dullea have been pillars of the Holderness experience. Coaching, advising, teaching, and caring for students, each showed up every day with a commitment to helping young people grow. 

Their careers remind us that the most enduring influence at Holderness has always been built on relationships. Buildings evolve, programs change, and new students arrive each year. What endures are the people who dedicate themselves to helping others become their best selves.

The true measure of a life in education is not the number of years served. It is the number of lives changed. By that measure, their legacy is immeasurable.

Duane & Lori Ford: The Heart of Holderness

The Ford name is synonymous with Holderness School. Duane Ford graduated from Holderness School in 1974 and returned to his alma mater in 1994 following a distinguished collegiate coaching career. He has spent decades serving as a teacher, coach, dorm parent, advisor, and mentor. For countless families, he was among the first people they met when arriving at Holderness. His enthusiasm, humor, and unwavering belief in young people became hallmarks of the Holderness experience.

In recognition of a lifetime of service, Duane received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Commencement, honoring an influence that extends far beyond any formal role.

Alongside him, Lori helped shape one of the nation's premier alpine ski programs while mentoring generations of student-athletes. As a coach, she fostered resilience, confidence, and personal growth, teaching students that success is measured not only by results but by preparation, perseverance, and character. 

Holderness recognized Lori's extraordinary contributions with an honorary diploma at commencement. Earlier this spring, Congressman Chris Pappas honored Lori in the Congressional Record, recognizing her 36 years of coaching and her lasting impact on young athletes throughout New Hampshire and Vermont.

Together, Duane and Lori built a family deeply connected to Holderness, including their children Mattie '04, Willie '05, Julia '08, and Lily '12, while helping generations of students feel welcomed, supported, challenged, and loved.

Bruce Paro & Pam Mulcahy: Inspiring Purpose & Service

In recognition of their decades of service and unwavering commitment to students, Pam Mulcahy and Bruce Paro received the Rt. Rev. Douglas E. Theuner Award at Commencement. 

As an English teacher, coach, advisor, and dorm parent, Bruce challenged students to think deeply, write clearly, and engage thoughtfully with the world around them. His impact can be found in thousands of conversations, countless essays, and generations of alumni who still carry lessons learned in his classroom.

Pam's career touched nearly every corner of campus life. As a math teacher, dorm parent, Associate Director of College Counseling, and leader of community service initiatives, she helped students discover not only how to solve problems, but how to live lives of purpose.

Under Pam's leadership, Holderness students contributed nearly 10,000 hours of community service during the 2025–26 school year alone. 

Together, they helped shape generations of Holderness students.

Len Thompson: The Spirit of Holderness

Since arriving at Holderness in 1991, Len Thompson has been a steady and familiar presence on campus, exemplifying the spirit of service that makes boarding schools special.  

This year, Len received the R. Phillip Peck Service Award, presented annually to employees who go above and beyond in service to the school community.

Alongside Len, Margaret Thompson has spent decades helping create the welcoming environment students experience every day through her leadership as Head of Housekeeping. This summer, she will begin a new chapter, filling in Len’s shoes as the new Postmaster.

Together, Len and Margaret raised eight children, including seven Holderness graduates—Josh '03, Ben '04, Jesse '06, Abby '09, Noah '14, Reese '17, and Isabel '20—perhaps the largest Holderness family in school history. Their commitment to service extends well beyond campus; all six of their sons served in the United States Marine Corps.

For the Thompsons, Holderness has never simply been a workplace. It has been home.

Paul Dullea: Nourishing Holderness

For more than two decades, Paul Dullea has nourished the Holderness community in every sense of the word. As Director of Food Services, he has led a dedicated team that ensured students, faculty, and staff always felt cared for and welcomed around the table. His steady leadership was especially evident during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he and his team adapted tirelessly to keep the community fed, safe, and connected.

Paul's commitment to serving others was evident in every meal he prepared, every celebration he helped create, and the everyday moments that brought the community together around a table. Through his leadership and hospitality, he fostered a sense of fellowship and belonging that extended far beyond the dining hall. In 2022, he was recognized with the inaugural R. Phillip Peck Service Award, honoring employees who demonstrate exceptional dedication in service to the school.

Paul's legacy is one of quiet leadership, generous hospitality, and a profound commitment to caring for others—one meal, one conversation, and one person at a time.

The Legacy They Leave Behind

For generations of students, Duane Ford, Lori Ford, Bruce Paro, Pam Mulcahy, Len Thompson, and Paul Dullea have been pillars of the Holderness School experience.

They coached teams, advised students, taught classes, led service initiatives, solved dorm house problems, opened doors, maintained campus spaces, prepared meals, welcomed community members around the table, answered questions, offered encouragement, kept students on track, and showed up every day with a commitment to helping young people grow.

Their careers remind us that the most impactful influence has always been built on relationships. Buildings evolve, programs change, new students arrive each year, but what endures are the people who dedicate themselves to helping others become their best selves.

The true measure of a life in education is not the number of years served. It is the number of lives that have been changed. By that measure, their legacy is immeasurable.

If you would like to recognize a retiree with a gift, visit our giving page and enter their name in the "In Honor of" field. The honoree will be notified of your thoughtful gesture, though the gift amount will remain confidential.