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The Headmaster

Dr. Shanahan's Recent Speeches
Dr. Shanahan's Selected Letters

Edward J. Shanahan

Edward J. Shanahan, headmaster since 1991, came to Choate from Dartmouth, where he was Dean of the College and chief policy officer for student affairs. Prior to that he was Dean of Students at Wesleyan University. He holds a BA from St. Joseph's College, and MA from Fordham University, and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin. Each spring he teaches a senior elective "The Shape of a Soul," that focuses on Irish Literature.

Mr. Shanahan assumed the office of president and headmaster of Choate Rosemary Hall on July 1, 1991, becoming just the seventh headmaster in Choate’s 118-year history.

One of the most significant decisions of his tenure was the 1994 Board-approved a plan to reduce enrollment from 1,000 to 800 over four years. The benefits ranged from improved student/faculty ratios, smaller classes, increased financial aid and faculty benefits to better utilization of facilities and enhancement of the general quality of life on campus. One outcome was a larger, stronger applicant pool, resulting in greater selectivity.

Mr. Shanahan currently serves as President, of the Foundation for a Greater Opportunity in New York City. He is also a Founding member and President of Eight Schools Association; Holdings Director and Member of the Holdings Executive Committee of the School College and University Underwriters (SCUUL); and Past President, New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

He is married to Sandra Podesta, author and writing consultant. He is the father of three children—Tommy, Dartmouth ’10; daughter Nell Shanahan Schwartz ’95; and Kate Shanahan Mehta ’92.

See Dr. Shanahan's Curriculum Vitae