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Elizabeth J. McGregor to Become Westridge's Next Head of School

PASADENA, Calif., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Westridge School inPasadena, CA, announced Wednesday that Elizabeth J. McGregor, a 16-year educator and administrator at The Buckley School inSherman Oaks, CA, will become head of school of the independent day girls school effective July 1, 2009.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081119/DC47556)

McGregor, who currently serves as Associate Head of School at Buckley, will become the 11th head since the school's founding in 1913. She replaces Rosemary C. Evans '71, who has served as interim head of school since Fran Norris Scoble's retirement in July 1, 2008. Scoble served as Westridge's head of school for 18 years.

"The Search Committee was impressed from the outset with Elizabeth's professional experience and personal qualities," said Richard H. Patterson Jr., Chair, Westridge Board of Trustees. "Elizabeth has been a valued member of the Buckley community where she has held teaching and leadership positions across all three academic divisions for 16 years. Her colleagues have described her as highly professional, a tremendous resource, and a thoughtful leader.

"Her ability to connect with students, faculty, parents, and other constituencies at Westridge was immediately apparent during her campus interviews and visits. We are confident she is the ideal person to lead Westridge to our Centennial celebration in 2013 and beyond."

At Buckley, McGregor began working at the school as a kindergarten and third-grade teacher and eventually became an administrator. She has held leadership positions, including acting head of school and assistant head of school, since 2002. In her role as associate head over the past 2 1/2 years, McGregor has been responsible for several strategic initiatives including Buckley's Diversity Initiative. She also played an instrumental role in the school's $50-million Campus Enhancement Program.

Prior to Buckley, McGregor was a teacher inNew York,Connecticut, andJohannesburg, South Africa.

McGregor received her Master of Education degree in Languages, Literature and Communication: Teaching of English from Columbia University,New York, and her Bachelor of Education degree in Education and English from the University ofLondon. She also holds a Certificate in Education from the Avery Hill College of Education inLondon, England.

Elizabeth attended an all-girls school in her final two years of high school, a formative experience to which she attributes her appreciation of the benefits of a single-sex learning environment.

"Westridge is an outstanding school," said McGregor. "It has a supportive and caring community, a strong commitment to excellence, and a clear vision for the future. I am so impressed by the girls - their enthusiasm, their confidence, their intellectual curiosity, and their concern for others. I am honored to have been named the next head of school."

McGregor and her husband, Ian, have three children and two dogs.

The selection of McGregor concludes a national search that began in 2007 by a Westridge Search Committee chaired by Westridge Trustee David Mgrublian, Chief Executive Officer of IDS Real Estate Group.

Westridge School is an independent day school for 502 college-bound girls in grades 4-12. The campus has been located at Orange Grove Blvd. and Madeline Drive since the founding of the school. For more information, visit www.westridge.org.

SOURCE Westridge School