Ten facts about Bill Greenham, ASL’s interim headmaster (ASL 1991-92)

During the 2020-21 school year, we're celebrating ASL’s 70th anniversary with a series of 70 stories highlighting our school’s vibrant past, present and future.

“Good administration is demonstrated through the exercise of leadership, in both quiet and turbulent times.” — Dr. William H. Greenham

Following the sudden death of Headmaster Bill Harris (ASL 1986-91) in the spring of 1991, Dr. Bill Greenham was hired to serve as ASL’s interim Head for the 1991-92 school year. Here’s a glimpse into ASL’s 4th fearless leader.

The June 1991 issue of The Standard announces Bill's appointment as interim headmaster for the following school year

1. Bill’s year in London was not his only post abroad. After departing ASL, he became superintendent of the American School of the Hague for four years.
    
2. Bill had four children: William, Laura, Jeff and David. Jeff, a ceramicist, is the associate dean for the School of Fine Arts at Fairmont State University, and he was a visiting artist at ASL when his dad was head. 

   Two of Bill's children, Jeff and Laurie, L-R above, appeared in Scranton, Pennsylvania's paper, The Times-Tribune, on 9 September 2014 for an event that honored their late grandmother. Cathy Greenham, Bill's wife, is pictured to the right of the woman holding the certificate
    

3. A decorated educator, Bill received numerous accolades throughout his career. As an administrator of the Brighton Central school district in New York, Bill won the Brighton Central Parent Teacher Staff Association’s “Honorary Life Membership Award” in 1968. Pennsylvania State University, Bill’s alma mater, honored him with the Excellence in Education Award in 1987, the “highest honor bestowed upon a College of Education alumnus.” Two years later, He received Concordia College's President's Award for Excellence in Educational Service while serving as the superintendent of the Bronxville school district in New York.
    

4. As principal of Shaker Heights High School in Ohio, Bill helped launch the school’s hockey program in 1970. The following year, the Shaker Heights Red Raiders became state champions.
    

5. In addition to the administrative posts he held at secondary schools, Bill also worked in higher education. He taught at Penn State, Cornell, St. Lawrence University, Cleveland State University and Nazareth College.  

   While serving as the assistant superintendent for the Pittsford, NY school district, Bill was appointed to be the superintendent of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in 1978. He later became superintendent of the Bronxville, NY school district in 1982, where he stayed until moving to London and ASL in 1991.
    

6. Bill promoted educational research through his involvement with the Northeastern Educational Research Association (NERA), of which he was president from 1964 to 1965. He also authored an article for the American Secondary Education entitled, “Who is the Assistant Principal? Explorations into an Elusive Role” in 1972.
    

7. During his year as Head of ASL, Bill worked to expand the computer program. He also helped to outlaw student smoking when, on 27 May 1992, shortly before he left, the faculty voted in favor of making ASL a smoke-free campus by 1994. 

   The Standard reports on Bill's departure in June 1992

8. Community service was an important tenet of Dr. Greenham’s educational philosophy. He helped start a student volunteer program at Shaker Heights High School and recommended that community service be compulsory for Bronxville High School students when their program started during his tenure as superintendent. As Bill told a New York Times reporter in 1984, "kids should have the experience of giving of themselves to the community and other people.”
    

9. One of Bill’s favorite pastimes was cooking, which he learned to do while working in a restaurant during college. Manicotti was one of his favorite recipes!
    

10. In a letter to the graduating Class of 1992, Dr. Greenham described his year as ASL’s Head as “challenging and satisfying.” Lauding the teachers and staff as “outstanding,” the students as “interesting,” and ASL as “one of the highest quality schools,” Bill’s service was short, sweet and successful. “You live in a wonderful time,” he wrote to the 1992 seniors. “Three chief school administrators came out of my high school graduating class. Perhaps there are at least that number among you. I hope so!” Did any 1992 alumni become educators? Share your story with us

    Bill's photo from the 1992 yearbook