Thomas M. Mikula H'89 (1926-2014)
A Message from Michael J. Schafer, Head of School
Dear Kimball Union Community,
Dear Kimball Union Community,
It is with deep sadness that I report the passing of Thomas M. Mikula, Kimball Union's 16th Head of School, who led the Academy with the utmost care and distinction from 1974-1989.
Tom will forever be known on The Hilltop as an important and influential leader of our Academy and a generation of Kimball Union students and faculty during a critical time in our school's history. His devotion to education, commitment, hard work, dedication, and the positive effects of his passionate calling live on today in those he taught and inspired, and those with whom he collaborated for the betterment of our Academy. Today, our school continues to be influenced by the mission and values Tom so steadfastly modeled and espoused. Indeed, many of our people, enduring programs, endowed resources, facilities, traditions, and relationships forged during the "Mikula era" flourish in abundance to this day.
Tom and Elva Mikula and their two children, Anna (Pawliwiez) and Edward came to Kimball Union in 1974, a challenging period in our Nation's history and a pivotal time for the Academy. Tom led the Academy through the turbulence and social unrest of the Vietnam War era that played out across many school campuses. He simultaneously oversaw KUA's return to co-education after a forty year hiatus and into the modern era until his retirement in 1989 when he was presented with an honorary degree by the class of 1989. Tom and his able leadership team led the Academy through its first-ever capital campaign and in every way laid the foundation for the success of our recent, historic IMPACT campaign for which he served as Honorary Chair.
Tom came from the mill town of Johnston, PA and always remained true to his roots. A graduate of William and Mary, he first taught at Philips Academy, then Hanover High School where he and Elva also became integral supporters of Dartmouth College students and the A Better Chance (ABC) program. He was unanimously selected by the Board of Trustees to become the Academy's 16th head and only the 5th of the 20th century.
Tom has been described by his closest KUA colleagues as, “. . . a giant of a man, good and great to the core, the epitome of a headmaster . . . .” In all, it was Tom's dedication, his self-discipline, his modeling of character and integrity, his persistence and insistence of excellence that steadfastly — and with love and care — helped to shape the exceptional school community that Kimball Union was then and continues to be today.
I know the entire Kimball Union family is united in our appreciation for the vibrant legacy Tom Mikula leaves behind, and joins me in extending our condolences to Tom's family and closest friends.
We will post arrangements once they have been made. We are planning a celebration of Tom Mikula's life here on The Hilltop at a later date.
Tom will forever be known on The Hilltop as an important and influential leader of our Academy and a generation of Kimball Union students and faculty during a critical time in our school's history. His devotion to education, commitment, hard work, dedication, and the positive effects of his passionate calling live on today in those he taught and inspired, and those with whom he collaborated for the betterment of our Academy. Today, our school continues to be influenced by the mission and values Tom so steadfastly modeled and espoused. Indeed, many of our people, enduring programs, endowed resources, facilities, traditions, and relationships forged during the "Mikula era" flourish in abundance to this day.
Tom and Elva Mikula and their two children, Anna (Pawliwiez) and Edward came to Kimball Union in 1974, a challenging period in our Nation's history and a pivotal time for the Academy. Tom led the Academy through the turbulence and social unrest of the Vietnam War era that played out across many school campuses. He simultaneously oversaw KUA's return to co-education after a forty year hiatus and into the modern era until his retirement in 1989 when he was presented with an honorary degree by the class of 1989. Tom and his able leadership team led the Academy through its first-ever capital campaign and in every way laid the foundation for the success of our recent, historic IMPACT campaign for which he served as Honorary Chair.
Tom came from the mill town of Johnston, PA and always remained true to his roots. A graduate of William and Mary, he first taught at Philips Academy, then Hanover High School where he and Elva also became integral supporters of Dartmouth College students and the A Better Chance (ABC) program. He was unanimously selected by the Board of Trustees to become the Academy's 16th head and only the 5th of the 20th century.
Tom has been described by his closest KUA colleagues as, “. . . a giant of a man, good and great to the core, the epitome of a headmaster . . . .” In all, it was Tom's dedication, his self-discipline, his modeling of character and integrity, his persistence and insistence of excellence that steadfastly — and with love and care — helped to shape the exceptional school community that Kimball Union was then and continues to be today.
I know the entire Kimball Union family is united in our appreciation for the vibrant legacy Tom Mikula leaves behind, and joins me in extending our condolences to Tom's family and closest friends.
We will post arrangements once they have been made. We are planning a celebration of Tom Mikula's life here on The Hilltop at a later date.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Schafer H'13, P'12,'15
Head of School
