A gentleman, educator and visionary, founding United World College-USA President Theodore “Ted” Lockwood was committed to building a community that shared the passion to make a difference.
Lockwood, who served as president at UWC-USA from 1982-1993, passed away Monday, Jan. 21, at his home in Stowe, Vt. He was 94.
Shirleen Lanham, who has taught math at UWC-USA for 30 years, described Lockwood as learned, gracious and eloquent, and committed to the education of young adults based on firmly held philosophical and moral principles.
“He connected with the students, thoroughly enjoying interacting with them through discussion and through shared experience,” Lanham said. “He went on expeditions with them, ‘hung out’ with them after meals in the cafeteria, saw every bus off after graduation to say farewell, and read every student’s report, adding a comment of his own.”
Lockwood’s successor Dr. Phil Geier noted that Lockwood and his wife, Lu, laid the foundation for UWC-USA that Geier and his wife, Amy, were privileged to build on.
“Ted’s rare combination of academic accomplishments and outdoor interests brought just the right spirit to Montezuma, as did the outstanding faculty and staff he hired, influencing many years of UWC students,” Geier said. “We will be forever grateful for Ted and Lu’s leadership and dedication as they established the UWC movement’s only campus in the United States.”
Lockwood was born on Dec. 5, 1924, in Hanover, N.H. He attended private school in Lake Placid, N.Y., and graduated as valedictorian from Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., in 1948. Lockwood earned his master’s and doctorate from Princeton University.
He taught at Dartmouth College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Juniata College in Huntingdon, Penn., before becoming dean of faculty at Concord College in Athens, W.Va, and provost and dean of faculty at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.
Lockwood was named president of Trinity College in 1967. He helped transform the all-men’s school into a coeducational institution during his second year in office. Today, women make up 50 percent of the student body.
Lockwood wrote a book about being involved with the founding UWC-USA and working on that undertaking with philanthropist, Armand Hammer. UWC-USA is one of 17 high schools around the world, with a mission that education can serve as a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. Titled “Dreams & Promises: The Story of the Armand Hammer United World College,” the book focuses on the personalities involved, the international perspective and glimpses of all these people. It also offers an inspiration to a public hoping for better educational opportunities.
President of UWC-USA since July 2016, Victoria Mora noted she didn’t have the opportunity to meet Lockwood due to his health issues.
“I was privileged to get to know him through his book,” Mora said. “Founding a school is no easy task. Add the big personality of Armand Hammer, combined with the complexities of a worldwide educational movement, and you really do have the makings of a book!”
She added that Lockwood was the right leader at the right time, and he couldn’t have been luckier to have his beloved wife Lu at his side, bringing the Montezuma campus to life.
“All of us at UWC-USA, and across the movement, owe Dr. Lockwood a debt of gratitude,” Mora said. “We wish his family peace in this time of loss.”
Lockwood in 1992 hired Ravi Parashar, who continues to teach economics at UWC-USA. Parashar was surprised when Lockwood met Parashar in Santa Fe to drive him to Montezuma.
“But that was him,” Parashar said. “Unassuming and chipping in to help whenever and wherever needed. He had an impressive presence and yet was so humble, possessing a spontaneous old world charm that immediately made you like him and feel comfortable with him as could be observed in any meeting that he attended.”
Lockwood is survived by his wife; daughters from his first marriage, Tamara Jane Quinn, Mavis Ferens Lockwood and Serena Katherine Lockwood; and stepsons Nicholas Abbot and Michael Abbot.
A memorial service is scheduled for 12 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, Feb. 9, at St. John’s in the Mountains, an Episcopal Church in Stowe. Lu Lockwood, who had been married to Ted for 38 years, asks that memorial contributions be made to the United World College-USA.
“Montezuma was the closest thing to Ted’s heart,” she said.
To make a contribution, go to www.uwc-usa.org/give. Make checks payable to UWC-USA and mail to UWC-USA Advancement Office, 4 Campus Drive, P.O. Box 248, Montezuma, NM, 87731-0248.
Friends and alumni are also encouraged to share memories of Ted’s generosity and kindness by following this link.