by J. Michael Townsend, Counselor at King’s Academy, Former English Teacher at The TAFT School
With the passing of Dr. Eric Widmer on January 18, the world lost a visionary educator whose legacy reaches around the world and lives on in a thriving independent school in the Middle East. A world citizen and a true Renaissance man, Dr. Widmer possessed a zest for life, a passion for learning, and an unyielding humanity that inspired the scores of students he touched at Brown University, Deerfield Academy, and at King’s Academy in Jordan.
Born in Beirut to teachers and educated at Deerfield, Williams, and Harvard, Dr. Widmer gained an intimate knowledge of what makes a great school, and his vision played a crucial role in the greatness of schools he led. He served as a distinguished professor, Dean of Student Life, and Dean of Admissions at Brown before serving as Deerfield’s 54th Headmaster from 1994-2006. In 2007, he concluded his career at Deerfield but put off a well-earned retirement to help Deerfield Alumnus King Abdullah II of Jordan. King Abdullah loved his years at Deerfield and dreamed of bringing to Jordan an international school in the same mold. Inspired by the King’s vision and his own love for the Middle East, Dr. Widmer took on the gargantuan task of building such a school. task of building such a school.
Named the Founding Headmaster of King’s Academy in 2006, he oversaw the transformation of farmland outside of Madaba into a magnificent modern campus. With his wife Meera Viswanathan, herself an educator who serves as Head of School for Ethel Walker School, he traveled around the world to raise funds, helped to design a beautiful campus, and recruited a talented international faculty. From the moment he and Meera welcomed the first students, they devoted themselves to bringing Deerfield’s commitment to pursuing academic excellence in a nurturing environment to Jordan.
Today, King’s Academy continues to honor the vision of King Abdullah II and Eric Widmer. In selecting Penny Townsend as the School’s fourth Head of School, in 2023, King’s chose a woman devoted to that vision and driven by an energy that is in every way equal to that of Dr. Widmer’s. Townsend states, “We commit ourselves to being an oasis of peace and understanding in one of the most turbulent regions of the world. We celebrate the diversity that is crucial to creating respect and understanding among people of every nation, religion, and culture. And we pursue the highest academic standards in a community that honors what every student brings to the table.”
A number of Deerfield traditions continue to thrive at King’s. Close relationships between teachers and students are fostered by formal sit-down meals, frequent community meetings, and students being welcome in faculty homes and apartments. A substantial financial aid budget makes it possible to attract students who lack the funds for tuition. The school enjoys a magnificent state-of-the-art campus with unrivaled academic and athletic facilities. During the academic day and at sit-down meals, Kings’ students wear formal dress. Like all the great American secondary schools, King’s offers advanced and AP courses in every discipline, expert college counseling, and a strong program in competitive athletics.
But at the same time, the environment is emphatically Jordanian. Classroom instruction takes place in English and all students study Arabic as well. Outside the classroom, students communicate in Arabic as often as they do in English which helps to develop fluency in the non-Arabic speakers. All students gain an appreciation and deep understanding of the Islamic traditions. The school honors Islamic holy days and makes every accommodation for students and faculty who fast during Ramadan.
All things considered, King’s Academy is an international community devoted to fostering communication, understanding, and mutual respect. And it is that enduring ethos that has enabled the school to thrive as an oasis of peace and understanding in a region beset by violence and discord. It is fitting that each day King’s Academy students walk beneath a portrait of Eric Widmer and Meera Viswanathan. We are proud to be part of a great man’s enduring legacy.
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