In the week he formally takes up his post, the new head of the Hong Kong International School has stressed his commitment to all-round education and the need to look beyond academic achievement alone.
An inauguration ceremony for Dr William Wehrenberg will be held tomorrow, with an address by Dr Melvin Kieschnick, one of the school's founders, and a response by parent Michael Tien Puk-sun, an Education Commission member.
Dr Wehrenberg said his philosophy was of helping students to become well-rounded people, coupled with the school's mission of encouraging academic excellence, spirituality and character development.
The school provides an American-style liberal arts education and is affiliated to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in the US. All children must participate in religious studies. Dr Wehrenberg will oversee the school's four levels, from R1 to High School grade 12, at Tai Tam and Repulse Bay, where 2,600 pupils are enrolled.
He hails from Indiana in the US, and comes from five years as dean at Clemson University, South Carolina, and a previous post as associate dean at the University of Wisconsin.
He replaces Charles Dull, who is returning to the US after four years leading the school. Dr Wehrenberg said that while students strove for academic excellence they also had to demonstrate respect and care at school and in the community and stand up for what was right.