April Speaker to Trace 200 Year History of Western Reserve Academy in Context of Larger Role Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders

NOTE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Tom Vince, who was scheduled to speak at the April 9 HHA meeting about the 200^th anniversary of Western Reserve Academy, must cancel. Diccon Ong, a longtime member of the Academy’s faculty, where he holds the H. Arthur Bellow Jr. ’56 Chair in History, has graciously agreed to step in and will provide his own perspective on the Academy’s milestone year.

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Hudson Heritage Association will mark the end of its general programming year on April 9 when Diccon Ong, who has lifelong ties to Western Reserve Academy, will mark the school’s 200^th anniversary with a presentation that looks both at the Academy’s history and the role institutions like WRA play in preparing students for a world that is in constant change.

Founded in 1826 by 12 visionary settlers from Connecticut including David Hudson, Western Reserve College was established as the “Yale of the West” — an institution that quickly gained a reputation for academic excellence and political activism. Over the years, it has weathered economic downturns, witnessed multiple wars, survived the move of the college to Cleveland and saw the eventual establishment of WRA, which today is recognized as one of the top college preparatory boarding and day schools in the country, with students in grades 9-12 attending from more than 20 states and 15 countries.

Mr. Ong notes that he will trace the 200-year history of Western Reserve Academy through a single enduring question: what is the purpose of education? Drawing on both the school’s evolution – from its founding through moments of challenge, reinvention, and growth, the talk will explore how WRA has continually balanced tradition and change. At its heart is a deeper reflection on whether education is meant simply to prepare students for the world as it is, or to equip them to question it, shape it, and imagine what it might become.

A native of Hudson and a product of both the Hudson public schools and Western Reserve Academy (Class of 1981), Diccon Ong is a longtime member of the Academy’s faculty, where he holds the H. Arthur Bellow Jr. ’56 Chair in History. He earned his degree in history from Bowdoin College and a master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, with additional study at the University of St. Andrews and professional actor training in London. Before returning to WRA in 1998, he spent more than a decade working as an actor in Chicago, where he co-founded the Itinerant Theatre Guild and served as its managing director for ten years, producing shows in Chicago, Louisville, and Dallas.

Now in his third decade at the Academy, Mr. Ong teaches American history and economics, coaches both soccer and riflery, and directs the Young Scholars Program. He and his wife, Donalee, spent 23 years living in student dormitories – 19 of those as Dorm Head – reflecting their deep commitment to residential life at the school. Known for his lively classroom presence, he has received multiple teaching honors, including a Yale Educator Award, and is a two-time recipient of WRA’s Robert Weiss Award for outstanding teaching. In 2021, he was selected by the graduating class to deliver their commencement address – the first faculty member so honored.

He and his wife have three sons, all graduates of the Academy. Diccon is also an active member of Hudson Heritage Association, currently in his eighth year of service. He previously served as co-president for two and a half years. He will likely be familiar to frequent attendees of HHA’s monthly programs, as he has for the past few years regularly introduced the featured speakers. HHA’s April 9 program, to be held at Barlow Community Center, begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the presentation.