Today is an emotional day for the Oliverian community. It is with a combination of sadness and gratitude that I announce the retirement of John Doyle, aka Farmer John, aka FJ. As I write this, John just walked into the woods with a group of students for his last day of teaching. He has been doing this work since the very first days of Oliverian’s existence… and, in fact, before. It’s time now for John to slow down, and to focus on his own family and his beautiful property in Warren.

FJ has impacted the lives of innumerable Oliverian students and continues to be one of the Oliverian faculty members most beloved by our alumni. There are young adults all over this country and beyond who know how to split a log because of FJ. And while they may never have a reason to split wood again, they also learned how hard work and time in nature can help calm their minds and heal their souls. Please join me in thanking FJ for his many years of service to our students.

Abby Hood
Head of School

In honor of FJ’s retirement, today is Dress Like FJ Day!