George E. Stevens ’52

Born June 20, 1930, in Buffalo, N.Y., he attended Nichols School, where he was a star athlete and cum laude  graduate.

At Princeton, he played freshman football and basketball and varsity football, becoming quarterback of the undefeated 1951 football team. He was also a member of the Senior Council and Cottage Club. An English major, George was inspired by the faculty to pursue his lifetime commitment to education.

George began his academic career at Nichols. He taught English and coached football there for five years, interrupted by a three-year stint in the Navy. On duty in Hawaii, he met and married Jill Rice Walker.

In 1963, George became headmaster of New Canaan Country School, where he oversaw expansion of the campus, initiation of an endowment fund, and intensified recruitment of minority students. In 1965, he started Horizons, a program to help disadvantaged children by making his school’s facilities available to them during summer vacations. Over time, Horizons grew to be a year-round cultural and academic enrichment program now replicated in 15 communities nationwide.

After retiring, George remained active as an educational consultant and in civic affairs .

He is survived by Jill, three sons, and nine grandchildren.