Punahou School President Receives Joe Allen Exemplar Award

Mar. 2012

Western News

James Scott, president of Punahou School in Honolulu, received the Western Regional Assembly’s most prestigious award, the Joe Allen Exemplar Award, at the Western Regional Forum in February.

The award acknowledges outstanding professional achievement, specifically significant contributions on behalf of students, over an extended period of time. Joe Allen was a founding member and dean of the College Board’s Summer Institute for many years and was a champion of underrepresented students. He served on various regional committees and councils and was elected to be the Western Region’s representative on the College Board’s Board of Trustees.

“Jim often reminds Punahou students, recipients of a truly privileged educational experience, that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected,’” said Shelley Arakawa, a graduate of Punahou who now works as a senior director for higher education in the College Board’s Western Regional Office. “Jim’s charge isn’t grounded in the idea of giving back to Punahou; it’s about paying it forward. As a Punahou graduate himself, Jim committed early on to doing just that.”

This award recognizes contributions that benefit students directly and go beyond one’s work assignment. It is an honor for those who have offered meritorious service to their profession and proven ability as a “leader of leaders.”

Fellow Stanford graduate and College Board Vice President for Relationship Development Jim Montoya noted, “Even from his Stanford undergraduate days, Jim Scott was admired widely across campus for being smart and good looking, for being a leader, and for being from Hawaii — but also for his deep sense of purpose. Education has been that deep sense of purpose, and the educational leadership he has offered not only to Punahou and Hawaii, but to the nation, is worthy of our appreciation and gratitude.”

Scott has spent time as an admission officer, history teacher, college counselor, baseball coach, academic dean and headmaster. His work has been recognized by colleagues at Punahou and across the region and nation.

In accepting the award, Scott said, “We don’t do this work for awards. Ultimately, our reward and fulfillment is the work we do on behalf of kids.

“Joe Allen would encourage us to believe in, and reach for, two ideals: Put kids first. Our professional compass should always be student centered. Our work on their behalf is the reward. And take a risk, extend yourself. Identify a student with high academic promise, but with low economic opportunity, and raise their aspirations and their preparation to go to college. And as they flourish, encourage them to pay that gift forward by helping another young person to reach their full promise.

“So I humbly accept this award on behalf of Punahou, and I gratefully accept this award in memory of my old friend and mentor Joe Allen.”