by Liz Daube
Staff Writer
John Trainer Jr., holds a Ph.D. and heads Bolles, one of the nation’s elite college preparatory schools, but he’s not terribly concerned about titles. Forget to call him “Dr. Trainer” and he doesn’t flinch.
“It (a doctorate) is a major accomplishment and a lot of work, but I don’t think it makes you a better teacher,” Trainer said with a shrug. Smiling, he added, “The ones who make a big deal about that are the ones who have the weakest dissertations.”
What Trainer does make a big deal about is Bolles — the school’s history, unique features and solid reputation. He’s quick to point out the extent of the operations he oversees: 300 employees, a $25 million annual budget, two small hotels, two small restaurants, a bus service, 100 acres of property, a building on the National Historic Register and “over 1,700 customers who are paying a great deal of money for our services.”
Trainer has acted as president and head of the school for five years. He said the school’s traditions have remained the same, but he has enjoyed putting his own mark on the school.
“A lot has changed. We are much stronger financially,” he said. “I have heard that the culture has changed. I’ve had people tell me that it seems to be a more open campus. When I first got here, people wouldn’t say hello when they passed people on the sidewalk.”
A friendlier atmosphere may be Trainer’s biggest contribution to a private school that’s about to celebrate 75 years of producing National Merit scholars and Olympic athletes, according to Jan Olson, senior communications director at Bolles.
“If he’s in here and he doesn’t have anyone, he welcomes students to come by,” she said. “He really enjoys being part of the student life.”
Trainer came to Bolles after a 30-year career in college and university academics. He taught and then worked in administration at Jacksonville University under former president Fran Kinne. Most recently, he was president of Lenoir-Rhyne College in North Carolina.
“If it weren’t for plays and concerts and volleyball games and football games, I wouldn’t even be interested in this job,” said Trainer. “They (students) are why I’m here.”
He explained how he enjoyed his previous job, and he only truly considered working for Bolles when he realized the high level of student involvement desired by the school’s Board of Trustees.
“These jobs are 60 and 70 hours a week, and if you don’t enjoy a high percentage of those hours, this job’ll kill ya,” said Trainer. “I’ve met an awful lot of college and university presidents who did not enjoy students, and they did not last.”
Trainer said the challenges at a K-12 college preparatory school have been similar to those he experienced in the college setting. He said students work hard to excel in academics, athletics and arts, finding out early what they’d like to achieve in college.
Parents pay a lot for that well-rounded education; boarding students pay $30,000 a year to attend Bolles. The results are difficult to deny, though: 99 percent of Bolles graduates go on to post-secondary education.
“In 20 years, we know of only two students (who didn’t go to college immediately after graduation),” said Trainer. “One was drafted into the Atlanta Braves (organization). One girl danced professionally for a year before college.”
Trainer said his work keeps him busy most days and nights, but the people he works with keep his stress level down.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like for somebody who doesn’t enjoy their work,” he said. “There’s never a dull day.”