The Peddie boarding community forms a crucial part of the entire school. Over 60% of Peddie students are boarders, and during their time here, the dorm becomes a second home to them. Many people play an important role in making boarding life as fun as possible: dorm supervisors, prefects, deans and the head of residential life. This year, Mr. Bickford takes the helm of boarding life as the head of residential life.

Mr. Bickford brings twenty years of experience as a dorm supervisor to his new role after the former head, Dr. Venanzi, became a college counselor. When asked about what he was most excited about, he answered, “I want to be more engaged with the community and support my colleagues and boarders.”

He continued, “When people talk about how they experienced and cherished Peddie, they talk about academics, they talk about sports, they talk about clubs. They also talk about their favorite memories from boarding life. I hope to create an environment where students are happy to be boarders and don’t feel like they only board because it’s more convenient.”

He plans to make boarding life clear and simple by clarifying procedures, especially with Reach and food delivery. Most importantly, he wants to “get out of the dorm sups’ way” and give them the freedom to plan fun events.

Mr. Bickford has enjoyed branching out and engaging with the Peddie community. He fondly recounted, “There was one student who was going to a concert, and I got to know him by helping him with the procedure for getting excused.” He also loves working closely with the dean’s office and said he appreciates the immense support of the Peddie community in helping him adjust to his new role. Acknowledging that becoming the head of residential life was a huge step outside of his comfort zone, he seized this opportunity to meet new people and reach outside his usual social circles. He fully values everything that the boarding community brings to enhance dorm life.

Aside from leading the residential life, Mr. Bickford teaches history and coaches golf. In his free time, he likes to play golf, make food (especially sourdough bread), and tend to his garden. He also occasionally goes fishing. Mr. Bickford also has a dog named Ellie that he got for his son during the pandemic, and walks her sometimes.

As the year kicks into full swing, we are excited to see what Mr. Bickford will bring as the new head of residential life!