Following more than 30 years as a member of the Blue Ridge School community, including 28 years as a member of the faculty, Paul Fehlner has been named faculty emeritus by the Board of Trustees.

The occasion was marked on October 26, 2019, during halftime of the Alumni Weekend football game. At the ceremony, Headmaster Trip Darrin said, “I am proud to name Paul Fehlner as the 12th member of the distinguished educators who’ve been named faculty emeritus of Blue Ridge School. In doing so, we honor a great teacher and an even better man.”

Retiring in 2017, Fehlner served as a member of the Blue Ridge Faculty for 28 years. He started as a member of the science department, and served as the department chair for more than a decade.

Fehlner and his wife Gail raised two beautiful daughters on the Blue Ridge School campus. Growing up within the warm community of the Ridge, Natalie and Kelsey both took part in various musical productions here on campus.

He initiated the environmental science program at Blue Ridge School. He led the Saturday fine arts programming for more than ten years, famous for bringing not only a capella groups to campus to entertain the boys, but also hypnotists and even snake handlers.

He served as head coach of the varsity tennis and wrestling teams. Darrin says, “There were many years when he coached these teams solo. In fact, past and present athletic directors credit Paul with keeping Wrestling alive during some thin years.”

In 2014, Fehlner was selected by the Senior Class to give the keynote speech at their graduation ceremony. His speech was powerful, containing several important messages for our graduates.