After almost three years as Laboratory Schools Director, Charlie Abelmann has left Lab to pursue other opportunities, effective May 6, according to an email sent to faculty, staff, parents and guardians from University of Chicago Provost Ka Yee Lee, Vice Provost Daniel Abebe and Laboratory Schools Board Chair David Kistenbroker. 

David Magill, who was Laboratory Schools director for 11 years before retiring 2014, will take the role of interim director through the 2020-21 academic year, the email stated. 

The email listed Dr. Abelmann’s accomplishments since he began at Lab in 2017: “His accomplishments include leading Lab’s comprehensive strategic framework planning process, expanding initiatives in health and wellness, and strengthening efforts in diversity and inclusion.”

Before coming to Lab in 2003, Dr. Magill received an Ed.D. from Temple University and was the superintendent of two Pennsylvania school districts for 20 years. 

According to a UChicago News article, during his time as Laboratory Schools director, Dr. Magill increased financial aid and the diversity of the student body. Dr. Magill also reorganized the middle, lower, elementary and nursery schools to help focus educational approaches to each age group.

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The full email from Ka Yee C. Lee, Provost, Daniel Abebe, Vice Provost, and David Kistenbroker, Chair of the Laboratory Schools Board is below.

We write to inform you that effective today, Charlie Abelmann, director of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, is leaving the University to pursue other opportunities. David Magill, who served as director of the Lab Schools for 11 years until 2014, has agreed to return as interim director through at least the end of the 2020-21 academic year.

Charlie has worked tirelessly for the Lab community since his appointment in 2017. His accomplishments include leading Lab’s comprehensive strategic framework planning process, expanding initiatives in health and wellness, and strengthening efforts in diversity and inclusion. We are grateful for his contributions to our community.

David Magill is well known to many of us for his distinguished leadership of Lab. He has a longstanding commitment to our community through many friendships with parents, faculty, and staff, and as a grandfather of Lab students. David holds an EdD from Temple University, and served for 20 years as superintendent of two Pennsylvania school districts before coming to Chicago. He will bring an innate understanding of Lab as interim director.

We understand that a leadership change may bring uncertainty as our community faces the challenges of the global pandemic. David’s extensive experience and deep understanding of Lab will be critical as we move forward.  The University and Lab leadership, particularly the Laboratory Schools Board, will work closely together to ensure that the transition is as seamless as possible. We remain committed to building upon Lab’s enduring academic values and distinct educational philosophy to which each generation has contributed since Lab’s founding in 1896.

Thank you for your continuing commitment to Lab. Please join us in thanking Charlie for his service, and in welcoming David back to the Lab community.