HERSHEY, PA. School for troubled kids inaugurates new leader

HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) -- The Milton Hershey School for troubled and needy children formally inaugurated its eighth president, an alumnus who had previously served as the school's interim leader.
John A. O'Brien, founder and president of Renaissance Leadership, a management consulting firm, was appointed president by the school board at the end of July following a 10-month national search.
In a two-hour inauguration ceremony on Sunday afternoon, O'Brien, a 1961 alumnus, recalled his experiences as a Milton Hershey student. He told the 2,500-member audience about working in the school's dairy barn and later playing on its football team.
"As I stand here today, I count myself the luckiest man alive," O'Brien said. "How many people get to finish their career with the all-time dream job doing what they're prepared for their whole life? How many people get to come home? This is my home."
Students, alumni and staff presented O'Brien with gifts during the ceremony, and the new president lead the crowd in a chant of "proud to be Milton Hershey."
O'Brien became the school's interim president in December, replacing president and chief executive officer William L. Lepley, who agreed to resign under a reorganization plan.
The school, which serves 1,300 students, was founded in 1909 by chocolate magnate and philanthropist Milton S. Hershey and his wife, Catherine.