BrewsterConnections(PDF) - Brewster Academy

By Kristy Kerin
This year Brewster celebrates its 125th
anniversary and one group of alumni
and parents hopes to commemorate this
milestone in a special way. Armed with the belief
that a school is only as strong as the commitment of
its alumni, they have joined together to sponsor a
generous challenge. They are calling it the Strength
in Numbers Challenge and the goal is simple: to
increase alumni participation in Brewster’s
Annual Fund.
This year, if at least 600 alumni make a
gift to Brewster, a group of challenge
donors will give Brewster $100,000.
Simple, right? According to Annual Fund
Director Beth Hayes ’81, “It is simple! To
count for the challenge, alumni simply
have to make a gift to Brewster of any
size, to any area of their choosing. Last
year, 8 percent of alumni made a gift to
Brewster. These challenge donors believe we can do better, and they have
offered this generous challenge to help us spread the word that alumni
participation really matters.”
“We know that Brewster alumni love their school,” said Martha Trepanier
’83, associate director of development. “We know this by talking with
alumni and hearing their stories. Brewster has made a significant impact
on so many alumni across the decades, and it is time for us to join together
as alumni to say thank you. Alumni giving is vital.”
Alumni giving is particularly vital for a school like Brewster with a limited
endowment and the significant operational costs of a boarding school.
Brewster’s endowment per student is only a fraction of that of its peer
schools, yet Brewster stretches its resources to offer competitive financial
aid, attract top-notch faculty, and maintain its stunning campus.
“Education is fundamentally a people business,” said Lisa Braiterman,
chief financial officer. “Sixty percent of our total budget is directed to
people – financial aid for talented students and personnel costs. Very little
of that funding comes from endowment, so we must look for other sources
of support.”
Ronn Bronzetti ’92 and Stephanie O’Connor Leahey ’92
are co-chairing their 20th Reunion Committee and they
are two of the Strength in Numbers Challenge sponsors.
“I consider myself fortunate to have attended Brewster
and I feel compelled to give back so that other students
might enjoy the same type of educational opportunities
that I did,” Bronzetti shared. “More than a fundraising
effort, the Strength in Numbers Challenge is really about
people. It is about honoring the teachers and coaches who
supported us while we were at Brewster, and it is about
the kind of impact that we can make as alumni to ensure
that Brewster Academy’s best days lie ahead.”
Leahey adds, “As a parent, I often reflect on turning
points in my life. Attending BA was a key decision that
changed the trajectory of my life. I am so grateful for
the opportunity I had to attend a school with a safe and
nurturing environment that allowed me to be a better
version of myself. I feel I owe it to give back. “
Gifts to Brewster’s Annual Fund support every
aspect of the school. Alumni contributions help
Brewster support financial aid for deserving
students, attract and retain top faculty, offer a competitive athletics
program, maintain its idyllic campus, and create a top-notch learning
environment. Donors may choose to direct their gifts to a specific area or
program of their choosing, and they may make gifts in honor of a favorite
faculty member, mentor, or coach.
Dan Mudge, chair of the board of trustees and Brewster parent (Tapley-
Ann ’98 and Ashley ’02) shared his reasons for supporting the challenge:
“I want to give back, so that deserving young students, who otherwise
might not have the chance, now will have an opportunity to build a solid
foundation for their future. Seeing young Brewster graduates succeed is a
rewarding feeling. Brewster needs alumni support to continue its mission.
Every gift will help make a difference.”
Alumni have until June 30 to make a gift to support the Strength in
Numbers Challenge.
Brewster thanks its challenge donors:
David Carlson ’54, Tony Leitner ’61, Candace Crawshaw ’64,
David Hunter ’90, Mitch Wolff ’90, Ronn Bronzetti ’92,
Stephanie O’Connor Leahey ’92, and Dan and Kathy Mudge P’98, ’02.
www.brewsteracademy.org/giving
26 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2012