BrewsterConnections - Brewster Academy

Honoring
Excellence
and Loyalty:
Nick Harris
and David Smith
Receive the
Brewster Medal
Rebekah Seaman ’97 and Robert Bierweiler ‘38
Daniel Mudge, Bill Whelan, and Mike Cooper
On Saturday, January 24, the Brewster Medal celebration was held at the Museum of
Fine Arts in Boston. More than 100 guests attended this inaugural event to recognize
the recipients of the Brewster Medal and to share and celebrate their Brewster
moments, past and present. The first recipients of the Brewster Medal were Henry F.
“Nick” Harris, alumni parent, and David M. Smith, Headmaster Emeritus.
David Smith, Mike Cooper, Penny Harris, Lamont Harris ’84, and Nicholas Harris
The Brewster Medal was established
to recognize extraordinary people
who have demonstrated distinguished
service to Brewster and dedicated
themselves to the advancement of the
mission of Brewster Academy and the
vision of John Brewster. In awarding
this honor, criteria for recognition
includes:
• Loyalty of service and/or support
to the Academy
• Personal characteristics that reflect
the Brewster Principle
• Commitment of excellence in
personal and professional pursuits
Molly Childs ‘03, A.B. Whitfield, Matt Keys ’04, Janie Whitney, Patricia and Michael Keys
emy deserves and demands for its continued
growth and success in the future.
Harris’ wife Penny, along with their son
Lamont and his son Nicholas, were present
to receive the Brewster Medal on behalf
of Harris who passed away in December
2006. Lamont thanked Cooper
for the honor and shared with attendees
his father’s passion for Brewster and
belief in Smith’s vision for the school. It
was a partnership that worked well, Lamont
said. Nick appreciated the amazing
location and campus and was impressed
with the school’s intention for beautification
through the master plan, he added.
Lamont recognized that his father was
more comfortable providing support
behind the scenes, and the irony of Nick
not being present for the party. Lamont
assured guests that “it really means a
lot to us to know that dad’s generosity
Dr. Michael E. Cooper welcomed guests
and honorees to the event and began the
ceremony by posthumously recognizing
Harris for his long, loyal partnership
and generous support of Brewster and
his caring, compassionate, and vibrant
spirit. The Harris family has had a long
relationship with Brewster that began
in 1981 when Lamont Harris ‘84 joined
the Brewster community as a sophomore
and was followed soon after by
his brother Henry ’88. Nick and Penny
Harris were active and appreciative parents
who recognized the importance of
a strong partnership with Headmaster
Smith and were committed to ensuring
that the quality of program and needs of
the school would be supported. Smith
and Harris communicated often about
the vision and direction of the school,
and Harris was instrumental in providing
the financial foundation and personal
endorsement needed to support the
school’s first master plan created by the
board of trustees. The Harris’ unwavering
support saw the completion of capital
projects including Harris House – a
boys’ dormitory – and the Harris Hall
amphitheater in the Academic Building.
Cooper applauded Harris’ extraordinary
example of partnership and extended
service to the school beyond his active
parent years and held his example out to
all as a model for what Brewster Acadhas
made a difference in so many lives
that have passed through the halls of
Brewster.”
Daniel T. Mudge (Tapley-Ann ‘98 and
Ashley ‘02), president of the board of
trustees, presented the second Brewster
Medal to David M. Smith – the youngest
and longest serving headmaster of
Brewster Academy, from 1974 to 2003.
Smith’s distinguished career and trans-
4 BrewsterConnections • Spring 2009
• www.brewsteracademy.org •
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