Brewsterconnections - Brewster Academy

In AppreciationWalter “Rink” N. DeWitt ‘54Rink DeWitt ’54 (P‘86) served on the Brewster AcademyBoard of Trustees from 1969-1993, serving as presidentfrom 1974-1993 and as trustee emeritus from 1993-2010By Helen HamiltonThroughout its history, Brewster Academy has been a significant,private/public educational institution for learning, in theWolfeboro region. Rink was a proud graduate of BrewsterAcademy and in 1969 when he became aware of the many difficulties theAcademy was experiencing, he was asked to join the board of trustees,which he readily accepted. With dwindling student enrollment, facultyretention, and financial resources, Rink understood the essence ofBrewster Academy as an educational institution.Rink was an undaunted visionary and a game changer. In 1974 he becamethe president of the board of trustees, and it was evident his missionwas to build Brewster Academy into a viable, high quality educationalinstitution. Soon after he assumed the role of president, Rink asked me tobe on the board of trustees because he wanted an educator on the board.Because of another trustee commitment, I declined; however, withinthree weeks he called to announce that I had joined Brewster’s Board ofTrustees!Also at this time, the board became involved in the process of selectinga new headmaster. Faculty member David M. Smith was appointedheadmaster and served with distinction for 30 years.With his guidance, Rink was the backbone in securing the stabilitynecessary for Brewster to commence its upward mobility, to make inroadsin student recruitment, faculty retention, building repairs and maintenance,and sound, steady financial growth and development. He was continuallyactive in recruiting for the board as he recognized that the revitalization ofBrewster would take leaders with a myriad of skills to prosper.Always in the forefront, was the need to plan for the students, faculty, andadministrators to achieve their goals and also move the Academy intothe rigorous world of independent schools and the 21st century. Alongthe way we began to have some financial successes. Brewster was aninnovator in supporting students who needed instructional assistance andbringing technology into the classroom. It was an important process andbig step to commit, early on, to the introduction of technology into theacademic world.Rink was pragmatic and a realistic “mover and shaker” with goodcommunications skills, always asking provocative and thoughtfulquestions. He cared deeply about Brewster Academy and was integral inlaying the groundwork for the Academy to develop and grow. Rink wasthe right person at the right time to tackle a difficult, time consuming,volunteer job. He was a motivator with a wonderful sense of humor and apositive attitude.Rink continued his interest in Brewster with his very capable successors.Grant Wilson followed Rink, and Dan Mudge, who came after Grant, isthe current president. Rink and Grant passed away within weeks of eachother in the Fall of 2012 (See page 41). They will be missed by all whoworked with them.I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work withfaculty and staff, administrators, and members of the board of trusteesunder the leadership of these three dedicated presidents.Helen Hamilton was a member of the Brewster Academy Board of Trustees from1974-2011, serving as secretary from 1984-2011.42 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2012