2013_TWF_Journal-WEB

Adult Honorees
Dr. Michael Cooper
Dr. Michael Cooper is the 11th Head of School
of Brewster Academy, a 9-PG boarding/
day school in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. He
has been the Head for 10 years, and served
Clarkson University for almost 20 years as Vice
President for Institutional Advancement and
Vice President for Student Affairs prior to his
arrival at Brewster. Before Clarkson, Dr. Cooper
was on the administrative staff and served in a
variety of capacities at the State University of
New York – Canton.
Brewster Academy’s relationship with the
Trey Whitfield School is a special one, created
from a bond forged through the crucible of one
of life’s most difficult challenges, the tragic death
of a young person. Each year the two schools
celebrate Trey’s life, affirming the fortitude
of the human spirit to endure, showing how
fulfillment and meaning in life can be achieved
no matter what life throws at us.
Despite a distinguished career in education,
it was one of Dr. Cooper’s earliest jobs, running
a paper route, that taught him some of his most
valuable life lessons —“Show respect and be
courteous to people — you never know who
might someday be a customer or a friend, and
showing respect leaves an indelible mark; be
conscientious in fulfilling your responsibilities
— people appreciate it when you work hard
and finish what you start; and always remember
where you came from — success only matters
if you are able to appreciate and understand
how you got to be where you are and who it
was along the way that helped you get there.”
These lessons have served him well throughout
his career and help underscore his continued
passion for learning and why he believes it is so
important to be a life-long student…as there is
always something new to learn and explore.
Michael, a career educator, received a
Fulbright Award in 1993 to study the higher
education system in Germany and more
recently was the recipient of a fellowship for
Heads of Schools at the Klingenstein Center at
Teachers College Columbia University in 2012.
He serves on a number of nonprofit boards
including the Association of Independent
Schools of New England, the Wright Museum,
the Wolfeboro Area Children’s Center, and the
Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce.
He was born and raised in Albany, NY, holds a
Ph.D. in child and family studies from Syracuse
University, a masters degree in counseling from
St. Lawrence University, and bachelor of arts in
psychology from the State University of New
York at Albany. He and his wife Andrea will be
married for 40 years in August. The father of
two grown children (Adam & Allie, daughterin-law
Patricia), he enjoys fishing and golf,
spending time with family, especially his two
grandsons Crosby and Timothy, and working
in his wood shop.
Trey Whitfield Foundation, Inc. 20
Twenty-First Anniversary Banquet