Times of Brunswick
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(left to right) Charles Paternina, Moni Williams, Michael Castine, Dudley Macfarlane, and Simon Williams
“Brunswick’s Board made an unwavering vow to attract, nurture, and retain the highest quality teachers and administrators,” said former Board Chairman Mac Caputo. “Academic excellence—whether measured by SAT scores, AP test levels, college placement, or pure academic quality in the classroom—not only rivals or exceeds results at the finest private schools in America but has continued to improve steadily throughout its history.” We grew from 63 faculty in 1989, to 128 faculty at the opening of School in 2001. Similarly, the student body increased from 555 to 785 in that same time period, yet we remain today a remarkable 5:1 student/faculty ratio. It was former Board Chair Mac Caputo’s sagacity that recognized the timeliness of expansion. The 1998 purchase of a 104acre parcel on King Street has allowed Brunswick to expand to three campuses and build facilities second to none. The addition of Edwards Campus on King Street was a challenging yet auspicious period of development. Mac steered the way for building the Middle School, Sampson Field House, tennis courts, and playing fields. “The perspicacious vision of architects Skidmore Owings & Merrill, the superb leadership of Trustees Richard Baker (Class of ’84) and Anne Farrell, and the generous help of countless others all led to the successful completion of exceptional facilities at the Edwards Campus,” said Mac. “This ambitious effort is a continuation of a cycle that answers several critical educational needs of our growing School, and to plan and dream for future generations in whatever fashion they see fit.”
“When former Headmaster Duncan Edwards, Mac, and the other Trustees saw the land on King Street, they knew it would be a big move to split Brunswick into three campuses,” said Headmaster Thomas W. Philip. “They took a large, but calculated, risk. It was through their masterful stewardship that we are here. They were thoughtful, creative, and gentlemanly.” John Macfarlane took over the Board Chair reins at the beginning of another exciting era in Brunswick history. Tom Philip was our new headmaster, and there were the challenges of split campuses, as well as formalizing the structuring of our coordination program with Greenwich Academy. John raised close to $45 million, which included $30 million in capital gifts during the five-year Phase II Campaign, $10 million for the Centennial Fund, $1.5 million for the new crew facilities, and $3 million for several Senior Funds and other capital projects. The collaboration, expertise, and oversight from many tireless Trustees was influential in building 10 new faculty homes on King Street and Burke Field House. His vision for the Robert L. Cosby Memorial Field gave Brunswick the ability to have night games and host other independent school communities at many events. In addition, he achieved the (on time!) completion of the (on budget!) Lower School that opened in 2004. It was for all John did, all he gave, and all that was accomplished during his Board Chair tenure that the Lower School was named in his honor.