A Standing Ovation for 'Wick's 91 Newest Alumni
Before a standing-room-only gathering of parents, family, faculty, and friends at Dann Gymnasium, Brunswick School honored the Class of 2016 at its 114th Commencement Exercises on May 18.
Headmaster Thomas W. Philip began the ceremonies by directly addressing the soon-to-be graduates — who, to a person, made Brunswick and themselves better throughout their time at the School. Offering advice for their journeys ahead, he recalled two of his favorite quotations:
A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person. — William H. Swanson
The best way out is always through. — Robert Frost
“Work to be one of the nice guys in life. It’s important to treat everybody with respect and kindness regardless of their role in life and their immediate importance (or not) to you,” Philip said.
“Avoiding the occasional frustrations and obstacles of life will never ultimately resolve or overcome them. It’s only in facing those challenges that lie ahead that you can truly move forward with success.
“In the final analysis, that’s what all this focus on Courage, Honor, and Truth has been about. It’s rarely the easiest way to lead a life, but it’s always the best way.
“Like all of us, you won’t always fully measure up to every aspect of those ideals. But if in life, you can continue to work toward them, I promise you that your life and the lives of those around you will be better for it.”
Valedictorian Andrew Israel, who will attend Yale University next fall, introduced fellow senior Chris Peisch, the Class of 2016’s choice for Ivy Speaker.
Peisch profoundly encouraged his classmates to take heed of the biblical passage “To whom much is given, much is required.”
“We can only realize our potential to love and respect others once we have recognized how fortunate we are and express gratitude for all we have been given,” said Peisch, soon headed for Stanford University.
“We must accept the fact that, through no work of our own, we have been given so much. We must take what’s been handed to us and run with it.”
Peisch’s lasting (and witty) remarks set the stage for keynote speaker Joe Ehrmann, a renowned and inspirational motivator recognized for his revolutionary concepts of teambuilding, mentoring, and coaching.
Ehrmann, who played professional football for 13 years, is the subject of the New York Times bestseller Season of Life, by Jeffrey Marx, and co-founder of Coach for America.
He left the Class of 2016 with a simple, concise, and direct message.
“Your character determines your behavior,” Ehrmann said, “and your behavior demonstrates your character.
“The challenge going forward is to understand that there are two kinds of character. Performance character has to do with your own relationship to yourself — things like grit, self-determination, overcoming obstacles. Those are character skills that you have to develop. But there are also moral character skills — things like empathy, things like moral courage.
“My challenge to you as graduates — as Brunswick men — is to stand up and build a lifetime of relationships. Grab your own engraving tools and continue to scratch and etch your own performance and moral character that will make you a sign of hope in this country.”
Headmaster Philip concluded the day’s events by presenting members of the Class of 2016 with their Brown & Gold diplomas — officially entrenching 91 remarkable young men into the 114-year history of Brunswick School.
Brunswick School Greenwich, CT
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Office: 203.625.5856
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