Community ‘Builds Muscle’ on Opening Day

As traditional Opening Day ceremonies were not possible this year, Head of School Thomas W. Philip began Brunswick’s 118th session by addressing students and faculty in a pre-recorded video.
 
Philip’s message focused on the challenges faced by all during the last six months of the global pandemic — and he encouraged everyone to endeavor to meet those challenges head on, rather than to seek to avoid them.
 
“At Brunswick, we are always practicing for challenges — how to face them when they inevitably come and how to overcome them and grow stronger still in doing so,” Philip said.  
 
“And to prepare for those challenges, we need to regularly practice building up our strong character.
 
“Think of character like a muscle. It needs constant exercise and practice.”
 
Philip also asked students and faculty to greet each day as it comes with gladness and to remain optimistic that this pandemic will not last forever.
 
“Doing so does the good work of building the muscle of our character and makes us all stronger,” he said. “That way something truly good will come out of this time, and we will all be better prepared for the future ahead.”
 
Philip concluded his address with a special welcome to new students and by expressing his genuine excitement for the start of in-person learning on all of Brunswick’s campuses.