Beaver Reflections:
I graduated from Beaver in 1987 and started there in 7th grade. I was a bit unique going to Beaver because I was essentially on a work-study program. It was very novel that Beaver offered something like that so long ago, but I am grateful that they did. During my time there, I worked for them over breaks such as summertime, winter break, and even sometimes weekends. I worked there for all the time I was there, along through college and even for parts after graduating college. I remember I was in 7th grade and my first job was to cut all of the lower field with the hand mower. It was great and very representative of my experience there having such a cross-sectional and diverse school. I was involved with the baseball team. I remember Coach Papas was an amazing coach. In 7th grade I was playing varsity so I got to work with him all of my time there. Looking back, Ms. Thompson had an amazing influence on me. Ms. Newbury was also a great teacher. You could go take the AP calculus exam and there would be no way that you do not do well because of how well prepared you would be for it.

What is #happeningnow in your life:
After graduating from Beaver, I went to Wesleyan where I studied economics. After college, I settled back in the Boston area and worked for a medical device company called Haemonetics for 25 years. While I was there, I also went back to school and got my MBA from Babson. Eventually, I settled out in the Leominster area. Since then, I have really been involved with philanthropic endeavors, which I can credit to my time at Beaver, and helping give back to the school that taught me so much. I have gotten involved with the Alumni Board and actually started a charity golf event in honor of my father, which has been ongoing for 30 years. The proceeds from that golf tournament actually go to our kids’ high schools and help improve the education there. Another fundraiser I am involved with in my mother’s memory is to repurpose assets that a school like Beaver may have that other schools or churches would benefit from. I created this exchange that started with Beaver from the connections I had with the buildings and grounds crew, where whiteboards, chairs, desks, etc would be able to be received from schools or locations such as Beaver. Working with Chris Doyle on this project has been amazing. Along with these philanthropic projects, I have been working for a startup called SplitFit. There, I am responsible for fundraising and all commercial operations. Overall, I have been pretty busy, more so with philanthropic endeavors but still keeping busy with my work with SplitFit.

“I am so grateful to Beaver for giving me the education I received and the opportunity to attend through the work-study program. Therefore, I am always willing to give back and help in any way possible. I enjoy the opportunity to continue my relationship with Beaver through my philanthropic events. It may not be publicized as much, but Beaver has really helped schools, churches, etc. in my area so I am forever grateful to them.”
– Brian Gardiner ’87

Advice to Beaver students:
It is so important to value productive, healthy relationships. Through all the challenges and hardships you face in your life, to have such strong relationships and connections plays such a huge role in bouncing back and coming back even stronger. Also, something so critical to understand is the importance and power of humility. Being a good citizen is so important in today’s society but you first need to realize who you are as a person and what your collective responsibilities are. These are all things that Beaver can ingrain into your mind and it is important to take those lessons with you throughout your life.