Bobcats to Wildcats

At the annual Curvey Scholars Reception on Thursday, September 19, and again to a larger audience at the Friday, September 20 All-School meeting in Anderson Hall, Brewster announced a new unique scholarship opportunity funded by longtime supporter and Trustee James Curvey. Continuing his decades-long dedication to providing educational opportunities, Curvey has created The James C. Curvey Endowed Scholarship Fund for Brewster Academy at Villanova University. This gift will financially support one Brewster student each year to attend Villanova University, his alma mater, with a $15,000 annual scholarship. The program starts with Villanova’s 2020-2021 academic year, which means Brewster students applying to the university this year are eligible. Any Brewster student who attends Villanova with this scholarship will also receive support through the Curvey Scholarship Program at Villanova, which includes administrative counsel and participation in regular events.

This is not Curvey’s first gift to ensure students who may need financial support have access to education. In 2009, Curvey and his wife Shirley began a program that provides deserving students from Wolfeboro, Alton, and other Lakes Region communities who may not otherwise be able to afford it an opportunity to study at Brewster as “Curvey Scholars.” The Curveys expanded that program with a fellowship that helps Brewster students gain valuable life experience through travel.

At the Thursday night Curvey Reception in the Pinckey Boathouse, Head of School Craig Gemmell welcomed the Curvey family along with this year’s Curvey Scholars: Sam de Beer, Ella Quinlan, Aidan Rolfe, Mitchell Coope, Jillian Pollini, Caleb Brennion, T. J. O’Keefe, Olivia Tibbs, Andrew do Carmo, Abigail Jarvis, and Tyler Rizzitano. After noting Brewster’s bicentennial year and the importance of creating a positive legacy, Gemmell described the Curvey legacy of generosity at Brewster, and how the relationship among Brewster, James Curvey, and Villanova University has deepened over the years. Curvey recently published his memoir, Our Jim: From the Coal Mines of Pennsylvania to the Board Rooms of Boston, and each scholar received a copy. Alongside special visitors from Villanova and the University’s mascot, Will D. Cat, Christopher Kovolski from Villanova announced the new scholarship to the gathered students, faculty, and family. 

The following morning at the All-School meeting, the Brewster Bobcat joined Will D. Cat on stage as Gemmell introduced a video message from Villanova’s president, The Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, who thanked Curvey “on behalf of Villanova University, and the future cohort of Bobcat-Wildcats.” After the video and extended applause for Curvey, two of those “Bobcat-Wildcats,” Megan Rourke ‘15 and Sean Cassidy ’14, spoke of the similarities between their Brewster and Villanova experiences, including intimate class sizes, community service, focus on students’ individual success, and championship basketball.