Dear Fenwick Community,
As announced in the Spring, we have embarked on a transformation of Fenwick's leadership over the last four months. After 95 years of steadfast leadership by Dominican priests, this significant transition marks an inspiring new chapter for our school. It promises to build upon our rich heritage while propelling us into a bright future, nurturing the next generation of leaders in faith and scholarship.
In June, Fr. Richard Peddicord, O.P., transitioned to the newly created position of Director of Catholic and Dominican Mission, and we began a national search for the first lay President of Fenwick. Over sixteen weeks, a dedicated Advisory Council met weekly, fielding many applications and assuming the responsibility and challenge of arriving at the right person for the President position. We thank them for their service to Fenwick.
Following this process, it is with great excitement and anticipation that we share this momentous occasion in the history of our beloved school.
We are thrilled to welcome Fenwick's first lay President, Otto Rutt, Class of '79 and Hall of Fame '08, who brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective that will be invaluable to Fenwick as we navigate this new era. As a retired Marine Corps colonel, he exemplifies the values of leadership, integrity, and service.
The varied experiences and achievements that compose his background reflect a dedication to teamwork and mentorship and demonstrate a profound ability to inspire and guide others - qualities that will greatly benefit our students, faculty, and staff.
In addition to his commendable service to our country, he holds a Harvard undergraduate degree, which he earned in three years, complemented by a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago and a Master of Fine Arts from Florida Atlantic University. He has further excelled in varied professional settings, from education to investment banking to the Pentagon.
This diverse academic and professional background equips him to attend well to both the analytical and creative aspects of leadership of a modern college preparatory school, and his profound faith will offer great support for our Dominican Mission.
We are confident he will bring advanced ideas, strategies, and execution to further enhance our academic programs and community engagement.
Having a lay president opens new opportunities for growth and collaboration, enabling us to blend the best of our traditions with contemporary insights and approaches while strengthening our commitment to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and the holistic development of every student. We believe Col. Rutt's leadership will foster a dynamic environment where students thrive not only academically but also as compassionate individuals who think critically, approach problems in the tradition of Dominican intellectual investigation, are responsible members of their community, serve others, and have an unshakeable foundation of faith.
As we embark on this exciting journey together, I encourage every member of our community to extend a warm welcome to Col. Rutt. Let us come together in support of his leadership with enthusiasm and dedication to our mission. We face many challenges, but there is nothing we cannot achieve if we do it with unity. Together, we will continue to uphold our rich heritage and cherished values while forging a path toward an even brighter future.
Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to Fenwick. Let's embrace this new chapter with open hearts and minds! Go Friars!
Warmest regards,
