In his final year at Trinity-Pawling, Brian Foster \u201979 stood before the Class of 2025 not only as their Commencement speaker but as a teacher, coach, mentor, and friend who has shaped the School community for nearly four decades. Head of School Bill Taylor introduced Foster with\u00a0 admiration, noting that even as a young faculty member, \u201che had that sense of gravitas.\u201d Taylor reflected on Foster\u2019s unwavering commitment to Trinity-Pawling and its students, describing him as someone who \u201cthinks about students all of the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Foster began his address with a heartfelt reflection on his long journey at Trinity-Pawling, saying, \u201cIn 1987, I began my career here as a math teacher and hockey coach, never ever thinking that thirty-eight years later I would be giving a graduation speech.\u201d He then spoke to the themes of relationships and gratitude, values he has both modeled and instilled in generations of Trinity-Pawling students.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the year, Foster expressed gratitude for the many moments that made it memorable. He recalled the powerful messages shared during chapel talks \u2014 on faith, mental health, resilience, and identity \u2014 and the excitement around campus traditions like Thanksgiving dinner and Candlelight. He also thanked the seniors for their effort and heart on the athletic fields, highlighting hard-fought wins like football\u2019s victory over Taft, soccer\u2019s shorthanded win against Hotchkiss, and hockey\u2019s comeback against Taft in overtime. \u201cThose are the games that I will never forget,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Foster then turned to a tradition of his own: thank you notes. Inspired by a mentor\u2019s simple gesture years ago \u2014 he made a commitment to write notes of appreciation. \u201cIt started with the seniors on my hockey teams, and I continued as athletic director, writing notes to all of your coaches following their seasons.\u201d As one final gesture to the Class of 2025, Foster prepared a personal thank you note for each graduate, along with a blank card. \u201cAll I ask is that in the next few days, you sit down and write someone you love a note, buy a stamp, and send it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He closed his speech with the kind of heartfelt encouragement that has defined his career at Trinity-Pawling: \u201cYour time at Trinity-Pawling has prepared you for the complexities of life. You, Class of 2025, are ready to embark on the next chapter. I love you all and wish you all that life has to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n