Remembering Bruce L. Dennis

On Saturday, October 15, 2022, current and former members of the Packer community gathered in the Chapel to remember and celebrate the contributions of former Head of School Bruce L. Dennis, who passed away last August.

Bruce served with unwavering dedication as Head of School at Packer from 2004 until his retirement in 2019. Following remarks from Head of School

Jen Weyburn, former Board Chair Ronan Harty P’15, P’17, P’20 spoke about Bruce’s “love affair with Packer,” his “courage, care, and calm in a crisis,” and his lasting institutional legacy. “Bruce came to Packer when it was a very good school, and he made it a great school,” said Ronan, including by investing in faculty recognition, compensation, and retention, as well as doubling the endowment and increasing funding for student financial aid.

Bruce was also a legendary mentor. Four of his former Packer administrative colleagues who went on to become heads of school themselves offered moving and heartfelt tributes about Bruce’s impact on their lives, including trustee Andrea Kelly P’10, P’13, Paul Burke, Jose M. De Jesus, and Noah Reinhardt P’26, P’28, P’29, P’32. English Department Head Elissa Krebs

P’17, P’20, P’23 closed the program by sharing excerpts from Bruce’s letters to faculty and staff over the years.

To view a video recording of the event email events@packer.edu. To read Dr. Weyburn and Board Chair OhSang Kwon’s full tribute to Bruce visit packer.edu/news

“Bruce was the bravest person I knew. But beyond his courage, and his support, what I admired most about Bruce is that this big, powerful, imposing, sometimes terrifying, unyielding man was also one of the most tender, gentle, loving people I know.”

— Noah Reinhardt, Head of School at Blue School

“Bruce was indeed larger than life, and yet, in small moments, unseen moments, he showed vulnerability, he gave grace when it was needed most…I learned so much from that Bruce too.”

— Andrea Kelly, Trustee, Head of School at Friends Academy

Bruce led every day with purpose and heart. What I strive to honor and continue for Packer is Bruce’s heartfelt commitment to our traditions of excellence, community, and joy.”

— Dr. Jennifer Weyburn, Head of School

“When I think about the legacy of Bruce Dennis, and when I think about all that is wrong and challenging in today’s world…if Bruce is right that the starting of a school is a sense of affection and care and love among the adults, then the children have greater hope.”

— Paul Burke, Head of School at Nightingale-Bamford

“Bruce took greater pride in the accomplishments of his people than he did in his own. The universe is only able to produce one Bruce Dennis. It is one of the great honors of my lifetime that I got to know and love that remarkable creation.”

— José M. De Jesús, Head of School at Dalton