Alumni Weekend, A Millbrook Medal Citation for Farnham Collins '53 Presented by Robert Anthony '65
Farnie arrived at Millbrook School in the fall of 1948 as a third former, the younger brother of Dennis Collins ’52 who is here in the chapel this afternoon marking his 60th reunion. As an undergraduate athlete, Farnie was a letter winner in football, hockey, and track, a team which he co-captained in the spring of 1953. Farnie served as president of the Student Council his senior year and was head of the Milk Bar, as well.
He earned his degree from Princeton University in 1957, he attended Officers Candidate School, and he then served three years as an officer in the Naval Reserve. After his marriage to Anne in 1961, Farnie accepted a teaching position at Millbrook. Can you possibly guess what his extra-curricular responsibilities were? He coached midget football, ice hockey, and track, and he was the faculty advisor to the Milk Bar! He and Anne became instant dorm parents in Case Hall and then later in South Dorm – now known as Harris Hall.
He earned his degree from Princeton University in 1957, he attended Officers Candidate School, and he then served three years as an officer in the Naval Reserve. After his marriage to Anne in 1961, Farnie accepted a teaching position at Millbrook. Can you possibly guess what his extra-curricular responsibilities were? He coached midget football, ice hockey, and track, and he was the faculty advisor to the Milk Bar! He and Anne became instant dorm parents in Case Hall and then later in South Dorm – now known as Harris Hall.
His first tour at Millbrook extended until 1976, but during that time, in addition to earning his Master’s degree from Trinity College and writing his thesis in England, Farnie and Anne had three children of their own and moved off campus to their home in Millbrook. We are thrilled that the Collins offspring - Steve, Mark, and Adele - have returned home from far afield to join us today as a special surprise to their father.
Farnie taught mathematics and history during this period, and he also worked part time in the Alumni Office. He left Millbrook in the mid 1970’s and taught at Bennett College before returning here in 1982 to teach Advanced Placement European History. Many of his students considered Farnham to be the best teacher they ever had. In every way, he was a master teacher.
He was a master in another area of his life, as well, as he found time to serve as a Joint Master of the Millbrook Hunt for thirty years. The Hunt used to meet at Millbrook School, and when Farnie taught, he would come in from hunting in time to teach his class whether the hunt was finished or not. “The Boss” would have been so proud. He continues to hunt today and is now out until the bitter end. In 1990 he retired from the classroom and was immediately asked to join Millbrook’s Board of Trustees in 1991. He served as a trustee until 2000 and continues as an honorary trustee to this day.
Farnie believes that to be an outstanding and effective board member, one must bring wisdom, work, wealth, and “widgets” (i.e “students”) to the table. Farnie and Anne have provided the first three of these attributes in substantial quantities over the years, and they still hope that perhaps one of their grandchildren will become a Millbrook “widget” in the next year or so.
Thanks to Farnie and Anne, spruce and pine trees dot our campus and serve as windbreaks on the newer upper athletic fields north of the chapel. Trees from the Collins family also enhance the south side of the Mills Athletic Center. A number of years ago, in honor of Farnie’s dedicated service to Millbrook School, Anne made a gift to endow the Farnham F. Collins Faculty Recognition and Enrichment Fund which honors loyal and devoted teachers who have been at Millbrook for 25 years or more. Teachers may use this grant to further their study in their particular discipline or to travel domestically or abroad to bring the world alive and closer to the Millbrook classroom.
For Farnie’s association with and for his many contributions to Millbrook over the past 64 years, we are honored to present Farnham Collins with a Millbrook Medal for distinguished service to his school.
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Farnie taught mathematics and history during this period, and he also worked part time in the Alumni Office. He left Millbrook in the mid 1970’s and taught at Bennett College before returning here in 1982 to teach Advanced Placement European History. Many of his students considered Farnham to be the best teacher they ever had. In every way, he was a master teacher.
He was a master in another area of his life, as well, as he found time to serve as a Joint Master of the Millbrook Hunt for thirty years. The Hunt used to meet at Millbrook School, and when Farnie taught, he would come in from hunting in time to teach his class whether the hunt was finished or not. “The Boss” would have been so proud. He continues to hunt today and is now out until the bitter end. In 1990 he retired from the classroom and was immediately asked to join Millbrook’s Board of Trustees in 1991. He served as a trustee until 2000 and continues as an honorary trustee to this day.
Farnie believes that to be an outstanding and effective board member, one must bring wisdom, work, wealth, and “widgets” (i.e “students”) to the table. Farnie and Anne have provided the first three of these attributes in substantial quantities over the years, and they still hope that perhaps one of their grandchildren will become a Millbrook “widget” in the next year or so.
Thanks to Farnie and Anne, spruce and pine trees dot our campus and serve as windbreaks on the newer upper athletic fields north of the chapel. Trees from the Collins family also enhance the south side of the Mills Athletic Center. A number of years ago, in honor of Farnie’s dedicated service to Millbrook School, Anne made a gift to endow the Farnham F. Collins Faculty Recognition and Enrichment Fund which honors loyal and devoted teachers who have been at Millbrook for 25 years or more. Teachers may use this grant to further their study in their particular discipline or to travel domestically or abroad to bring the world alive and closer to the Millbrook classroom.
For Farnie’s association with and for his many contributions to Millbrook over the past 64 years, we are honored to present Farnham Collins with a Millbrook Medal for distinguished service to his school.
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