André Brewer ’93
He graduated from DePauw more than 20 years ago, but André Brewer ’93 is still a kid at heart, so much so that he’s made a career of going to summer camp.

During his DePauw years, André gained plenty of experience in relationship building and mentoring young people. He was a member of the Ambassador Club for the Office of Admissions, hosting high school students for campus visits and was a mentor group leader for three years. “I loved sharing my positive experiences with prospective students and building relationships with peers and professors,” he says. This included serving two years as a rush counselor for his fraternity, Delta Upsilon, and leadership experience as DU’s vice president for external affairs. Recreation and social activities, an important part of André’s DePauw experience, are integral to his personality and his success as a teacher and camp director. He translated his love of music and skill as a gymnast into spots on the University’s cheerleading team and Men of Note acapella singing group.

After graduating from DePauw, André became an elementary school teacher in his native Kentucky. With summers free, he continued to work as a camp counselor in Minnesota. When Ruggs became the camp’s director in 1997, he worked hard to persuade André to consider a full-time career with Camp Lincoln. “I told him, ‘I’m a southern guy. There is no way I’m moving to the tundra!” he recalls. But after a trial run, he was convinced he could make a life in the great north woods. Summer of 2017 will be his 28th year at the camp.

“I give at the Washington C. DePauw Annual Society level because I feel like it’s the least I can do,” he says. “I’m a better, more versatile person because of my DePauw education. If I can help one other student experience what I did, then I feel like I’ve done my part. Giving back is the right thing to do.”