Uttering the word “college” in a room full of Fieldston students has a similar effect to shouting “fire” in a crowded theater; panic is soon to follow. So when someone helps to ease the chaos of the college process, people take note. College advisor Harry Dawe provides a sense of comfort for Juniors and Seniors entering a hectic time in their lives. Mr. Dawe has worked in the College Office at Fieldston since 2001, tirelessly helping to place students in institutions where they belong. After 16 years at Fieldston, Dawe, who is turning 81, is retiring next year. “I decided as I entered my eighth decade, maybe the time has come to not be a college advisor day after day and year after year.” Dawe added, “I will miss my colleagues and being in an environment of students who are deeply concerned about doing good…I guess you can say I will miss a liberal environment.”
Harry will be sorely missed. Martha Epstein, Fieldston class of 2014, notes that, “Harry was really helpful and comforting. Besides the fact that he is super experienced and knowledgeable, he always had a very calm demeanor.” Epstein added that Harry, “kept things in perspective, something that is usually lost during the college process.”
Current senior Matthew DeBoer also had Dawe as a college advisor, and his experience was similar to Martha’s. “I knew that Harry had been in the college field for a really long time, so I was excited to have someone with a ton of experience,” DeBoer Remembered. “During my first meeting with Harry, he told me that his students were his top priority, which was nice to hear. He’s been fully invested since day one, which was greatly appreciated.” DeBoer also valued Dawe’s unorthodox approach to the college process. “I had to take the initiative sometimes, which was good. I had to approach him and take charge of my own process. That kind of approach helps in life. I had a great experience with him. He sometimes jokes about being out-of-it, but he is so aware of everything going on.”
Although at Fieldston he is known for being a college advisor, Dawe has held many different positions over the course of his career. After graduating from Oberlin college in 1958, Harry Dawe planned on becoming an Episcopal minister. “I got rid of that idea pretty soon,” Dawe said. “I had a Sunday afternoon martini with a minister, Episcopalians are not opposed to having a strong drink, and I realized that I really didn’t have the kind of firm belief that was needed to become a minister.” So, Dawe became the head of school at a private school, a job which he said was, “kind of a secular version of becoming a minister.” After teaching and administrating at various schools, and even working at a high school in Istanbul, Dawe ended up back at Oberlin college working in the admissions department, before coming to work at Fieldston. “What I have to deal with in my job,” Harry Dawe reflects, “is to take credit for something that I really didn’t do and put up with the blame for something you didn’t do either.”
Harry Dawe is beloved by students and faculty alike. “I will miss Harry’s kindness and dedication to his job and his ability to work with all types of students. Harry was really a team player and I’m going to miss him,” says Zoraida Montanez, an Administrative Assistant in the College Office. “I love Harry very much.”
Director of College Counseling Laura Clark has worked with Harry Dawe in the college office for 16 years. “When you’ve worked with someone for that long, there are no cracks or seams.You can anticipate each other’s thoughts. I will miss our working relationship.” Ms. Clark also noted something that many others also loved about Harry, his seemingly-infinite knowledge base. “Harry is a vastly educated human being. He has
read a ton, he is musically super-literate and he is a very philosophical person. The
most unusual part, though, is that Harry applies all of his academic knowledge to his
love of kids. You don’t meet many people like that anymore. I’m really going to miss
him.”
After about sixty years working in education, Dawe says, “something different might be
nice, although I’m not sure what that may be.” Whatever he decides to do, there is no
doubt that Harry will continue to be a source of inspiration for everyone around him.
“It’s a testament to who he is that he has worked almost 20 years past the normal time when
someone retires. I hired him when he was 64 years old and he’s basically had an entire
other career. It’s hard to do that. You have to be a very special type of person to have
the energy, the stamina and the will to do that,” said Ms. Clark. “Most people at 60 years
old think, oh, I’m tired of working, I’m going to sit on a beach in Florida. Not Harry, he
was ready for a new profession in a new city. That’s just one example of his dedication.
He’s been truly amazing.”
During his well-deserved retirement, Harry Dawe plans to write a history book inspired
by his time in Turkey. He also wants to spend time with his children, two of which are
currently homeschooled, and catch up on his reading. Harry’s contributions to the
Fieldston community have been infinite, and he has made a lasting impact on everyone
he worked with. His dedication, knowledge and kindness will never be forgotten at
Fieldston
