Alumni Director Carrie MacVean Grimes '91 caught up with Brent Taylor '54 in early March. We were inspired by his engagement in his community of St. Simons Island, Georgia! The featured photo is of Brent as King George III in his volunteer work as President of the St. Simon's Island chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. 

What is your professional background?

After attending the Naval Academy, I spent 20 years in the submarine force. I learned a lot about submarines and missiles and served in Washington, VA Beach, London, and Hawaii. When I retired, I was hired by Raytheon to work with electronic weapon systems on submarines, where I worked for 20 years. 

 

I volunteer as a greeter at Christ Church Episcopal, a famous landmark on St. Simon's island. I also give tours to students at the St. Simon's Lighthouse Museum. Students come from elementary schools throughout Georgia and they tour the lighthouse, climb to the top, and get a brief history of the island.

As President of the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, I visit elementary schools and teach students about the people behind the American Revolution. I play the part of King George III and dress the part in period attire!

I also do trash pick up on the roads where I live, helping to keep the marshes of our island beautiful. I like people, I like being engaged and I like leaving things better than when I found them. 

 

Severn was instrumental in my selection of the USNA because Severn immersed me in a good college-bound environment. In the 50s, about half of the graduating class went to USNA. We practiced college board exams Saturday mornings, 1-2 hours every Saturday, that mimicked the College Boards. We were very well prepared. Severn made you study hard, apply yourself, and the gain confidence that you could meet your goals. 

 

My wife Christina and I enjoy going to the theater and seeing movies. In the summer time, we frequently have family reunions here on the island as well. We also travel each summer to the unique community of Chautauqua, New York for adult education and relaxation and entertainment such as book club, golf, swimming, arts, lectures, and music.

Continue your Severn habits of paying attention in class, completing your homework, respecting your teachers, and dedication to a sport and school activities - these are the strengths you will need to succeed in college and in life!

 

All of my teachers influenced me greatly as they took their jobs seriously in class and on the ball field. Albert Hawkins (English and History) and Robert "Bobby" Hill (Science, Chemistry) were most memorable. Hawkins made us memorize 60 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary. We learned all kinds of fancy long words--those vocabulary lessons took me through college boards, college, and still help me in my life today! Professor Hill taught Chemistry and he was such a vigorous teacher. 

One day in science class a couple of students were not paying attention. Professor Hill simply turned around and bounced an eraser off of one of the student's heads and the student had chalk marks all over his face - he was definitely attentive after that!

 

Striving to do my best job, and to always do a complete job. Severn secured in our hearts and minds a sense of duty and obligation to live a positive life. I always remember Rolland Teel said, "Keep constantly in mind that education is fundamentally a process through which we learn to live as long as we live."