Meet the Staff: Brendan Hardy
Brendan Hardy is Brewster’s Systems Administrator—as well as a “self-proclaimed naturalist who is fascinated by interspecies communication.” With a degree from Plymouth State University and a number of technology certifications with a focus on networking, security, and server administration, this relative newcomer to Brewster shared a bit about his life on and off campus when we chatted recently.
Q. Where did you grow up?
A. I was born in Manchester, New Hampshire and grew up in Goffstown, New Hampshire. I was a high school student in the ’80s!
Q. Totally tubular, me too! [Gen X bonding moment] Before you arrived at Brewster in 2022, you supported educators and technology in New Hampshire public schools for nearly 15 years. What draws you to tech?
A. I embraced educational technology because it gave me the opportunity to help solve intricate puzzles and support people in a positive workplace.
Q. How do you describe your job in layman’s terms?
A. Design, configure, deploy, repeat.
Q. What’s been the most heartwarming or happy part of your work at Brewster?
A. I find the community at Brewster incredibly inspiring. Every day that I come to campus, I have an opportunity to learn something new or be introduced to a new perspective.
Q. What advice have you received in your life or career that you think would help Brewster students on their path?
A. Wrong was Yoda. Try you must.
Q. You and your family live across the lake in Gilford, and I hear you have a small flower farm that supplies blooms for special event vendors.
A. Yes! It’s called Fool Hardy Farm, a nod to self-awareness with a ‘doing it anyway’ grin.
Q. Is there a flower that you think is underappreciated?
A. I think sunflowers can be underrated. People often appreciate their size or beauty but undervalue their role as a food source for wildlife.
Q. So are sunflowers your favorite?
A. Honestly, I don’t know too many flowers. I prepare and maintain the fields, fences, and irrigation. My wife manages the flowers from seeds to harvest. My role in the garden is surprisingly parallel to my role at Brewster: In both instances, my work focuses on providing a fertile environment that others can use for growth.
