Susan and Tim Bruster graduated from Centenary in 1981 and have been loyal donors for 31 years.
Susan and Tim Bruster graduated from Centenary in 1981. Susan majored in Elementary Education at Centenary and received her Master of Education at the University of Texas Tyler. Susan has retired from teaching in Ft. Worth, Texas. Tim majored in Religion and received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. He is the senior pastor at the 6,000 members First Methodist Church in Ft. Worth. Susan and Tim have been loyal donors to Centenary for 31 years.
What made you decide to attend Centenary?
Tim: I was very active as a youth at First United Methodist Church and felt called into ordained ministry. Dr. D. L. Dykes, Jr. was my pastor and he had a great influence on me. There was a very close connection between the clergy and staff of the church and Centenary College, so I knew all about what was then known as the Centenary School of Church Careers. I didn’t even apply for admission at another school.
Susan: My friend Jimmy Morgan attended Centenary. Centenary provided me with the highest scholarship opportunity so that is why I decided to attend.
Tell me about how you two met? Was it at Centenary?
We met in the Centenary College Choir. We were at choir camp, which was then held at Hodges Gardens in Many, Louisiana. We had, of course, seen one another throughout the whole camp, but we really met on the last night when we had the traditional watermelon feast which devolved into the watermelon seed spitting fight, which further devolved into the men throwing the women into the lake. I looked around for a woman who was dry and spotted Susan up on the porch of the lodge. I made a beeline for her and threw her over my shoulder and headed for the dock, with her screaming and threatening me and beating me on the back all the way. When I went to throw her in, she held on and we both went in. I suppose you could say that we fell for each other that day, although I wasn’t sure how she felt about that at the time!
What is your most cherished memory at Centenary College?
Tim: There are so many, it is hard to narrow that one down. Besides all the memories that Susan and I have as our love bloomed, we got engaged, and got married, I think the Choir trip to Poland and what was then the Soviet Union is probably my most cherished memory.
Susan: My most cherished Centenary memory was our Choir trip to England. Tim and I were dating at the time and we learned about Anvil Wedding ceremonies from the18th Century during our tour. We had a mock ceremony performed as joke. This is one of my most cherished Centenary memories.
What inspired your first gift to Centenary?
We have been giving to Centenary and the choir for so many years, it’s hard to remember the first gift. We give because we had a tremendous educational experience and we strongly believe in small class sizes and the value of a liberal arts education. We also think it is important to give back to the institution that gave us our career.
You’ve been loyal donors to Centenary each year for 31 years, what has encouraged your loyalty?
We love our alma mater and want it to thrive. We want other students who come after us to have the same kind of experience we did. Especially now, private liberal arts schools need our support now more than ever.
What piece of advice would you give to current students?
Take advantage of all Centenary has to offer. Cherish the one-on-one opportunities to be in conversation with your professors. That is a real gift Centenary can offer that many other institutions cannot. Know the value of a broad liberal arts education and become a life-long learner. This could not be more important in the world in which we live today. Take advantage of each experience you have so that you leave Centenary without any regrets.