Francis Brooks
Francis Brooks
Teacher and Vermont State Legislature Sergeant-at-Arms Francis Brooks, ’67.
With 32 years experience as a high-school teacher and 24 as a state legislator, Francis Brooks ’67 knows what it takes to lead. From coaxing teens through a tough chemistry project to ushering new laws through the legislative process, Brooks gets things done and makes sure they’re done right. Determination, resolve, pride, call it what you will, but ultimately those characteristics are the stamp of a Norwich alum.
“I describe Norwich as a place that prepared me for dealing with adversity, problems and most importantly, solutions,” Brooks said while seated in Vermont’s Statehouse. “I remember Norwich and all of the demands that a cadet has—militarily, academically, and extracurricular—and how one has to learn how to organize all of that and make time valuable in order to accomplish goals and deal with whatever circumstances you happen to be in. That has helped me a great deal in my teaching career, my legislative career, and hopefully, that will be translated into a career as a sergeant-at-arms.”
Raised in Alexandria, Va., Brooks chose to attend Norwich in hopes of following in his older brother Leo’s footsteps by pursuing a career in the military. A chemistry major, his end-goal was an Army commission and a spot in the Army Chemical Corps. However, life threw him a curveball during his sophomore year when a routine medical examination uncovered a condition that would limit advancement opportunities on the military track. Fortunately for Brooks, Norwich had prepared him to assess unexpected situations and chart realistic courses, skills that enabled him to enter the field of education as a chemistry, physics and general science teacher at Montpelier High School.
It might sound a little trite, but Norwich prepared me to say ‘I will try.’ This is my seventh day as the sergeant-at-arms, and I assure you, every day I wake up and I say ‘I will try.’
~ Francis Brooks
After establishing roots in Montpelier in 1967, Brooks strengthened his commitment to the Vermont by running for state office. In 1982 he was elected to the House of Representatives, a position he held until 2007, when he stepped down as a state rep and took up the charge of serving as the sergeant-at-arms. Along the way, Brooks also strengthened his ties to the Vermont community by singing in the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus and filling in as an acting minister in local churches when needed.
Not surprisingly, Norwich was never far from his mind. Between teaching, legislating and raising a family, Brooks found the time to give back to his alma-mater by serving as a trustee between the years 1990 and 2005. Today, he holds the title of Trustee Emeritus and he still credits his time on The Hill as playing a major part in shaping his life.
“Norwich will give you so many of the experiences of life that will be so very helpful,” Brooks said. “It might sound a little trite, but Norwich prepared me to say ‘I will try.’ This is my seventh day as the sergeant-at-arms, and I assure you, every day I wake up and I say ‘I will try.’”
