In late 2017, The Bright School lost two prominent alumni and supporters for whom two alumni awards are named. Jack McDonald ’45 died on November 25, 2017, and Fletcher Bright ’43 died a month later, on Christmas Day. The Board of Trustees adopted two resolutions in their honor this spring. “We are grateful for their life-long dedication to their alma mater and saddened by their passing,” said Head of School O.J. Morgan. “We honored them during our centennial year with the establishment of two alumni awards that exemplify what it means to be a successful graduate, kind benefactor and caring friend.”

Resolution in Honor of Mr. Fletcher Bright,
Alumnus and Benefactor of The Bright School

WHEREAS, Mr. Fletcher Bright was born on June 27, 1931, in Chattanooga and lived his entire life on Lookout Mountain; and

WHEREAS, he was enrolled at The Bright School, which was founded by his aunt, Mary Gardner Bright; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Bright learned to play the piano and violin and later the fiddle after hearing bluegrass music on the radio; and

WHEREAS, he graduated from Bright School in 1943, and later graduated from McCallie School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Bright earned his bachelor’s degree from Davidson College, his M.B.A. from the University of Chattanooga, and his law degree from McKenzie College of Law, and joined his father’s real estate company and built it into a large residential and commercial business as it became known as Fletcher Bright Realty, and;

WHEREAS, he was known for 70 years as the leader of the bluegrass band, Dismembered Tennesseans, formed with fellow Bright alumni Ed Cullis and Ansley Moses, and they played each year for Bright School students; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Bright served for many years on the school’s Board of Trustees and was honored with the school’s inaugural Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2012; and

WHEREAS, the award is now known as the Fletcher Bright ’43 Distinguished Alumnus Award, which is given to alumni who have exhibited brilliant and distinguished lifelong work in a significant field of endeavor or service; and

WHEREAS, the Bright School lost a longtime friend and supporter when Mr. Bright died on December 25, 2017; then

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Bright School Board of Trustees on April 18, 2018, remember Mr. Fletcher Bright and thank his family for his life-long devotion and commitment.

Resolution in Honor of Mr. John “Jack” McDonald,
Alumnus and Benefactor of The Bright School

WHEREAS, Mr. John “Jack” McDonald was born on April 15, 1934, in Scotland, and moved with his family to Chattanooga when he was six years old; and

WHEREAS, he was enrolled at The Bright School with his brother Iain and later, his younger sister Dorcas; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McDonald and his brother appeared on a radio show with school founder Mary G. Bright during World War II to encourage donations to the Allied cause; and

WHEREAS, he graduated from Bright School in 1945, and later graduated from McCallie School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McDonald earned his bachelor’s degree from Emory University and graduated from the London School of Economics; and

WHEREAS, he was a successful businessman and an involved civic leader in Chattanooga; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McDonald was honored with the school’s inaugural Distinguished Service Award in 2012 for his continued support of Bright School; and

WHEREAS, the award is now known as the Jack McDonald ’45 Service Award and honors alumni who have contributed significantly to the welfare of Bright School and exemplified the highest standards of the school through selfless devotion to the interests of the school; and

WHEREAS, the Bright School lost a longtime supporter and leader when Mr. McDonald died on November 25, 2017; then

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Bright School Board of Trustees on April 18, 2018, remember Mr. Jack McDonald and thank his family for his life-long support and friendship.

 

Alumni Tributes