Swier Clinic donates to H.O. Brittingham Scholarship

Dr. Patrick Swier and his wife Zeena Swier, who suggested the development of the Herman Oscar Brittingham Scholarship in 2018, continue to support its efforts with a $1,000 donation Aug. 11 that the Swiers have pledged to renew each year.

The scholarship was created in memory of H.O. Brittingham, for whom the elementary school in Milton is named. The program recognizes outstanding young adults in local communities and provides needed financial assistance to those becoming future educators. The first scholarship was awarded in 2019.

Using school yearbooks and newspaper clippings, the Brittingham family has pieced together a history of the family patriarch, who worked for 51 years in local education. By all accounts, he was a teacher for 15 years in Sussex County rural schools. At some point, he moved to Milton, where he taught industrial arts for the Milton Consolidated School District for 23 years. In 1956, he became chief school officer, a position equivalent to superintendent, which he held for 13 years. 

In H.O. Brittingham's letter of retirement to the school board, he thanked them for helping improve the instruction and welfare of Milton's schoolchildren. 

“I have been here a total of 36 years – 1933 to 1969 – without missing a day for illness,” H.O. Brittingham wrote. “The last 13 of the 36 years have been as chief school officer of the Milton District without taking a vacation. So, I am thankful to the board for my long tenure and very thankful to God for my excellent health for all these years.” 

Brittingham family members said the board responded reluctantly and with “humble regrets.”

In keeping with the spirit of H.O. Brittingham’s work to further educational opportunities for Cape Henlopen students, interested students graduating from high school who plan to become educators or work in educational professions are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

To support this scholarship fund, contact the Brittingham family at 301 Union St. in Milton, call 302-236-0357 or write a check payable to the H.O. Brittingham Scholarship Fund and send it to the Milton Community Foundation, P.O. Box 21, Milton, DE 19968. Donations are tax deductible, and every scholarship dollar goes to help students, with not a single dollar going to administrative costs.   

Dr. Kenneth Brittingham said, “Pop Pop Brittingham would be extremely honored and very, very proud.”

Dr. Patrick Swier of The Swier Clinic in Lewes is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and specializes in skin cancer excisions and reconstructions using the Mohs technique and plastic surgery closures as well as facelifts, eyelid surgery, breast enhancements and reductions, liposuction and tummy tucks.