What Character Means to Me: Dave Cunningham '12

A new Chapel Talk series entitled “What Character Means to Me” debuted this week, providing a faculty member with the opportunity to share their personal view of character and how it emerges in their daily life. As the current holder of the Centennial Chair in Character, which honors a faculty member who exemplifies the School's mission of developing young men of character in multiple ways, Dave Cunningham ’12 was selected to kick off this new initiative. 
 
Mr. Cunningham spoke with honesty and eloquence about his upbringing and his own experiences at Belmont Hill where he credited family and mentors for modeling the values of character that he would come to instill in his own life. “I was fortunate to have amazing heroes in my life who mostly led me in the right direction.”
 
Mr. Cunningham arrived on the Hill as a Form I student, unsure of how he might fit in. While his time on campus was not without its struggles, he acknowledged the faculty and coaches who helped him find his way. “I had people of high character all around me, teaching me to work hard and be vulnerable,” Mr. Cunningham shared. “While there were ups and downs, there were lessons at every turn which helped to shape my personal character.” 
 
Those lessons paid off as Mr. Cunningham went on to become a Woodbury Public Speaking Contest winner, ISL MVP in both baseball and hockey, and recipient of the Milton Dodge Prize, awarded to a member of the graduating class who best embodies the perseverance and work ethic of our community. In 2019, Mr. Cunningham returned to Belmont Hill as a member of the faculty, welcomed by many of the same teachers he looked up to as a student. 
 
Of all the people in Mr. Cunningham’s corner, the most meaningful impact came from the example set by his grandmothers. “I watched the power in serving others and asking for nothing in return. It’s never a bad day to demonstrate care for others. You don’t need a trophy for it. True love and respect are shown, not told. Express gratitude through your actions.”
 
Through their strength and love, Mr. Cunningham came to understand that there is no perfect definition of character. “Character isn’t about words,” Mr. Cunningham explained. “It’s not just the list of virtues you can slap on your classroom wall. It’s something you first identify in others, then embody, implement, chisel at, and refine.
 
“If you want to be a man of high character, use your heroes as road maps for what to do and how to act. Then implement those actions into your daily life. Actually be who you aspire to be. The goal is not perfection, but if you embrace challenges, remain present and humble during the joyous moments all while learning from those around you, slowly but surely those traits you adopt will become your character.”

Students had the opportunity to reflect on Mr. Cunningham’s message with their advisory groups during Community Block the following week. The boys discussed what stood out about the speech and identified the heroes in their own lives whose character they would strive to embody. 

The second edition of the “What Character Means to Me” speaker series will take place in Hamilton Chapel in the spring.