John Brewer – Frostburg State University

John Brewer, the director of facilities at Frostburg State University, is a seasoned leader and a lifelong member of the university community. His deep connection to Frostburg, dating back to 1969 when he was just two years old, shapes his passion for the university’s growth and success. Raised as the son of a faculty member, Brewer was surrounded by the values of education, community and service. This personal connection to Frostburg State has shaped his approach to campus development and leadership style.

Brewer oversees maintenance, construction and housekeeping. His team plays a crucial role in ensuring that the university provides an outstanding experience for its students, faculty, and the larger community. Under Brewer’s leadership, Frostburg State has made significant strides in enhancing its facilities, especially regarding athletic and sustainability initiatives. One of his proudest achievements is renovating and improving the athletic facilities, which have become some of the best in Division II college sports. Brewer personally designed the university’s stadium, turf fields, and press box, bringing his vision and expertise into every aspect of campus development. These facilities serve the university’s student-athletes and play an important role in recruiting prospective students, particularly those interested in athletics. Brewer believes that these state-of-the-art facilities are a vital recruitment tool, offering a competitive edge in attracting talent to the university.

Brewer’s commitment to the university’s future is evident in his involvement in long-term campus planning. He has worked closely with the university president on the facilities Master Plan, helping to shape the direction of campus development. The facilities planning process involves new constructions as well as retrofitting and upgrading existing structures to ensure they meet modern sustainability standards. Brewer’s team is actively involved in these projects, collaborating with architects, engineers, and university administrators to create spaces that foster learning, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

One of the most ambitious projects Brewer oversees is the implementation of a microgrid on campus. The microgrid ensures that five critical buildings, such as the university’s dining hall, dormitories, and medical facilities, can operate independently during a natural disaster, providing essential services to students, faculty, and the local community. Brewer is particularly excited about the microgrid project because it reflects the university’s commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and community support. The microgrid will reduce the university’s carbon footprint by relying on renewable energy sources, significantly lowering energy consumption. The project, which is estimated to cost $22 million, has already secured $750,000 for its design phase, and Brewer is working to secure financing for its full implementation.

Brewer is also involved in recruitment and retention efforts for his team. Despite challenges posed by a decline in enrollment—Frostburg State’s student population has dropped from 5,700 to 3,600 in recent years—Brewer remains committed to maintaining a high-performing facilities team. He is working with university leadership to improve staffing levels, understanding that increased enrollment will require hiring more staff. In the meantime, Brewer and his team continue to provide exemplary service, ensuring that the university’s facilities are maintained to the highest standards.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Brewer strongly advocates for Frostburg State’s broader mission and the community it serves. He is involved in fundraising for the university’s foundation, helping secure resources for scholarships, campus improvements, and other critical initiatives.

Looking to the future, Brewer is focused on continuing to innovate and improve the university’s facilities. He is particularly proud of the university’s new Education and Health Science Center, a $94 million building that houses nursing and health sciences programs. This state-of-the-art facility is critical to Maryland’s strategy to address the nursing shortage in the state, and Brewer’s leadership in designing and overseeing its construction has been instrumental in bringing the project to fruition.

Brewer’s connection to Frostburg State University runs deep, beginning in 1969 when his family moved from Tennessee to Frostburg, Maryland. His father, an English professor at the university for 51 years, instilled in Brewer a strong bond with the campus. Growing up as the child of a faculty member, Brewer was surrounded by inspiring individuals, shaping his lifelong connection to the institution.

Brewer attended Frostburg State, where he played football for the Division III team, benefiting from his father’s faculty position that allowed him to attend for free. After graduation, he worked in engineering consulting and construction, gaining experience as a surveyor, designer, and civil engineer. This broad skill set led Brewer to oversee large-scale projects before returning to Frostburg to work in facilities.

When Brewer’s first child was born, he was managing a $20 million project and could only take one day off. He sought a better work-life balance and transitioned to the university’s facilities department. Over time, through hard work and attrition, Brewer rose to the position of facilities director.

Now in his fifth year as Director, Brewer has shaped the department while witnessing the evolution of the school and the town. Outside of work, Brewer runs the Garrett County Fair, leads a large Bass Fishing club, and enjoys hunting on his properties in Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio. His lifelong ties to the university and the community make him a true embodiment of its values.