Fenwick Names First Lay President in 95-Year History

Following a national search, Fenwick High School has named retired Marine Corps Colonel Otto J. Rutt its first lay president. He will lead the Dominican Catholic college preparatory school alongside Principal Dr. John Finan and Director of Catholic and Dominican Mission Fr. Richard Peddicord, O.P.

"The Fenwick community is etched into my heart. I am humbled to get this opportunity,” said Rutt, who graduated from Fenwick in 1979 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008. “After decades of building on the top-notch Catholic education I gained at Fenwick, through career stops in the military, the private sector and in public education, I am coming home. As Fenwick is approaching its centennial, I am inspired to join this highly talented team and the motivated students to further Fenwick’s long history of institutional success.”

Rutt retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2012 after four decades of service as a fighter pilot, combat veteran and senior leader, serving two tours in the Persian Gulf and Western Iraq. He spearheaded the training and readiness of multiple Marine Corps units, eventually serving as Chief Officer of the Equal Opportunity & Diversity Management Branch.

Rutt became “deeply interested” in pursuing this role “for a simple, yet profound reason: it is important,” he said. “Aligned with this reason is my strong belief that I can make a unique and significant difference in this pivotal era for Fenwick. My life has been filled with deep commitments; my aspirations and choices have carried a sense of vocation. I am called to this position out of a profound sense of mission.”

His dedication to Fenwick’s Dominican mission was also the “bedrock” of his motivation to return as president. “Having spent my elementary years in the St. Vincent Ferrer school and parish, and then matriculating to Fenwick High School, I have been the beneficiary of a Dominican Catholic faith foundation and education,” he said. “It would take some time to talk about all my Dominican heroes. I am immensely and forever grateful to them.”

A recipient of several service awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, he holds degrees in economics, business administration and strategic studies from Harvard University, the University of Chicago and Air University. He received a Master of Fine Art in 2020 from Florida Atlantic University, where he served as an adjunct professor, along with teaching printmaking at Armory Art Center. In addition to his Marine Corps leadership, he also served in roles in institutional finance.

During his time as JROTC Commandant of Marine Math and Science Academy in Chicago, he worked to motivate students to “become better scholars, leaders and citizens” and prepared them for a post-secondary education or career in the workforce.