William Mathews Brooks has served as an IYRS Trustee for nearly six years. He brings his passion for innovation and business, expert counsel, and focus on excellence, as inspiration to all involved with the IYRS experience. Matt goes above and beyond for IYRS, and shows extraordinary commitment to the quality of the student experience, graduate outcomes and overall school success. Matt’s commitment to craftsmanship and to those gifted tradespeople who are on the journey of mastery, goes hand in hand with his dedication to the preservation and ‘return to blue water’ of his 52’ classic yawl, Dorade.

Annually since 2010, the prestigious IYRS Wave Award is given to an IYRS supporter who has shown extraordinary support for the school, and deep commitment to the success of our students.

IYRS is honored to present the 2016 Wave Award to William Mathew Brooks.

2016 William Mathew Brooks

2015 Peter Gonzalez

         Jerry Lenfest

2014 George “Dooie” Isdale

         Terry Nathan

2013 Bryan H. Lawrence

2012 John Mecray

2011  Edward W. Kane

2010 Joseph T. Dockery

IYRS provides world-class experiential education, preparing students to enter a global manufacturing workforce.  IYRS teaches the art and science of making, building, restoring and maintaining, and in the process, helps its graduates build both careers and more meaningful lives – inspired by the knowledge that in their hands and through the use of technology, they have the power to build almost anything.

IYRS currently has three accredited schools, School of Composites Technology, School of Boatbuilding & Restoration and School of Marine Systems. Additionally, IYRS regularly collaborates with post-secondary schools of architecture, preservation, industrial design and engineering through short-term classes, including recently with MIT, Harvard, RISD, Roger Williams and others. With campuses in Newport and Bristol, RI, IYRS offers an extraordinarily attractive location to study.

Hear student and alumni stories at www.iyrs.edu/stories