The World Comes to Andover

All School

NEW APPOINTMENTS

SARA HINCHEY, LAUGHING BROOK PHOTOGRAPHY NEIL EVANS

Lauren Conoscenti joined Phillips Academy this fall as the school’s first assistant head for analytic support and assessment. Conoscenti previously worked at Tufts University in the Office of Institutional Research where, as associate director, she collected, analyzed, and communicated data to support strategic decision-making and oversaw university survey projects on topics such as mental health and student needs during the pandemic.

In an email to the community about Conoscenti’s appointment, Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, cited the need for increased data management, as recommended by the Andover Anti-Racism Task Force and by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in its reaccreditation report. Conoscenti holds an AB in psychology from Princeton University and a PhD in psychology from Harvard University.

the BUZZ

With more than 25 years of experience at Andover, including academic, residential, and administrative roles, Rajesh Mundra P’18, ’20, was recently appointed interim deputy head of school for academics and student affairs. In this new role, Mundra will oversee and collaborate with the offices of the dean of students, dean of studies, and dean of faculty, and will help transition the new deputy head of school once that person is appointed.

At the conclusion of the 2022–2023 academic year, Mundra will be leaving the Academy to become head of school at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco. Mundra earned a BS in biochemistry from Brandeis University and an MAT in biology from Brown University.

It was a perfect “coming full circle” story. Joined by family, Stanley Snider ’44 visited campus last November to view the progress of the Pan Athletic Center, which was under construction by his company, Stanmar. Although he passed away in April, Snider was able to see at least a portion of the new building. “My grandfather was happy to reconnect with the school,” says Oliver Snider, Stanley’s grandson, and president of Stanmar.

The Snider Family: Oliver, Stanley ’44, Matt, Mary Ann (seated), Annie, and Mark, CEO, Stanmar

JESSIE WALLNER

Caroline Odden P’26, a PA faculty member for more than 20 years, was named dean of studies in June. Odden joined the PA faculty in 2001 and has taught in both the physics and mathematics departments, eventually shifting to focus on physics and astronomy and becoming supervisor of the Phillips Academy Observatory. Odden has been a house counselor, academic advisor, and coach of the ice hockey and golf teams. She has also served on the Pine Knoll Discipline Committee and the Student Program Review Committee and has been the community liaison to the Abbot Academy Fund.

Odden earned a BA from Yale University, where she majored in physics and philosophy and was a goaltender for the women’s hockey team. She holds an MST in mathematics from the University of New Hampshire.

COURTESY PHOTO LORENE THEODORA PHOTOGRAPHY

SHARING A PASSION BORN AT ANDOVER

BY NANCY HITCHCOCK

When still a toddler, Arianna “Ari” Warsaw-Fan Rauch ’04 declared she was going to play the violin. That steadfast determination to play and perform continued through high school and earned Warsaw-Fan Rauch bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Juilliard. She has performed at iconic venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, and the Berliner Philharmonie. She also published an album with cellist Meta Weiss ’05. And now, with her new book on classical music, Warsaw-Fan Rauch hopes to win over even the most stubborn skeptics.

“When I was a kid, I thought classical music was the most magical music,” she enthuses. “I didn’t realize it was niche music because it was around me all the time.”

In Declassified: A Low-Key Guide to the High-Strung World of Classical Music, the author aims to demystify classical music so that everyone can enjoy a performance, choose music for a wedding, or find pieces that speak to them. “Readers should come away feeling really well versed and really comfortable with classical music,” she says.

Throughout the book—which is part memoir, part playful guidebook—Warsaw-Fan Rauch describes how Andover created an important foundation for her love of music.

Growing up on campus, Warsaw-Fan Rauch found herself simultaneously surrounded—and deeply fascinated—by music. Her father, Dr. Peter Warsaw, held many positions at Andover, including music department chair and orchestra conductor. One of her favorite classes, Words and Music, was taught by her father and mother, English instructor Dr. Ada Fan. And conductor William Thomas was an important mentor. But it was at age 7 that Warsaw-Fan Rauch had a pivotal musical experience: she was mesmerized by violinist Rex Chao ’94’s senior concert.

“It was the first time a concert was transporting for me,” she says. She and Chao developed a close bond over music; however, sadly, two years into college Chao died tragically, which left Warsaw-Fan Rauch feeling that she needed to continue playing her violin for the two of them. The new author says she writes to invite readers to join her passion for music.

To be considered for “Bookshelf,” please send a brief summary of your recently published book and a high-resolution image of the book cover to magazine@andover.edu.

The West Texas Power Plant That Saved the World: Energy, Capitalism, and Climate Change

BY ANDY BOWMAN ’87 Texas Tech University Press To confront climate change—with its melting ice, wildfires, and powerful hurricanes—longtime energy executive Bowman offers insight into renewable energy. Using the Barilla solar plant in Texas as a test case, the author explains how this trailblazing project provides a vision for a sustainable future.

The Smart Business Guide to China E-Commerce: How to Win in the World’s Largest Retail Market

BY FRANK LAVIN ’75 Penguin Random House SEA Lavin’s how-to guide offers consumer brands, retailers, and entrepreneurs an e-commerce strategy. This quick read covers Chinese consumer patterns, the best platforms and social media channels to use, and case studies of both successes and failures.

Working with AI: Real Stories of Human-Machine Collaboration

BY THOMAS H. DAVENPORT AND STEVEN M. MILLER ’74 MIT Press Using real-world case studies, management and technology experts Davenport and Miller demonstrate how artificial intelligence-enabled systems can augment jobs from finance to factories. According the authors, smart systems—in collaboration with humans—don’t eliminate jobs, they free employees to do more challenging work.

Sufficient Emptiness

BY MARJORIE POWER ‘65 Deerbrook Editions Divided into five sections, this collection of poems covers relationships, seasons, feminism, nature, and the ephemerality of life. Power has been writing poetry for more than 50 years and has had 450 poems published in print and online journals.

Stories from the Educational Underground: The New Frontier for Learning and Work

BY PETER SMITH ’64 Kendall Hunt Drawing on 50 years of experience in higher education, Smith reasons that colleges and universities must end systemic discrimination and become more inclusive. He showcases the stories of 20 adult learners to demonstrate the lack of access to higher education in some communities.

Building for the Future

Pan Athletic Center Dedicated

After months of anticipation, the 70,000-squarefoot Pan Athletic Center was officially dedicated November 11, with students and student-athletes eager to dive in and use the new facility.

“I walked past the Pan many times during construction, and it made me feel like a kid outside of a candy shop,” says Trey Wolfe ’23, captain of the boys’ varsity swimming and water polo teams. “I’m excited to take full advantage of the space this season to grow the team and work hard. And I know we will have some fun hosting our first meet in the Pan.”

The state-of-the-art facility is named for lead donors Zhang Xin and Pan Shiyi P’17, ’19. Leadership gifts were also made by the Abbot Academy Fund and several other Knowledge & Goodness campaign donors.

“As a family, we feel privileged to ensure that the next generations will benefit from an athletics experience that shapes humans into strong, well rounded graduates ready to take on the next

NEIL EVANS set of challenges and adventures in their lives,” said Xin, who attended the dedication with her sons Luc ’19 and Sean ’17. “Thank you, Andover, for all you have given to our children, and thank you for the opportunity to be part of Andover’s future.”

Inside the facility, students will be able to use the new 25-meter pool—with eight competition or 13 practice lanes. The wrestling team has dedicated space for practice and competition, spectator seating, and a warm-up, weigh-in, and training area. The two dance studios include makeup and changing rooms, and the performance center can seat 137.

“Dance is such a big part of my life,” says Ashley Park ’24. “Being able to continue my career as a dancer in a new and expansive studio will be such a great feeling.”

Located on the footprint of the former Case Memorial Cage and Smith Center, the Pan Athletic Center was built by Stanmar, Inc.* and is the second building constructed as part of Andover’s Athletics Master Plan, which aims to ensure that students have toptier facilities for both interscholastic competition and general health and wellness activities.

Phase one of the master plan included construction of the Snyder Center, a 98,000-square-foot LEED Platinumcertified multi-use building named for PA track star and lead donor Steve Snyder ’56. Opened in 2018, the Snyder Center features a 200-meter track and convertible infield, 12 squash courts, spaces for intramural sports and events, and a state-of-the-art trainers’ room.

KRISTIE DEAN

AMY WHITEHEAD See more photos of the Pan at andover.edu/magazine. *The second of four generations of Sniders to head the construction company Stanmar, Stanley Snider ’44 was able to visit the facility during construction last fall. Read more on page 14.

Below, the Pan family Sean’17, mother Zhang Xin and, Luc ’19