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FINDING BALANCE
How Community is Changing the Conversation on Mental Health
THE MAGAZINE OF THE PHILLIPS ACADEMY & ABBOT ACADEMY COMMUNITY
On their fourth annual team building and training trip held this fall, students in Outdoor Pursuits—including six student leaders—enjoyed a nine-mile hike up the 5,249-foot Mt. Lafayette along Franconia Ridge in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The group spent the night at the historic Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Greenleaf Hut, and even got to see a bear graze (from a safe distance, of course!).
Photo by Donald A. Slater
From the Head of School
KNOWLEDGE AND GOODNESS, AND THE UNEXPECTED
The Knowledge & Goodness campaign surpassed its $400 million goal in November, securing its place as the most ambitious campaign in Phillips Academy history.
You have heard a lot about the ways the campaign has advanced the school’s highest priorities around academic excellence, faculty, students, financial aid, and world-class facilities—all of which make this Academy worth investing in. That part of our historic effort went according to plan.
What we did not expect was that the campaign would also play a role in providing the critical resources needed to navigate some of our most challenging moments.
The COVID-19 pandemic acutely affected our community and commanded a response that put extraordinary pressure on our operating budget, which derives about 15 percent of its revenue from gifts to the Andover and Parent Fund. This crucial resource gives us the flexibility to direct support where it is most needed, and it is where the majority of donors choose to direct their philanthropy year after year. Over the duration of the campaign, the Andover Fund generated a total of more than $85 million.
When faced with a racial reckoning that revealed gaps in our support of students, faculty, and staff, the campaign provided resources to strengthen Andover’s commitment to equity and inclusion initiatives, inspired by a matching fund established by current and former trustees. While we will continue to grow as a community, the campaign helped us develop new programs and supports and to frame a more purposeful way forward.
The campaign also kept us focused on a longrange vision through a leadership transition.
I am grateful to my predecessor, John Palfrey P’21, who launched the campaign in 2017 with co-chairs Amy Falls ’82, P’19, ’21, Joe Bae ’90, P’21, ’23, ’26, ’26, and Peter Currie ’74, P’03, and to Jim Ventre ’79, who eased the transition as interim head of school and who remained steadfast in his commitment to the campus community during monumental challenges. All were instrumental to my gaining a nuanced understanding of Andover’s people and culture and its belief, which I share, that excellence requires perpetual reflection and a willingness to evolve. This campaign provided the resources necessary to do both.
And finally, the campaign underscored the power of our campus and global communities to come together as one, to see what is brightest and most promising in Phillips Academy, and to uphold our founding value of knowledge and goodness, especially when it was needed most.
Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24 Head of School
Andover magazine reinforces the special connection alumni have with Phillips Academy and Abbot Academy. Through thought-provoking stories, contemporary design, and inspiring profiles of alumni, students, and faculty, we aim to highlight the school’s enduring values, recognize our unique history, and celebrate the rich diversity of our community.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Rita Savard
CONTRIBUTORS
Jill Clerkin Katie Fiermonti Nancy Hitchcock Lori L. Tharps
© 2022 Phillips Academy, Andover, MA All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Andover, the magazine of the Phillips Academy and Abbot Academy community, is published four times per year. It is produced by the Office of Communication at Phillips Academy, 180 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810. Main PA phone: 978-749-4000 Changes of address and death notices: 978-749-4269, alumni-records@andover.edu Phillips Academy website: www.andover.edu Andover magazine phone: 978-749-4677 Email: magazine@andover.edu Postmasters: Send address changes to Phillips Academy 180 Main Street Andover MA 01810-4161
EDITOR’S NOTE
I was in college the first time I went to a therapist. It was a strange and secretive experience; I would lie to my roommates about going to the store and carefully tuck away the journal I used for self-reflection. I learned that I was dealing with social anxiety and body image issues—phrases I had never heard of before.
This was the early ’90s. No one talked about mental health or wellness. It was too embarrassing and confusing and different. I kept my appointments to myself and, while my therapist helped me immensely, I never talked about it to my friends or most of my family. Thankfully, times have changed.
Our cover story, “Finding Balance,” highlights how teens across the country are struggling with myriad mental health issues. Andover students are not immune—in fact, they may feel even more stress given the high expectations and rigor of this prestigious school. But there are reasons to be hopeful.
As Associate Editor Rita Savard writes, “Wellness outreach is growing deep roots at the Academy, with adults empowering students by encouraging active roles in supporting one another.”
Finding balance can certainly be a high wire act, just as our cover illustration shows. But those in our community have found ways to focus on health and wellness. Two students flex their non sibi muscles by creating a new outdoor basketball court (page 12), Andover’s first Black Student Union offers a place of acceptance and community (page 22), and Scott Crabtree ’84 delves into the science behind happiness and the importance of practicing those activities that make us happy (page 34).
Here’s to a happier and healthier 2023, Andover!
Allyson Irish Editor magazine@andover.edu @andovermagazine
AYLA SCOTT
“To be happier, science can absolutely tell us what works for most people most of the time.”
SCOTT CRABTREE ’84
PAGE 34
PIA GORME
“Andover was truly the catalyst for my passion for performance.”
EVELYN HUILIN WU ’18
PAGE 9
FALL/WINTER 2022
Volume 116, Number 1
HENRY MARTE
ALL SCHOOL
8 Buzz 9 The World Comes to Andover 11 Off the Wall 13 Alumni Award of Distinction 15 Bookshelf
22
DEPARTMENTS
1 Head of School 4 Voices 20 Let’s Discuss 34 Alumni Up Close 38 Philanthropy 108 End Note
HARRY BENSON, COURTESY OF ADDISON GALLERY OF AMERICAN ART
FEATURES 16
Building for the Future
Andover celebrates the dedication of the Pan Athletic Center.
18
The Room Where It Happened
The force behind need-blind admission, Trustee Emeritus Dan Cunningham ’67 is honored with a named conference room.
22
Black Student Union
A newly formed Black Student Union (BSU) aims to ensure students have a sense of belonging.
26
Finding Balance
Andover addresses the many mental health challenges facing Generation Z.
