TO THE ED IT O R Dear Editor:
Dear Editor:
I have two comments regarding the Winter 2010 issue.
With reference to pages 28–29 of the Winter 2010 issue of the magazine, “What Alumni Say About Their Favorite Andover Teachers”:
The first pertains to John Kane’s “Thoughts of a Recovering Homophobe.” I am about a half generation before him, but I have gone through the same recovery process, though I did not have the close personal reasons he shared with us. I am not ashamed of my homophobic feelings when I was younger because they were the cultural norm then. But I am proud that I have been able to use my intellect to see how hollow and false those feelings were. This was an evolutionary process for me, with many factors involved, including the intellectual development I went through at Andover.
Three men stand out as incomparable—Allan Cook, Arthur Darling, and Freddie Watt, each in his own way a revelation of what is meant by “Intellectual Excitement.” And a chance remark that Cookie made one dark winter afternoon, “…he knows how to enjoy his own mind…” has stayed with me all my life. I will always be grateful to the wonderful teacher who showed me that possibility. Yours cordially,
The second pertains to the “What Alumni Say About Their Favorite Andover Teachers” section. I only took one course from William Schneider (who passed away last year) and had only brief contact with him outside the classroom, but his “music appreciation” course has had a profound influence on my life. Not in a materialistic way. His course was my introduction to classical music and, though I am not a musician, my life has been enriched by it ever since. Even now I occasionally get goosebumps when I hear a beautiful piece of music that I may have completely ignored had it not been for that class.
Richard P. Leavitt ’45
Charlie Townsend ’51 Dear Editor: First, I would like to compliment Ken Puleo on his inspiring design for this [Winter 2010] issue. Having taught in PA’s art department from 1968 through 2001, offering over 30 different art courses, I’m very impressed with his graphic design. It has brought the magazine to life! Ted Sizer was one on my heroes. I studied at the Harvard Graduate School of Education under him and then served at PA during his tenure. I admired his ideas, particularly term limits. I could never have survived serving as art department chairman from 1980 to 1985 without that exit point. My only disagreement with him was joining the International Baccalaureate, which would have crimped PA’s freedom for teaching. Victor Henningson’s article, “Why We Teach,” was also very significant to me. With his kind permission, I will quote from him in my next of many courses I’ve taught at the University of Maine in Machias. Keep up the good work!
Gil Talbot
John McMurray, instructor in art emeritus 1968–2001
PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US Andover, the magazine of Phillips Academy welcomes your comments, suggestions, and involvement. Letters may be edited for length, grammar, and style. Please e-mail andovermagazine@andover.edu or call 978-749-4677.
Andover | Spring 2010
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