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he always felt it was the education he received from Andover’s nurturing and dedicated faculty that made it possible for him to graduate from Williams cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.
“My father, David Paresky, is grateful to Andover, and honored to contribute to enhancing the Andover experience for those who follow—and I am honored to tell his story.”
“Following Williams, he received both a law degree and an MBA from Harvard. To the surprise of his friends and family, he rejected lucrative corporate offers and opened a travel agency in Harvard Square with his wife. Together they embarked on an innovative 30-year career in travel—a business to which he was first drawn at Andover when he threaded a film on Spring Vacation in Bermuda for the A-V department.
Following Dr. Zuker’s warm words, audience members rose to their feet in resounding applause and shortly thereafter proceeded to Paresky for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“For 20 years he served Andover as class agent, reminding his classmates that even those who paid full tuition were substantially subsidized; and as soon as he was able, he created a scholarship endowment like the one that had supported him. “So, now you know the end of the story: Paresky Commons is named for that 13-year-old scholarship kid who learned the lessons of the inspiring seal Paul Revere created for Phillips Academy: The bees and hive represent Thrift, Industry, and Dedication to the Common Good; Finis Origine Pendet—the end depends upon the beginning; and Non Sibi—not for self.
“It was such fun to hear the enthusiastic and, yes, envious comments of alumni of all ages as they poured into the building after the ribbon-cutting and admired the new foyer and first-floor servery,” said Chase. “Several of them told me they wished they could be students again so that they, too, could eat their meals in Paresky every day.” 1) David Paresky ’56 gives daughter Pamela Paresky Zuker ’85 a hug following her touching tribute. 2) From left, John McBride ’56, Betsy Parker Powell ’56, Oscar Tang ’56, Peter Wells ’56, and Gerrit Keator ’57 gather to congratulate David Paresky (far right) following a tour of the revitalized dining facility. “Entering either of Paresky’s beautiful new serveries is a ‘wow’ experience,” said Powell, trustee emerita. “With all that great food it’s a good thing I’m not a student. I’d eat too much.” 3) Paresky (left) and Oscar Tang share a laugh with chain-smoking, eagle-eyed Bob Leete, said to have supervised 10 million meals while manager of Commons from 1940 to 1975.
Andover | Fall 2009
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