Archaeology Museum receives surprise $10 million bequest

Pledge comes from Peabody stalwarts Robin and Marshall Cloyd ’58

January 25, 2013 —Head of School John Palfrey announced that Marshall and Robin Cloyd have pledged a $10 million bequest for the Robert S. Peabody Museum. Mr. Cloyd, a longtime supporter of PA’s archaeology museum, currently serves as chair of the Peabody Advisory Committee. This announcement comes on the heels of the news that Trustee Emeritus Oscar Tang ’56 and Cloyd had joined forces to make a $1.5 million gift to the Peabody.

Cloyd’s support of Andover and its archaeology museum is captured best in his own words. The following is from an interview featured in the 2011 edition of “BLUEprint,” an Andover publication.

I was intrigued by the idea of attending Andover. It had been portrayed by my parents as an extraordinary educational institution. They thought I was not being adequately challenged. Andover, of course, has many ways of ringing your bell. This was done with frequency over my four years of attendance. It even showed up 15 years later in 1973, when I had just arrived in Singapore. Josh Miner, who had taught me physics, was on the phone within 10 days of my arrival. I had just moved, after three years in London. Josh wanted me to help start to recruit students in Southeast Asia. Two weeks later, he called up with the normal flexibility shown in the classroom.

“Marshall, I need a brief on how many kids you’ve talked to and your observations on their ability to withstand Andover’s rigor.” Typical Andover: “What’s the answer?” and “Why do you believe it to be the true and accurate answer?” Nothing had changed!

By the time my youngest, Trudi [Class of 2003], applied to Andover she knew that there were other excellent boarding schools in America. She also had applied to Exeter and St. Paul’s. Upon acceptance at Exeter, she immediately planned to accept their offer. Fortunately, her brother [Class of 1988] and her sister [Class of 1995] had several private conversations and informed her they didn’t want to even try to live with their father were she to attend Exeter. In the end, she chose Andover.

I first became interested in the Peabody Museum as a junior in 1954. I didn’t appreciate the world-shaking work that was going on inside until later. During that time the Peabody Museum, working with the University of Chicago, was just discovering the first scientific method of dating, Carbon 14. Later, when Trudi was a senior, she benefited tremendously from her DNA analysis work on a 1,000-year-old dog bone, while working with Dr. Jerry Hagler. Today, she’s in medical school because of this very special museum.

Additionally, we now seem to be at a point in political history where being popular is more important than being a leader. Andover, however, provides unique forums that foster the development of leadership potential. My first leadership positions were there—as captain of crew and as a member of Student Council and the Headmaster’s Advisory Board. Andover is an incomprehensibly rare institution that produces a unique blend of highly gifted, driven, and extremely capable individuals. I support Andover because the world needs more effective leaders.

Marshall Cloyd ’58, P’88, ’95, ’03