Building Momentum, The Campaign for Andover Goes Public

Students, faculty, alumni, parents, and guests gathered to celebrate launch

November 05, 2009 —With great pride, the Phillips Academy community publicly announced The Campaign for Andover, Building on the Surest Foundation on Thursday, November 5. “The people, programs, and facilities at the heart of the 2004 Strategic Plan now form the core elements of this campaign,” said Oscar Tang ’56, president of the Board of Trustees and chair of the campaign.

Students, faculty, alumni, parents, and guests gathered in Cochran Chapel for a program titled “Andover’s Foundations,” during which Andover’s leaders offered remarks and special acknowledgments of the donors who have contributed to the campaign’s early efforts.

“The generosity of so many alumni and parents allows us to experience the extraordinary every day at Andover,” said Faiyad Ahmad ’10, school president and one of three speakers who opened the event. Alumni Council President Susan Urie Donahue ’73, P’05, ’08 and Dean of Faculty Temba Maqubela, P’03, ’06, ’11 welcomed guests on behalf of alumni and faculty.

Performances were given by Fidelio, Academy organist and music instructor Patrick Kabanda, and vocalist Charlene Sadberry ’99 accompanied by pianist and PA faculty member Bob Baumann. In addition to the musical performances, Head of School Barbara Landis Chase, Oscar Tang, and David Underwood ’54, honorary cochair of The Campaign for Andover and former president of the board, spoke about the power and relevance of an Andover education.

Calling The Campaign for Andover a “new journey,” Underwood said that the previous campaign—The Surest Foundation—and Chase’s 15-year leadership have given Andover “the potential to achieve an even greater magnitude of excellence.”

The Campaign for Andover, a comprehensive campaign, seeks to raise $300 million in endowment and current-use funds to support students, faculty, academic programs, and campus restoration. The Andover Fund, with a fiscal year 2010 goal of $12.2 million, is a part of the campaign.

Since July 1, 2005, the campaign has been in a “silent phase,” with all gifts given to one of its priorities counted toward the $300 million goal. To date, more than 15,000 donors have made gifts and pledges totaling $178.8 million.