Staff
Anne Gardner
Director of Spiritual & Religious Life
Protestant Chaplain
Reverend Gardner began her tenure as the inaugural Director of Spiritual and Religious Life in 2008-09, in addition to serving as the Academy’s Protestant Chaplain. In her role as Director, she oversees all interfaith programming as well as acting as the faculty advisor for the Protestant, Muslim and Hindu student organizations.
Reverend Gardner is an ordained Episcopal priest, serving under the auspices of the Diocese of Massachusetts. Prior to her arrival at Phillips, she worked as both a college chaplain and as an associate at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (Weston, MA) and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Bedford, MA). A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, Reverend Gardner is a published author, holds a consulting position with the Society for the Increase of the Ministry and is involved in a variety of research projects with the Episcopal Church Foundation (New York, NY).
Before attending seminary, Reverend Gardner worked for twenty years in the field of higher education, holding a number of positions within the arena of student services. She has had extensive training and experience as a social worker, including time spent as a missionary with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Her interest in this work continues and has led her to organize several recent trips to the Gulf Coast, offering students an opportunity to both experience and understand issues of poverty, race, and social justice.
Outside of the chaplaincy program, Reverend Gardner serves on a number of campus committees in addition to her duties as a house counselor in Double Brick (9th grade girls’ residence hall).
Patrick Kabanda
Organist and Instructor in Music
978-749-4132
A native of Uganda, Patrick Kabanda developed his interest in the organ while a chorister at Namirembe Cathedral in Kampala. He has served as Organist at Emanuel A.M.E. Church, as Organist/Music Director at the Church of The Intercession, and as Assisting Organist at Wall Street’s Trinity Church in New York City. He is currently the Organist and Instructor of Music at Phillips Academy, a position he was appointed to in September 2004.
Kabanda made his European debut at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London in 2003 and returned in 2004 at the invitation of London’s South African High Commission to perform in celebration of South Africa’s 10th Independence Anniversary. On his most recent trip to Africa (2008), Kabanda worked with a youth choir in Kigali, Rwanda and a youth band in Gulu, Uganda. He has spent significant time conducting research in Botswana and Swaziland and has led discussions at the American University in Cairo. Within the United States, Kabanda has performed at multiple venues including Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, Adolphus Busch Hall at Harvard University, and the Washington National Cathedral in our nation’s capitol. Kabanda has studied and received mentorship from many acclaimed musicians including John Weaver and Charlie Steele (organ); Greg Morris and Marilyn Neeley (piano); Gerre Hancock (improvisation); and Stanley Wolfe (composition).
Kabanda received both his bachelor’s (2001) and master’s (2003) degrees from Juilliard and was awarded the 2003 William Schuman Prize for outstanding achievement and leadership in music. From 1996 to 1998, he attended Brevard College in North Carolina and also attended the Brevard Music Center Summer Festival. A member of the American Guild of Organists, Kabanda is Dean of the Merrimack Valley Chapter and an Executive Committee Member of the Boston Chapter. In addition to his teaching and conducting responsibilities, Kabanda resides in Bartlet Hall where he serves as a house counselor.
Gail Ralston
Office Manager
978-749-4130
Gail began her PA career in 1989 in the CAMD (Community and Multi-Cultural Development) office before heading to the Dean of Studies Office where she worked for seventeen subsequent years. Now located in the Chaplaincy Office, Gail schedules all events held in the Chapel; including religious services, music performances, campus speakers, student meetings, as well as weddings and memorial services for members of Andover’s staff and alumni.
Gail is most proud of the newest addition to the Chapel Office – an interfaith lending library begun by Chelsea Carlson (Class of 2009) and funded by the generous support of an Abbot Academy grant. The selection of books may be viewed online and borrowed during regular office hours; 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Rabbi Michael Swarttz
Jewish Chaplain
978-749-4131
Rabbi Michael Swarttz was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and received his Bachelors in Middle Eastern History and Masters in Education from Temple University. He has worked in formal and informal educational settings with Jewish youth since his freshman year in college. He has written numerous articles on the rabbinate and Jewish education. From 2001-2003 Rabbi Swarttz and his family spent two years in Jerusalem, where he was on fellowship in the Jerusalem Fellows, a program for leaders in Jewish education from around the world. He is currently the rabbi of Beth Tikvah Synagogue in Westborough, and is the Project Director for a leadership development program sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts.