Carter’s legacy will endure

As Andover prepares to say farewell to Steve Carter, whose 36-year career spans myriad academic, residential and administrative roles, community members are showing profound appreciation for the chief operating and financial officer’s service and leadership.

The first in a series of tributes came last week during a trustee-hosted dinner to honor retiring members of the board and faculty. In a presentation to close the dinner, Head of School John Palfrey, Trustee Amy Falls ’82 and Nancy Jeton, special assistant to the head of school, announced that a behind-the-scenes campaign has raised $1.1 million to ensure Carter’s legacy remains central to campus life. A portion of the money will name for Carter the Snyder Center’s upper lobby—a spacious setting for hospitality featuring a glass wall overlooking Phelps Stadium, where he coached football for 32 years. The naming of this prominent space in PA’s new athletic center also recognizes Carter’s support for facilities projects throughout his tenure and, most recently, his expert guidance on the Campus Master Plan and Athletic Facilities Plan.

Ever the educator, Carter has held strong to his original calling as a teacher. Even as he took on increasing administrative responsibilities, he continued to teach math whenever possible. To mark his devotion to the profession, the Academy will establish an endowed scholarship in his name.

Fundraising efforts, led by Falls on behalf of trustees, and Jeton, on behalf of the Senior Administrative Council, continue to expand as faculty, staff and alumni express interest in honoring their devoted colleague and friend.

In his remarks, Palfrey shared the phrase—“Do Your Job”— written on Carter’s office whiteboard. Palfrey said he often visits Carter's office, seeking advice or pausing to reflect on what it means to be a teacher and administrator at Andover. With these words and Carter’s guidance, Palfrey said, he always finds profound wisdom. “Steve—you have done your job with enormous distinction, and we are enormously grateful for everything you have done.”

The community’s expression of gratitude continues to grow with each of Carter’s Andover “finals”—his final board presentation, committee meeting, or staff appreciation ceremony—and given his varied roles, many other milestones to follow through June 30. This week, as nearly 300 staff and administrators gathered for their spring meeting, Carter was honored with a framed Andover football jersey bearing the number 36. The placard reads:

“With deep appreciation for thirty-six years of service and dedication to the Academy and support and kindness to those around you.”

Still processing these recent events, with characteristic humility and grace, Carter said: “I have been incredibly touched by the outpouring of generosity from the Andover community—the jersey, the announcement of the naming and the endowment. I am very grateful to the many individuals who have been a part of these tributes. Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected any of this.”