June 11, 2026
“Much in My Heart”
The Thomas Cochran Society and the things that lastIn a letter to former classmate and then headmaster Alfred E. Stearns, Thomas Cochran, Class of 1890, wrote, “I wish the time would come soon when I could do something more substantial for Phillips Academy. It is much in my heart and mind, and I dream about it.”
That note, dated November 1916, began a philanthropic endeavor that forever changed Andover, with Cochran’s future investments laying the groundwork for the Addison Gallery, the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library, and the chapel that still bears his name, among other beloved campus spaces.
Today, the Thomas Cochran Society welcomes donors who have made lifetime donations of $250,000 or more to the Academy, epitomizing the ethos of the school’s mission and Cochran’s vision. More than 75 members gathered in New York this May in a biennial celebration of their commitments, held at The Morgan Library & Museum and featuring speaker Nicholas Thompson ’93, CEO of The Atlantic.
Here, three of those members share why they’ve prioritized Andover in their lives:
“Education has always been a key philanthropic focus for our family. We share the immigrant experience, having come to the United States with parents who believed strongly that education was the key to a bright and prosperous future. We witnessed the sacrifices they made, which put us in a position to not only educate our own children but also touch the lives of others. Giving to Andover has been particularly meaningful to us—and being part of the Thomas Cochran Society is an honor.”
—Fermin Caro Del Castillo & Sharda Mehta Caro Del Castillo P’25, ’26, ’30
“Coming from an immigrant family and the public school system in Flint, Michigan, I received an experience at Andover that changed the trajectory of my life. PA prepared me to be a citizen of the world—and gave me the tools and confidence to pursue my aspirations.”
—Anjali Sud ’01
Categories: Philanthropy
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