Every day, Andover’s student body labors over countless homework assignments and essays, with such assignments often ending up crumpled in a drawer or trash can after having been graded. These works will now have the opportunity to be preserved and immortalized as a part of Andover’s history through The Bell Tower: An Anthology of Student Work. This publication is a project that will be carried out by the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library (OWHL), which will be made possible through an Abbot Grant.
Michael Barker, Director of Academy Research in the OWHL, describes the publication as an opportunity for students to showcase their finest academic ventures.
“[The Bell Tower] is a collection of the best student work of this Academic year. We have left it up to students and faculty to define for themselves what the term ‘best’ means, but we are looking for works of which students are particularly proud,” said Barker.
“It’s not the weight of the assignment or the grade that matters, but rather what it represents to you and its place in your journey. Work from all grade levels is welcome and encouraged,” said Barker.
Liza Oldham, Research and Instructional Design Librarian in the OWHL, said, “We were thinking about all the interesting projects that students here do, and so many of them we think don’t get enough campus-wide credit because there are so many different things that people do… we really want to create a culture of acknowledging the type of work that goes on.”
The OWHL is currently receiving submissions to be published both in print and online, and will continue throughout the year. As of press time, they have received 25 works.
According to Oldham, the Bell Tower will be published digitally, but the OWHL may also look to publish a limited print edition, based on the amount and types of submissions they receive. Oldham said she did not know if students would need to pay for a print edition.
Some students interviewed by The Phillipian have responded positively to the idea of the publication, and consider its importance as a medium for preserving Andover’s students’ work for years to come.
“I think it’s important because each student’s art piece or piece of work is an important part of Andover’s history and the way that each student has their own unique piece of work. Any student’s work is important as a part of Andover’s community and school. It reflects the student body work,” said Serena Liu ’19.