Andover’s Constitution, written in 1778, states that “goodness without knowledge is weak… yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous.” Today, the Knowledge and Goodness Campaign, led by the Office of Academy Resources (OAR), seeks further innovation on campus while staying grounded in Andover’s core values.
Tracy Sweet, Director of Academy Communications, explained the purpose of the initiative and its overall fundraising success.
“The Knowledge and Goodness campaign is a major funding source for the priorities of Andover’s Strategic Plan, which was endorsed by the faculty and the Board of Trustees in 2014. After thoughtful planning and initial fundraising, the campaign launched publicly in September 2017 with a community picnic and gala event. Today the campaign has eclipsed $200 million, and we have tremendous momentum pushing us forward,” wrote Sweet in an email to The Phillipian.
The Knowledge and Goodness campaign has raised money from a variety of donors with connections to Andover. Thomas Lockerby, Secretary of the Academy, explained the role that these donors play in forwarding Andover’s goals.
“The campaign is first and foremost designed to underscore the strategic plan. Secondly, it’s just to continue to support the current operations of the school, so a key component of the campaign is our Annual Fund from both alumni and parents. That’s money that supports every aspect of the student experience, faculty experience of the campus, and so the campaign is very much grounded in continuing to advance this support from our alumni and parents each and every year,” said Lockerby.
A portion of the money raised by the campaign is allotted for the provision of financial aid to nearly half the student body who receives it. According to Lockerby, financial aid and Andover’s need-blind policy in admissions promote “Youth From Every Quarter,” an Andover motto that emphasizes student body diversity.
“One of the most important goals of the campaign is to raise endowment for financial aid, to continue to support our need-blind admissions policies. So this year in the campaign, we’re really rationing up our focus on raising financial aid dollars,” said Lockerby.
Lockerby said that this application of Andover’s values, coupled with a serious emphasis on innovation, fosters Andover’s success.
“Our values are as resonant today as they ever were… Andover has had a long history of asking how can it always be better. A focus on creativity and innovation says we may have a great reputation but if we simply rest on our laurels, we will not remain the most relevant educational experience we can be,” said Lockerby.
The campaign supports innovation on campus, in part, through the various construction projects across campus. This began with the Rebecca M. Sykes Wellness Center and the Snyder Center, and continues with the current renovation of the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library (OWHL).
“As you all know, the OWHL is currently under renovation that has been really needed for a number of years. The OWHL was last updated in 1987, and there are parts of it that have not been renovated since it was built in the 1930s. And so it really was time for not just a refreshing but a wholesale reimagining of what is a modern library,” said Lockerby.
According to Lockerby, there are also plans for the new Pan Athletic Center and a new music building on campus. These ventures fall in line with the campaign’s commitment to innovation as they enhance extracurricular experiences for students.
“The next to project will be a second athletics project which we announced the gifts for in the spring but have not raised all the money, so they haven’t started it yet. That’s the Pan Athletic Center, which will be home for a new pool for swimming and diving as well as space for our wrestling program and a new dance center. And then a music building to really change the experience of our student musicians,” said Lockerby.
According to Sweet, the campaign is not only a fundraising effort but also a source of pride for the school.
Sweet wrote, “The campaign is a key funding source for things like need-blind financial aid, Learning in the World, equity and inclusion programs, new and renovated campus facilities. It’s also a point of pride. I think most anyone in our community can get behind an initiative that will advance Andover as a leader in teaching, learning, and every aspect of residential education.”
In that spirit, the OAR was recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), a nonprofit in the field of educational advancement. CASE acknowledged the OAR for its success in fundraising among peer institutions. Lockerby noted the importance of both the donors and volunteers that contributed to this success.
“It’s obviously very nice to be recognized for our hard work, but from my perspective, we get the recognition, but the people who did the hard work are donors and volunteers. Andover wouldn’t be where it is without, obviously, the donors who support us. But also, we have hundreds of volunteers who really help us in our work. So I think of this recognition as their recognition,” said Lockerby.
