After 28 years, Officer Wendy has retired from her duties in the Office of Campus Safety at Phillips Academy.
Wendy Cogswell (Officer Wendy), the heartbeat of the Andover community for 28 years, was known for helping recover lost items, directing traffic during events, ensuring late-night campus security, and even corralling runaway dogs. Last month marked the end of Officer Wendy’s career at Andover. Appreciated by both students and faculty for her enthusiasm and friendliness, Officer Wendy will still occasionally be on campus as a part-time per diem officer.
Fondly recalling her time at Andover, Officer Wendy expressed her gratitude for the supportive community and countless students and faculty who made her time memorable. In particular, she remembered recovering from encephalitis and being welcomed back with a standing ovation. Officer Wendy further reflected on some of her other favorite memories of her job.
“I loved my job and the commitment I made. Becoming ‘Officer Wendy’ was special. No one calls me by my last name, even now… One of my favorite moments was greeting students at the start of school with Blue Keys, cheering, and waving them in. It showed them we were excited to welcome them as part of the community. I also enjoyed family weekends, where I could talk with parents and show them that there are people at the school who genuinely care about the students,” said Cogswell.
Cogswell continued, “About 15 years ago, I had encephalitis and nearly didn’t make it. When I returned, there was a school meeting where [I was brought] to the podium to announce I was back. The standing ovation I received from the students was overwhelming. That moment solidified my love for my job and motivated me to keep giving it my all after my recovery.”
Lisa Joel, Director of Athletics, recalled Officer Wendy’s friendliness, positive energy, and how much love she showed for the Andover community. She noted how Officer Wendy would show up frequently during school, ready to show up to any scenario and work it out.
“It is impossible to work here for any period of time and not get to know Officer Wendy… If there is something going on campus, Officer Wendy is there… The legacy she leaves is that she was just kind and energetic to everyone. It didn’t matter who they were or whether they were an adult, student, or a young faculty child. She had a big greeting and a warmth about her. That kind of person in our community makes a big impact. She cared deeply about this community, and now it is thriving,” said Joel.
Other campus adults share similar sentiments towards Officer Wendy. Susan Esty, Dean of Students and Residential Life, remembered Officer Wendy’s constant positivity, mentioning her sense of humor and dedication to the job. Esty emphasized Officer Wendy’s love for the community and her lively spirit.
“She approaches everything with positivity. I love that she would read to children in the library, and do storytime. She would wear a Santa cap in December. Anything that would happen, she would have some very reassuring positive statements [like] ‘That’s the way it goes sometimes, next time it will be better.’ That’s the kind of attitude that she brought to her work,” said Esty.
Esty continued, “[She has a] great sense of humor, she loves to joke around. She is just really loyal and dedicated, so it was evident every time you saw her how much she loves Andover. It’s a real feeling though, she bleeds blue.”
Officer Wendy also helped as an instructor in some cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) courses. Ainsley Muldoon ’26 commented on how she experienced Officer Wendy’s warm and positive presence during her time in the short class.
“During the CPR course, I remember her being funny with the videos we watched. When we were close to certification, we had to push on the CPR dummy one by one with music in the background. She was encouraging… She cared about us doing well and made the experience lighthearted and fun,” said Muldoon.
During retirement, Officer Wendy intends to pursue her hobby of traveling, especially to one of her favorite locations — Key West, Florida. She enjoys the many attractions offered by the city, including snorkeling and reading Ernest Hemingway.
“I love to travel. I’ve lived all over the world as a Navy brat, but there are still many places in the U.S. I haven’t explored. I live in New Hampshire now but have traveled with friends to Maine, California, and soon to my favorite spot, Key West… I love snorkeling, and the day and night activities. I’m also a big fan of Ernest Hemingway, and visiting his house is always a highlight.”
