SIR: I read with dismay in last week’s issue of The Phillipian about the Board of Trustees’ plans to gut Pearson Hall. I wholeheartedly agree that a student center could significantly improve the quality of life for students and I understand incorporating Pearson into this plan is the cheapest option; however, it is important to consider that Pearson’s historic nature and its significance to generations of students are aspects of Andover that make it so special. Everyone from applicants visiting the school for the first time to alumni appreciate the building’s aesthetic and history. The admissions office even uses impressive pictures of Pearson’s classrooms to attract applicants. Andover is what it is for many reasons. It takes outstanding teachers, outstanding students, and a beautiful campus to make a school as incredible as Phillips Academy. But it also takes history. Pearson represents a significant part of that history, and this fact ought not to be overlooked. I urge the Trustees and the Deans’ Council to reconsider the plan. Renovate Pearson, by all means, but preserve its historic integrity. Sincerely, Tyler Hill ’05
