AndoverMagSpring2015

Alumni Council Sets Sites on Wider Engagement with Alumni BodyThe 140-member volunteer governing bodyof the Andover-Abbot Alumni Association,the Alumni Council was founded in 1946—yet, remarkably, many graduates know verylittle about it. Within weeks of the fall 2014launch of the Academy’s strategic plan,Connecting Our Strengths: The AndoverEndeavor, the Alumni Council launched itsown visionary plan. Among the goals of thenew plan is to bolster the council’s relevancyand impact with a clearer vision: To enrichthe lives of our alumni by inspiring them tolive the values of the Academy and to be acatalyst for lifetime alumni engagement.Outgoing Alumni Council President andTrustee Tom Beaton ’73 reflects on thisvision, his tenure, and the way forward.Catalyst for Lifetime Engagementis a bold title for the council’s strategicplan. What’s the deeper meaning ofthat phrase?I get very excited when talking aboutthe concept of “Andover for Life.” Onceyou’re admitted to Andover, you join acommunity—a family—for life. To me, it’sabout being engaged in meaningful waysand connecting with a global community ofalumni who share similar values and havedeep respect for Andover. Our paths in lifeare as diverse as our experiences at Andover.That’s what makes this such a compellingvision—and what makes serving on theAlumni Council so rewarding. With ourcommitment to attract “alumni from everyquarter,” we want to see more interest inparticipating in the council.Speaking on behalf of the AlumniCouncil, what are you proudest ofhaving accomplished since becomingpresident in 2012?I am so proud of the uptick in engagementfrom alumni over the past several years.Alumni are deeply loyal and passionate,and the Alumni Council continues to findmeaningful ways to connect individualpassions with Andover activities. Forexample, we see a growing number ofattendees at regional events, individualscontributing as admission interviewers,and alumni offering professional servicesto the Academy. The numbers speak forthemselves:• We had 111 regional events in 2014, notonly in the U.S., but in European cities,China, and Japan.• This past year, Alumni AdmissionsRepresentatives (AARs) conducted 927interviews around the globe in support of“Youth from Every Quarter.”• We’ve been the catalystfor dozens of non sibiservice projects aroundthe world.What are some of theways in which Andoverand Abbot’s 25,000 alumnibenefit from the council’swork?Many alumni may besurprised to learn just howintegrated the council is inthe activities of almost everyalumni group, whether it’s theaffinity-based Andover and theMilitary, which now has 870members; the extraordinarywork of nearly 600 AARs; orthe personal connections thatclass secretaries and regionalvolunteers provide. ElevenAlumni Council committeesengage alumni in everythingfrom community service tosupport for the Annual Fundto opportunities—such as theAndover Alumni Award ofDistinction and the Athletics Hallof Honor—to honor our peers.You’ll be welcoming MistyMuscatel ’01 as the newpresident this summer. Whatremains high on the agenda asunfinished business?Inclusion, diversity, and equity are corevalues of the Alumni Council. We’rerecommitting to reaching out morebroadly to “alumni from every quarter.”Non sibi, of course, is another core value.Likewise, we’re recommitting ourselves tofinding ways for our alumni to support theAcademy’s needs on Andover Hill and to giveback to the communities in which they live.Once you’readmitted toAndover,Another bit of unfinishedbusiness involvescommunications. We havesome extraordinary councilmembers with experience indigital marketing and socialmedia. Those volunteers areworking on tools to enhancetwo-way interactionbetween the council andour alumni and on ways foralumni to network moreeasily with one another.The Andover Alumni appis a good example of a tooldesigned to connect alumniwith one another and tostay in touch with what’shappening on campus.What types of alumniroles are most in needof volunteers?We welcome all alumniwho want to support theAcademy by applying theirexpertise and talents, nomatter where they reside.Alumni Council membersparticipate in a variety ofactivities, from organizingevents to engaging withstudents, faculty, andadministrators. The councilis committed to supporting PA’s newStrategic Plan (sp2014.andover.edu). Alumniwho appreciate the importance of thisvision, which is consistent with many of theAcademy’s best traditions, will find serviceon the council as rewarding as I have for somany years.Those interested in nominating themselvesor fellow alumni to serve on the AlumniCouncil should e-mail Richard Howe atrhowe@andover.edu.you join acommunity—a family—for life.Searching for Andover friends?The EverTrue app is your direct link to other Andover alums. Available fordownload on iTunes and Google Play, EverTrue allows you to search the Andoverdirectory and connect to alumni worldwide—all from the palm of your hand.To get started:• Go to iTunes or Google Play.• Download the EverTrue app.• Select Andover as your community.• You will have the option to log in via LinkedIn or with the e-mailaddress Andover has on file for you.Enjoy connecting with nearby alumni, searching for classmates,networking, and more!Gil TalbotAndover | Spring 201559