Then and Now....and on the Move WINTER 2021
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Makinghis Mark: The Impact of Sanford’s Head of School—Then, Now & Moving Forward
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ave you ever heard a forgotten song from childhood and felt instantly transported back to a specific moment in time? Caught the lingering scent of pine trees or felt the leaves crunch underfoot in just the right way, and you’re suddenly sixteen again, walking across your high school quadrangle on the way to AP Bio class? There’s a science behind that nostalgia—and it’s not necessarily about yearning for the past. The feeling of fond remembrance that’s triggered by familiar sights, sounds, and smells can actually help you better understand who you are today and what you want to achieve tomorrow. It can motivate you to connect with others and feel more optimistic and resilient about the future. As psychological scientist Clay Routledge says, “Nostalgia is one of the self-regulatory tools we use to remind ourselves that we matter.” Perhaps that’s why Mark Anderson was so drawn to the history of Sanford School when he first became head of school in 2011. In his first six months on campus, Mark set out to learn as much as he could about Sanford, reading the writings of previous heads, unearthing and displaying original artist renderings of the campus, and moving his young family into the head of school residence, Arunchala. At the time, Mark said this look back was not about being focused on the past, but about staying true to Sanford’s roots while moving the school forward. “We will always honor and celebrate our past and use Sanford’s history as a beacon to guide us as we continue our journey as a unique and exceptional school,” he said back then—a sentiment that still guides our community ten years later. Since Sanford’s founding, the school’s history and traditions have been motivating forces, pushing our community forward while uniting current students and alumni through shared past experiences. Today, Mark continues to use the light of the past to look ahead. He recently renewed his contract with the Sanford Board of Trustees for an additional six years. His continued leadership will make him one of the longest-serving heads in our area and the second-most tenured Sanford head of school. At Sanford, there’s plenty to be nostalgic about—and plenty about which to look forward. Let’s celebrate this exciting time in our school’s history by looking back then, when Mark first started his headship, to now, when our campus is growing and thriving, and then glimpse at how we’re on the move to the future.
