Caring for a Campus: The Cause Above Renown: Carole Figgins Retires

CAROLE FIGGINS RETIRES

Caring for a Campus: The Cause Above Renown

Carole and wife Judy hiking in N.H.

by Kate Engstrom

Driving down Route 119 and seeing the Lawrence Academy campus unfold, one can only be in awe of its rolling lawns and tree-studded hillside. The enduring beauty of this campus is Carole Figgins’ legacy as she steps away from her position with Buildings and Grounds after 23 years of service. As she starts her retirement with rest and recuperation, Carole takes great joy in reflecting on her time at Lawrence Academy and her part in a larger mission.

Carole not only brought her nine years of experience as a groundsperson at Phillips Andover Academy to LA, she also had excellent training and experience before that. In 1986, she left the University of New Hampshire with an associate’s degree in horticulture and a B.S. in environmental conservation. She served in the Peace Corps in Ecuador from 1986 to 1988, learning much about serving a community through reforestation efforts with the indigenous population. In that same collaborative vein, Carole’s working relationships with fellow staff are a vital part of her legacy at LA. Norm ’76 and Molly Shanklin offer nothing but glowing words about Carole’s impact on the appearance of the campus and the people who come and go across it. Molly worked closely with Carole on the Alumni Memorial Garden and the planting of countless class trees, and was always thankful for her expertise. Meanwhile, Norm reflects fondly on the cheerful attitude that Carole brought to any building project he led in his role on the Board of Trustees.

As someone who not only likes to create order but is also a team player, Carole saw it as “her job to pick up the mess,” no matter what the situation. As Molly says, “It didn’t matter what part of campus you were in — you all did it together.”

In addition to her routine groundskeeping duties, Carole had a variety of other memorable experiences in her time at LA. From 2005 to 2007, she worked in the ice rink, where she was able to form connections with students in a new way. The 2008 ice storm, as sad and destructive as it was, made a huge impact on her, as it took from December until April to pick up. Around that same time, Carole worked to balance maintaining the appearance of the turf while also keeping in mind the needs and safety of kids, families, dogs, and the environment through the use of organic products. No matter the challenge, she loved her job, which showed in the great care she took with every project.

These days, one might find Carole helping a neighbor with a yard project in her new housing association or hiking a new trail. She also serves on the board of her HOA, and her years of grounds experience are a benefit to her fellow residents. This fall, she will be exploring the Adirondacks High Peaks trails with her wife Judy, and she dreams of getting to New Zealand and Scotland someday.

No matter where she goes, Carole will always take the words from the LA gym wall with her: “To love the game beyond the prize; to set the cause above renown.” That kind of humility set her apart, allowing her to do her best work because she wanted to, not because she had to. Her dedication and enthusiastic energy will continue to impact the lives of those who know her beyond the fields of Lawrence Academy.