BARBARA LANDIS CHASE HOUSE
Honoring 18 Years of Leadership
A FITTING TRIBUTE TO A CARING LEADER In November 2016, the Board of Trustees announced that the Academy’s newest dormitory would be named Barbara Landis Chase House—thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor who wished to honor the 14th head of school in a permanent and visible way. The beautiful light-filled dorm, created by renovating and repurposing Isham Health Center, is now home to 29 students, two faculty families, and a teaching fellow. “The generosity of the donor, the thoughtfulness to name a residence hall, and the board’s support—it all took my breath away.”
—Barbara Chase Head of School 1994–2012
You have served Andover with distinction: as the first woman Head of School; as a courageous decisionmaker; as an egalitarian; as a teacher and mentor; as standard bearer of the Academy’s long-held values of non sibi, Youth From Every Quarter, and knowledge and goodness; as a leader whose warmth and wisdom have guided and defined today’s Andover. Excerpt from the Board of Trustees resolution upon Chase’s retirement
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We are deeply grateful for the thoughtful generosity displayed by this anonymous lead donor. What a fitting tribute to Barbara Landis Chase, whose legacy lives on through the wellbeing and intellectual growth of the nearly 6,000 students who passed through Andover during her 18 years of leadership.” —John Palfrey Head of School
18 YEARS, NEARLY 6,000 STUDENTS
A PLACE TO CALL HOME
Throughout her tenure, Barbara Chase shined brightest when surrounded by students. It gave her tremendous joy to mentor and guide youth from every quarter, cheer her students’ performances and presentations, explore American history with them, and expand their worldviews during All-School Meeting.
A vibrant community of students, faculty, and faculty families, Chase House includes 25 single rooms, two doubles, and two common rooms for social gatherings. When it’s time for homework, students may retreat to two working areas that feature whiteboards and ample space for group projects or quiet study. The Chase House social scene includes movie nights, birthday celebrations, and ever-popular “house munches” as well as plenty of time to connect with house counselors and friends.
Recognizing the value of rest and renewal in the equation of excellence, Chase cherished the tradition of Head of School Day. Once each winter, when she sensed students needed it most, she would raise her field hockey stick to signal a day off from classes. That vaunted stick, now in PA’s archives, is engraved with a message from the Class of 2001: “With grateful appreciation for the care and concern you have shown to us.”
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES Second-floor common room $250,000
Showing genuine care and concern—to ensure that each day was a great day to be an Andover student—was a hallmark of Chase’s leadership.
First-floor study area (reserved) $100,000
“On my first day at Andover, Mrs. Chase confirmed my sense that there truly was something different and special about PA. She helped define it as the warm, humane community I know it as.”
Faculty apartment (two) $350,000/each
—Clem Wood ’04
Second-floor study area $100,000
Teaching fellow apartment $150,000
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Beginning with my predecessor, Don McNemar, and continuing with my successor, John Palfrey, the Academy has focused on the quality of student life—particularly in the residential program. I cared deeply about this important work, and so many people in the community worked by my side.” —Barbara Chase
Learn more about how you can support Chase House. Contact Nicole Cherubini, director of development, at 978-749-4288 or ncherubini@andover.edu.