Triple win for Phillips Academy

“John Palfrey visits China on behalf of Andover every year, and he is always warmly received. He is incredibly accessible, and that is so rare—to feel he knows our children so well,” said Zhang. “During his four years at Andover, Sean transformed from a soft-spoken boy to become confident, assertive, and outgoing. There was no question we would send Luc when he was admitted.”

“We are thrilled and humbled to have the support of the Pan family and two anonymous donors for such an important initiative. Their generosity moves us closer to our vision for transformed athletics programs and health and wellness experiences for all students,” said Palfrey. “As the opening of the Snyder Center this past winter has demonstrated, these buildings are crucial to our efforts to educate the whole student—in this case by offering competitive sports, life fitness opportunities, and educational programs at the highest level.”

As envisioned in the Athletic Facilities Master Plan, the Cage and the Smith Center will be razed to make way for the Pan Athletic Center. It will overlook Phelps Park to the east and will be within steps of Borden Memorial Gymnasium to the north and Snyder Center to the south.

Board President and campaign cochair Peter L.S. Currie ’74, P’03, stated, “The Knowledge & Goodness campaign is fundamentally about attracting the best students and bringing them together with a world-class faculty on a campus that elevates mind and body. Zhang Xin and Pan Shiyi have, together with their family, made a bold investment in a new facility that will advance each of these goals.”

Currie also noted that the commitment from the Pan family represents the largest gift in Academy history from parents who are not also alumni. “Their philanthropy will inspire others and help ensure that Andover remains a strong and vital leader in secondary education,” he said.

With these commitments, Knowledge & Goodness: The Andover Campaign stands at nearly $183 million. The campaign launched in September 2017 seeking to raise $400 million, the largest fundraising effort in independent school history. In addition to new facilities and renovation projects, the campaign’s funding priorities also include student scholarships, Learning in the World programs, faculty development opportunities, and initiatives around equity and inclusion and health and wellness.