Dear Class of 2021 families and students:
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am excited to announce that Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2021 will be held in person on Sunday, June 6th. This includes inviting to campus those seniors who have chosen remote learning this term. Phillips Academy’s 243rd commencement may look different in many respects, but we will do everything possible to uphold the beloved traditions that coincide with receiving an Andover diploma.
At the same time we celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2021, we will also remain vigilant, following all protocols to keep our community safe. This will likely include some modification of the ceremony itself and limiting the number of guests on campus. Our current planning allows each member of the class to invite two guests to Sunday’s event. As always, the ceremony will be streamed live, allowing ALL family and friends to share in this special day.
In addition to Commencement, a campus planning group is also considering how best to honor the traditions in the days leading up to June 6th. Those traditions include the Senior Class Dinner and Convocation, Prom, and Baccalaureate. These events Thursday through Saturday, however, will be for seniors and faculty/staff only, no outside guests.
There is still much to be decided as we strive to balance celebration and safety. We have launched a
Class of 2021 web page with the latest information. We will be in touch with remote students to coordinate an arrival to campus that aligns with our quarantine guidelines.
As much as I am excited to share this promising news, I also must temper it with the reality that COVID-19 could force our plans to change. We will continue to enforce all safety measures, conduct testing, and advocate for vaccines for all who are eligible. We will continue to monitor infection rates in our community and surrounding areas.
Members of the senior class have already proven their eagerness to make the most of their final months together. Our hope is for the Class of 2021 to embrace a
non sibi spirit that will get every classmate over the finish line, with their hard-earned diplomas safely in hand.
Sincerely,
Raynard Kington, MD, PhD, P’24
Head of School
