Campaign Announcement
Transforming the World
One Church at a Time
Buoyed by the success of "The Campaign for Andover Newton: Opening the Door to Century III" (ended December 2004), and by President Nick Carter's leadership, the Board of Trustees approved "The Campaign for Andover Newton" on February 28, 2005. Through this effort, marked by a sequential, project-based focus, the School will meet the goals and objectives of Andover Newton's Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan calls for the revitalization of our physical campus and the attainment of a new level of excellence institution-wide.
The stronger Andover Newton's foundation and facilities are, the better we can prepare our graduates to lead dynamic congregations. With key spaces reconfigured and more accessible, the School can begin to transform the ways in which we engage our constituents.
"We must help our students discover the astounding and lightening
strong power
of the Holy Spirit that will enable them to overcome any barrier,
cross any border,
and open any frontier in search of the sacred and holy communion
we call the Body of Christ."
President Nick Carter
Partner with Us
Our campus and its buildings are an outward manifestation of our approach to theological education and the means by which we deliver on our promises to all who look to us for leadership. The School recommits itself to providing updated, welcoming facilities that affirm the vibrancy of its curriculum, as we--its stewards--prepare to celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2007-2008.
Andover Newton is the oldest graduate theological seminary in the United States. We invite you to help make it the newest! Imagine:
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The physical campus reinvigorated and equipped to meet the challenges of our community today and for years to come;
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a crossroads of society's foremost teachers, scholars and leaders, in religion, ethics, peace and justice, engaging one another and the Andover Newton community; and,
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an attractive center for the education and nurture of the most promising students and church leaders from around the world.
Andover Newton is building and nurturing relationships with alumni/ae and an ever-widening circle of friends who yearn for a new generation of exemplary spiritual and ethical leaders.
"With urgently needed funding from you, our alumni/ae and friends,
we can provide our graduates the chance to be nimble and travel lightly
into a complex, pluralistic and demanding world."
President Nick Carter
The building of a modern and spacious place of worship brings a spiritual centerpiece to the campus. A dynamic student center will stand as the focal point of our community life. Together, they will revitalize two of the most important aspects of the Andover Newton experience in theological education.
The current project of the Campaign for Andover Newton is a new chapel, which represents the first construction on campus in over 45 years. In recognition of the generosity of foremost benefactors, Carol and Albert O. Wilson, Jr., a chapel, anchoring the southeast end of the Andover Newton quadrangle and overlooking the Blue Hills, will offer a visible and inspirational statement of our mission. Wilson Chapel will host weekly services across denominations as the seminary breaks from its routine to gather as a community to nurture our spiritual lives through worship and refreshment. It will enhance the learning experience for students training in preaching and liturgical leadership. Complementing the School’s red brick and stone buildings, and featuring a landmark tower of multiple small glass windows, Wilson Chapel will provide a space that is at once intimate and open, flexible and enduring, private and welcoming. We eagerly anticipate the completion and dedication of Wilson Chapel in spring 2007, as a gift in honor of the School’s 200th anniversary in 2007-2008. Moreover, its intended use as a hub for interfaith worship, respectful dialogue, joint programs with Hebrew College, and other programming opportunities, will heighten our ability to advocate for and model spiritual formation, peace and justice in a diverse and conflicted world.
The goal for the Chapel Project is $7 million. As of April 2006, $4,600,000 in gifts
and commitments has been raised. On Convocation & Alumni/ae Day, May 18, Andover
Newton will announce the public phase of the Campaign for Andover Newton/Chapel Project.
Our goal is to raise an additional $2,400,000 by January 31, 2007.
The Campaign for Andover Newton includes the Student Center Project to reconfigure Noyes Hall. Largely untouched since its construction in 1937, Noyes Hall houses a crowded cafeteria and an aged assembly hall that can no longer respond to the demands of contemporary theological education. Recognizing that education and reflection occur beyond, as well as within classroom walls, Andover Newton will reconfigure Noyes Hall to meet the individual and communal needs of our students. It will become the locus of student life, designed to project a progressive atmosphere.
"We live in a rapidly changing world which is challenging old and established
assumptions.
We need, more than ever, strong pastoral leadership in the search for the only
strong foundation: a committed faith in the loving God revealed to us
in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Albert O. Wilson, Jr., Co-chair, Capital Campaign Committee
An unfortunate consequence of Hurricane Katrina (August 2005) is that construction and material costs have escalated dramatically. The Board of Trustees had approved the Student Center Project in February 2005, anticipating a cost of $3,460,000. That projection has been adjusted since to approximately $5,000,000. Aggressive fundraising to reconfigure Noyes Hall as a student center is planned for early 2007.
Also among Campaign needs is an Endowed Maintenance Fund to ensure that resources are available for maintenance of these buildings. The Campaign goal is an initial fund of $375,000, although the campus need is much greater.
The generosity of loyal supporters, as well as a new generation of benefactors, is absolutely crucial to complete this transformation. We ask you to become our patners in this exciting enterprise and make Andover Newton a foremost priority in your philanthropic plans. We receive gifts of every size with deep gratitude, and your “stretch” commitment will ensure that Andover Newton continues to send forth new waves of graduates as we Build the Beloved Community and transform ministry for the 21st century. Thank you so much.
"Who will tip over the water jars of heaven?" Job 38:37
Campaign Leadership
Russell Boynton MacPherson, Co-chair, Capital Campaign Committee and member, Board of Trustees
Albert O. Wilson, Jr., Co-chair, Capital Campaign Committee and member, Board of Trustees
David E. Smith, Chair, Board of Trustees
For More Information
For further information about The Campaign for Andover Newton: Building the Beloved Community – Transforming Ministry, contact:
Dr. Priscilla Deck
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
617-964-1100 x209
We invite you to visit the web site for information on the progress of the Capital Campaign.
Pledge & Give to the Capital Campaign!
Updated February 27, 2007
