Exeter, NH (May 21, 2007)—On Friday, May 18, Phillips Exeter Academy gave K. Tucker Andersen (class of 1959) the school’s Founder’s Day Award, presented annually by the General Alumni/ae Association since 1976, “in recognition of devoted service to the Academy.”

For more than 20 years, Andersen has served as a patient and passionate leader in his class, and as an Academy trustee. Known for his creative intellect, disciplined mind and keen sense for opportunity, he guided PEA through years of considerable growth and change. A native of Manchester, CT, Andersen began his days as an Exonian on a “newsboy scholarship,” private educational funding for youths from across the country that were described as “long on brains and short on cash.” He earned a Bachelor’s degree in quantitative studies in 1963 from Wesleyan University. 

Andersen began his professional career working as an actuary, a programmer and systems analyst. In 1972, he joined Cumberland Associates and began a successful career in the hedge fund business. In 1999, he retired as chief investment strategist, and today continues to serve as a consultant to the hedge fund firm. In 2000, Andersen opened his own investment firm in New York City.  

In 1989, Andersen was invited to serve on the Academy’s trustee board, having crafted a reputation as a gifted and tenacious leader. During his tenure, he has chaired the executive and investment committees and served as vice president from 1993 until the end of his term in 1999. As a leader, Andersen focused the committees on fiscal discipline; long-range investment, which resulted in more than 80-percent growth of the Academy’s endowment; establishment of the Academy Building Endowment Fund; the middle-income scholarship initiative; purchasing computers for scholarship students; advocating for annual increased funding for campus upkeep; and new construction policies.

The Founder’s Day Award is given to an alumnus, alumna, faculty emeritus, emerita, retired staff member, parent or friend who has demonstrated exceptional and sustained service to the Academy over time.

For further information, please contact Harold Brown Jr. ’74, director of Alumni/ae Affairs, at (603) 777-3353. To learn more about Phillips Exeter Academy, visit our website at http://www.exeter.edu/. For directions to the Academy, call (603) 777-4330. For a list of upcoming events, call (603) 777-4309.

Phillips Exeter Academy is a coeducational, independent preparatory school that was founded in 1781 and originated the system of instruction known as Harkness teaching in 1931. In the spirit of its charter to foster both goodness and knowledge, students come from a wide variety of geographic, economic, racial and religious backgrounds. The diverse student body comes from approximately 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and 26 foreign countries.

Interested in learning more?

Read Andersen's remarks...

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Learn about previous Founder’s Day Award recipients...