The Long Run

When the community gathered in May inside the William Boyce Thompson Field House, it wasn’t simply to name the indoor track for K. Tucker Andersen ’59. It was to honor Andersen’s life, built on the belief that each generation should support the next.

Andersen “has served Exeter with distinction for decades as a trustee, volunteer and steadfast supporter,” Principal Bill Rawson ’71 said at the event. “His efforts have truly helped shape the Exeter experience for so many students and will continue to impact future classes.”

Andersen responded: “I am extremely appreciative of this honor. I am where I am because I allowed myself to accept helping hands along the way, learn from them, benefit from them — and hopefully I can pass that on.”

He spoke of the friendships he forged at the Academy, of Hammy Bissell ’29, who was instrumental in his coming to Exeter as an upper on financial aid, and of a philosophy he has carried ever since: “My goal in life has been to allow the students to stand on the shoulders of the classes before them,” Andersen said. “Allow them to benefit from our friendship, learn from our mistakes, and understand that making mistakes is a central process to learning.”

Andersen was quick to add he was “not much of an athlete” during his Exeter years, but he found running as an adult. At 84, he has become, by his own admission, “obsessed.” In November he completed his 47th New York City Marathon and is training for his 48th.

The ceremony closed, fittingly, with running a lap. Andersen took to the track alongside current students, Rawson, faculty and staff for 200 meters, the first officially run under the track’s new name.