Memories of Andy

I have many memories and appreciative thoughts of you, Andy, during your years at CAIS.

I always found your ability to work out practical and tactical problems to be very helpful. Many times I brought questions to you in your office, and I found that your thinking included a broad and long-range perspective -- all the more impressive, because you would size up the problem and give very sound advice on the spot. Thank you for paving over what would have been some hard bumps, had I not had your foresight and diplomacy.

I also saw you extend yourself to expand the Music and Dance programs at CAIS, confiding that your own education was weak in the arts and so you wanted to make sure that our students would have a rich experience. I felt that you gave Aiping and myself the artistic freedom to teach and create performances as we saw best, and this is a precious gift to an artist. And I saw you place high value on the performance events that not only help create community at CAIS, but help project the culture of our school to the public.

One warm memory I have was when I was in your office and I mentioned how moved and impressed I was by the Changing of the Guard at Arlington Cemetery. We fell into discussing marching patterns and suddenly you were on your feet, demonstrating the exacting technique of handling marching turns. (And you say you aren't a dancer...)

Another nice connection I felt was when you revealed that you were a serious baker! Having helped to put myself through college as a restaurant baker, this particularly resonated with me. I have to say that I would never have guessed it -- and how wonderful! I saw the amazing dessert you baked for this year's ShowCAIS.

Thank you, Andy, for all that you have given our school these past eight years, both personally and professionally. I hope that lifting the huge weight of administering CAIS off your shoulders frees you to dance all the more lightly.

With warm regards,

Susan Kennedy