Director of the Whitney Museum of Art and Dartmouth graduate, Maxwell Anderson '77 now vies for a position on the College's Board of Trustees and thinks his non-profit background would help round out the group.
Anderson said he was surprised at his nomination and that "it wouldn't occur to me to think I'd be in the running for such an honor."
Although he describes his role at the Whitney as similar to that of a CEO, he pointed out that he works in the not-for-profit sector rather than the corporate world and that "people outside the corporate sector could add a dimension to the board."
Anderson said that in comparison with a profit making corporation, a not-for-profit organization, he said, starts with a mission and priorities rather than aligning a mission and goals to a profit-seeking agenda.
"So obviously, in terms of a university or college setting it means my instincts are to figure out what's best for the campus and see how that can be underwritten," Anderson said.
He said his responsibility as a trustee would be "to help the president in the stewardship of the College ... on a policy level," but he does hold opinions on issues which directly affect students, particularly the Student Life Initiative.
"I support the recommendations of the SLI because I would like to make the campus more welcoming to students of more varied backgrounds." He said he would like all students "to self-select a path through the College without feeling excluded."
Anderson said he would also like to explore "the impact of distance learning on the educational environment," which would mean connecting students to Internet resources in and out of class.
As a trustee, Anderson said he would also be concerned with the growth and image of the College.
"I think ensuring the Colleges' steady growth as a primary choice for high school students means keeping the College competitive ... when cities are more attractive," he said.
"Dartmouth was basic in launching me in my life and my career and it is an amazing institution because it connects undergraduates with professors. I think it's a very important educational institution," Anderson said.
Anderson, an art history major while at Dartmouth, used his degree to launch into a career as a museum curator and art historian. He gained experience at Dartmouth not only through classes but by working at the then Carpenter Galleries of Art and later the newly built Hood Museum.
The day after graduation, Anderson left for a museum internship at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The following fall, he entered Harvard University to study for a doctorate in art history.
After receiving his doctorate, Anderson stepped directly into the world of art history professionals as a curator of Greek and Roman art at the Met. Shortly there after, he assumed the responsibility of an entire museum, as director of the Toronto Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada's second largest art museum, a position he held for 13 years.
Anderson now spends his days in New York City, overseeing programs, acquisitions and other aspects of the Whitney Museum of Art, one of the most well-known galleries in the country.
Although Anderson does not get a chance to come up to the College frequently, he joined the College's Board of Overseers this fall. He said that coming up to Dartmouth would mean sacrificing some time with his family on the weekends but that "you make time for things that matter to you."
