Summer 2025 - 125th Anniversary : simplebooklet.com

EDITOR Steven AverettCONTRIBUTORS Marla Goncalves Kyana JohnsonAmy MorrisDESIGN Heather WinkelPUBLISHER Nija Majmudar MeyerCHAIRDr. Xavier A. Duralde ’76VICE CHAIRMs. Mary S. Moore ’87MEMBERSMs. Madelyn R. AdamsMr. Justin H. Alexander ’99Mr. Calvin R. Allen, Jr. ’67Mr. Simon E. Arpiarian ’94Mr. Gerald R. BenjaminMr. Aditya BhoopathyMr. Kenneth L. BlankMr. Ronald M. BrillMrs. Monica Howard DouglasMrs. Suzanna Sanchez Doyle ’00Dr. Russell K. Gore ’93Mr. William H. Gray IVMr. Riah W. Greathouse, ’03Mr. Ryan T. GunnigleMr. Rodney Scott HarrisonMrs. Jo Cranford Hodges ’96Mr. Ben F. Johnson III ’61Mr. Gregory S. Lewis ’92Mr. C. Brad Marsh ’77Ms. Belinda M.J. MorrisMs. Garnet M. Nygren ’02Dr. Vicki R. PalmerMrs. Beth H. Paradies Mr. Stephen E. Roberts ’65Mrs. LaKesha M. RobinsonMrs. Lauren Z. SchlossbergMr. S. Paul Shailendra ’97Mr. Ricardo L. SimonMr. James E. Sutherland, Jr. ’86Mr. Matthew D. Wilson ’99GOVERNING BOARDWoodward Academy is Atlanta at its very best. We intentionally bring together students from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, creating a richer learning community and exceptional academic opportunities. Our students and graduates are caring and compassionate global citizens who are a microcosm of what the world should be. Excellence. Character. Opportunity.Woodward magazine is published twice a year by the Academy’s Marketing & Communications Oce. Contact us at magazine@woodward.edu.CHAIRMr. Anthony M. Webb ’99VICE CHAIRMr. Robert E. Bowers ’74MEMBERSMrs. Madelyn R. AdamsMr. William W. AllisonMrs. Julie D. Couch ’88Mr. Clarence Davis ’74Mr. Alok V. Deshpande ’94Dr. Daniel S. Ferguson ’68Senator William P. Gramm ’61Dr. Phillip A. Griths ’56Mrs. Shaba JamalDr. Nancy Howard Jennings ’84Mr. Frederick P. Landers ’67Dr. Thomas L. Lyons ’66Mr. Gene W. Milner Jr. ’71Mrs. Marie Lupo Nygren ’78Mrs. Nilam S. PatelMr. Jerey L. Rosenthal Mrs. Robin Beck Stokes ’06Mr. Larry D. ThompsonMrs. Amy C. VasseyOUR MISSIONPRESIDENTF. Stuart GulleyPRESIDENT-ELECTChris FreerVICE PRESIDENT FOR OPERATIONS AND AUXILIARY SERVICESLee ConnerVICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENTLauren FloresVICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE AND CFOLouise MannVICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENTNija Majmudar MeyerVICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AND STUDENT LIFENigel A. TraylorADVISORY BOARD2024-25 Academic YearADMINISTRATION

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5F arewellWhen I arrived at Woodward, I did so largely as an unknown quantity, as new to the school and its traditions as they were to me. My successor is anything but. Chris Freer has spent the better part of his adult life dedicated to Woodward, mind, body, and soul. I have every conﬁdence he is the best person to lead it now, and that the school, with your support and encouragement, will thrive under his guidance. As I move on to new pastures, I leave him and Woodward with my most sincere and fervent wishes for growth and success.It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as your president, and to represent this extraordinary school. May it shine on as an example to all of what it means to be Atlanta at its very best. With true aection, farewell!—F. Stuart Gulley, Ph.D.As I write this ﬁnal letter for Woodward Magazine, I am distinctly aware of the number of “lasts” I have begun to accumulate: My last Veterans Day commemoration. My last Experience the Arts Day. My last blossoming of spring throughout campus. And now I have overseen my last graduation, and I am truly aware that my exit is at hand.Leaving the presidency in Woodward’s 125th year oers the gift of perspective. As we celebrate our quasquicentennial—the ﬁrst school in Atlanta to do so—I am implicitly aware that my 16 years were but a few steps on the very long, very broad path that comprises Woodward’s past, present, and future. While I certainly hope I made a dierence in my time here, I know that Woodward thrived long before my arrival, and will remain strong and vibrant long after I depart. I take with me innumerable cherished memories of this place and the people who make it special—an incalculable treasure. Woodward will always be the place our sons graduated, a sanctuary of wisdom and grace. It is home.But I would be remiss if I left this post without a word of warning about the forces that will challenge and deﬁne education going forward, at Woodward and beyond. First, artiﬁcial intelligence represents the greatest shift in how we educate our children that I have witnessed in my lifetime. AI’s potential to advance our ability to transmit and apply knowledge is staggering. So is the threat of its misuse. How we employ that technology will shape, not only education going forward, but the world we send our children into.Second, we ﬁnd ourselves in a moment where diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging have been reframed as insidious concepts worthy of mothballing. There are voices, many in positions of leadership, that ﬁnd the very concept of empathy suspect. Make no mistake: If we abandon trying to understand one another, caring for one another, and working toward a world that leaves no one behind, then we will have certainly lost sight of our humanity. We also will have compromised our children’s education, because the failure to teach and practice empathy, to practice a deep respect for dierence, at school compromises their future and the future of this nation and the world.FROM THE PRESIDENT

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WOODWARD SUMMER 20256Reﬂections of Our WA Chapterby handshakes and big hugs there on that stage. On those days you wore your proud Papa “hat” just as prominently as your President’s “hat”! Similarly, with every graduation there have always been students you’ve gotten to know just a little better and a similar handshake and hug has been shared with them.I think back over the trips to China, to Hawaii, to Australia, to Austria, Vienna, and Prague, to Zambia, to France, to Nicaragua, to Greece—some of these with student groups, some with school leaders, some with Atlanta groups, and others with family and friends. Less glamorous were the many trips for meetings across the United States, holed up in hotels as education matters were prioritized over sightseeing. You’ve traveled the globe on behalf of Woodward.There are two dates that stand out in your time as President that probably had the greatest impact on you and your leadership. On January 28, 2014, Snowmageddon arrived, Dear Stuart, As you complete this last year at Woodward Academy, I wish to share with you some thoughts on the last 16 years. What a run it has been! It was August 2008 when you came home from your ﬁrst tour on Woodward’s campus with Ben Johnson, then Chairman of the Governing Board. You were so excited to tell of the day you’d had and all you’d learned about the school. You quickly said you wanted me to see what you’d seen and arranged a tour for us the following week. As we explored campus in a golf cart taking in the beautiful landscapes and the buildings full of teachers and uniformed students, as we saw the music rooms and the art studios, as we heard the history of the institution and the alumni it had graduated, I too became excited for you, and for our boys. It was sad to leave the place we’d known as home for 13 years, but what lay ahead was beyond anything we could have dreamed. To become the President of Woodward Academy, a nationally-known Pre-K-grade 12 college preparatory school, was not anything we had considered when you began as a college president, but the school’s needs and your gifts were well matched and we arrived to open arms in July 2009. In the almost 16 years you’ve led this school, I’ve watched you get to know every employee, making sure everyone knows the important role they play in the school’s success. Along with getting to know the faculty, sta, and service personnel, you’ve placed great value on getting to personally know many students and parents. You’ve attended choral and band performances, plays, a game/event/match for just about every school sport, and even traveled to a few championship games. I’ve admired your supportive nature toward students, parents, faculty, and sta. And when you’ve received notes of appreciation, your humility forces you to acknowledge that not everyone feels the same. While there have been challenging meetings and phone calls, you’ve met them with your usual integrity and honor. While being President of this institution has been your focus, providing our boys with a Woodward education was a gift beyond measure. It’s hard to pick a highlight from their school years, including Silver and Gold Eagle Banquets, and countless sporting meets and matches. I cherish the memories of the graduation ceremonies of the Classes of 2015 and 2017 when you handed diplomas to Andrew and Matthew, respectively, followed FROM KATHLEEN GULLEY

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7has consistently been directed at leaving each place better. You have been a consistent leader.The insight, dedication, and servant leadership you’ve shown as President of Woodward Academy for these 16 years have transformed the Academy and set the stage for a remarkable future. It reﬂects everything I’ve known you to be in the 38 years of our relationship. There were many times I would call your mother to share something you’d done or something that was shared about you. I was proud, and I knew she would be, too. I have remained proud of your commitment to education as you have continually placed high value on the people you serve. It’s been a wonderful ride, Frank Stuart Gulley. I look forward to many more adventures in our next “less frenetic” chapter.Love,Kathleenthe snow falling quickly while you were o campus. Despite your own challenge getting back to campus, your commitment was to the safety of the students returning to their homes. You stayed at the oce until midnight getting updates from Student Transport on students and drivers and their whereabouts. You also made an important commitment to thanking the bus drivers who risked their lives in maneuvering the city’s icy road conditions (with one driver even spending the night in a hotel with a student when the parents could not reach the child). It was an afternoon and night like no other.Later, while we were on Spring Break during the ﬁrst week of March 2020, much of your time was spent reading and learning about the virus that a week later shut down the world. You worked quickly with those in other schools and at the Academy to navigate through the chaos. Within what felt like days, remote learning was in place, teachers were teaching from homes, and later from classrooms with “owls.” You met with colleagues on Zoom with the Woodward gates as your backdrop when your oce was either at home or away, but not on campus. Once students returned to campus there were many carefully considered safety precautions. Physical distancing. Lunches delivered to classrooms. Leading in an unprecedented time such as this was deﬁning. It challenged everyone, and everyone was changed. As an ordained minister, your ﬁrst calling, your grounding was in your belief in people. Although there will always be evil, there is a goodness that is at the core and prevails. In choosing to lead in education rather than a local church, the same has been at the core of your commitment. It’s with this belief that you’ve led young people to be their best, most positive selves, in turn creating a better world, a more caring and empathetic community. You have led with a passion that has kept you focused as you have in so many areas and past work in your life. Whether it was at Emory when you worked in Development and forged wonderful relationships with donors to that school, to the many you and I befriended on behalf of LaGrange College, and the students there as well, to your commitment to Rotary and especially to the Scholarship Committee, your work has been driven by your desire to change the world through education.All those many years ago when you wrestled with the decision to be ordained, to the pursuit of your Ph.D. in Higher Education, when you spoke then of dreaming to be a college president one day, to then becoming a college president much earlier than anticipated, to then having had this opportunity to lead at Woodward Academy, your heart

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WOODWARD SUMMER 20258Mary Leslie’s Farewellexperience, and I look forward to continuing our journey together beyond Woodward. It’s hard to imagine this place without your calm voice of reason or your ability to ﬁnd the right words at the right moment. But as much as we’ll miss you, we’re also celebrating everything you’ve given us—and everything that lies ahead for you. Know that you’re leaving behind a legacy that will last far beyond today.And yes, you are leaving me again, but just like the last time, you leave me better than you found me. We will continue to be in touch, and I will wait for that special phone call for our next adventure!Mary Leslie HardyStuart, How can I ever truly express my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible leadership? Your guidance and support have profoundly impacted my professional growth and our team’s and school’s success. You lead by example—with integrity, dedication, and a genuine care for each of us.We met upon your arrival at LaGrange College, where you changed that campus and changed so many lives. I will always remember the meeting at the college where you spoke to our Alumni Council and told us the news of your leaving for Woodward Academy. I was crushed and tried to ﬁnd a way to negate that contract! You see how that went! Who knew that I would hear from you years later and end up becoming your assistant for 10 years?Your ability to inspire and motivate while remaining approachable creates an environment where we all feel valued and empowered. I deeply appreciate your unwavering support and the positive energy you bring to the oce every day. Your patience is steadfast. You have always encouraged me to take the trip or do the thing.You never took credit, but your inﬂuence is everywhere—in the culture you helped create, the people you believed in, and the mission you moved forward every single day. You have a clear internal compass that leads you in the right direction. You have no fear of doing the right thing.The only time we have “had an upset,” as my family says, was when I told you about the gathering to celebrate your retirement. You left me guessing as to whether you would attend, declining my invite on your calendar and placing an “OUT OF OFFICE” status an hour before and after the event. You always go out of your way to celebrate others and lift them up, yet you’re far too humble to ever shine the spotlight on yourself.You and Kathleen are such joys to be around and have eased and comforted so many in your life’s journeys. I hope you will take this next chapter to do a few things for yourself. Change it up a little. Maybe drink bourbon in the morning and exercise at night?Working under your leadership has been an incredibly rewarding FROM MARY LESLIE HARDY

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WOODWARD SUMMER 202510 “During his tenure as president of Woodward Academy, Dr. Stuart Gulley has made an outsized impact on the institution and the broader independent school community across metro Atlanta. His steady hand and thoughtful leadership have guided Woodward through remarkable growth and challenging times, always with a steadfast commitment to excellence, integrity, and the holistic development of every student. Woodward’s ability to attract students from across metro Atlanta and cultivate a diverse student body is a testament to this commitment.Beyond his contributions to Woodward, Dr. Gulley has shown deep dedication to the greater Atlanta community through his service as a Metro Atlanta Chamber board member and his involvement with various nonproﬁt organizations. His efforts have strengthened connections between education and the region's broader economic and civic initiatives, further cementing his legacy as a leader who understands the vital link between strong schools and a thriving community.”–Katie Kirkpatrick, President & CEO, Metro Atlanta ChamberCONVERSATIONFollow Woodward news across social media channels.@WoodwardAcademy #woodwardwayTo commemorate Dr. Stuart Gulley's retirement we asked several of his peers to comment on the impact he has had during his tenure leading Woodward Academy.Throughout my career, I’ve often said, ‘I want to grow up to be Stuart Gulley.’ Anchored by character and integrity, Stuart, you've led with strength, grace, and class that has inspired and challenged all who know you. We have felt the impression of your impact on our lives, both professionally and personally. While you’ve always been one to elevate those around you, this is our moment to celebrate you. You have a great deal to be proud of. We are proud of you. Congratulations, my friend.–Dr. Brett Jacobsen,President, Southern Association of Independent Schools“I was on the selection committee that chose Dr. Gulley 15 years ago, and I don’t know that I have ever faced such an important decision that was so effortless to make. From the start, it was clear that his ministerial background and extensive experience in higher education were exactly what we needed here at Woodward. I have observed his leadership as a member of the Governing Board and, for the past three years, as Chair, and I remain astounded by his ability to build consensus through thoughtful dialogue, a keen understanding of all sides of an issue, and considerate presentations of these issues to every constituency.His gentle guidance has always pointed us in the right direction—though it only becomes obvious when you look back to where we began and see how far we’ve come. His leadership style and work ethic shined during the combined challenges of COVID and the racial reckoning, and Woodward navigated those turbulent waters more successfully than any of us could have hoped. Stuart elevates those around him (or at least makes them feel they should strive to be better).He has a gift for passionately communicating and distilling the issues of the day, helping his audiences see what their ethical response ought to be. His speeches are well worth the price of admission, and I look forward to his stirring addresses at both the President’s Circle dinner and Convocation each year.We only make a boxer stay in the ring for 12 rounds, but Stuart has been with us for 15—with great distinction—and we are all the better for it. We can never repay him for all he has done for Woodward, but it is our responsibility to pay it forward by continuing to advance our school in the outstanding manner he has shown us for the past decade and a half."–Dr. Xavier Duralde ’76, Board Chair, Woodward Academy Board of Governors

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11“He lifted us up, brought us together, and led us forward.”“For Woodward, 2008 was a year of shock and anxiety as the Academy grappled with the sudden death of its president and the deepening impact of the Great Recession. The years that followed were a time of signiﬁcant transition, both for the institution and its leadership. Dr. Stuart Gulley was named Woodward’s new president in 2009, and over the next several years, a number of long-serving leaders retired, including Headmaster Ron McCollum in 2012, Vice President for Finance & Administration Barbara Egan in 2013, Vice President for Admissions Rusty Slider ’75 in 2013, and Vice President for Institutional Advancement Bob Hawks in 2017. Even I announced my decision to step down as Chairman of the Governing Board after 33 years. These departures reﬂected natural leadership cycles, but they also required Dr. Gulley to rebuild much of his leadership team—a formidable task among the many challenges of his early presidency. The Woodward presidency was not a job for the faint of heart.For the next 16 years, Woodward was blessed with Stuart’s leadership, whose achievements could never have been imagined. From the ﬁrst day, Stuart commenced recruiting and nurturing a leadership team of great experience and passion. He and his team built an esprit that was quickly recognized when Woodward was regularly recognized as Atlanta's best place to work. Their collective dedication made them stalwart champions of Woodward's historic commitment to inclusion and academic excellence, providing every opportunity for every student.Stuart leaves us too early as is often the case with great leaders. His impact will be felt for generations. He leaves us with great love and thanks.”–Ben F. Johnson III ’61, Woodward Academy Board of Governors “I have known Stuart as a colleague and friend since he moved from LaGrange College to Woodward Academy. In that time, I have marveled at his capacity to lead such a large and complex school and devote signiﬁcant time and effort to professional and civic organizations in Atlanta and across the U.S. His impact across all of these settings was always to elevate the conversation, focus it on values and mission, and bring together people of diverse points of view. That sense of grace and integrity was evident at Woodward as Stuart’s example provided a high standard for the whole community. I witnessed that spirit ﬁrsthand when I led the team that reaccredited Woodward years ago. Stuart’s inﬂuence was unmistakable from our ﬁrst greeting, to each classroom we visited, to the grateful farewell he offered as we completed our work.Personally, Stuart has been both a valued friend and a trusted sounding board. I suspect the number of school leaders across the country who would say the same would ﬁll these pages. For more than two years, his wisdom and insight were part of a weekly Zoom conversation we had during COVID with several Atlanta area school heads. Stuart could always be counted on to provide a thoughtful perspective with a helpful dash of good humor. His well-deserved retirement represents the departure of one of the most widely respected school leaders of his generation, and he will be missed well beyond the boundaries of Woodward’s campus.Congratulations Stuart! And best wishes to Woodward as you build on his remarkable legacy!”–Keith Evans, Former President, The Westminster SchoolsDr. Stuart Gulley with Ben F. Johnson III ’61 (right) and James T. Laney (left), former president of Emory and U.S. Ambassador to South Korea.

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WOODWARD SUMMER 202512“It is hard to celebrate the departure of such a renowned head of school as the generosity of both his time and spirit will be sorely missed in the day to day life of independent schools. Stuart has led Woodward with grace, wisdom, kindness, and empathy. He is known throughout the independent school community as a touchpoint for leaders looking to understand or grapple with any issue and has the rare ability to intuitively understand different perspectives and outcomes, as this empathy and sympathy are core to his character. These traits, his skill, and his integrity have served the Woodward community, including families, students, faculty, staff, and the board in such good stead for many years. One former head of school, who worked with Stuart for many years, once told me, “I have never worked with a kinder, more thoughtful, or smarter head of school. He just amazes me in his leadership.” And yet, even as I write this, I know he will be horriﬁed to see so many people speaking so highly of him as he is a humble servant leader to his core. We will miss you, Stuart, but your legacy will live on in the institutions you have served and the many you have helped along the way.”–Debra P. Wilson, President, National Association of Independent Schools “As Woodward Academy bids farewell to its retiring president, we celebrate a legacy deﬁned by warmth, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to others. His leadership has been a model of compassion, guided by an inherent desire to serve the greater good. In his service as Georgia Independent School Association Board member and Board Chair, his approach was always reﬂective and thoughtful, leading with humility and a steady hand. He prioritized the well-being of our students, ensuring that every decision exhibited the values and mission of the Association.In his professional life, he brought vast expertise and knowledge, particularly in the ﬁeld of education. His advice was a source of guidance I often sought. His deep understanding of leadership was both inspiring and what I needed at the right time. Conﬁdent in his expertise, he never imposed his wisdom but offered it in a way that was empowering, allowing all of us around him to grow and ﬁnd our own paths. His thoughtful insights left a lasting impact on me and countless others.Beyond his professional excellence, he is a true friend. His integrity, trustworthiness, and sensitivity to the responsibilities of friendship make him someone you can always count on. He always listens, offers counsel, and provides support without judgment. To know him is to understand the meaning of loyal and dutiful friendship—one built on mutual respect and genuine care.It has been both a pleasure and an honor to work alongside him. His leadership, friendship, and commitment to those he served will forever be cherished. His legacy at Woodward Academy, the Georgia Independent School Association, and beyond will continue to inspire, and I feel privileged to have been part of his journey.”–Dr. Jeff Jackson, President, Georgia Independent Schools Association “A man of God who also is an extraordinary educator is a rare treasure. In 2009, one of these rare treasures was presented to Woodward Academy in the form of a man named Stuart Gulley. On the heels of a devastating tragedy, this man of God was sent to lead us and help us heal. From Day 1, he has set the right ‘tone at the top’ through his unwavering commitment to excellence and character and his belief in fairness and equality for all. He is unﬂappable even under the most daunting circumstances. His quiet, calm, pastoral demeanor has seen the Academy through a multitude of great times and challenging times.Stuart’s impact does not end at Woodward. He is an inimitable force across the landscape of independent education in metropolitan Atlanta and across this country. He has served as a member of the Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools, the Georgia Independent School Association, the College Park United Methodist Church, Rotary Club of Atlanta as well as the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and numerous other organizations. His extraordinary leadership resulted in Woodward being ranked No.1 or No. 2 in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Top Workplaces Program for a number of years. He travels extensively for speaking engagements and meetings with the leaders of other independent schools as Woodward is recognized as a national model for independent schools.Having served on the Governing Board for almost 25 years, I have had a front-row seat to witness the incomparable Stuart Gulley as he paved the way for the continued success of our beloved Woodward Academy. I am blessed beyond measure to call Stuart a friend.”–Dr. Vicki R. Palmer, Woodward Academy Board of Governors

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13 “Over the past decade, I’ve had the unique experience of working closely with Dr. Gulley on both ATL Airport CID’s and the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance Board of Directors. Your thoughtful presence and institutional knowledge will be deeply missed and irreplaceable. Your authentic approach to life and welcoming spirit truly made the work worthy. I’ve personally enjoyed our many, many calls and lunch discussions, through which you’ve helped guide me through several critical decisions. Over time, our relationship grew even stronger, which has led to our friendship. You’ve stepped up every single moment and that’s difﬁcult to say for anyone, but that’s why you’re Dr. Stuart Gulley.Dr. Gulley, you are more than a leader, a close friend, and a mentor to many, and I’m thankful to be among the number who have enjoyed your consistent presence. I’ll miss saving text messages because I knew you would be in the room or preparing for AeroATL meetings thinking ahead of your potential questions. Just know that you’ve laid a great foundation for young and future leaders for many decades to come. I pray that you are able to enjoy this chance to smell the roses, my friend, because there’s no human being more deserving. We look forward to memorializing your legacy of leadership across this region and honoring you during our Fifth Annual Aerotropolis Honors in September 2025 at the Delta Flight Museum. Congratulations on many years of impact and may the next chapter be even more rewarding.”–Shannon James, President & CEO, Aerotropolis Atlanta“The journey is the reward.” –Steve Jobs“News of Dr. Stuart Gulley’s retirement from a dynamic career at Woodward Academy brings with it a mix of emotions—joy for a kind and hardworking colleague; appreciation for a true friend who has more than earned this well-deserved opportunity to write his life’s next chapter; and sadness knowing that our paths will cross less frequently moving forward. Nonetheless, we are all grateful just to have borne witness to his remarkable journey.“Intellectually humble,” “laser-focused,” and “student-centered” are just a few of the many ways to describe working with Dr. Gulley. He is scholarly, perceptive, and deeply relatable. When Dr. Gulley speaks about Woodward to colleagues, he demonstrates a genuine interest in the needs of the school’s faculty, staff, students, and families, coupled with a profound understanding of what matters most to them—wisdom he has undoubtedly gained, step by step, while traversing an extraordinary path.Among independent school leaders, Dr. Gulley exempliﬁes adaptability, resourcefulness and resilience. He has always been just a phone call or email away during times of uncertainty, willing to offer wise, non-judgmental counsel in a moment’s notice. Schools of similar size and complexity to Woodward have long looked to Dr. Gulley for insight and guidance. His legacy as a trusted advisor and a steadying inﬂuence will undoubtedly endure for decades to come. What a blessing it has been to be part of his professional circle!Best wishes to the Gulley family as they embark upon a new and exciting time in their lives, certain to forge another marvelous path forward.”With gratitude,Dr. Dana Markham President, Pine Crest School“It’s the people at Woodward who make a real difference. Throughout my career, I have been privileged to know and work with some incredible folks from the Academy—during my time in lacrosse, through accreditation work with SAIS, and at MISBO, of which Woodward is a founding member. Community doesn’t happen without attentive intentionality, and Dr. Gulley believes in the power of people. He has cultivated leaders who dedicate their time and talents to nurturing not only the Woodward community but also the broader independent school community. I have been fortunate to grow as a leader through my connections with him and those he serves. I’m one of the lucky ones who gets to know Stuart and call him a friend.”–Dr. Damian Kavanagh, President, Mid-South Independent School Business

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WOODWARD SUMMER 202516accepted in juried exhibitions such as The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, Georgia High School Ceramic Arts Awards & Symposium, and the Atlanta High School Arts Exhibition. We have been invited to participate in the Independent Photographer Exhibition, the Binders Art Exhibition, the National Geographic Exhibition, and the Atlanta International Airport Exhibition. We also designed and created a mural on the exterior wall of Champions Gym, celebrating the 125th anniversary of Woodward Academy.Stephen, what has it been like this year taking the reins as It’s dicult to walk through (or even near) Richardson Hall without getting swept up in the spirit of creativity emanating from and through the building. We sat down with Woodward Visual Arts Department Chair Andy Cunningham and Performing Arts Department Chair Stephen Rotz to discuss the state of Woodward’s arts programs.Stephen, what recent happenings best highlight Woodward’s performing arts students, faculty, and facilities?SR: There are so many things to choose from! [Upper School Dance Program Director] Jenny Gould’s dance concert featured Capstone projects envisioned and choreographed by passionate seniors; the Upper School choir concert shared music from classical composers like Fauré to contemporary artists like John Legend and beautiful soloists amazed the audience; our Upper School musical, Rock of Ages, featured a talented cast of record size under the direction of Erin Greenway; and our Middle School musical, The Lightning Thief, brought tremendous excitement from our young actors under the direction of Hannah Barnhart. Most of these performances are on WALive.tv, where our own Trevon Broad and his team broadcasted 115 arts and athletics events in the fall semester alone! We also had a musician accepted for the Governor’s Honors program last summer, and we are thrilled that we will have another musician participating this summer.Andy, what recent happenings best highlight Woodward’s visual arts students, faculty, and facilities?AC: Our students’ artwork has been State of the ArtsARTS Q&AWoodward’s performing arts chair and choir director?SR: I continue to learn and grow into the role. I’m closing in on attending or participating in 40 WA performances for the year, and what our students and faculty do is simply remarkable. I am fortunate to have such collaborative and supportive colleagues in the performing arts department Academy-wide. We started the year with more new faces in the department than I can remember, and I am so thrilled by what each new face has brought to the school. Jerey Rowser has thrived as our new director of bands and is a joyous presence in Richardson Hall. John Brandhorst

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17AC: Experience The Arts Day was formed to raise awareness of the arts by recreating outdoors what happens behind closed doors every day. This allows our students to create their work in an environment where the Woodward community can see the process involved in making art.SR: Experience the Arts Day is a favorite day of the year for many of our performers. They love performing for their peers, and EtAD is crucial in expanding the visibility of our programs to new audiences–whether they be visiting Primary or Lower School students or other Upper School students who normally would not attend a full concert. Students see and appreciate what the performers do, and often it inspires them to join and try out an art class. Of course, EtAD would not be what it is without the tremendous work of our visual arts colleagues. The afternoon and evening before, you can ﬁnd Andy setting up easels in our amphitheatre–preparing the space for the visual arts students to wow us with their skills! [For more on Experience the Arts Day, see pg. 42]How did the recent renovation of Richardson Hall expand the school’s arts oerings/capabilities?AC: For visual arts, we added a came on board as our new Technical Director for the theatre, and has brought some clever set ideas to our stage (including a swimming pool!). La’Dreauna Johnson is gracefully shepherding our large number of Middle School dancers. Her students brought the format of a lecture recital to our stage. Additionally, the Lower School welcomed Drew Lloyd’s enthusiastic smile to the beginning orchestra students. And Elycia Phelps joined Dawn Axam in the awesome task that is putting on Lower School dance performances involving more than 180 dancers! Last, but not least, we have a new choral director in the Upper and Middle School, Liz Hill. She and I work very closely together, and I am so appreciative of her passion, drive for excellence, and exuberant spirit. That’s just the new people! I also am indebted to the best neighbor (3rd ﬂoor of Richardson Hall) one could ask for–Woodward’s long-time jazz wizard, Lauran Hunt.How do the two of you collaborate to foster the arts Woodward? AC: Experience The Arts Day is an excellent bridge for the two programs to interface and collaborate, allowing the Woodward community to get a cohesive view of the ﬁne arts opportunities available for our students.SR: We each support our budding artists. Whether the student be sculpting a statue, editing a broadcast, ﬁlming a movie, singing a solo, or delivering a monologue, we provide opportunities for students to grow in their chosen craft. Andy and I support our teams so that our remarkable faculty can invest fully and joyously in these students. The students constantly amaze us with their creativity and drive.What role has Experience the Arts Day played in raising awareness of and participation in the arts at Woodward?new jewelry studio and expanded the sculpture studio and patio. The addition to the sculpture studio has allowed us to expand our welding oerings, and with the new jewelry facilities, we are able to oer more sections of jewelry design.SR: Richardson Hall is an odd building, owing to the fact that it has been added on to multiple times. The latest renovation provided some crucial space for our growing orchestra program, added a theatre classroom, and made some other changes that impacted the band and our Middle School dancers. We also gained a much better collaborative work space and oce inhabited by the amazing Ciara Auten (administrative assistant for the performing arts). The renovation to Richardson Hall expanded some instructional areas, but it did not expand our performance venues. In fact, we have the same two major performance venues that were here in the 1970s (the chapel and the theatre). Since that time, programs have been added and have grown, so performance space constraints have become tighter and tighter. This remains an issue in need of a solution.What are some areas where Woodward is breaking new ground in the arts?Left: Andy Cunningham, Visual Arts Department ChairRight: Stephen Rotz, Performing Arts Department ChairPAUL WARD

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WOODWARD SUMMER 202518Name ’XXTHE ARTS SENIOR ART EXHIBITION By Gianna GiordanoBy Hailey ChoAC: In the visual arts program, we are all working professional artists who are constantly growing and changing. This means we continually introduce new concepts and processes to our curriculum and students, whether teaching students new powder coating techniques in jewelry, alternative processes in photography, or cold patina techniques on steel for sculptures.SR: One of our newer programs is our ﬁlm program, under the direction of Nick Widener. Last year we soft-piloted the ﬁrst WA ﬁlm festival to celebrate the remarkable ﬁlms that Woodward students are producing. This year our ﬁlm festival (“The Eddies’) expanded as an advertised event featuring nearly 20 student ﬁlms, complete with an actual red carpet, movie theater popcorn, and paparazzi. A Woodward alumnus active in the ﬁlm industry served as our adjudicator, and this year’s winner was a creation of senior Cade Owenby–a ﬁlm entitled Drowning, dealing with themes of mental health challenges facing modern teenagers. The development of this new festival came in large part due to the eorts of senior Pilot Bunch in the form of his Capstone project.Why is arts education a critical part of the curriculum?AC: Art is process-based, allowing students to experiment and explore various media, techniques, and concepts. The arts enable students to access and take advantage of all areas of the academic world to create their visual vocabulary for artistic expression. Art helps students gain conﬁdence in problem-solving skills and balances daily academic rigor. SR: The arts teach us how to be human. They teach empathy and expression, collaboration and community, and cultural awareness of experiences beyond one’s own bubble, and they stimulate creativity. Without these things, our lives would be greatly diminished. Our drive for excellence within our artistic endeavors builds character traits that serve us well in any ﬁeld.

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WOODWARD SUMMER 202520THE ARTSArtis Lee Johnson III5th Grade, Woodward NorthA long time ago, in the days of the past, Woodward was born–built to last! 125 years went by fast, But the Woodward Way still lasts. With excellence leading the things we do, We dream big and see them through. We learn, we play, we aim for the sky, With teachers and friends always nearby. Character guides us every day, In how we act and what we say. We help each other, show we care–Kindness and courage everywhere!On the ﬁeld, we run with speed and might, In the arts, we shine so bold and bright. Science, math, and stories we share–Woodward’s magic is everywhere!For 125 years, we’ve grown strong and bright, A place where opportunity soars to new heights. So here’s to Woodward, proud and true, A place for me and a place for you!SentencesAlyssa Gao ’26And, at the quasquicentennial, we observe a paradox:1. Everything that has stayed the same has changed. One-hundred twenty-ve years prior today, the ambition of Georgia Military Academy was excellence, excellence in education,decidedly kindred and wholly comparable to what stands now. It has since then grown—out, out, out of the connes of a young cadet’suniform shoes, out of the cracks between the softpine oorboards of military-honor dormitories, out of a shapethat can only accommodate one manner of student. And so, everything that has stayed the same has changed. Woodward holdsconstants, constants that bear the mark of passerby generations, world wars, pandemics, embodies it all, ts into places new and old, metamorphosizes into forms upon forms. 2. Everything that has changedhas stayed the same. That great fortress of timeworn masonry, duly dubbed Founder’s Hall, four stories high and imposing, now most noticeably exists in the form of a black-and-whiterelic—suspended in the space between a time-snipped paragraph outlining Woodward’s intangible past and the edge of a computer screen. And yet, it exists. And yet, it lives. Fingerprinted,under what was yesterday Brewster and today Jane Woodruff. We look closely. We look inwards. Imprinted on the concrete foundation is the touch of Colonel John Charlesand Lucile Woodward, ever-remaining, retained, intent never to be a casualty of the passing years.And so, everything that has changed has stayed the same. Heritage hums within these age-worn brick walls: excellence thrums like a string plucked, tightly xed, extending out from velvet-lined violin cases to settle in our spirits; the stamp of character is carried upon the brow of alum and faculty alike, living in dimples and swollen heart; and opportunity, imbued in our very palm lines, is never beyond reach.And, at the quasquicentennial, Woodward points to a north: all one-hundred thirty-three acres t into the palm of each student, as was the case even one-hundred and twenty-ve years ago, but back then, back then it was only sixteen. But it has always t. Has always pointed to a true north. Has always pointed to an ambition, a purpose, future, one-hundredtwenty-ve-year-old needle,never straying wayward.These poems by Woodward students were commissioned to commemorate Woodward’s quasquicentennial.

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21VOLLEYBALLThe volleyball team went undefeated in Region 4-AAAAA play (9-0), including winning the region tournament for the 12th straight season and ﬁnishing as AAAAA State Runners-up. Sophomore setter Marissa Jones was named Region Player of the Year. In addition, senior Alexandria Tookes and junior Jade Williams were named First Team All-Region, while freshman Sydney Harrison earned Second Team All-Region honors.The War Eagles set a school record .930 winning percentage, ﬁnishing the season with an overall record of 40-3, including another school record 29 straight victories. The team entered the state playos as the No. 1 seed from Region 4-AAAAA and advanced all the way to the AAAAA State Championships. Woodward defeated Dutchtown (3-0) in round one, River Ridge (3-1) in round two, Loganville in round three (3-0), and Sequoyah (3-1) in the semiﬁnals. Woodward faced a very talented Pope High School squad in the championship match, and fell 3-0 to ﬁnish as the AAAAA State Runners-up. The team will return a large core of players next season and should once again be a favorite to challenge for the state title.WAR EAGLE WATCH

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22WOODWARD SUMMER 2025RIFLERYWoodward riﬂery ﬁnished ﬁrst in Area 8 with an undefeated record, moving to the state playos as the number one seed in their bracket. In the sectional round, Woodward defeated East Jackson High School 1134-50 to 994-19 to advance to the semiﬁnals, where they defeated Chattahoochee County 1134-48 to 1111-38 and earned a berth to the state ﬁnals in Waycross, Georgia. At the state ﬁnals, Woodward ﬁnished 13th (2223-79) overall out of 110 teams.Outstanding performances this season came from seniors Jack Doane, Danny Morrison, Jacob Ragan, Sam Reid, Chris Rose, Chido Uzoije, Mason Wilder, and Vinnie Yang who ﬁred both individual and season high scores in the regular season to make a postseason run possible.BOYS BASKETBALLThe boys basketball team ﬁnished a historic season by making a run to the GHSA state basketball championship game. The War Eagles were 27-5 on the season, Region Champions, and ﬁnished as the GHSA Runner-up in the AAAAA classiﬁcation. Senior Zac Foster was named Region 4-AAAAA Player of the Year while sophomore Jarvis Hayes Jr. and senior Deke Cooper were named 1st Team All-Region. Senior Payton Waites was named Honorable Mention and Head Coach Anthony Thomas was named Co-Region Coach of the Year. The War Eagles ﬁnished 13-1 in region play.The team took advantage of the supportive Woodward community to ﬁnish a perfect 13-0 at home. With a young group of experienced players returning next season, the War Eagles should once again contend for the AAAAA title.TRACK & FIELDThe Woodward Academy girls and boys track and ﬁeld teams both earned Region Championship titles—marking the third consecutive year that both teams have claimed the top spot. A special shoutout goes to all the athletes who earned individual Region Champion honors in their events:Boys Region ChampionsCameron Dean Long Jump, Triple JumpCameron Stephens 100mZev Bryant, Blake Williams, Cameron Dean, Channing Rogers 4x400 RelayAdam Armstrong Pole VaultGirls Region ChampionsTaylor Gulatte 100m, 200mSydney Glee 100m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles, 400mRyan French, Zara Mercurius, Juleeya McAfee, Kaitlyn Week 4x200 RelayMikayla Virgin, Zara Mercurius, Juleeya McAfee, Taylor Gulatte 4x100 RelayAlexandria Tookes High Jump

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24WOODWARD SUMMER 2025Three years into my time at Woodward, I don’t have one speciﬁc “fun” memory; I’ve had many. However, what stands out the most is the support my Woodward family has given me through a couple of major losses during my time here. The way people showed up for me in my times of need meant more than anything else. It wasn’t just about having fun or enjoying good times together—it was about being there for one another when it truly mattered. To me, this is the true meaning of community. The kindness and empathy I’ve received from my Woodward family have made all the difference, and I will always remember that above everything else.JACKIE PARKS, Current EmployeeTiny MemoirsMy dad and I drove from my home in NC to Woodward where I interviewed with Alan McClung for three hours. Then we drove back home. I was impressed with the school, but wasn't sure I wanted to leave NC. A week later, I was playing piano in a hotel bar in Switzerland when the announcement came that I had a phone call. It was Alan offering me the job at WA. I accepted. Over the next 35 years, I got married, and had two children who were Vintage Eagles. I have been touched by so many wonderful singers in the choral program, and have made lots of wonderful colleagues I count as friends. I treasure my time here!ALLISON ENGLERT, Current EmployeeCELEBRATING 125 YEARS OF WOODWARD MEMORIES, 125 WORDS AT A TIME.

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25Multiplex awaiting the opening ceremonies as students processed in with their assigned country. I was assigned to Germany most years, which donned a black t-shirt. The Olympic theme song blared as the fastest 6th graders sprinted around the room for the running of the torch. Your schedule of events for the day written on an index card pinned to your shirt upside down so that you could quickly ﬂip it up to see your next endeavor—among them the e toss, three-leed race, or legendary trash can dig. The day was rounded out by the medal ceremony, and of course the epic tug of war as each country battled for gold—all orchestrated perfectly by Coach Vincent.CAROLINE GUEST STANCIL ’03, AlumniAt Wdward North Field Day, parents gathered in theIn a way, that’s my story, too. From higher ed to elementary ed by way of the “great resignation” effect of the pandemic in 2021. Arriving at Woodward was an eyes-wide-open moment in my career and life, and I’ve never looked back. The Academy has generously offered grace, ﬂexibility, a warm and diverse community, and a willingness to provide the resources required for success, including emotional and spiritual support. Coaching Varsity Swim has brought me full circle too. That was my sport for 10 years growing up. I love sharing the world with 3rd graders, but often, I think they teach me more than I teach them.BRETT MITCHELL REICHERT, Current EmployeeAt my new hire orientation in August 2022, someone refeed to themselves as “a refug” from another schl.

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26WOODWARD SUMMER 2025My favorite memory is the 1961 participation of the GMA cadet corps in the Kennedy inauguration parade in Washington. All the snow had accumulated overnight with the temperature being something like 15 degrees—so cold that it caused the band drum major’s whistle to stick to his lips. And marching ever so smartly past the reviewing stand, being tempted to look to the right and see John and Jackie, but not daring to. ROBERT CHRIS IRWIN ’62, Alumni“Silens nox, sacra nox...” How many of Major Ferguson’s students from the 1940s to the 1980s can still sing “Silent Night” in Latin? I had many amazing teachers as a WA student (1971-1985), but “the Master” and his “sanctuary” stand out. I recall the “sella mortis” or “chair of death” by his desk and the always-closed classroom door to prevent the “hoi polloi” or “commoners” from hearing our sacred conjugations. He’d invite us to afternoon tutorial sessions, where he claimed “we’ll be swinging from the rafters and chandeliers, enjoying caviar and those little ﬁnger sandwiches with chilled champagne.” As we entered his room on testing day, he’d say “semper paratus ad caedem,” or “always prepared for the slaughter.” Fun memories from a fantastic teacher!BRENT BOSTON ’85, AlumniCelebrating the Holi festival was one of my favourite memories at Woodward. Holi celebrates the arrival of spring. I loved throwing powder at each other and seeing the beautiful colors on the ﬁeld! I also liked that I got to celebrate something I have never done before, and I loved that I got to spend time with my friend Joelle, who is in my class. One of my favorite memories was being covered head to toe in powder and trying to ﬁgure out how to get in the car without making a mess. I’m so happy that I was able to enjoy the afternoon with my friends and family!BROOKLYN HALL, Current Student

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27This was the ﬁrst time in my 12 years of teaching that I had the freedom to choose my own professional development, and it also was my ﬁrst out-of-state conference. During the four-day conference, I had the opportunity to learn different and shared perspectives with other people of color from independent schools and to connect with my colleagues in a way that I had never experienced before. This trip allowed me to embrace the strong sense of community at Woodward, which is both infectious and hard to miss.SASHA CAMPBELL, Woodward Academy PresidentWhen I was in the Lower School, long before there wereschool nurses, if I didn't feel well I would go to the ofﬁce and stay with Mrs. Betty Hays. Mrs. Hays had been my prekindergarten teacher and then moved into the role of secretary in the ofﬁce. She kept a small cot in the corner of her ofﬁce. I would lay on that cot comforted by her as she handled all of her duties! I treasure the memories of Mrs. Hays as my second mom, and in later years she became honorary grandmom to my kids. I miss her every day! There have been so many special people at Woodward over the years. I will always treasure these memories.KATHY DUNCAN SHEESLEY ’78, AlumniIn November of 2023, I aended the People of Color Conference with four coeagues from the Primary Schl.

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28WOODWARD SUMMER 2025Not sure my smile could be any bier celebrating my daughter, Blaire L, on the homecoming court for 2024; I was Wdward's first African American Homecoming Qun in 1989-Cla of 1990.At 2:00 a.m., I begin walking down the big hill on Rugby Avenue toward my home, Security having taken me as far as they safely can in the snow and ice of the day that infamously would become known as Snowmaedon. I had not left for home sooner, as I could not leave the ofﬁce until I knew the last bus had made it safely to its stop, which it had just moments before. Blessedly, all 600 plus bus riders eventually made it to a place where they had heat and a bed, even if it was not in their own home. When I arrived at mine, I offered a prayer of thanksgiving for our heroic bus drivers!STUART GULLEY, Current EmployeeHigh school has been a balancing act betweentrack meets, rehearsals, admissions tours, and late-night study sessions. Theatre was my heart, from opening night jitters to the adrenaline rush of a standing ovation. But track taught me discipline—pushing through that last stretch of a race mirrored the resilience I needed on stage and in class. As an admissions ambassador, I found joy in sharing my school’s story, guiding others through the same hallways that shaped me. Late nights running lines with castmates and early mornings at practice were exhausting, but the payoff was worth it, whether it was a personal best on the track or a ﬂawless high note in a performance. High school gave me more than a diploma—it gave me strength, conﬁdence, and a second family.TJ HARRIS, Current StudentVALAURIE BRIDGES LEE ’90, Alumni

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29In the 70s many were interested in guitar because of the era. One of the coolest things I remember was something the band teacher Major Hayes did for students. The Woodward band rehearsed down in the basement of Alumni Hall. I came there one day in 11th grade in 1973 and saw a newly installed portable sound proof room. Any of us interested in draing our 40 pound ampliﬁers and other equipment into the room could practice there. I don’t know if Major Hayes gets enough recognition for what he did, even for students who were not in the Woodward band. I credit him as an inﬂuence for inspiring me to play guitar over 50 years.RICHARD WILKINS ’74, AlumniMy journey at Woodward began in the fall of 1995 as a student. Over the next four years, I experienced personal growth, built lasting friendships, and developed a deep connection to the school’s values and community. After graduating in the spring of 1999, I remained grateful for the impact Woodward had on my life. In April 2017, I returned to Woodward as an employee in Dining Services, eager to give back to the place that had shaped me. In 2021, I was proud to become a Woodward parent, further deepening my connection. Now, I have the opportunity to contribute to the school that continues to give so much to me and my family, creating a meaningful, full-circle experience.WILLIAM TAYLOR ’99, Current EmployeeBack in 2001, I was wandering around campus with my newbornlooking for Chris. Former Athletic Director Dave Chandler came by in a golf cart and asked me what was wrong. Our power had been shut off because we forgot to pay the bill in the middle of becoming new parents. After we searched the campus more, he took me to his ofﬁce, gave me petty cash from the athletic ofﬁce to pay the bill, and drove me to downtown College Park. He really went above and beyond to help out a sleep-deprived new mom, and I knew that Chris and I had landed in a special place.AMANDA FREER, ParentHenry (’19), Thomas (’22), and Charlie (’27) Freer

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30WOODWARD SUMMER 2025Around the schl, through Coege Park, and around the track-I have measured my time and my existence in miles. In the company of teammates, of coaches, of athletes, of friends, of family. As the miles run for practice have morphed into the miles run for others, I have made a life. With each passing mile, the lives of others pass through my thoughts. The miles mend us, and they meld us together through both disappointment and triumph. Through running, we discover who we are. Through being on a team and connecting, we discover belonging. And on the Woodward Mile, I have discovered all there is to know about myself, about others, all within about 1,609 feet around Woodward Academy.NICHOLAS WIDENER ’09, Current EmployeeOne amazing memory from my life at WA that holds a special place in my heart happened in 2016. I helped lead the ﬁrst ever WA Spring Break trip with the National Outdoor Leadership School. We took 10 amazing students to Arizona, where we backpacked for a week in the Galiuro Wilderness, which is a few hours east of Tucson. On our ﬁnal night of the trip, we had amazing weather, so we decided to sleep under the stars as a group instead of in our tents. The next morning, we woke early and hiked out during the sunrise.CHRIS MYERS ’00, Current EmployeeThe last Thursday of the schl year, May 2007, the K-2 Primary Schl students were looking their best and singing their best in the spring program. For many, it was their ﬁrst WA performance—for me, it was my last. After 22 wonderful years working with students in all areas of the Fine Arts Department, it was time to retire. I chose "It's A Wonderful World" to be the ﬁnal song of my ﬁnal concert and made sure to include "family": Trevon Broad '92 was in charge of all video, audio, and lighting for Gresham Chapel; Mahala Broad '19 played wind chimes; Jenny Broad played ﬂute; Lauran Hunt and family were the rhythm section; and Charles Brodie returned to play ﬂugelhorn. Best grand ﬁnale ever!SANDRA BROAD HUNTER, Former Employee

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31I had never been so cold. The GMA band and cadet corps were marching in John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Parade. We had a required list of marches we could play, but had been ordered by Georgia Senator Herman Talmadge to play "Dixie" when we passed in review. It wasn't on the list. We played it, and we made the front page of The Washington Post. It was so cold my drum major's whistle froze to my lips. Quite a memory.MARK (MICKEY) JOHNSON ’61, AlumniMy son became a War Eagle during the 2023-2024 school year. I fully immersed myself in the community by volunteering in the Consignment Shop, which was one of the best decisions I made. I connected with so many wonderful parents and grandparents, students, and faculty/staff. Investing a great deal of time here felt like home. As I envisioned myself contributing my talents, I kept an eye out for open roles that aligned with my experiences. My hope is to create value and cultivate long-lasting relationships, while adding to the rich legacy of our beloved Woodward Academy. Receiving and accepting a job offer with the Advancement team at the best school in the land has impacted me greatly as I serve with purpose and War Eagle pride! BRANDY WARRIOR, Current Employee

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32WOODWARD SUMMER 2025Woodward is more than a school; it is a transformative experiencethat shapes not just students, but families. For our son Tory, Woodward became the foundation of his growth—academically, athletically, and personally. We watched him step onto campus as a bright-eyed boy and grow into a young man, shaped by dedicated teachers, challenging coursework, and character-building opportunities. His love for football ﬂourished under the mentorship of coaches who pushed him to excel both on and off the ﬁeld, while his time in theatre revealed a creative side that blossomed under the bright lights of the stage. For our family, Woodward has been a second home, celebrating Tory’s milestones alongside us. The lessons learned and friendships forged during his time at Woodward will remain an indelible part of his story—and ours.SHERYL & JEFF CLARK, ParentsWith 20 sleeping bags stuffed in the living room among a sea of red-and-black monogrammed paraphernalia, the sticky aerosol hair spray clinging to each strand of hair as our ponytails created an automatic facelift. Dozens of spongy pink hair curlers rolled every last hair into perfect bouncy tendrils. It was impossible to sleep with this heavy crown, but the adrenaline and excitement, along with waking up to Miss Elaina’s sausage and cheese biscuits, carried us through. Those girls, that squad, and the competitions taught me the deﬁnition of grit. While it is “just cheerleading” to everyone else, it was a monumental sense of accomplishment for me and the memory is a reminder of my own determination and work ethic in the most challenging moments of adulthood.LAURA FLYNN GEORGE ’06, AlumniDuring my first-grade year, I participated in a counity mting presentation with the theme "Greatest of A Time." I practiced my lines at schl, at home, and with friends, but I was always nervous to speak in front of a large group. When it was my turn, I froze and hid behind my shirt for my ﬁrst line. Luckily, my friend beside me said my line for me. The performance continued, and I prepared myself for my next line. Guess what? I did it! I proudly said, “I am Kingsley, and I am great at growing vegetables.” I was so proud of myself for overcoming my fears at that moment.KINGSLEY REID, Cu r rent Student

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33I loved the variety of ways students responded dierently to the same aignment. The only consistent part of the day were the bells. For an assignment on Keats’ “To Autumn,” groups of three illustrated the smells, sounds, tastes, and progression of the season as a representation of life. One class member, Scott Wolman, now a writer in Hollywood, got his parents to set up a tent on the parade ﬁeld. We crawled in and each student showed a picture of their kindergarten days and talked about approaching graduation, using words from “To Autumn.” Meredith, now Dr. Zaring, got her dad Rusty to bring in bales of straw for us to sit on and enjoy apple cider, nuts, and other images from the poem.CAROLYN HALDEMAN, Former EmployeeFrom day one at Woodward the kindness of everyone around me made me feel welcome. It wasn’t long before I found a way to connect to the community. I created special treats (like Pumpkin Spiced Latte Bars) hoping to brighten a few faces. Sharing these little creations became my way of connecting with people, of offering a moment of comfort or joy in the middle of a busy day. The smiles and gratitude I received reminded me how simple acts of kindness—whether in the form of a delicious treat or a warm hello—can make all the difference in building a community.KRISTYN WIGHTON-TIOFACK, Current EmployeeDuring the 2000-2001 school year, teaching two classes per semester while studying for my Master's at UGA made me see how much I truly enjoyed teaching Spanish. I am from Philadelphia, went to FSU, and had just been in Georgia about six months, living in Athens, when I decided to see if I could teach full time in Atlanta. I had no idea about the neighborhoods or schools. I sent out my resumé and had interviews scheduled at Woodward and then Westminster the following day. I came to WA and Ron McCollum was like a dad. Everyone in the department was so friendly and at the end of the interview day, Jane Webster said, “Please come teach here, we love you!” and she hued me. I returned home and read a caring email from Ron that ended with "and remember, free hot lunch everyday!” I called Westminster and canceled the interview, telling them I had been offered a job in a place that felt like home.TRACI LERNER, Current Employee

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34WOODWARD SUMMER 2025One of my favorite moments at Wdward was Senior Drip day, when my time at Woodward had truly come full circle and it was the start of a new, beautiful chapter in my life. I love this picture because it has my friends and I who all attended Historically Black Colleges or Universities. From our formative years at Woodward that bonded us, to a bond that extends even further now, I am grateful for the memories we made. MADISON QUARLES ’19, AlumniIn 2017 I came to Woodward Academy burnt out. I was frustrated and tired of teaching, and told myself that if this job led to more of the same, I would walk away from teaching. The exact opposite happened. I experienced a revitalization of my career and calling, and could not be happier today. I am appreciative of my colleagues, our administration, and this school for helping me go through a Renaissance in my career. The best part about working at Woodward is the students—never before have I had a student say “thank you” when I handed them a quiz. The students are kind, caring, and willing to learn and try new things. I ﬁnd myself being impressed by them every day. I am so grateful for Woodward Academy!ANDREW JONES, Current Employee

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35Leaving Venezuela to enroll my sons at Woodward was one of the most challenging decisions of my life. Parting from my country and family was heart-wrenching, but I knew we were making the sacriﬁce for their future. Woodward offered them an exceptional opportunity to thrive in a ﬁrst-world educational setting. Upon arriving, I was immediately impressed by the beautiful campus, which provided an inspiring environment for learning. The state-of-the-art technology and resources available to each teacher made it clear that this school is committed to fostering success. I could see my boys engaging with innovative tools and passionate educators, igniting their curiosity and ambition. This experience reassured me that we had made the right choice, paving the way for a brighter future for them.JULIA BRANGER, Parent of AlumniThe soccer game against Druid His waswas right before Last Blast, so a lot of people came to watch. The energy was insane, and we ended up winning the game. Afterward, we went straight to Last Blast, and it was one last chance to hang out with my friends before graduation. Five years later, we’re still in touch. Some of my friends I’ve known since pre-K, and we still make time to catch up. That night stands out because it wasn’t just about the game; it was about the people who’ve stayed in my life.HANS MEYER ’19, AlumniGetting off the bus for Coach Johnny Stallings' ﬁrst game as head football coach ... On that bus with Coach Stallings were Coaches Bill McCullough, Bud Theodocion, and recently retired Graham Hixon. Our opponent faced the War Eagles AND those legendary coaches, three of whom are in Georgia's Hall of Fame. I'm not sure any other school can make that claim. That makes me very proud.SCOTT CROOK, Former EmployeeAs a junior day student, I occasionally parked my VW in the senior parking lot. One day upon returning to my car I found it had been moved around the track and into the stadium. The major lesson from that day was “respect your elders.” Not until I was a senior did I ever park there again.HENRY CURRAN ’68, Alumni

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36WOODWARD SUMMER 2025One summer day, I had just picked up my seven-year-old son from Woodward’s summer camp. I could tell he was frustrated, so I prodded him to tell me about his day. He told me that another camper attempted to take something of his and how disappointed he was. I asked him who the child was so that I could put a face with the story. He conﬁdently stated that he didn’t know his name, but that he doubted that they attended Woodward. I asked how he could be so certain that it wasn’t a Woodward student. He shook his head and looked up at me and said that the boy’s actions “weren’t the Woodward Way” and that’s how he knew.RACHEL WEBB, ParentI had a student who made a C in my class to end the year. I thought “what an average grade” and “he could have done better.” I received a note from the student thanking me for the year, and how it was the best math class he had ever had because it was the ﬁrst time in Upper School that he was not put on the D/F probation list for math. I tear up every time I recount this story, because this student adjusted my perspective, and I’ve learned to not judge students by MY expectation. Woodward is all about these kinds of connections.ROBERT DAUGHERTY, Current EmployeeThis is my first year in Woodward North and it's so cool that our school is celebrating its 125th birthday! It’s hard to believe that so many kids have walked these halls before us. I feel proud to be part of such a long history and can’t wait to see what the future is going to be like here.VIOLA SHI, Current Student

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37I was a cadet at the GMA Junior School from 1958-1962. Nothing made an impression on me like the Friday morning inspections that took place there on a weeklybasis. That meant most Thursday nights were spent shining shoes and polishing brass, often preceded by an afternoon haircut at John Henry’s Corner Barbershop. Starched uniforms returned from the laundry stiff as a board, and ties were mandatory, even for ﬁrst graders. The Junior School “battalion” consisted of two companies, with four platoons each. In the accompanying photo, the battalion commander and the executive staff can be seen standing in the doorway on the front steps of the school, with the corps of cadets standing at attention below.GARLAND WATKINS, AlumniAfter one football practice Coach Hixon invited a preacher to talk to us. He named some verse from the Bible and offered that we all knew it but wanted to talk to us about the next verse that probably no one knew. The guy sitting next to me had a reputation for being a wild man, but he raised his hand and recited the entire verse. The preacher said, “That’s right,” and went on with his sermon. As you can imagine, everyone’s jaw dropped. I looked at him skeptically and he said, “That was my assigned verse for my Religion class essay. It’s the only Bible verse I know!” I don’t know if that speaks better of the Woodward education or his luck.DR. XAVIER A. DURALDE ’76, AlumniLILY TU, ParentJoy truly enjoys her experience at Wdward, and we are delighted to s her thriving in such a suortive and enriching environment. This is Joy coaborating with an international visiting student.

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40WOODWARD SUMMER 2025Despite Woodward Academy’s founding history as a military academy, the school did not have an ROTC program until 1992. The program was founded by Pete Fritts Sr., who coached wrestling, baseball, and football starting in 1980. A 22-year veteran of the military and military police, he sought to bring some of Woodward’s military DNA back, says his son Pete Fritts Jr., who attended Woodward from 1978 to 1983 and also went on to coach and teach here. And like his father, he now oversees the Honor Guard.Fritts Sr. hand selected students to serve in the ﬁrst Woodward Honor Guard based on their exemplary conduct inside and outside the classroom. With no budget initially he had to get creative to outﬁt the unit, starting with unearthing and pressing into service several original GMA jackets. Weapons were sourced from Riverside Military Academy.Accommodations were similarly modest, with the Guard ﬁrst being housed in a closet in the chapel, before moving to an unﬁnished basement in Brewster Hall. “I’m sure there was all kinds of mold. I mean, it was not a nice place,” said Fritts Jr. The Guard moved to temporary digs in Colquitt Stadium during Brewster’s renovation, prolonged by COVID. But with the renovation complete the Honor Guard ﬁnally has a home beﬁtting its honorable mission, well-lit with plenty of space, custom storage–and no mold. Fritts Jr. says the Brewster location offers a strong link to Woodward’s military past. “It’s phenomenal,” he said. “First class.”The Honor Guard program has grown to include more than 100 members who participate in various events, including funerals, weddings, and most importantly, Woodward’s Veterans Day ceremonies. The program emphasizes military precision, professionalism, and pride, with older students training new recruits. The Honor Guard maintains a link to the past, especially during alumni events, where the uniforms and ceremonies evoke nostalgia for many older alumni.Fritts Jr. said the Honor Guard prides itself on its versatility. Notable off-campus events have included Memorial Day ceremonies, a gubernatorial parade, a Vietnam memorial dedication, and a funeral ceremony at Andersonville. “One of the things we were involved with was a changeover in command at the Naval Air Station in Marietta. Those organizations have their own honor guard. But we did it. And the admiral in charge said ours was the best he’s ever seen. That’s a huge compliment.”TRADITIONS(EST. 1992)Honor GuardWoodward does many things well, and one of them is creating indelible memories and fostering community through the upholding of a number of unique traditions. We took a look at the story behind four of Woodward’s most beloved traditions.

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41The Georgia Military Academy Junior School opened in 1920. For several years the Junior School held an informal end of the school year event or celebration. By the early 1970s GMA’s Junior School had been replaced by Woodward Academy’s Lower School, which in 1973 formally named its end-of-year celebration “Super Goober Day.” The name harkens back to GMA years when the older cadets referred to Junior School cadets as “goobers,” a colloquial term for little peanutsThose ﬁrst Super Goober Days were held on the Lower School campus in the Jones Cafetorium and the Lower School gym. Games like ring toss, bowling, penny pitch, basketball free throws, and pick-a-duck were supervised and directed by the faculty.In 1975 for Super Goober Day, a parade of students and teachers walked and rode down Rugby Avenue. Some rode on bicycles, go-carts, and on a College Park ﬁre engine. One teacher rode on a pony.In the 1980s, the Middle School became a part of Super Goober Day and events moved to the Parade Field and Upper School gyms. The Upper School began to take part in the mid 1990s. The Varsity and Chick-ﬁl-A food trucks appeared on the Parade Field and a bouncy house and games for older students were added.The dunk tank was added in the late 1970s, and for two years was inhabited by none other than Captain Brewster himself. Other faculty and administrators also did their time in the tank.Today Super Goober Day is a massive event featuring multiple inﬂatable obstacle courses, a ferris wheel, and much more. The event, held in the fall for Pre-K-6th families, is sponsored by the Woodward Academy Parent Community, who raise money for the schools and help bring all the schools and campuses together.(EST. 1973)Super Goober Day

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42WOODWARD SUMMER 2025Experience the Arts Day began in 1982, initiated by legendary former visual arts department head Chris Greenway and expanded under Andy Cunningham’s tenure starting in 1985. The event aims to educate the Woodward community about the arts and foster interdepartmental understanding. Initially centered on the visual arts, by the 1990s the event had evolved to include performing arts like jazz band, dance, and chorus.Cunningham said the event has had a signiﬁcant impact on the Woodward community, providing a holistic understanding of students’ abilities and potential. The event aims to bring the indoors out, allowing the Woodward community to see the creative process in action. Teachers get a chance to see students in a different light, which can inﬂuence their behavior and engagement in class. While initially limited to the Upper School, today Primary School students, Lower School students, parents, and alumni are all invited to attend. In the early 2000s live broadcasts by WALive.tv added another dimension to the event and broadened its reach.Cunningham said Experience the Arts Day highlights the innovative nature of the Woodward arts departments. As the event has grown, logistics and planning have become a bier challenge. Safety considerations also have come into play. At one point Cunningham said he was doing raku ﬁrings (a low-temperature, fast-ﬁring ceramic technique where pottery is taken out of the kiln while still red hot and placed in a container with combustible materials) as part of the event but had to phase them out due to the space required to keep students at a safe distance. But it is not unusual to see power tools being put to use during the event, and welding is now featured on the renovated Richardson Hall patio.“Teachers have gotten more involved, too,” said Cunningham. “They say, ‘OK, you know what? We’re not going to get much done in class today, because everyone’s looking out the window.’ You hear music playing. So I think the faculty at large, over the years, bought into the idea that this is a day that we need to let the kids come out for the arts, and we need to be out there with them.”(EST. 1982)Experience the Arts Day

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43The ﬁrst seniors Last Blast and Spring Fling were held in the spring of 1997 as a new way to celebrate Woodward Academy’s graduating class. Created by Dr. Chris Freer, the event was envisioned as a joyful send-off that would bring the senior class together one last time before they embarked on their journeys beyond high school. Dr. Freer–Coach Freer at the time–reminded seniors that this night would likely be the last time that all of them would be together as a class.“Since many of these students were Vintage Eagles, having been in school together since kindergarten or even pre-K, this was the end of their Woodward journey together,” said Freer. The Spring Fling was designed to create community through the Upper School and allow the underclassmen to celebrate with the seniors one last time in a ﬁeld day competition. While the heart of the tradition remains the same, Last Blast has grown and evolved over the years. Today, it features a wide array of activities, many of which have become beloved staples of the event: a seniors vs. faculty softball game, a cookout hosted by senior parents, rafﬂes, a DJ and karaoke, an ice cream sundae bar, carnival games and inﬂatables, open pool time, free play in the gym, and late night movies.Over the years Last Blast has delivered countless unforgettable moments. One alum shared that they still recall speciﬁc scenes from their Last Blast in 2000. “I will never forget the class of 2002, who showed up with TENTS,” said Freer. “They had a post-prom camp out at a farm, so they were prepared.” “We outlawed tents the next year,” he added.Paula Gentry is the only faculty member to not only attend but also stay up all night for every Last Blast since the event’s founding. Dr. Freer shared that record until his son Henry became a senior, forcing his father to follow his own rule that senior parents are not allowed to spend the night.Last Blast captures the spirit of Woodward Academy: community-centered, celebratory, and student-focused. It’s a perfect bookend to a senior’s journey, blending fun with sentiment in a way that truly reﬂects the values and vibrancy of the school. (EST. 1996)Last Blast and Spring Fling

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45At the conclusion of this academic year, Stuart Gulley will depart as president of Woodward Academy after 16 years in the role. Longtime Woodward stalwart Chris Freer will become Woodward’s new president. We invited both men to have a conversation about the transition and their approaches to the job.Between PresidentsGulley to Freer: How are you feeling as the transition approaches and you take over leadership?I have joked, probably too many times, that I sometimes feel like the dog that caught the car! However, I am feeling well prepared and extremely well supported throughout this transition process. It has been a tremendous gift to have had a year to work with you and the Board in advance of this change in leadership for the Academy. It is bittersweet, since I will miss having you and Kathleen involved in our daily lives. I have seen many friends and colleagues retire over the years and that natural attrition is happy and sad. Happy for my friends as they get an opportunity to embark on their next adventure, but sad in the sense that it is the end of an era. These past 16 years have been a true blessing, so I am feeling grateful.Freer to Gulley: What are you reﬂecting on as you prepare to depart Woodward?My heart is ﬁlled with enormous gratitude—gratitude that my professional journey brought me to this place to work with an accomplished senior team; that my sons had the opportunity to graduate from Woodward; that I have encountered the graciousness and goodness of hundreds of employees and thousands of alumni and parents, who believe in our mission; that I have had the opportunity to interact with thousands of brilliant and talented students who never fail to amaze me and who give me hope for the future; and that we have an outstanding Governing Board who recognize the important distinction between policy-making and day-to-day management. I am especially grateful for the three remarkable Board chairs with whom I have had the privilege of working: Ben Johnson ’61, Bobby Bowers ’74, and Xavier Duralde ’76. And, ﬁnally, I am grateful for the two gifted executive assistants who managed my schedule and me, and kept me sane: Denise Farmer and Mary Leslie Hardy, and for my dear wife, Kathleen, for her continuous patience with my schedule and support of my work and of Woodward.Gulley to Freer: Who are your personal role models in leadership?My parents were both lifelong educators, so no doubt I have channeled some of their personalities throughout my career. At Woodward, from the beginning I was surrounded by master teachers, like Bill Lineberry and Rusty Zaring in the Social Studies Department, and Hall of Fame coaches like Johnny Stallings and Bud Theodocian in football. These gentlemen are all dierent in some ways, but all of them possess a dedication to developing their craft and conveying that knowledge to students and athletes. I have found that the best coaches are teachers, and the best teachers are coaches. The same skills and mindsets are found in some of the most eective leaders.Early in my career at Woodward, I was able to watch teacher-leaders like Scott Crook, Celeta Cavendar, and Jane Graham masterfully weave the student-life experience into the culture of the school, making students feel engaged in the life of the school. I was invited to chaperone art trips that were created by Chris Greenway and Andy Cunningham to inspire students to discover and explore their passions in the visual arts. These inﬂuences and experiences helped reinforce the importance of student life at Woodward. From a leadership perspective, I was able to learn from three Woodward Presidents and three Headmasters/VPs for Academic and Student Life. All of these leaders had their own style and I have had the opportunity to watch them in action for more than half of my time at Woodward. Ron McCollum and Marcia Prewitt Spiller were similar in some ways, always putting the best interests of the students at the center of their decision-making, but they each had their own way of leading others. Hank Payne and Tom Jackson were very dierent in their approaches to leadership, but equally eective in advancing the Academy. You, in many ways, have been a combination of all of them. You were the perfect person to lead Woodward when we experienced the tragic passing of Hank, and your ministerial approach

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46WOODWARD SUMMER 2025to embracing our community allowed us to heal and continue to thrive. Those leadership qualities continued to hold us together during the dicult times and allowed us to thrive for the past 16 years. I am incredibly grateful to have had you as a mentor and role model, and I suspect in my new leadership role I will often ask, ‘What would Stuart do?’ Freer to Gulley: Same question to you!I’ve had many, but would begin with my father, now 95 years of age, who continues to inspire me with his resilience and determination in the face of the challenges of aging. I also would note, from my Emory days, formative relationships I had with Dr. James T. Laney and Dr. James L. Waits, with whom I still have close relationships. Charles Hudson, a graduate of GMA, now deceased, who recruited me to the presidency of LaGrange College, was a close conﬁdante during my time there, and Ben Johnson ’61, who recruited me to Woodward, and with whom I relish any time to beneﬁt from his wisdom. Finally, Woodward Trustee Vicki Palmer is one of my heroes. Her guidance and leadership of our Anti-Racism Task Force in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement were invaluable to me and Woodward.Gulley to Freer: You have been an active part of the Woodward community almost continuously since you began as a teacher here. How do you feel those experiences as a faculty and staff member will inﬂuence how you approach the presidency?I believe that having taught and coached provides a unique perspective and reminder of the work that is critical for the Academy to achieve its mission. The teacher-coach model is integral to the success of an independent school. My opinion is that the term teacher-coach is not just academics and athletics, but all the people who work directly with our students through the curricular and cocurricular opportunities at the Academy. These people are critical to us providing the very best student experience. In the same way that we wish for our students to be well-rounded, these adults model this balance and time management for our students. Many of our teachers end the academic day at 3:45 p.m. and change clothes to coach a team or direct a performance or sponsor a club. I hope these experiences in my past will keep me grounded in the higher purpose of our work as we make decisions. I also try to stay engaged with the life of the school where I can. I recently taught a Maymester course and coached Middle School lacrosse a few years ago. I plan to continue to announce Friday night football games and of course attend as many student events as possible. Equally important, I have been a Woodward parent. I have experienced the highs and lows that all students “Years from now, I hope looking back, as the region continues to grow and prosper, and Woodward remains an anchor for the area, that my efforts will have had some small role in Woodward’s continuing success because families and employees choose to live in this area in large numbers.”

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47experience on their Woodward journey and this added perspective is an excellent reminder of why families are willing to invest in an independent school education. When I was principal of the Upper School I would always remind parents not to rob their children of the gift of struggle. Adversity helps kids build resilience that will serve them well throughout high school, college, and life. Of course this advice is much easier to give than follow. When talking with parents who have concerns, I always try to remember that all parents just want what’s best for their children. That’s why they have chosen Woodward. Freer to Gulley: What are some unexpected aspects of serving as president of Woodward?I think a CEO is always expected to have a role in promoting their organization to the wider world, and while I knew that would be the case at Woodward, I didn’t appreciate the extent of time I would need to give, and enjoy giving, to relationships beyond Woodward, including helping in the creation of the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance and the Airport West Community Improvement District, as well as serving on the board of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Early on, it became clear to me that Woodward’s future depends on the development of the south Atlanta region, especially the area around the airport, as a vibrant live, work, play community. Years from now, I hope looking back, as the region continues to grow and prosper, and Woodward remains an anchor for the area, that my eorts will have had some small role in Woodward’s continuing success because families and employees choose to live in this area in large numbers. Gulley to Freer: What most excites you about leading Woodward?The possibilities! Woodward has enjoyed tremendous success for the past 125 years, and our graduates are evidence of that excellence. I see so much potential for us to continue that legacy and take the Academy to even greater heights. The physical plant at Woodward is impressive, but we also have needs that must be addressed in order to maintain that expectation of excellence. I am excited to help make these ideas a reality. Of course brick and mortar is important, but the human capital is mission critical. I am excited to ﬁnd ways to support the hiring and retention of the very best faculty and sta. The relationships between our teachers and coaches and the students is the real dierentiating factor for the Woodward experience.Freer to Gulley: What was the most important thing you learned during your tenure as president?I have always believed the saying that “Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals character.” And never did I appreciate the truth of that statement until the events of 2020, especially the challenges of the pandemic, the racial reckoning evoked by George Floyd’s murder, and the employee downsizing we needed to do because of an anticipated drop in enrollment. May and June of 2020 were the most intense months of my professional career, and these events revealed not only my character, but, importantly, the character of Woodward. While I never want to go through those events ever again, I am grateful for how senior administrators and the Governing Board came together to make decisions to keep us safe and operating true to our mission of practicing a deep respect for dierence. While we weren’t without our critics, the community rallied, managing through the unimaginable, in ways I never dreamed possible, and we came out of it all even stronger. The grace of our faculty navigating through our COVID protocols, teaching in person and remotely simultaneously, is something I shall never forget and something for which I will always be grateful. Gulley to Freer: A big part of your previous role has involved working closely with alumni. What do they want to see from Woodward going forward?It is interesting to hear from our very diverse alumni from GMA graduates to our recent Woodward Academy alums; there are so many common threads that exist over those decades. Of course, there may be some GMA alums who wish we were still an all boys military school, but we would not exist today if that decision had not been made. Schools have such a conﬂicted relationship with change, especially schools that are 125 years old. I believe that the vast majority of our alumni understand that Woodward needs to adapt with the times, but they also want to make sure that the core principles and our traditions are still prioritized. Our stated motto has not always been Excellence, Character, and Opportunity, but these three principles have always been central to the mission of the school. Our alumni want to see these guiding principles evidenced in our publications and in action when they are on campus. Freer to Gulley: The very sudden arrival of large language model artiﬁcial intelligence happened during your tenure and has already led to a lot of changes in the way we educate students and the way they approach schoolwork. How can we best harness AI in education?This may well be the most important question for education today, and, truthfully, I don’t think anyone, or any school, has all the answers. In my 40 years in education, there have been few, if any, game changers, but AI is deﬁnitely a game changer. Where it will take education in the next decade is anyone’s guess. I am proud to say that Woodward has been at the forefront of

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48WOODWARD SUMMER 2025embracing AI and incorporating it into our curriculum, even into some of our administrative processes. Because of the evolving nature of AI, we have to remain vigilant to where it can take us, as well as ways we may need to limit it. I predict in future years, schools will hire sta who do nothing but manage AI for their schools.Gulley to Freer: What is your favorite spot on campus and why?That is dicult, since there are so many spaces that have special meaning for me. The front of campus as you arrive down Rugby Avenue always elicits a feeling of pride and beauty. From the generational oak trees that line the entrance and the historic front gate to the monuments in Memorial Plaza and the Bullring with the backdrop of beautiful Jane Woodru Hall’s distinctive brick construction and crenellations, I am always humbled by the history of our school. I also am drawn to the places on campus that help build community; the theatre, chapel, stadium, and gyms oer reminders of when our school pride has been on full display. Whether it is a performance, a concert, a win or a defeat, I am most proud of when our students perform or compete and the school community comes together to support them. Freer to Gulley: And yours?Without question Memorial Plaza, also known as the Bullring. It represents literally and ﬁguratively the historic heart and soul of Woodward. It is simply a beautiful space adorned with monuments, banners, landscaping, brick paving, and historic buildings, including our iconic gate. The monuments include the names of 117 alumni who have given the ultimate sacriﬁce for our freedoms, and it is the setting for our annual Veterans Day celebration, where wreaths are laid at each of the monuments, the Honor Guard processes with the colors, and Taps and the National Anthem are played by a sole trumpeter. No other space speaks as well to the importance of our democracy. Then there is the Belin History Center and administrative oces in the oldest building on campus, Brewster Hall. At the end of Memorial Plaza is Jane Woodru Hall, built in 2014, debt-free, which is the equal of any academic space on a college campus anywhere in the U.S. And, ﬁnally just o Memorial Plaza is Malizia Amphitheatre, the scene of our graduations, which, for me, is the most meaningful day of the year, with Richardson Hall as the backdrop, which houses our world class performing and ﬁne arts programs. Gulley to Freer: We are in the midst of a tremendous backlash in some quarters to any policies fostering or accommodating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Yet many in our community see those initiatives as an intrinsic part of what we do at Woodward and key to upholding the school’s mission. How do you feel Woodward should approach DEIB going forward?Woodward has been diverse for a very long time and this will not change. Diversity is in our DNA. In the 1920s and 1930s the school stayed open because students from Cuba and Mexico were enrolled in GMA. In the 1960s we started what became the Transition Program to enroll a neurodiverse type of learner. In the early 1970s Woodward Academy began to integrate when other schools in Atlanta were opening to avoid diversity. People often see Woodward’s diversity as race or even religion, which it certainly is, but our diversity is far more. We enjoy a diverse type of student in the classroom as well. With four dierent academic levels, which is quite unique, students can adapt their schedule to meet their needs and anities. Woodward draws students from 23 dierent counties who arrive to campus by bus, MARTA, or car, so we have genuine geographical diversity that a traditional neighborhood school cannot replicate. Woodward also must prioritize a genuine diversity of thought where we teach students how to think, not what to think. Finally, there are so many opportunities beyond the classroom at Woodward from arts and athletics to service and leadership. These diverse opportunities really make Woodward the school for the whole family. The multifaceted diversity I’ve described and that we enjoy as an Academy requires an institutional commitment to building community or perhaps common ground. One of the aspirational goals we have is to build a new student commons where our current Upper School dining hall is today. This new space will include a new cafeteria, but it will be far more than a place to eat. I have described this Student Commons as a noun, adjective, and verb to encompass the sense of community and the action of student engagement that will occur in this space. The Student Commons will bring us together as a community and build common ground. And there also will be a coee shop, Common Grounds, so all groups, but especially parents, have a place to gather on campus. Freer to Gulley: If you could turn back the clock, is there anything you would do differently during your presidency? If so, why?I would have closed school on January 28, 2014, the day of Snowmageddon! No other schools closed either, because the predictions were for snow south of the city, but we were all wrong. What a nightmare that was, and what true heroes our bus drivers proved to be. Also, I wish I had roamed the campus more. It is very easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of leading, and I know I would have beneﬁted just from roaming the campus more to interact with students, employees, and parents, doing so without

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49any agenda, except to enjoy fellowship with others. Gulley to Freer: What should Woodward prioritize over the next 10 years?That is easy, the people and relationships. First and foremost, our students. They are the reason we are all here, and they need to be the priority. Not necessarily what they want, but what they need, and there is a signiﬁcant dierence. Phones are a perfect example. Most students would have initially resisted the new rules we have put in place this year limiting the use of phones on campus, but it was the right decision for the students’ mental health and academic development. After almost a year with these new restrictions, most students would agree it was the right decision and they welcome the opportunity to unplug. The other critical part of these relationships is the teachers and coaches. These are the people who are doing the heavy lifting with the students and developing lifelong relationships that make the Woodward experience worth the investment the parents are making. We have always beneﬁted from a long tenured faculty and every year I am awed by the number of Vintage Eagles who have been at Woodward 12 or more years. These are two measurements of the success of our school, and we need to make sure that they continue. Of course we also are at the beginning stages of developing our next strategic plan, so I am doing a lot of listening right now to inform what else needs to be a priority as we set the course for the next 125 years!Freer to Gulley: Twenty years from now, what memory do you think you are most likely to recall about your time here?Well, it’s impossible to narrow it to one memory. I am sure to recall the gift of profound relationships, which I trust will still be continuing two decades from now. I also will recall each of our graduations, especially the ones that included my sons. No other school does graduation in such a regal and meaningful manner. I will remember our quasquicentennial celebrations, marking our 125th anniversary, something no other school in Atlanta has done. I trust the celebration of this anniversary sets the stage for enormous success under your leadership, which is surely to be transformative, continuing our aspiration to be a national model in independent education. And on this last point, I will remember, with great pride, the small role I had in grooming you for this opportunity. When I arrived here, others had already recognized your maturity and promise. I am glad that I could build on what they saw in you, and the opportunities presented to you, to give you all the preparation you need to take Woodward to even greater heights. Under your leadership, there is no doubt that the future for Woodward is very bright. “Woodward has enjoyed tremendous success for the past 125 years, and our graduates are evidence of that excellence. I see so much potential for us to continue that legacy and take the Academy to even greater heights.”

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60WOODWARD SUMMER 2025Along with other boarding students, Xavier Silva ’89 arrived at his dorm at Woodward Academy to a warm welcome from dorm parents David and Beth Widener in the fall of his junior year in 1986. Four decades on, their relationship has endured.Today, Xavier serves as database administrator in Woodward’s IT Department, while David is associate athletic director, and Beth’s friendly face greets students every day at the Middle School, where she is an administrative assistant. THE EARLY DAYSWhen the three ﬁrst met, Xavier was in his second year at Woodward and had previously lived in another dorm on campus. He came to Woodward from Saudi Arabia, where the family had moved from Louisiana for his father’s work as an electrical engineer for Aramco. “I wasn’t a military brat; I was an oil brat,” he said. “Back then, they were bringing in a lot of expats from India, England, and the U.S. When I was in fourth grade, on Valentine’s Day of 1981, we moved to Saudi Arabia.”American schools on the Aramco compound went to ninth grade, so many families sent their children to boarding school in the U.S. or Europe for high school. “I’m the youngest of three, and I’m the only one who came to Woodward. My oldest brother went to Darlington School. My middle brother went to Brandon Hall. Woodward was a perfect ﬁt for me because it was close to the airport and it had a great academic program.” His parents had purchased a house locally where his grandmother lived, so Xavier boarded ﬁve days a week and spent weekends with his grandmother or friends. Twice a year, at Christmas and in the summer, he returned to live with his parents in Saudi Arabia.David Widener had arrived at Woodward in 1983, originally hired to teach English Four Decades LaterDorm Parents and Boarding Student Still ConnectedALUMNI SPOTLIGHTALUMNI NEWSand Social Studies in seventh and eighth grades. Later, David and his wife, Beth, were asked to move onto campus to serve as dorm parents. “We moved into the dorm in the late summer/early fall of 1984. We had 10th, 11th, and 12th grade boys.” David and Beth got to know Xavier when he moved into the dorm then called Woodward Hall (now newly renovated Brewster Hall, home to the President’s Oce and the Stephen A. Belin ’72 GMA/Woodward Academy History Center). “Junior year, I shared a room with another international student from Honduras, and then during our senior year we had our own rooms on the ﬁrst ﬂoor,” Xavier said. David recalls his ﬁrst memories of Xavier. “Not only were we dorm parents, but he also was in my history class. Xavier was a good student.”Xavier remembers enjoying David’s history class, and joining his Magic Club. (David continues the tradition of sponsoring a Magic Club for students to this day.) “We had a great relationship,” Xavier said.DORM LIFEBeth recalls that she and David were married about a year when the opportunity to move to Woodward’s campus beckoned. She was working for Delta Air Lines, before joining the Woodward sta in 1989. “There were three sets of dorm parents and the male, David, had the main duty. As a female, I was not in charge of the boys, although they could come to our room if they needed something,” she said. “When we were on duty we would leave our door open and, after they studied, some of the boys would come in and watch television; some would watch ’Knotts Landing’ with me. They really missed having a parent.” Xavier remembers keeping a trunk in his bedroom, ﬁlled with care packages from

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61the hall to push him in his red-and-yellow Cozy Coupe car. “It was a really good group of students who were so nice to Andrew,” David said. “They raised their collective money and gave him a pair of basketball shoes when he was born.” The couple still own the black and red Nike Air Jordans.FAST FORWARDAfter moving o campus for about a year, Beth and David were oered dorm parent positions in the Lower Dorm for seventh and eighth graders. Their second son, Nicholas, was one month old. Surrounded by other dorm parents and faculty families, there was a community vibe. “The Upper School kids would go down there for ice cream socials and throw around a Frisbee or football,” Xavier said. The Wideners lived there until the Academy made the decision to close the boarding program. Day student numbers were growing, meaning the school needed more classroom space, and boarding student numbers had declined. The Academy gave dorm parents a full year to ﬁnd housing o campus. The Wideners moved out the ﬁrst week of March 1994.That same year, Xavier returned to the Academy to join the sta after graduating from college. Initially, he worked in the Admissions Oce, leading tours, conducting interviewing and testing, and working on advertising for the school. While touring with a prospective family, he met fellow alum Julie Oliver ’86, who had returned to teach art to third through sixth graders. “We began dating in the summer of 1996 and married in the fall of 1998. She’s a Vintage Eagle and was here from ﬁrst grade through 12th grade. Her older brother and sister graduated from Woodward as well as two of her cousins.”Over the years, the Wideners and Silvas reconnected as colleagues and watched each other’s children grow up and graduate. Andrew Widener ’04 now lives in Washington, D.C., where he works as a genealogy specialist for the Daughters of the American Revolution. Nicholas Widener ’09 continues the family legacy, teaching ﬁlm studies in the Upper School and coaching cross country. His wife, Leslie, teaches in the Middle School, and they recently had their ﬁrst child, Ana Grace. Xavier and Julie’s son Alexander ’20, is working for the Centers for Disease Control, and Olivia ’18 is working as an audio engineer after earning her degree in music from University of Georgia, traveling internationally with Drive-by Truckers, MJ Lenderman, and Faye Webster.Xavier, Beth, and David look back with gratitude on the years of experiences they have shared at Woodward, as student and dorm parents, colleagues, and parents of alumni. “We watched his children grow up, and he watched ours grow up,” Beth said. his mom. “About a third of it was full of homemade goods that my mom had made—a lot of peanut butter cookies.”Dorm parents helped boarding students keep to their daily routines, starting with breakfast. “You had to wake up everybody. If you had daily duty, you’d be the sign in person at breakfast and if somebody didn’t sign in then you went and checked on them. Between 7:30 and 8 a.m., students would eat breakfast and clean their rooms, and then at 8 a.m. everybody had to leave and rooms were inspected. We would inspect the room and make sure the bed was made and clothes were o the ﬂoor.” “We always had very wonderful groups of students and an interesting mix with international students,” David said. “We had students from Germany, Spain, Taiwan, and Honduras, lots of dierent places,” he added. With no bus system in place at the time, students from around metro Atlanta would board as well. Many local students in an earlier version of today’s Transition Learning Support Program also boarded, and they beneﬁted from study halls held nightly on campus.On weekends, dorm parents would take boarding students on outings. “We made trips to the festivals, movies, and the mall. Some of the kids liked to go to a particular fancy restaurant. Most of the time it involved eating and shopping,” David said. Just as today’s students race to the Dining Hall on chicken tender days, boarding students and dorm families looked forward to meals. “We had our meals here, too, and it was really good food,” Beth said. “On Sundays we had the best lunches in the Dining Hall. Chicken and dressing, roast beef, and green beans; Sunday dinners were a highlight.” Dean Rusty Slider ’75, then leader of the boarding program, introduced special Wednesday dinners. “Dean Slider wanted the kids to have elements of home,” David said. “We would have steak, baked potatoes, and rolls. They would cook the steaks outside.”The Wideners’ eldest son, Andrew, born in 1986, was a toddler when Xavier moved in. Beth remembers students lining up in Xavier Silva ’89 (right) with his former dorm parents David and Beth Widener in front of Brewster Hall, where all three resided in the late 1980s.PAUL WARD

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62WOODWARD SUMMER 2025When James C. “Buzzy” Potts ’64 graduated from Georgia Military Academy, he never imagined he would be presenting his ﬁrst granddaughter with her Woodward diploma almost 60 years later. But when Lea Bourne ’22 graduated, Buzzy was at her side, along with her father, Tom Bourne ’94.In the intervening decades, Lea’s father became part of the Potts family with his marriage to her mother, Ann Whitten, so three generations are now part of the Woodward community. Tom and Ann Whitten are both members of the Academy sta, and Lea’s brother, Walker, will graduate with the Class of 2026. Lea’s aunts, uncles, and cousins have joined the Woodward family. Buzzy’s grandchildren Rolan Potts ’27 and Charlie Potts ’31 are current students. Daughter-in-law Morgan Potts is director of the Transition Learning Support Program, and Buzzy’s stepson, Trey Kilpatrick ’98, is an alum as well. Trey's daughter Phen will join the family at Woodward next fall in ﬁfth grade.To mark the Academy’s 125th anniversary celebration in 2024-2025, Buzzy and Lea got together on a Zoom call to talk about their memories of their shared alma mater. (Buzzy, from an oce on Main Campus in College Park, and Lea from Georgia Southern University, where she is a junior majoring in Sports Management.) Below are excerpts from their conversation:Lea: How did you feel on your ﬁrst day of school at GMA?Buzzy: That was a long time ago, but I recall I was certainly very excited. Several of my friends from elementary school were in my class. There was safety in numbers. It was a new challenge.Lea: Why did your parents send you to GMA? Buzzy: I think they fundamentally felt GMA was the best educational opportunity for me. My mother was a Real Talk with Buzzy + LeaALUMNI SPOTLIGHTGrandfather-Granddaughter Alums Reﬂect on the Academy

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63teacher, and education was very important. She thought GMA provided the best opportunity for me.Lea: What are the most important lessons you learned at GMA?Buzzy: GMA taught me a lot of lessons but a couple that come to mind: One is the ability to learn on my own, to study and acquire knowledge on my own. Personal accountability would be second, whether that’s socially or scholastically.Lea: What kind of student were you?Buzzy: I think I would call myself conscientious. Applying myself and making good grades were important to me, so I did that, and the outcome was very positive. Lea: How did you get the nickname Buzzy?Buzzy: I might just turn that around and ask you that question because you were the ﬁrst grandchild who ever called me Buzzy. The origin of that goes back to my graduation from Georgia Tech. Buzzy is a pretty easy extension of that.Lea: What did you do for a living and how did attending GMA aect your career trajectory?Buzzy: I was in the commercial real estate business for several decades. And I think I was guided by the important lessons introduced at GMA—personal accountability and always taking pride in whatever you do. Lea: Are you still friends with anyone from that time in your life?Buzzy: I will always think of many people from that time in my life as friends but most of those don’t live in Atlanta so I don’t really have any opportunity to see them with any frequency. But there will always be a place in my heart for all the great friends I made at the Academy. I had a couple of my classmates, three or four, who went on to Georgia Tech with me.Lea: How did you feel when you escorted me to receive my Woodward diploma?Buzzy: I would simply say it was one of the fondest and proudest moments that I’ll always carry with me. Lea: That is probably one of my favorite memories ever.Lea: How do you feel about having your grandkids attend Woodward?Buzzy: I feel they are fortunate to have this opportunity, and it’s certainly special that you and the rest of them are walking the same steps that I walked 60 years ago. That’s unique, and it’s something that is a nice legacy for our family to have.Lea: Are there any words of wisdom you would like to pass along to me?Buzzy: I’ll try to give you a simple message, which is not always a simple thing to do. You’ll have choices throughout life. Be thoughtful about those choices and make choices that give you personal satisfaction, and follow through to the best of your ability. Lea: What have you learned from life? The most important things?Buzzy: One is that every decision you make has consequences so be mindful of that and try to make as good a choice as you can. You’re not gonna bat 1,000, but you should always have fun and enjoy the journey.Lea: What are you proudest of in your life?Buzzy: What I feel most fortunate about and that is I have a wonderful, loving family, and I’m blessed to have that.Top: Tom Bourne, Lea's father; Lea; and Buzzy. Bottom: Lea and Buzzy at a softball game.Buzzy: What are your ﬁrst memories of me?Lea: The picture of you and me at the Georgia Aquarium is the perfect representation of my memories of you. Being your ﬁrst granddaughter, I think the time that you and I spent alone, just the two of us, going to the park, going to Georgia Tech games, to the aquarium, being present and in the moment. The memories that stick out most are when you were there.

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WOODWARD SUMMER 202564Buzzy: How did you feel on your ﬁrst day at Woodward?Lea: I remember feeling very nervous. I only knew two people at Woodward. The second that I walked in, I felt it was where I was supposed to be. It was an exciting feeling. At my previous school in our neighborhood, there weren’t many opportunities, especially with our family being so sports-oriented. At Woodward, I had every opportunity to succeed.Buzzy: Why do you think your parents chose Woodward for you and your brother?Lea: I remember being at the Wing Factory with Walker, Mom, and Dad, and we were talking about school and Dad said, “You should go to Woodward.” I think Dad had the fondest memories from his time as a Woodward student and saw every opportunity for us to succeed and knew we would thrive. Even though, when we lived in the city, it was an hour drive, they knew that it was going to be worth it. With you and Dad being alumni, everything we did felt like tradition. I hold our family traditions near and dear to my heart, and Woodward upholds its traditions as well. Buzzy: What are the most important lessons you learned at Woodward?Lea: Like you said, there is the longest list. Woodward taught me to lead by example not only with actions but also with character, and to value character and diversity. Since going to college, I can tell that my high school experience taught me to appreciate the diversity of the world we live in now. Another important lesson is to take every second to heart and don’t just let it pass by. I remember my ﬁrst day at Woodward like it was yesterday, and now I’m about to be a senior in college. Woodward did a very good job with upholding traditions and immersing the student body in the Woodward Way, and also giving us each other. It’s a huge community, and I think Woodward taught me to hold on to that community.Buzzy: How do you feel about having so many family members as part of the WA community?Lea: I think it’s a testament to how Woodward appreciates every generation. There were teachers when I was in Upper School who taught Dad or were his coach. Getting to see the memories in real life, in person, it’s something that I will forever be grateful for. The fact that I still keep in touch with my friends, coaches, and teachers daily is something that I feel like most people don’t enjoy at any point in their lives. It’s part of the fabric of our family. Woodward has been such an integral part of our lives. We’re all grateful for that.  ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORSEXECUTIVE COMMITTEEPRESIDENT Robin Beck Stokes ’06VICE PRESIDENTTodd Williamson ’01OFFICERS AT LARGELeigh Shattles Cardwell ’98Adam Carll ’08Benji Russell ’13DIRECTORSKaraz Axam ’13Lauren Crim Barclay ’08Danny Bernstein ’03Matt Brill ’91Andy Cameron ’83Barrett Cornelius ’09Liann Freeman ’98Laura Flynn Heller George ’06Torrance Mosley ’94Ryn Pollard ’05Susan Oliver Pratt ’86Rick Sinkﬁeld ’87PARENTS OF ALUMNIIf this issue of the magazine is addressed to your child who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please get in touch to update their mailing address at alumni@woodward.edu.Buzzy with grandson Walker Bourne ’26. Buzzy with grandson Rolan Potts ’27.EVENTS & GATHERINGSThe Alumni Oce hosts frequent events for Woodward alumni. For more information, go to woodward.edu/alumni/events.SAVE THE DATE Homecoming & Reunion Weekendfor 0's and 5's.October 24-25, 2025

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66WOODWARD SUMMER 20251 Rachel Webb & Anthony Webb ’99 2 Nija Meyer, Nilam Patel, Aekta Gandhi & Kristin Whigham 3 Ryan Newth, Jessica Ziegler Newth ’97, Shankar Unnikrishanan ’97, Reema Mallick 4 Incredible artwork donated to the silent auction 5 Izzy Romero ’17, Sara Elliot ’07, Justin Berger ’17 & Taylor Thompson 6 Bill Clapes bidding in the live auction 7 Kelsey Darden ’09, Jackie Mueller, Jeff Rosenthal, and Kalen Axam ’10 play Heads or Tails 8 The Big Chill committee: Kalen Axam ’10, Kelsey Darden ’09, co-chair Benji Russell ’13, co-chair Susan Oliver Pratt ’86, Julie Davis Couch ’88, Meryl M. Lacy, Liann Freeman ’98, Lauren Floyd Pilliner ’99 & Laura Flynn Heller George ’06. Not Pictured: Matt Brill ’91, Anne Barr Cruz ’97, Steven Eisenstein ’91, Sara Elliot ’07, Amina Greathouse, Torrance Mosley ’94, Ryn Pollard ’05, Izzy Romero ’17, Suzi Shefﬁeld ’91, Caroline Guest Stancil ’03 & Glenn Warren ’04.14253687Woodward Academy’s Alumni Association hosted its 15th annual Big Chill event at The Dogwood at Westside Paper. More than 400 alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends attended the event, which supports need-based student ﬁnancial aid and experiential learning. This year’s event raised more than $130,000, bringing the event’s total fundraising over the past 15 years to more than $1 million.

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68WOODWARD SUMMER 20252003National Philanthropy Day honored Sydney Horne Langdon with the Philanthropic Leader of Tomorrow award. Sydney leads corporate contributions, charitable partnerships, nonproﬁt grant-making, as well as employee engagement and volunteerism for Warner Bros. Discovery. 2007In September of 2023, Soibhan Thrasher professionally became the artist known as UVKORSE, releasing high vibration music into our world. After deep soul searching and much consideration, she realized her purpose: to spread self-love! Her music can be found on all major music platforms. Her music video, called “Third Eye,’’ is available on AppleMusic and VEVO. She is genuinely excited for the new music she is about to release, and wishes for each and every one of us to ﬁnd a deeper love within ourselves. Please feel free to listen, dance, laugh, cry, and above all, groove along to her soothing vibrations as you ﬁnd a deeper love for yourself and those around you!WEDDINGS page 70 EAGLETS page 71 PASSAGES page 72CLASS NOTES1954GMA graduate Dr. George Jones retired in May from Emory University Clinic after 62 years, the longest tenure of any Emory physician.1964Allen Oxford published the nonﬁction book Top Secret World War II: The Story Never Told, Saving England 1940, now available on Amazon.1969John Longino will teach “Persuasive Oral Communication” as a professor in the Law School at Antalya University, Antalya Türkiye for the academic year beginning September 2025.19 74Richard Wilkins became Pastor Richard Wilkins. He and his wife Tammy Lynn have a ministry called The Faith Believers, whose online audience just crossed more than 1,000 YouTube subscribers. Back in the day, Richard could be seen playing guitar on campus along with other students who also were musicians, when he wasn’t spending two hours a day after school with fellow Woodward swim team members practicing for swim meets.1985£ Kellyn McGee was recently appointed as Faculty Director of the Center for Equity and Justice at Widener University Commonwealth Law School. Kellyn has been an Associate Professor at the law school since 2023.1986Mickey Desai produces the Nonproﬁt SnapCast podcast, which was recently recognized by LinkedIn as the #1 “Must Listen” podcast for the nonproﬁt sector in the United States.1994Diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease, Vikas Chinnan serves as Advisory Council Chair for People with Parkinson’s, working alongside people with Parkinson’s and care partners in outreach and advocacy eorts.SHARE YOUR NEWSSubmit your big news at woodward connect.com or email alumni@woodward.edu.

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69First Lt. Nathaniel Stinson Jr., Attorney At Law, was appointed to the United States Army JAG Corp. Nate also is a graduate of Mercer School of Law and Lincoln Memorial University (undergraduate) and is currently a Commissioned Ocer in the United States Army JAG Corp. The Judge Advocate General Corps is the legal arm of the U.S. Military.2019 Jacob Willis recently completed his ﬁrst Ironman in Maryland, ﬁnishing 224th place overall with a time of 11:51:56. 2022Vintage Eagle Kailani Moore published her ﬁrst novel—a romance/thriller titled Capsize.2009Jennifer Leighton joined the faculty of NYU College of Dentistry in March 2023 where she teaches 3rd and 4th year dental students as a Clinical Instructor and also sees her private patients in the Faculty Practice oce. On September 24, 2024, she received the NYU Academy of Distinguished Educators Rising Faculty Award for 2024.2010After navigating a diverse career path—from Fortune 500 companies to serving as a U.S. Diplomat—and surviving a life-altering terrorist attack, La’Nita Johnson has channeled her passion for helping others by launching her business, iluminada+ consulting co., whose new website guides students and young adults through their college and career readiness journeys. iluminadaconsultingco.com.2011Mustafa Abubaker published his most recent book, The Election, as the story of Charlie Doherty, a candidate who is urged to quit the election at the request of his two Irish half-uncles. Mustafa’s other books can be purchased at romusamedia.bigcartel.com.2015Vintage Eagle Maya Mitchell is pursuing her Master of Science degree in Integrated Design, Business, and Technology at The University of Southern California, continuing her family’s Trojan legacy.Matthew Reynolds recently made shareholder/principal at Lee & Associates, Atlanta. As an industrial real estate broker, Matthew represents industrial owners and tenants throughout Atlanta and across the Southeast, specializing in warehousing, distribution, and manufacturing assignments. He lives in Brookhaven with his wife, Catie.2016Susannah Bakke graduated with honors from The George Washington University Law School in 2023. Prior to law school, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Vanderbilt University, where she graduated cum laude in 2020.Ariel Jones is a Master’s Candidate at LALIGA’s Business School in Madrid, Spain. Ariel plans to study Global Sports Marketing. Ariel is making history as the ﬁrst African American student admitted to the program and is currently the only American student in the upcoming class.

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711 Kathryn Romeyn Marks ’02, husband Keith, and big sister Indah welcomed Mira Jade Marks on January 8, 2024, in Bali, Indonesia, where they live. 2 Lauren Woodling ’05 and her husband Frank Woodling welcomed their ﬁrst son, Smith Totada, on April 20, 2023, and their second son, Thomas Walker, on June 21, 2024. NEW ADDITION? We’d love to share the great news with the Woodward community. Send us the announcement and a photo, and we’ll include it in the next edition of Woodward magazine.EAGLETS1 Hal Addison ’09 married Monica Yates of Sydney, Australia in Rome, Italy, on September 14, 2024, at Villa Aurelia. Also in attendance were Lauren Justus Gaord ’09, Austin Gainey ’09, Grant Taratoot ’09, Cullen Leonard ’09, Taylor Lewis ’09, Barrett Cornelius ’09, Austin Northerner Cornelius ’11, Courtney Addison Dodson ’12, and Shack Dodson ’12.2 Mikayla Boyd ’17 married Justin Haden on October 19, 2024, in Buckhead, Atlanta.3 Jessica Vass Brownlee ’15 married Ethan Brownlee at The Junipero Serra Museum in San Diego, California, on December 31, 2023. Jessica owns a wedding photography business in Southern California, and her husband is an EOD tech in the Navy. Those in attendance were several alumni including Trevon Broad ’92, Mahala Broad ’19, bridesmaid Ellie Broad ’23, maid of honor Soraya Kelly ’15 and Carol Mays ’96.4 Hannah Pearson ’06 married Arthur Long of Knoxville, Tennessee. In attendance were many Woodward alumni including her three sisters as bridesmaids—Hillary Pearson Carey ’04, Hattie Pearson Kenney ’09, and Hyatt Pearson ’11.5 Rachel Ta ’10 married Evan Prendergast on September 9, 2023, at Lonesome Valley in Cashiers, North Carolina. The bridal party included Elise Ta Peacock ’07 and Susan Griths ’10.512EMAILalumni@woodward.eduONLINE woodwardconnect.com

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72WOODWARD SUMMER 2025Laurence Laughlin ’42Richard Berkowitz ’50August 30, 2024United States Marine Corps Father of Daniel Berkowitz ’95 and Abby Berkowitz Nelson ’99John W. Posey ’50George Bingham ’51October 17, 2024Walter Dobbins ’51March 31, 2022Samuel Bailie ’53August 31, 2024Charlie Christian ’53February 6, 2024Guilford Smith ’53Frederick A. Olds ’54January 1, 2025United States NavyHenry H. Owens Jr. ’58Raymond Jackson ’59January 12, 2024Richard R. Wiley ’59 February 9, 2024James A. Brown ’60Joseph M. Binns ’61January 5, 2025United States Army ReservesGrandfather of Daniel Binns ’29Henry T. Blackstock ’62October 19, 2024Charles R. Edwards ’62October 7, 2021United States ArmyWarren Bond ’63June 22, 2024Father of Lindsey Bond Hannon ’06 and grandfather of Henry Hannon ’36John A. Davis ’64April 9, 2024Joe Mongold ’64July 2, 2024United States NavyBob Cummings ’65April 26, 2024United States ArmyRonald Stribling ’66United States NavyBrother of Tom Stribling ’67Raymond C. Talton ’67October 18, 2024Phillip Bowen ’69July 21, 2024Father of Alex Bowen ’03 and Katie Bowen Honeycutt ’08Charles B. Evans Jr. ’69November 6, 2024Paul Rea ’70April 13, 2024Margaret K. Skinner ’72October 15, 2024John Yauger ’73May 9, 2024Teresa Henderson ’77October 9, 2024Sister of Andrew Lewis Jr. ’74Mother of Blake Henderson ’04Lewie Dunn ’79June 29, 2024James “Bart” White III ’88June 15, 2024Father of Julia White ’21 and J. B. White IV ’27Eden Cherry Beal ’90August 4, 2024Sierra T. Lewis ’19September 10, 2024Carter Welch ’19October 6, 2024OTHER PASSAGESHoward BelcherJuly 10, 2024Retired Campus SecurityNancy BunkerOctober 29, 2023Retired Upper School FacultyMother of Wayne Bunker ’88 and Susan Bunker Cobb ’90, grandmother of Patrick Cobb ’20 and Morgan Cobb ’22Jane Rachel KingJanuary 20, 2025Retired Middle School FacultyMother of Clay King ’88Nancy MaxwellSeptember 3, 2024Retired Woodward North FacultyMother of Emily Maxwell ’04 and Claire Maxwell ’08Christine Statham PriceSeptember 28, 2024Retired Faculty/StaMother of Lin Price Carter ’74Don RichardsonRetired Faculty/StaWhile we mourn those whom we have lost, we also remember and celebrate their lives, the people they were, and the work they did to leave a better world behind them. Obituaries can be found online at woodward.edu/passages.PASSAGESRelationships within the Woodward community are noted. Please notify alumni@woodward.edu of any discrepancies.

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DOWN1. Super ________ Day launched in 19722. Robert W. _______ Marching Band3. Name of Woodward’s mascot5. 125 years in one word6. Where GMA cadets marched9. Colonel who founded Georgia Military Academy10. Number of words in Woodward’s motto11 Bird featured on school blazers13. Last name of Woodward’s president-elect15. Student news magazine19. Our advanced choral ensemble20. Current color of senior shirts25. Student-led organization that represents student body (abbr.)26. Marks the main entry to campus125TH ANNIVERSARY CROSSWORDWoodward Academy 125th1 23 45 678 9 101112 13 14 1516 1718 19 20 21222324 25 2627 28Created using the Crossword Maker on TheTeachersCorner.netACROSS1. Abbr. for the original name of Woodward Academy4. Number of Woodward campuses6. Woodward satellite school in Riverdale that opened in 1971 and closed in 20077. Woodward’s avian athletic mascot8. President who changed school from GMA to Woodward Academy12. Founder J.C. Woodward’s military rank14. School street address16. Number of buildings when Georgia Military Academy opened17. Last name of Woodward’s outgoing president18. Name of Upper School visual and performing arts building21. Primary color for Woodward22. Name of main library on campus23. Woodward's student newspaper24. Name of Woodward’s yearbook27. Location of annual 6th grade overnight ﬁeld trip28. The city Woodward Academy calls home OR‘_____ at its very best’

Summer 2025 - 125th Anniversary

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