Woodberry Forest School

campaign updatecampaign perspectivesOwen Thomas Gives BackEach of the speakers at November’s campaignkickoff had something special to sayabout their Woodberry experience.Through out the campaign,we will be sharing their commentsfrom the evening, beginning withOwen Thomas ’79, who traveledfrom Hong Kong for the event.It’s simply great to be back atWoodberry — especially onwhat I remember as one of the most excitingweekends of the year. Before I tell you mystory, I have a message for Mr. Shackelford.He may not remember this, but I am one of thestudents who received financial aid while heStudents at Woodberry Forest have beenforging strong ties with one anothersince 1889, when Captain Robert StringfellowWalker opened the school to educatehis six sons. By adhering to its founding valuesof intellectual thoroughness, honor andmoral integrity, reverence for things sacred,and good sportsmanship, Woodberry haslong been one of the nation’s leading boardingschools. We remain uniquely equipped tograduate young men of outstanding characterwho go on to assume leadership positions in awide variety of endeavors.Today Woodberry faces urgent challenges.First, increased competition frompeer boarding and day schools makes it allthe more important to recruit top studentsand to attract and retain talented facultymembers. Meanwhile, the economic downturnis driving up the cost of operating theschool, shrinking the amount of endowmentfunding available to meet its needs,and challenging the ability of many familiesto afford a Woodberry education for theirsons. Finally, some of the school’s olderfacilities need to be significantly upgradedor replaced so they can continue to provide38 woodberry forest magazine and journalOwen Thomas ’79.was the director of Woodberry’s financial aidprogram. I want him to know that it is a realpleasure to see him again and toshare the stage with him tonight.It is also a pleasure to sharea very brief version of my ownWoodberry story. I came herefrom a farm in the ShenandoahValley of Virginia. This schooldid a lot for me: it built in me selfconfidence,exposed me to newopportunities, and introduced meto lifelong friends.Over the years, I have had the opportunityto experience many different sides of Woodberry.I worked as a teaching assistant in thesummer school. I just completed a term on thePriorities forOur Strong BandThe Campaign for Woodberry Forest Schoolthe best possible environment for teachingand learning.We must not allow today’s challenges tocompromise Woodberry’s bright future. Followinga careful planning process, we havelaunched a major comprehensive campaignthrough which we will raise the funds necessaryto sustain the school in five vital areas:» The Amici Fund, to provide annual supportfor Woodberry’s operating budget.» Financial Aid, endowment funds to keepWoodberry affordable for the families ofhighly qualified students.» Faculty Support, endowment funding toattract, retain, and support outstandingteachers and coaches.» Residential Life funding, to ensure thatWoodberry’s dormitories, faculty housing,and student life programs are among the finestfound at any American boarding school.» Facilities funding, to enhance Woodberry’sacademic and athletic facilities sothey can support the school’s needs foryears to come.This campaign, with a goal of $100 million,is the largest in school history. Its theme, Ourboard of trustees. And I’ve employed manyWoodberry graduates at Morgan Stanley.I’ve always been highly impressed withhow conscientious and well-rounded theschool’s graduates are. I have nothing butgood things to say about the commitment ofits faculty, administration, and trustees.But I’ve decided that merely acknowledgingthe impact that Woodberry has had on generationsof young men is not enough. That’s whymy wife, Jennifer, and I have endowed a scholarshipto benefit future generations of Woodberrystudents. This school has made a big differencein my life. My wife, Jennifer, and therest of my family and I hope and believe thatour scholarship will have a positive impact onmany Woodberry boys in the years ahead.Strong Band, is borrowed from the lyrics ofAmici. These three simple words describenot only the ties our students forge with eachother, but also the school’s deep-rooted traditionof philanthropy, which has always inspiredthose who love Woodberry to supportit generously, in good times and bad.Woodberry’s needs have never been greater— nor has there ever been a more importanttime for every graduate, parent, and friend todo their part. With generous support from allwho keep Woodberry in their heart, we will beable to preserve this extraordinary communityso that future generations will be able to enjoythe same exceptional educational opportunitythat has been drawing boys to centralVirginia for more thana century.dedicationsCampaign Gifts at WorkIke Grainger ’37 surrounded by friendsand family at the Gatehouse dedication.On October 4th, the Grainger Familyof Charlotte, North Carolina,gathered on campus to dedicateGrainger Gatehouse in honor of Isaac B.Grainger, Jr. ’37. Designed with Jeffersonianarchitecture in mind, the stunningnew welcome center combines beauty andfunctionality in a space three times the sizeof the original guard house. In addition toproviding the security staff with Internetaccess, the new gatehouse is the secondarylocation for all fire alarms, and an emergencyhub for 911 system calls. Creaturecomforts include a refrigerator, microwaveoven, flat-screen TV, central heat and air,and a bathroom.The gatehouse was made possiblethrough a gift of the Roy R. Charles CharitableTrust, whose president is Thomas N. P.“Tommy” Johnson III ’64. Tommy’s father,for whom Johnson Stadium is named, wasa friend and classmate of Ike Grainger, Jr.In his remarks on dedication day, Tommyreferred to Ike as someone who representsthe best of Woodberry Forest School — gracious,welcoming, and worthy of emulation.“A better name to put on the building thatwelcomes everyone to Woodberry ForestSchool, I cannot imagine,” he said.The Grainger Gatehouse.Art and athletics converged astwo of Woodberry’s coachinglegends were honoredin a special dedication ceremony onOctober 4th. Tommy Johnson III’64 commissioned sculptor RobertBricker ’75 to create bronze portraitsof Red Caughron and BobGillespie. Both men served theschool for thirty years as footballand lacrosse coaches, respectively.The two not only built winningprograms, but also garnered therespect of all who knew them,both on and off the playing field.Because of their exceptional serviceto Woodberry, Tommy Johnsonalso named the football andlacrosse history and awards roomafter the two legends.When Anne Buxton learned of theschool’s decision to renovate theseventy-year-old field house atHanes Field, she generously offered to supportthe project in memory of her husband,Julian T. Buxton, Jr. ’46, who passed awayin 2003. Known for his exceptional characterand leadership while at Woodberry,Julian was prefect and captain of the 1945championship football squad. The teamroom that now bears his name serves as thepre-game and half-time gathering spot forfootball and lacrosse teams. The buildingalso includes a break room for referees, anexam room, and lavatories. In addition to ascholarship fund at Woodberry named inhis honor, the Julian T. Buxton, Jr. SurgicalPavilion at Roper Hospital in Charleston,South Carolina, honors Julian’s exceptionalcareer as a vascular surgeon in that city.Anne Buxton and family outside the teamroom named in her husband’s honor.Red Caughron and Tommy Johnson ’64.Bob Gillespie and family.campaign updateDrew ’08, Steve ’74, Tanita, and Ella Stancillwith Steve’s mother, Phyllis Pruden (center), atthe entrance to Anderson 357.The dedication of Anderson 357 onJuly 17, 2008, was truly a family affair.The classroom, honoring historymaster Steve Stancill ’74 and his son Drew’08, was given by Steve’s mother, PhyllisStancill Pruden. “In his commencementremarks each year,” said Steve, “Dr. Campbellacknowledges the loyalty and sacrificeof our graduates’ mothers. My mom has exhibitedthese attributes for more than threedecades. Along with her late husbands,Godfrey Wells Stancill and Peter DeWittPruden, Jr., she has made numerous giftsto Woodberry, including the handsomestained glass window of Scotland’s SaintColumba in Saint Andrew’s Chapel. Thisclassroom reflects once again her abidinglove for and commitment to WoodberryForest School and her family. Her grandson,Drew, and I are ever grateful for herlove and support throughout our lives, andI’m very proud to be her son.”fall 2008 / winter 2009 39