BUCK WOODRUFF BIDS

Tutt recalls fond memories of her tenure as a coach, including the relationships she built and opportunities she had to “branch out and try new things.” She earned state recognition for her coaching accomplishments and prowess, led numerous title-winning teams, including five state champions, and coached many notable players who went on to compete at collegiate and professional levels after Pace. She is heading into much-deserved retirement as the longest-tenured female coach in

Pace history.

“[Coaching] takes a lot of energy, effort and time, and gives rewards back,” Tutt says. “You have your ups and downs and triumphs with your kids. That was a very rewarding part of my career. It’s always the people. You’re always working with kids.”

While Tutt formed countless meaningful relationships throughout the years, one stands out in particular: she happened to meet her husband, GRAHAM TUTT, through coaching Pace soccer. The pair plans to travel frequently this year and visit family all over the country. l

have learned so much from them,” she says. “I will miss seeing my colleagues on a daily basis, but I will miss the students just as much. I loved being in an academic environment where I was constantly learning and growing.”

In retirement, Wilson has no plans of becoming bored. She looks forward to spending more time with her daughters, reading, hiking and volunteering with Atlanta’s refugee community. She hopes to continue cheering on Pace students, so keep an eye out for her at upcoming theatre productions and sporting events. l

Woodruff Bids Farewell to the Board

Following a second three-year term as a member of Pace Academy’s Board of Trustees, RICHARD “BUCK” WOODRUFF stepped down this past May. During his tenure, Woodruff served on the Board’s Advancement Committee as well as the enrollment/admissions and global citizenship subcommittees of the Strategic Planning Committee that created the plan that spanned 2016–2021.

In addition to his Board contributions, Woodruff’s commitment to the school will be remembered through his family’s namesake, the Woodruff Library, a focal point of the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School. The library, which opened along with the Upper School in 2015, was made possible by a gift from Woodruff and his wife, ANN WOODRUFF, as well as his late mother, JANE WOODRUFF, who passed away in August at age 95.

Beyond his volunteer service to Pace and other organizations, Woodruff, a University of Georgia Bulldog and graduate of the Harvard Business School Owner/President Management Program, has keen passions—for business as well as all things automotive. The owner of multiple Honda dealerships in his career, including Acura/Honda Carland, Woodruff has for decades been buying Army Surplus Jeeps and fixing them up. Son HARRISON WOODRUFF ’18 shares this passion “for mechanical things”—in fact, the pair was featured in an article about their Jeep hobby in The Wall Street Journal in June.

Two of the couple’s three children attended Pace: Harrison, who enrolled at Texas Christian University after graduation, and LILLI WOODRUFF, who attended Pace from first through 10th grades, changing school settings as a junior to pursue a passion for horseback riding and showing. Soon to begin her sophomore year at the University of Alabama, she is now busy with college and has passed the riding reins to her mother, who is renewing her own childhood passion for showing horses.

As far as next steps, Woodruff will continue pursuing his passions. “I plan to remain focused on the business, but hope to find more opportunities to be at our horse ranch, Round Meadow Ranch, in Montana,” he says. “I’m also excited to support Ann as she continues in the show ring, and to have time with Harrison, Lilli and our oldest, Carolina, and her son—our first grandson—Tripp.” l