The Stories by Woodberry Forest School

Dean Hearl can rock the guitar!

2026-01-22 13:53:18 UTC

Dick Glover '61

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-19 01:43:18 UTC

His influence was felt by all that were on campus with him, as he was like the rising tide that lifted all ships. I agree with Claude, he truly was “Mr. Woodberry.”

-Duke Pickett ’82

Dick Glover '61, Tom Bond, Nat Jobe, Bill Skillcorn, Bob Davies

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-19 01:45:28 UTC

When we lose one excellent coach, teacher, and mentor from Woodberry, the sorrow is keenly felt across our broad community. To lose these three so closely together is emotionally draining. I offer my deepest care and condolences to the families of these great men.

Coach Glover made me a wrestler. He, Coach Bond, and Coach Skillcorn built winning teams with winning boys. They did this by instilling the character of the humble warrior in us.

Mr. Jobe had the patience of his Biblical namesake with me. He taught us how to know and appreciate the present day impacts of historical events. One point he made in 1984 was how to distinguish between a personal philosophy of liberalism, conservatism, etc, the Political parties that attempt to own the philosophies, and systems of economy that masquerade as governmental systems. I remain thankful for those lessons over 40 years later.

Mr. Davies taught me to be patient with myself in Geometry. He offered an opportunity to achieve a greater understanding of mathematics, daily. Some days, I took advantage of it...

God bless these teachers and their families.

-Steele McGonegal ’85

Dick Glover '61

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-19 01:47:06 UTC

Coach Glover is one of my mentors and I am very thankful for him. He made me feel welcome and part of the Woodberry community as a 3rd former and I will always be grateful for his kindness and leadership. Playing Bengal football for him and with many of you was a highlight for me while at Woodberry. I miss him but will carry him with me always!

-John Stanley ’82

Dick Glover '61

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-19 14:34:02 UTC

When I lived in C'ville in the 60's, kids wrote to our men in the armed forces in Vietnam. My person was Dick Glover, and he became my 2nd grade “pen pal” when he was flying helicopters in Vietnam. We wrote back and forth many times.

Unfortunately, I didn’t save the letters, the Vietnamese currency, nor the marksmanship medals he sent me back then… of course, the greatest gift he gave me was my introduction to Woodberry. When he was the wrestling coach for Blue Ridge (before he came to WFS), he kept in touch with me and was the one who got me interested in WFS.

A jewel of a guy!

-J Moon ’76

Dick Glover '61

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-19 14:35:02 UTC

I have nothing but respect and great memories about “Dickie” Glover. He was a senior floor Monitor on B dorm in 1960-61 when Cammie Harris and I were roommates there. He must have been addicted to Pepsi Cola because he used to decorate his room with the empty glass bottles. The Fir Tree often ran out of Pepsi because of him. He was an awesome wrestler and nobody dared mess with him. He was a fair and level-headed Monitor who was never an overzealous demerit giver, despite all the challenges we gave him. Uncle Mattie was the B Dorm faculty member in charge on B Dorm and he trusted Dick Glover to keep peace and order amongst our floor dwellers. His trust was well warranted.

-Bob Feller ’62

Dick Glover '61

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-19 19:09:09 UTC

I will always treasure my glory days wrestling for Coach Glover, even though that year on varsity I kept being “thrown to the wolves” as he put it, since that weight held nothing but team captains and champions. I grew up a lot thanks to him.

-Jamie Smith ’80

Paul Huber '68

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-19 19:28:46 UTC

He took an interest in each student, no matter his GPA or demerit count. He was always present and there when you needed him. When he patrolled the halls of Turner and Taylor during study hall, he wasn’t trying to catch people on their phones or playing video games. He would just say hello, grab a seat, lean back with his arms over his head, and ask about your day, what you were working on, or the upcoming game that weekend. He didn’t have a hidden agenda or ulterior motive. He just wanted to get to know us and show us that he was there, and that he cared.

I asked some fellow alumni how they would describe Paul. A legend, a genius, a pillar of the community, and an embodiment of Woodberry’s values were just some of the terms that came up. Every single person I spoke to had a story at the tip of their tongue. We might have more stories than most in our family, as Paul was not just my advisor, but also advised my dad as well as my brother, Taylor Tucker ’19. At this point, he’s practically a member of the family. All of those titles — pillar, genius, legend — are accurate, but if I could add one more to the list, on behalf of my father, my brother, and myself, it would be friend. To borrow from the school song, “amici usque ad aras” — Paul is a friend for life.

–Will Tucker ’13

John Stillwell '45 & Bob Vasquez

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-22 14:15:29 UTC

John Stillwell made sure I did not fall behind in my 3rd-form English class. When he discovered I was behind in the class reading assignments, he made me come to the classroom in Anderson at 6:30 AM and read. When I walked over from Turner, I could see the classroom light on, and he was sitting at his desk reading. He showed me what leading by example looked like. He showed his kindness, firmness, and care for the boys through his actions. Bob Vasquez was my advisor and simply looked out for everyone, no matter if you were at the top of the class or the bottom. I have great memories of watching the Super Bowl and other big games with my fellow advisees and Mrs. Vasquez cooking for us. The food was amazing - especially the blueberry cobbler. I felt like Mr. Vasquez had my back, and he did up until he passed away.

-Dodie Chavez '85

Brendan O'Shea

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-22 14:16:51 UTC

I arrived at Woodberry drastically underprepared and struggled academically during my first year. At the beginning of my Fourth Form year, Brendan O'Shea, then Academic Dean, took me under his wing. He secured a study carrel for me in the basement of the library and met with me weekly to teach me how to study, track my progress, and take ownership of my work.

Without Brendan O'Shea, I am not sure I would have graduated. I owe him, and countless others, more than I can express. They did not simply help me survive at Woodberry. They helped me grow, find confidence, and ultimately flourish.

-Will Fletcher '06

Marshall Culp '75

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-22 14:19:51 UTC

I met Marshall when I was interviewing for my first job ever at an independent school (competitor of WFS) back in 2006. He was the alumnus their development office had selected to interview me to get some outside perspective on how I would likely perform as part of their team. He attended Woodberry and finished at that other school, as his parents had differing opinions on what he needed to prepare for college and life. He was very sad he was pulled out of Woodberry.

I didn't get the job and he was furious they didn't hire me. He immediately told me to call up Jim Holladay '72 in the Woodberry Forest alumni office and ask if they had any positions available. They luckily did and a month later I started my journey at Woodberry. Marshall was so wonderful to me and changed my life in a positive way forever. May you rest in peace Marshall. We all miss you.

-Bill Robertson

Dick Glover '61

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-23 16:19:02 UTC

Coach Glover had a good sense of humor, fairness, and dedication to hard work. Cap’n and I lived across from him on middle Turner the second half of Third Form year. He mediated disputes, kept order on in the dorm (most of the time), and stopped a group of us from mailing 300 some letters already addressed and stamped to every student at EHS before The Game which enclosed a cartoon drawn by Henry Payne ‘80 showing a Tiger destroying the Goons. Coach Glover wisely predicted that 300+ of those cartoons would be crumbled up and thrown out the window as the Goons’ bus arrived on our campus for The Game. I decided to try wrestling because of him. He had me doing chin ups and pull ups on his bar in his apartment to prepare but I remained under 95 pounds and 5 feet. I always looked up to him like probably everyone else. We are all better to have known him.

-Will Slicer '82

Dick Glover '61

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-23 18:18:08 UTC

Provided a sense of being looked after while never encroaching. What a great experience we were provided.

-Andrew Abernathy ’84

Ben Hale, Jim Holladay '72 & Kinny Roper '73

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-24 15:15:01 UTC

Ben Hale was my advisor who helped me balance the distractions and chaos that come with being a teenager while helping me navigate WFS’ curriculum to maximize my experience and helping me get into my college of choice, learn how to critical think which ultimately has led to a career at Amazon web services. Jimmy & Kinny have always been a connection between my family, personal life and Woodberry. A constant reminder of the “WHY” behind Woodberry.

–Thomas Taylor '14

John Reimers & Fred Jordan

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-24 15:25:05 UTC

Reimers taught me how to think. Attending his class could resemble brain rearrangement surgery from the patient's perspective. Law school would be the next time I experienced a similar sensation, although it was easier to process because Reimers conditioned his students to be comfortable and even confident with the unfamiliar. I remain grateful for the rigor of his class.

Mr. Jordan planted an interest in American history that I still foster 25 years later. His class laid out the playing field nationally and internationally. Developing a contextual grasp in high school allowed me to excel in later studies, but more importantly it provided me with perspective that remains important today as we struggle to understand the story unfurling in real time.

-Rand Robins '01

Ansel Sanders '00

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-24 15:46:09 UTC

Dr. Sanders and his family were the most caring people at Woodberry. Always had a smile on his face and his energy was so contagious.

-Jack Wilson '24

Josh Trudgeon '11, Stuart Huston '11 & Chandara Un '11

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-24 15:47:45 UTC

These were my three best friends and without them my memories of Woodberry would not have been the same. Together us four have remained friends now into our mid-30s and I lean on them tremendously in times of grief, happiness, or even boredom. I don't go a week without speaking with them, and I honestly don't know where I would be without them. Beyond my wife and my brothers, they are my support system and the first ones I think about when I think about my high school career.

-Will Shelly '11

Red & Kathy Caughron

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-24 15:52:41 UTC

The Caughrons: I list both of them because they were a true team; I was a sports camper so they were my first advocates at WFS and like parents away from home. Bob was my advisor, so a natural mentor for me and was definitely a father figure for me, and our relationship continued as such through my time working in Development in the 90's, and through to 2025. Rick was probably the most impactful in the end because I felt not only was he a mentor and adviser (at school and summer school '82) but also a friend, and we played music in GHO together (with Lawrence Gray '82, Steve Newstedt '83 and Doc Smith)! He remains a trusted mentor and friend today.

-Bobby Houck '83

Mike Mitchell

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-24 15:59:59 UTC

Mike Mitchell told me I could get into Harvard. I very nearly proved him wrong. I was on the wait list until July! He was a good teacher and friend.

-Joel Johnson '72

Ben Hale

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-24 16:00:53 UTC

Mr. Hale pushed me to my limits like no other person has ever done. Not only academically but also mentally and personally. While always intimidating, I saw him as someone who really cared about me and other students.

-Pedro Liron de Robles ‘24

Ted Blain, Dick Glover '61, Donald Brewster

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-24 16:15:32 UTC

Ted sparked an enduring passion for reading and writing; Coach Glover taught me to meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same; Donald was there for me when the weight of my Woodberry world seemed too great to bear, and he helped me bear it.

-Trevor Thornton '04

Brent Cirves

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-24 16:57:53 UTC

Brent Cirves was (and still is) a great mentor to me. He not only taught me how to approach a character but also to think of the world in a critical way and to realize the power that the arts have in shaping our collective narrative. Often, it is the artists who speak truth to power, sometimes at their peril, but great art stands the test of time more than a singular ideology.

While the majority of Woodberry's arts students might not make much of an impact on the endowment, it speaks volumes that Woodberry allows politically provocative work to be performed on its stages. For me, Brent's lasting impact is not necessarily to 'judge' the characters I play, but to understand the 'why' behind their behavior. After all, even some villains can be appealing...or sympathetic. It's boring to simply portray people as 'good' or 'bad' because even the good guys have character flaws, if we're being honest with ourselves.

This is true with everyone. We're all good, bad, rich, poor, old, young... it just depends on the perspective lens. To understand a literary character is to understand ourselves. I think of playing Richard III in my senior year. He was a 'bad' guy, right? Yet he is a brilliant, witty underdog who, despite being a quite capable ruler, was fueled by ambition and succumbed to the trappings of power for power's sake. And yet he fought to the bitter end, never giving up. Sound familiar? History repeats itself. The arts help us accept this adage as truth.

-Christopher Clawson '02

Paul Erb

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-24 22:16:25 UTC

Dr. Erb and I came into Woodberry as new boys together. In my first class, on my first day of school, I knew I was in trouble when he started using Algebra to teach our Intro to English class...

Dr. Erb has the unique ability to always dig deeper: "Think bigger", "Think different", "Expand on that", "Define that". And for being the most well-read individual I've ever met, he doesn't make you feel dumb for trying to keep up. On the contrary, he validates your thinking by saying, "I can see why you might say that", before revealing a wealth of knowledge that shifts perspective into a world of alternatives. "Keep digging."

Beyond his knowledge, it's his attitude that inspires me. Plenty of people self-describe as 'curious'. I would describe Dr. Erb as ferociously curious. He's dying to learn more. When I asked him to start a Philosophy curriculum to "go deeper", he created a full syllabus ready to pitch to the faculty no more than a month later. One year later, I was sitting in his philosophy class, wrestling with existentialism, ethics, and moral principles as a 16-year-old kid. How lucky was I to have a man like Dr. Erb in my life during my most malleable years?

I'm grateful for my continued friendship with Dr. Erb. His constant drive to push the bounds of what education and manhood should look like will always be a part of my inner voice. In other words, his lessons were gifts, and those gifts will keep on giving. And to me, that's the sign of a great teacher, mentor, and friend.

-Rob Neill '18

Brian Burchette ’99, Andrew Abbott & Bill Davis

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-25 13:31:59 UTC

These individuals embodied WFS in different and complementary ways, and while there are easily 10 other leaders and mentors, these individuals were the closest to using their character and traits to shape my future.

-Romulo Braga '99

Ben Hale & Wes Graham '00

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-26 00:38:04 UTC

My memories of running with the team at WFS will forever remain. The formed resilience to be able; and to perform at a high level was made real by these brothers working together. Wes was a strong leader and encouraged me to run as a third former. I am very thankful for him and the lessons we learned at school.

-Adam Hill '00

Cronin Warmack '89

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-26 01:19:20 UTC

Mr. Warmack is an incredible advisor to me. He has always been there for me, when I was lowest and my highs, he never once gave up on me. He would always check in with me, making sure I am okay. He is always nice and calm, and he always has a smile on his face. Mr. Warmack listens to what I have to say and understands me. He knows when I need someone to talk to. His support is amazing! He checks in to see how I am doing, offers advice when I need it, etc. Mr. Warmack made me not just made me better in school wise but overall as a person! I am so grateful for everything he does! Thank you.

-Roland LeLiever '29

Richard Barnhardt '66

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-26 13:50:40 UTC

Mr. Barnhardt was the first teacher I ever had at Woodberry (English 400W). When he assigned our first essay, I took a slightly more creative approach than he might have anticipated, and when I realized the rest of the class had taken a much more formal, academic approach, my heart sunk because I knew I was going to get a terrible grade on it. But in true Mr. Barnhardt fashion, he appreciated the fact that I'd taken a chance and done it my way, and he gave me an A on it. That was the moment I knew I was in the right place. Fast-forward a few years, and today I make my living as a writer and editor after earning a master's and a Ph.D., and I owe that initial spark of inspiration to his guidance.

-Andrew Spencer '91

Brian Burchette ’99

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-26 13:51:19 UTC

QB1, Wrestler, amazing friend. The loss of Brian has been tragic, but through it all I am reminded of his athleticism, friendship, and love of Woodberry. He will be missed and friendships made at Woodberry are forever.

-Hynson Marvel '99

Linda Lunsford

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-26 13:51:43 UTC

Linda Lunsford was on the housekeeping staff during my time at Woodberry. She cleaned the library. I remember she clipped a few branches off of one of the azalea bushes, placed them in a vase, and left them in my library carrel because she knew that I was having a tough week. She always greeted me with a smile and took so much pride in keeping the library space in good condition.

-Anonymous

John Reimers

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-26 15:01:39 UTC

John Reimers helped me appreciating reading, which I couldn't stand doing before I was inspired by him.

-Wil Brawley '92

Dennis Campbell

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-26 16:06:35 UTC

Dr. Campbell was my advisor, and his first year was my 3rd-form year. The advice and counsel that he gave me as I navigated my 4 years at Woodberry is something I still carry with me today, and something that I'm incredibly grateful for.

–Frank Nelms ’01

Ted Blain

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-26 17:38:21 UTC

Ted took a big risk in hiring me, and for a decade, he was my shepherd. Not only did he teach me how to teach, he also taught me how to live more honorably. With the exception of my parents, there is no one to whom I'm more grateful. He changed the course of my life for the better.

–Jennifer Hubbard, former faculty member

Brian Burchette ’99

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-26 17:39:56 UTC

From Woodberry to SMU, Flip was one of a kind. Speaking of the Shoulders We Stand On, please give those important in your life a signature Burchette shoulder squeeze today, and keep our fellow Tiger and his family in your heart and mind.

–Martin Stephenson ’99

Tyson Janney ’49, Tyson Janney ’82, Denis Houyoux ’94, Mrs. Rob, Mr. Hornady, Dr. and Mrs. Jordan

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-26 17:43:48 UTC

My grandfather Tyson L. Janney ’49 would have described himself as "truly blessed by the sacrifice of my parents" to attend Woodberry Forest School. His love of his time at Woodberry never dwindled in any way that I was ever aware of. He held firmly to the belief that Woodberry took boys and helped them grow into wise, intelligent, young men of integrity. My grandfather and grandmother Sally Janney, made similar sacrifices to ensure that my father, Tyson D. "Ty" Janney ’82 had the chance to attend Woodberry. My grandfather stayed in touch with many of his friends from Woodberry and doubtless could not have been more proud of his son and grandsons for being accepted to and attending Woodberry.

My parents and grandparents made a great many sacrifices to provide me the opportunity to study at Woodberry. To say that I am grateful for the time I had at Woodberry would be an understatement. The education I received there has continued to impact my life.

To this day I still use some of the skills I learned working with Denis Houyoux in his carpentry class and building sets for spring musicals. It is always a joy to see how people react to hearing that I raced mountain biking and competed in rock climbing with my high-school teams. Woodberry wasn't always the easiest for me, classes were hard and relationships could be tough, but unlike most, if not all, other high-school experiences I've heard described, at Woodberry, I was supported. I was supported by my teachers, my coaches, by Mrs. Rob at the switchboard, by Mr. Hornady in choir and in the Dozen, by Dr. and Mrs. Jordan who hosted Woodberry Christian Fellowship and by the friends I made through the years there. I don't know how to say thank you enough to my father and grandfather for the challenge and encouragement they gave me to attend Woodberry and for the sacrifices they made to that help me on my way.

–Nathan Janney ’17

Kif Hancock ’96

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-26 17:46:58 UTC

Showing up to Woodberry on move-in day as an awkward, rather rotund, and shy new boy was one of the most intimidating moments of my life (apart from the first pep rally).

After moving into the dorm, it was time to meet my advisor. I was envisioning a professorial figure, with impressive degrees adorning the walls and shelves of leatherbound books to round out the intimidation factor.

Instead, I was greeted by a young, fresh-faced and unassuming Kif Hancock. Kif had just graduated from UVA the spring prior and had returned to Woodberry with his classmate Richard Wright ’96. I think Kif had recognized the fear that I felt at that moment and made it his mission to have me not only survive at Woodberry but to thrive. Through motivational talks, a dose of tough love now and then, and a sincere desire to see me succeed, Kif played a critical role in my development as a student and a person of character.

Kif and I remain close to this day and I’m the proud Godfather of his second child and he’s the Godfather of my eldest. The Woodberry network is strong and is one of many distinguishing characteristics of this storied institution.

–D. French Slaughter ’04

Kirk Pumphrey ‘88, Ben Fox ‘92, Matt Fox ‘92

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-26 17:49:05 UTC

Kirk was five years ahead of me, but him going to WFS opened up the option for me as a local Madison County kid. Ben & Matt Fox were a year ahead of me and shaped my WFS experience and college path.

–Matt Hawkins ’93

James Minor

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-26 18:11:37 UTC

James Minor was a figure who always kept an eye out for me during my time as a student and faculty member at WFS. He means a lot to my whole family and loved giving my father Robert ’84 updates on me when he would visit campus. Thank you James for your devotion to Woodberry!

–Mack McMillan ’16

Mandy Alexander

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-26 19:48:36 UTC

Mrs. Alexander makes Woodberry a home away from home for all international students. During Covid when every domestic student was back home, she helped us moving into the infirmary and organizing fun activities like field trips and movies everyday.

–Daniel Dai ’22

Brian Burchette ’99

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-26 19:50:17 UTC

Brian had a heart of gold, and I will miss him!

–Paul Dent ’99

Catherine Wharton

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-26 19:54:59 UTC

She is a mentor who guided with intention, a trailblazer and a boss who led with strength, clarity, and conviction. She didn’t just talk about her values; she lived them every day, modeling integrity, courage, and accountability in every decision she made. She took me under her wing, investing her time and wisdom so I could grow. She is proof that you could be ambitious and principled, confident and generous, powerful and grounded all at once—someone to look up to simply by watching how she carried herself. No matter the challenge or the hour, she showed up, steady and dependable, offering guidance and unwavering support.

-Kristina Jones

Mrs. Rob, Mr. Collins, Mr. Reimers

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-26 20:50:08 UTC

As with many of us who had the privilege of attending and graduating from the Forest, my parents made many sacrifices to get my brother, Djuan, and I there. Both Mrs. Rob and Mr. Collins were my parents while there. They provided an ear when needed, beyond tough love when needed, and even conspired to teach real life lessons.

Mr. Reimers was stern, but quick to give a sly smile when he knew you needed it. He pushed us to the limits of our ability to use logic to form arguments and support our positions. A great deal of what I learned in his 5th Form English class I use on a daily basis at work.

–Roe Simmons ’95

Mrs. Rob, Jim Reid & Chuck McArver

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-26 22:21:09 UTC

Mrs. Rob was my and every other boy’s mom away from home. She arranged for birthday surprises for me and gave me the home away from home feeling that makes Woodberry special and unforgettable.

Mr. Reid recognized quickly upon my arrival in 4th-form year that I should move to AP Biology from regular biology. Made a 5 which helped spark my academic tenure, especially in the sciences and math! I credit him with my continued passion in the biological sciences and my current medical career!!

Dr. Mac-they’ll cutcha is all I need to say! Loved having him for US History and advising later…great teacher, great laughs, and enjoyment of being part of the Woodberry community!!!

–Brian Morris ’91

Guy Wall ’18

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-26 22:24:08 UTC

Shout out to Guy Wall ‘18 for putting up with me senior year as a roommate, and he’s been a great friend staying in touch over these last years.

–Braxton Clark ’18

John Reimers, John Amos & Marc Hogan

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-26 23:21:52 UTC

I wanted to share about these three amazing English teachers. I was really nervous around Mr. Reimers at first, but I grew to look forward to his class and being around him. Mr. Amos' class felt like tomato soup and a grilled cheese on a cold day-warmth during the grind times. Mr. Hogan was a bedrock of support and guidance. He always had my back, and I will forever be loyal to that man for that. Thank you sirs-your impact is immeasurable.

-Will Nicklas '14

Randy Hudgins '71

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-27 00:33:37 UTC

Hudge and the Woodberry Tennis team made some of the most profound impact during my time at Woodberry and present day. He always pushed me to be a better student, athlete, and most importantly a better person. As a freshman, I had the chance to play against WFS on Invite Back Weekend and played like a typical hot head freshman. While I played well, Hudge made it known that I clearly had a long way to go to live up to the Woodberry standard. As a member of the team, I had the chance to look up to Sam Funkhouser (senior prefect ’09)/HK Hallett ’09/Tim Perry ’09/Peter Wilson ’09/Rob Fauntleroy ’10/Wilson Hallett ’10/Alex Hagood ’10. All of them taught me what it means to represent Woodberry and personify Woodberry's mission and values.

Hudge always made the team feel like family, and I have countless memories of the bus rides, Riverside Grill trips, and spring break trips down to Pawleys with my classmates Rags Coxe '11, James Kyger '11, Lat Peak '11, Kelvin Whitcher '11, Billy Hereford '11, Rob Galloway '11, and Gray Ellington '11.

Thank you to Hudge for teaching me the hard right, over the easy wrong and for letting me be a part of Woodberry's most successful team and people. I know you are watching over Woodberry upstairs with a victory stogie and Riverside Cheeseburger.

-Lem Doss '11

David Cashwell, Tim Stakem & Brent Cirves

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-27 01:31:28 UTC

All three of these mentors provided me a safe environment to try activities outside of my comfort zone, which undoubtedly helped shape me in ways I'm still realizing to this day. David Cashwell and I were "new boys" in the Fall of 1992. Cashwell sensei was the new Japanese teacher and I was a 3rd former starting high school knowing no one at my new school. Spending time with him during advisee/advisor sessions and in the classroom helped me acclimate quickly knowing I had someone in my corner with similar apprehensions about a new environment. I had always been musically gifted prior to attending Woodberry, but Tim Stakem encouraged me to try new instruments and new classes. With him, I learned to play the bass clarinet and took AP Music Theory. Brent Cirves was my 6th form English teacher. He encouraged me to try acting in the play and really pushed me to transform into the characters I played. I'm thankful to all of the mentors I had at Woodberry, but especially these three.

-Doug Winslow '96

John Gillespie '85, Leesa and Dennis Campbell, Ben Hale

kristina_jones2 — 2026-02-27 01:32:14 UTC

All these individuals loved and cared for me when I wasn't willing to love and care for myself. They didn't give up. Therefore, they helped me get through one of the hardest times of my life and helped me end up where I am today. So thank you.

-Mac Steele '00

Mr. Hale

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-27 02:48:29 UTC

Mr. Hale supported me from my first day on campus to my last. As a coach, he took a rag-tag bunch of boys and made them state champions in hardly three months' time. More than that, he believed in his team, in his runners. As a teacher, he pushed us to dig, really dig into the argument of a text, not because the text itself was critical; instead, it was the logical deduction, the crafting of an argument, that changed the way we think — not as students, but as people. He taught me that an important way to respect someone is by spending the time to make that person better, to invest in them for their own benefit.

–Anonymous

Coach Dawson

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-27 03:06:16 UTC

Coach Dawson has been a role model for me since I started playing basketball for him. The way he conducts himself and cares for others has been an inspiration for me, and everyday I aspire to be more like him.

-Charlie Whaley ’26

Nat Jobe, John Reimers & Richard O'Hara

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-27 03:49:30 UTC

It's hard to single out individuals for making the Woodberry experience but the form asks for 3. 1) Nat Jobe helped create my love for history and reading and then reading history (plus a little baseball); 2) John Reimers ended my soccer career and helped me become an individual who was willing to question norms; 3) Richard 'Chico' O'Hara was an inspiration for a fun version of learning, about academics and yourself. Add 50+ more titans and you get Woodberry!

–Stewart Verdery ’85

Nat Jobe, Bob Hershey & Emmett Wright

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-27 03:56:38 UTC

Leadership, great authority figures (three of many). History teacher Nat Jobe opened my eyes to the world of topical cartoons which became my profession.

–Henry Payne ’80

Paul Erb

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-27 04:52:19 UTC

I have no adequate words to describe the magnitude of impact Dr. Erb made on my life’s trajectory. He taught me to find appreciation in everything around me amidst some of my hardest times. He directly showed me how to change the way I see the world. I could not have made it to where I am now without that skill. Thank you, Dr. Erb. I strive to be more like you.

–Anonymous

James Erickson

rachel_strahan — 2026-02-27 05:01:42 UTC

In the four years he has coached me, Mr. Erickson has built my confidence on and off the track. When I was the only freshman on a team of older runners, Mr. Erickson spent the first practice running alongside me, encouraging me to stick with the sport. I am very glad I did because Mr. Erickson taught me how to push myself. After rough races and hard workouts, I can say I am a lot stronger now than I was four years ago. During our post-practice recovery sessions, Mr. Erickson never fails to drop some wisdom on the team, leaving us with new goals outside of running. He has been invested in my success since day one, and I’m forever grateful. Thanks to Mr. Erickson, I’ll never stop striving to be better than I was yesterday.

–Dominick Wijaya Munoz ’26