AROUND PACE
The Schaefer Family
LIFE TRUSTEE SPOTLIGHT:
GARRY SCHAEFER “It’s not about us,” says Pace Academy
Life Trustee GARRY SCHAEFER. “The work we do as Trustees, administrators, parents and faculty is for our children. Remember— Pace wouldn’t exist without them.” Schaefer speaks from the heart. He and his wife, RUTH SCHAEFER, chose Pace for all three of their daughters: COURTNEY SCHAEFER ’07, LUCY SCHAEFER ’08 and CAROLYN SCHAEFER ’11. Early adopters of a global-education model, the family decided to spend 2001 living in Aix en Provence, France—a decision the Pace community supported.
“When we returned, we were wholeheartedly welcomed back to the Pace family,” Schaefer recalls. He believes that familial culture sets Pace apart from other Atlanta independent schools, and it’s one of the reasons they became—and remain—so involved.
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KnightTimes | Winter 2016
Schaefer served on Pace’s Board of
Trustees from 2006 until 2011, a period of tremendous growth for the school. As chair of The Pace Fund for part of that time, Schaefer raised a record $1 million with his volunteer team—a first for Pace. He credits a strong economy and a “young and energetic new Head of School” (FRED ASSAF) for the feat. “Truly, Garry’s leadership on the Board of Trustees set a new standard for fundraising [at Pace]. Often seen at his ‘OK Cafe office’ meeting with Pace benefactors, Garry helped develop new paths for
philanthropy and engagement that have been foundational in making Pace what it is today,” says Assaf. Schaefer also co-founded the girls lacrosse club team in 2003 and was integral in that sport eventually becoming a varsity
offering. Ruth consistently volunteered behind the scenes, both in the snack bar and for the Fall Fair. Despite the large-scale impact the Schaefers have made on the school, they insist that they—like any other Pace parents— were “just volunteers,” and that events like Sundae Sunday and Fried Chicken Thursdays in the Lower School stand out most amongst their Pace memories. Also chief among those are the many outstanding teachers for their children, the Schaefers say. Such sentiments inspired the Schaefers to make a decision that would ultimately change several lives. Some years ago, a close family friend was attending an area public school and failing to receive the attention and academic challenge that her aptitudes required. Recognizing the student as an ideal fit for Pace and cognizant of the opportunities a place like Pace could offer, the Schaefers connected the child’s mother with school administration and urged the family to apply. For the duration of the student’s successful Pace career, the Schaefers supported her tuition in full, under the condition that the student learn nothing of the financial assistance until her graduation. Acts like these characterize the Schaefers. “[I’m] always growing, always shifting my energies somewhere new when the last opportunity comes to a close,” he says. Still deeply engaged here as a Life Trustee since his daughters’ graduations, Schaefer has also become active on the board of trustees for New England-based Tabor Academy, where he attended preparatory school. He says he hopes to bring some of the fundraising and board leadership skills to Tabor that he has learned over the years at Pace. “I drive by the Castle several days a week heading from OK Cafe to my office,” says Schaefer, managing partner with Peachtree Investment Partners, LLC. “Every time I look at it, that image brings back a sweet nostalgia of wonderful memories—whether in a particular class, on the stage or on a field, Pace is where our children grew up.” •