Athens Academy alumni parent and former board chairman Gene Howard received the J. Robert Chambers, Jr. Award on Monday, August 7, 2023, during a back-to-school reception for faculty and staff. The award, named in honor of longtime Athens Academy headmaster Bob Chambers, honors “extraordinary individuals whose actions reflect unwavering support and selfless devotion to the ideals and philosophy of Athens Academy.”

Howard served as the chairman of the Athens Academy Board of Trustees from 2008 until 2015. In addition to his seven years as chairman, he was a trustee from 1987-2021. During his 34 years of service and leadership, Howard chaired the Buildings and Grounds Committee for many years, in addition to also serving as vice chairman under founding board chairman John J. Wilkins III. Howard and wife Margaret, herself a former Athens Academy faculty member, are the parents of three Athens Academy alumni: Cate Howard Davis (Class of 1994), Anne Howard Thompson (Class of 1997), and Elizabeth Howard (Class of 2002).

The Howard family was on hand for the August 7 event, hosted by the Athens Academy Board of Trustees at the State Botanical Garden. Head of School John Thorsen welcomed guests and gave remarks before newly-elected Board Chairman Frank Sinkwich introduced and presented the Chambers Award. Former Board chairs Beth Sanders and Carl Nichols were there to congratulate Howard, alongside former headmaster and award namesake Bob Chambers.

Board Chairman Frank Sinkwich remarked, “Gene knows our campus like nobody else, and more importantly, he loves Athens Academy and has been an integral part of our growth over the decades. He was personally involved in the construction or renovation of virtually every building on our campus. Gene’s calm demeanor, deliberate actions and persistence has helped to create one of the most beautiful and functional campuses in the country.”

The Chambers Award was created by the Board of Trustees to honor Bob Chambers, who served as headmaster of the school for 30 years, from 1983 until his retirement in 2013. Mr. Chambers’ leadership was critical in shaping Athens Academy into the school it is today. The granite plaque explaining the award hangs in the Chambers Center on the school’s campus. Howard is only the fourth person to receive the Chambers Award; former trustee Kelley Tison was the inaugural recipient in 2016; longtime campus architect Peter Norris received the honor in 2019; and longtime trustee Brooks Arnold was awarded in January 2023.

Athens Academy is an independent, co-educational school for students in K3 through 12th grade, located on a beautiful 152-acre campus in Northeast Georgia. Now in its 57th year, Athens Academy pursues its mission of “excellence with honor” through academics, athletics, fine arts, and service and leadership. Ranked the #1 private school in Athens, #9 college prep school in the state of Georgia, and #1 private school in Northeast Georgia (Niche.com).

For more information, please contact Kelley Cuneo, communications director, at [email protected] or 706-433-2410.