When Colonel Woodward made the big decision in 1932 to give his school to a self-perpetuating board of trustees, he naturally looked to his boys - Georgia Military Academy alumni - to continue the work he had begun 32 years earlier. He knew that his former students, many of whom returned year after year to the campus to renew their love of the school and to pay respects to their old mentor, would keep alive his dream of Georgia Military Academy. Colonel Woodward was aware of the accomplishments of his alumni. They were successful in government, the arts and sciences, the professions, education, and the armed forces. He watched his boys as they made their contributions to the welfare and progress of the country; and he took every opportunity to recognize their achievements.

It was not until 1966, however, that alumni were recognized annually. That year, Captain William R. Brewster, Jr. and the Alumni Association initiated the Georgia Military Academy Alumni Honor Roll and established the "Distinguished Alumnus" award. This award honored G.M.A. graduates for having exemplified the ideals of the Academy, for accomplishing outstanding achievements in their chosen fields, and for making lasting contributions to their country. Since 1966 some 64 alumni have been recognized.

The first "Distinguished Alumnus" award went to Robert W. Woodruff, Class of 1908. The first recipient established a precedent of such eminence that it is difficult to imagine its match for a long time.

The story of Robert W. Woodruff has been told many times, but with each accounting, it becomes more evident that he should be considered the Academy's "Most Distinguished Alumnus." His contributions to the school, made over half a century, by his own choice, were never made public. In fact, his silent philanthropy in all areas earned him the name "Mr. Anonymous."

During his two years (1906-1908) at Georgia Military Academy, Robert Woodruff established a love and respect with the school and Colonel Woodward which continued throughout his life. He came to G.M.A. from Boys' High School and immediately showed himself to be a restless, independent, and highly competitive young man. Even as a boy, he was a hard worker and organizer as the business manager of the school newspaper as well as the manager of the football team. As if these responsibilities were not enough, he took it upon himself to raise money to purchase instruments for the Academy's first Cadet band.

After graduation in 1908, he entered Emory University; but after less than a year, he left school to become an apprentice in a foundry earning sixty cents a day.

Robert's next job was as a salesman with the General Fire Extinguisher Company, and it was in sales that he found the proper outlet for his competitive energies. These jobs led to positions as salesman with the Atlantic Ice and Coal Company, the White Motor Company, and eventually the Coca-Cola Company which he helped to establish as one of the major corporations in the world.

With his desire to help others, as was demonstrated by his actions as a student in 1907 and 1908, Robert's major interest after becoming so successful was philanthropy. The range of his giving to others became almost phenomenal; the impact that he made in the fields of education, research, the fine arts, and medicine will probably never be fully known.

On the G.M.A./Woodward campus alone, Robert W. Woodruff was primarily responsible for helping to ensure the school's existence in 1932 with a generous loan to Colonel Woodward. As one of the first members of the original governing board, he was instrumental in helping his alma mater and Colonel Woodward continue their dreams. In addition, his generosity has been realized many times with the addition of new structures on campus.

One of the first major additions to the campus which is credited to him is Woodruff Hall, a modern library complex which replaced the Old Gym. This building was later renamed McKay Hall. Next, to honor his old friend, Dr. Richard C. Gresham, class of 1907, Woodruff provided funds to construct the Gresham Chapel. When Memorial Hall was demolished, he donated funds to construct a new dining hall which bears his name today. The million dollar Fine Arts Building, Richardson Hall, which is one of the largest structures on campus, was donated by Mr. Woodruff. The building was named in honor of Mrs. Alonzo Richardson, Mr. Woodruff's G.M.A. Sunday School teacher and drama coach, affectionately known to all G.M.A. cadets as the "Sweetheart of G.M.A."

Although many alumni have had a significant part in helping to ensure the existence and continued growth of Georgia Military Academy, James A. Colquitt, class of 1936, who, for more than thirty years, led the school's governing board, comes to the mind of almost all people. It was Jimmy Colquitt, who, perhaps more than any other single individual, initiated policies and guided the governing board to bring the Academy to its present state of excellence.

A graduate of Robert E. Lee Institute in Thomaston, Georgia, his hometown, James enrolled as a post graduate student at G.M.A. in 1935. He was the first cadet to make officer during his first year. Named Adjutant of the Cadet Corps, he was also chosen as the school's "Best Cadet Officer." A singular honor came to him and to the Academy in 1936 when he won the National Individual Rifle Championship.

Following his graduation in 1936, he attended and graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Business Administration.

In 1941, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Infantry. Serving in the Airborne Troops until relieved from active duty in 1946, he participated in five major campaigns in Europe. He received one French and five U.S. decorations. Appointed as an Aide by President Truman, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1946.

President of the James A. Colquitt Insurance Agency in Marietta, Georgia, he was elected to the Governing Board in 1951 and served as its chairman from 1957 to 1982. Far reaching changes occurred during his period of leadership at the school: the basic governance of the school was changed; the name was changed from Georgia Military Academy to Woodward Academy; the school became co-ed and integrated; the Army R.O.T.C. program was discontinued; and the school initiated its first vast capital campaign.

Endearing himself to students and faculty from the early 1950's to the present, James Colquitt became known as G.M.A./W.A.'s most loyal alumnus and supporter. He received the "Distinguished Alumnus Award" in 1969. The Alumni Association and the school have remembered him by naming, in his honor and through his generosity, the Colquitt Football Stadium and Colquitt Hall, the student and teacher lounges.

From Cadet Private Carlos, Michael C., in 1941 at Georgia Military Academy to Michael C. Carlos, a long-standing member of the Woodward Academy Governing Board, the life of Academy alumnus Carlos is a success story of great magnitude. A G.M.A. graduate of 1944, Michael Carlos was named to the Governing Board in 1970.

President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Distributing Company, Inc., and several wholly owned subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia including the Raleigh Linen Service, Michael Carlos is regarded by the Woodward Academy faculty, staff, students, and alumni as a principled man with high regard for his commitments and for his loyalty and support for Woodward Academy.

It was 1975, during the school's 75th anniversary, that Mr. Carlos was selected by his fellow graduates as having exemplified the ideals of the school, made outstanding achievements in his profession, and made lasting contributions to the community. As a result of this recognition, he was awarded the highest honor the school could bestow on any graduate, the title, honor, and ceremony of being designated a "Distinguished Alumnus."

A generous benefactor of the Academy, Michael Carlos' philanthropy has helped to ensure success in many areas of school life. He donated money toward the construction of Michael C. Carlos Hall, the school's administration building constructed as part of the Academy's 75th anniversary campaign in 1978. He was chairman of the school's "Toward the New Century" capital fund-raising campaign and was instrumental in establishing the Thalia N. Carlos Science Center, a classroom/laboratory complex opened in 1987 marking the completion of the Academy's first phase of the "Toward the New Century" campaign. In conjunction with the "New Century" capital campaign, he donated funds to establish the Robet W. Woodruff Chair for the Fine Arts at the Academy. For many years, he made a challenge gift to the school's parents to encourage participation in the annual giving program. In addition, he established a fund for five permanent annual scholarships and originated the Carlos Award given annually at graduation to the Valedictorian of Woodward Academy.

Like Robert Woodruff and James Colquitt and many other alumni, Michael Carlos is a man who understands and appreciates the meaning of generosity. Since 1944, he has consistently proven his loyalty to Georgia Military Academy and Woodward Academy through his support of the Academy as an active trustee and by exemplary leadership in Academy life.

Excerpt from “The Woodward Story”, by Robert Ballentine, published 1990 by Jostens Printing and Publishing; content used with permission of the copyright holder, Woodward Academy Inc., College Park, Georgia, USA.