Fred Glass '89

FRED GLASS '89 and his wife ELIZABETH GLASS are the parents of MERRITT ANN GLASS '19 and KATHLEEN GLASS '22 . We asked Fred, who has included Pace Academy in his will through a life insurance policy, to share his thoughts on planned giving and Pace.

Why make a planned gift?

Working in financial planning, I recognize the benefits and simplicity of planned giving. A planned gift is one of the easiest-and potentially most impactful-ways of supporting an organization. A large bank account and team of advisers are not required; it can be as simple as a beneficiary designation in your 401(k), IRA, life insurance policy or will. Planned giving also has the benefit of not subtracting from current assets-it is a future gift arranged in your estate.

Like other planned gift donors, I care a great deal about Pace and believe in its mission. The eventual impact of our planned gifts will help create long-term financial stability for Pace and enhance its ability to deliver on its mission. I am honored to be in the company of these individuals and couples and recognized as a member of the Castle Circle.

Why Pace?

Atlanta has its share of great schools, but none truly compare to Pace Academy. Since its inception, Pace has been the school of choice for families that seek a more intimate feel-but beyond its "family school" reputation, Pace offers students a well-rounded education of academics, arts, athletics and global leadership programming, which has gained the school national recognition. Top colleges and universities know what to expect from Pace graduates, and college acceptances are more varied and impressive with each graduating class.

It has been said that America's great contribution to the world is our colleges and universities that attract the best and the brightest, and similarly I believe that it is great elementary and secondary schools that attract families to America's great cities. Pace certainly serves that role for Atlanta.

How has Pace made a difference to you?

I believe that teachers are doing the most important work in America today and that the future is hugely dependent on how well they do that work. Great teachers transfer their passion for their subject matter to students and inspire in them curiosity and a love for learning. They possess a sincere concern for the well-being of their students and can identify and develop that spark of talent unique to each one.

I am convinced that Pace has more than its share of great teachers and that this has been the case ever since the arrival of FRANK KALEY, the first Head of School, in 1959. I am amazed by the quality of the teachers Pace consistently attracts and retains and see distinct similarities among those who have taught Merritt Ann and Kathleen, and those who taught me at Pace in the 1980s.

When I consider my time at Pace and how it affected the person I am today, my teachers made all the difference. I recall how [retired longtime teacher and coach] CHARLIE OWENS convinced me as a 12-year-old that Pace was the right place for me. Many describe him as one of baseball's great ambassadors, but he was also a great ambassador for Pace. I also think of [PE teacher and coach] STEVE CUNNINGHAM, who transformed me from a kid who did not know what cross-country was into a competitive runner. I remember seventh-grade American history with [retired longtime faculty member] B.J. HAYS and the enthusiasm she ignited in me. To this day, I have a great curiosity in American history and am always reading one book or another on the subject. I also think of [retired longtime teacher] JANE SIBLEY and her AP art history class. I appreciate art history and know my interest is largely due to her enthusiasm and passion.

Most importantly, my Pace experience influenced the decision Elizabeth and I made to send our daughters to Pace. As Pace students, they eclipsed me in terms of academic talent and will likely leave me as a mere footnote in school history. Both have a strong bent for history and have excelled in it. Merritt Ann is double majoring in government and art history at Georgetown University and Kathleen plans to study history and international relations at the University of St. Andrews. While credit for their passions definitely goes to Pace history teachers like CHRISTINE CARTER, EMILY STEVENS and HELEN SMITH, I can't help but think that my own Pace teachers and experiences have also been influential.