The newly-named Larry A. Peevy Upper School Academic Complex.
One man’s vision for an independent school community has been recognized with a special announcement by the Tallulah Falls School Board of Trustees.
The board, by unanimous vote Sept. 21, approved the recommendation to name the Upper School Building and Upper School Academic complex in its present configuration and any future expanded configuration as the “Larry A. Peevy Upper School Academic Complex.”
“During my tenure as a member of the TFS Board of Trustees, I worked with Larry Peevy on campus construction projects, valued at more than $25 million,” said TFS Board Chair Amy Atkinson, all totally paid for by completion. “I hold him and his abilities in the highest regard. Under his guidance, our school has experienced unprecedented academic advancement and achievement. TFS is a superlative college preparatory school with a growing reputation of excellence. The strong position we now enjoy is due in large part to the vision and direction of Larry Peevy.”
Atkinson said when Peevy joined the TFS family in 2007, the school year started with 138 students. Today, the school has 467 students enrolled with a retention rate of 92 percent, with waiting lists for both dormitories, and waiting lists for every grade level. Additionally, she said, the faculty and staff morale is high with very low turnover.
“President Peevy never takes personal credit for any of these remarkable school advancements; he always says the leadership teams are responsible for the positive direction TFS has taken,” Atkinson said. “But every well run organization has a great leader, and there is no doubt that Larry Peevy is that leader. He is a practical dreamer. He dreams big dreams, and then finds ways to make those dreams become reality. He is an amazing person, gifted teacher and an exceptional leader and I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to work with him.”
The announcement came as a surprise to Peevy during the recent board meeting. Moved by the gesture of support, Peevy said the honor marked one of the most special days of his life. “The great honor you bestowed on me was at first overwhelming [I have seldom been speechless], and then it turned into sheer joy,” he said. “I am sincerely humbled by your wonderful action.”
When Peevy and wife Dinah arrived in 2007, it was with one goal – to develop the school to support the finest educational program available to students.
Working with a dedicated, highly-qualified faculty and staff and an invested board, Peevy said, has been the key to guiding TFS to its prestigious status. “We truly looked at the opportunity here as a way we could make a difference in the lives of many young people,” he said. “Their success has been our success. It has given a much higher meaning to our lives than anything I can imagine.”
Member and Secretary of TFS Board of Trustees James C. Weidner also acknowledged the Peevy’s commitment to the school. “As board member Gewene Womack mentioned in her prayer before lunch at last year’s September Board meeting, there is little doubt that Larry and Dinah Peevy came to Tallulah Falls School by God’s grace and providence,” Weidner said. “As a result of, and with the help from, that Divine Guidance, Larry Peevy, for all intents and purposes, saved this school. Through his efforts, he not only restored TFS to its past glory and rank; he has also enhanced its reputation and status as one of the premier college preparatory schools in the Southeast…if not the nation. Fortunately, he is not nearly finished and for that, we are exceedingly grateful.”
A dedication ceremony is planned for a later date.
