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Page 350 text:
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OF WHITE WHALES, BLACK COFFEE AND EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING 1984 PHOENIX TRIBUTE - CAPTAIN BOB BALLENTINE Since his appointment to GMA in 1959, Bob Ballentine has served the Academy suc- cessfully in many areas of responsiblity: teacher, Director of Public Relations and Alumni Affairs, Public Information Officer, English Departmental Chairman, and Princi- pal of the Upper School. In 1971 a grateful senior class, in dedicating the yearbook to him, stressed an even greater role which he has consistently played: a friend. Following his discharge from the Navy, Mr. Ballentine obtained an ABJ from the University of Georgia and continued gra- duate study at UGA, Emory and Jackson- ville University. Mr. Ballentine was responsi- ble for the introduction and development of Woodward ' s successful AP Program in Eng- lish. Former students associate Captain Ballentine with an inveterate attraction to a certain white whale and his love for that monumental work — Moby Dick: an unsur- passed ability to deliver interesting class lec- tures; the regularity with which his debate teams won state tournaments; and the ex- pertise which he contributed during the years that he served as yearbook advisor. The Ballentine affinity for the white whale and his enthusiasm for excellence in teaching remain undiminished. Fueled, one is almost certain, by the ever-present cup of black coffee. Mr. Ballentine has brought an old- fashioned devotion to each of his positions at the academy. It is to all of these qualities that the 1984 PHOENIX proudly and grate- fully pays tribute to Captain Bob Ballen- tine. (Reprinted in part from The Academy In Review) Quiet, with an underlying Irish twinkle; cooperative, without words but with intense loyalty; thoughtful, but never reticent in good judgement; One superlative cannot say it all. Captain Bob will be missed by all As Tevye said to Golde After twenty- five years its nice to know. We love you — Dr. Gary M. Jones A master teacher with a flare for literature person oriented in decision making for twenty-five years of transition and change in the life of our school, Mr. B has stood like a rock of calm and positive influ- ence toward lasting policy and procedure. His loyalty and dedication is unequal and we can truly say he has always provided Every opportunity for every student. - Don A. Woolf Although former students and present colleagues invariably associate you, Cap- tain Ballentine, with an inveterate attrac- tion to a certain white whale, you once told me, in a moment of reflection, that perhaps the work of literature which you have most enjoyed reading and teaching is Paradise Lost. With no apology to Milton, may I say. Dear Friend, that by pursuing boldly and successfully things (previously) unattempt- ed in the programs and progress of GMA- Woodward, you have been able to bring forth infinite goodness to both stu- dents and staff of the Academy. Some nat- ural tears (we) dropp ' d at news of your retirement, knowing full well that Day and Night, Seed-time and Harvest, Heat and Hoary Frost Shall hold their course before we see your like again. - Bobby W. Alford An interesting metaphor for human rela- tionships occurs in Chapter 72 of Moby Dick, my least favorite classic until Bob Bal- lentine taught me to appreciate its power and magnitude. In this chapter, entitled The Monkey-Rope , Queequeg, the har- pooneer, dangles over the side of the ship as he strips the dead whale of its blubber. Around his waist is a rope which is attached at the other end to the waist of Ishmael. The welfare of each man depends upon the faith- fulness and vigilance of the other. As Bob finds his own well-deserved insular Tahiti, those of us left aboard ship are humbly grateful to have been tied to his monkey- rope. — Carolyn Haldeman Compassionate supportive un- derstanding personal concern for my well being easy to talk with A true friend — not just my boss. I ' ll truly miss Bob — he ' s like a second right hand to me. — Mary Walker Robert D. Ballentine retires in 1984 after 25 years of imparting in liberal doses liberal education to thousands of students and scores of teachers. Yes, his intellect is a clear cold, logic engine which is daunted and inspired English students as well as nov- ice debaters. Certainly, his mind is stored with a knowledge of the great and funda- mental truths of the universe — How could it be otherwise for a man who has traveled and traveled countless times in the splendid passages of Paradise Lost and the beloved Moby Dick. But the essence of the man and the imperative under which, I believe, he has lived his life, under which he has sought to educate liberally (abhors a split infinitive) his fortunate charges, and under which he has related to students and colleagues alike is, stated simply, to be kind always. Patience piled on patience and a benign smile, when others would be justified in their railing — these are the graces of the man. Mr. Ballen- tine, Captain Ballentine if you prefer, has always been the servant of a tender con- science. lee Vincent In a day when it ' s hard to find heroes and perhpas even harder to keep them, I ' m glad to say I ' ve got one. All too often, it seems to me, those whom we put on a pedestal end up having some major flaws which ultimately cause us to lose respect for them. Bob Bal- lentine, however, is a notable exception as he has maintained hero status with me for more than ten years. Certainly, just as we all do, Mr. Ballentine has a few imperfections; he invariably keeps his office too hot; his articles for the parents ' club newsletter are usually a day or so late; and, frankly, he smokes too much. The key word with Bob, however, is few; the Good Captain has pre- cious eiv imperfections. Furthermore, I sus- pect that Mr. B. displays those minor vices out of a form of graciousness to allow the rest of us to feel less inferior by comparison. Both as a teacher and later as a colleague, I ' ve come to appreciate the amiable nature and scholarly abilities of Captain Bob Ballen- tine, one of the South ' s true gentlemen, - R.L. Slider Some years ago — never mind how long — I met a man in love with whales and students and things — but ideas mainly. For- tunate students knew well this mariner — I never sailed his course — only a lubber in his mind. Now while I luff — he reefs — his mark recorded. Gus Dearolph
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Page 349 text:
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:.OOK TWICE - STATE CITY — Air Atlanta, the first black owned and operated airline, begins service to Memphis and New York — Gwinnett Place. Atlanta ' s second lar- gest shopping mall, opens — Channel 69 Music Video — Light Up Atlanta brings renewed interest in downtown Atlanta — Marta Expansion connects the city on all sides — Deaths; Mrs. Lillian Carter; Frank Gordy (founder of the Varsity) mid On The Home Front — Woodward Academy Peggy Dyer weds Doug McNash Susan Sentell and Errol Sanders wed Jane Estes weds Victor Smith Bob Ballentine resigns as Upper School Principal and is succeeded by Ron McCollum Thurber Carnival wins State One Act Play competition 1983 Tennis Team wins Region com- petition Woodward becomes the nation ' s lar- gest independent school with its lar- gest enrollment ever The campus ' first operetta is present- ed New Director of Publications Director of Resident Life position cre- ated Girls ' Basketball has one of its best seasons ever Missy Brantley named 1983 Home- coming Queen and Jenny Oliver is Maid of Honor Deaths; Coach Ralph Crist; Retired faculty member Elmo Mitchell; Gov- erning Board Member Ray Crocker; Junior John Ferguson
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