Athens Academy Headmaster Bob Chambers Receives Love of Learning Award

On Wednesday, April 18, Headmaster Bob Chambers received the Love of Learning Award from the University of Georgia’s Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.* Mr. Chambers was selected for the award due to his “outstanding record of service and promotion of scholarship at Athens Academy, as well as in the greater community at large.”  As a life-long educator, Mr. Chambers believes that one’s educational experience should be a journey of preparing for the future while enjoying the present.

Mr. Chambers has been involved with independent school education for over 45 years.  With both undergraduate and graduate degrees from UGA, he began his teaching career at Pace Academy in Atlanta, where he later served as principal of the Upper School and as assistant headmaster.  In 1983, he and his family came to Athens, where he has served as headmaster of Athens Academy for the past 29 years.

Mr. Chambers has served on the Board of Trustees of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA), the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).  He was the founding member of The Cum Laude Society at both Pace Academy and Athens Academy.  As the secondary school equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa, The Cum Laude Society recognizes superior academic achievement and sound character.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society.  Founded in 1897, it supports chapters in nearly 300 colleges and universities. Notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, author John Grisham, astronaut Wendy Lawrence, and Netscape founder James Barksdale.  Phi Kappa Phi’s mission is to “recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”

* A news release from Kelley Cuneo of Athens Academy