Pine Forge Academy Celebrates 48th Annual Alumni Weekend

Story by Tracey Jackson

Pine Forge Academy (PFA) recently celebrated its 48th Alumni Weekend. At the gathering, the National Pine Forge Academy Alumni Association (NPFAAA) raised more than $50,000 toward the Worthy Student Scholarship Fund. In addition, the “Illustrious” Class of 1983 donated $40,000 toward the dormitory renovations, with 100 percent class participation, and established three $500 scholarships in the names of classmates who have passed away: Ollison A. Cheatham, Dawn Ervin and Katrina Britton.

PFA thanks the McNealy family for establishing a scholarship in honor of Barbara McNealy, beloved mother of alumna Tiffany McNealy (’88), to benefit students who wish to attend the school. More than $25,000 has been donated so far.

During the weekend, the NPFAAA honored Sydney Freeman, Jr. (pictured), a member of the “Magnanimous” Class of 2003, as “Alumnus of the Year.” He is a professor at the University of Idaho and a presenter/lecturer at Harvard and Oxford universities.

During his acceptance speech, Freeman announced the establishment of the Brandon J. Williams Worthy Student Scholarship in STEM that will benefit students who show academic promise in STEM. The scholarship was established in honor of the memory of his classmate Brandon J. Williams. Freeman, his wife, and his nonprofit organization, The Liberation Movement, Inc., donated an anchor gift of $5,000 to get the scholarship started. Before the end of the ceremony, another member of the class matched the gift.

To support and learn more about PFA, contact L. Germaine Cheatham-Hemphill at lgcheathamhemphill@pineforgeacademy.org or (494) 941-3203.