News - Pace Academy
Source: http://www.paceacademy.org/fs/pages/3933
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:14
News - Pace Academy
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News
McGurn Named Director of Athletics
April
21
,
2026
Pace Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of
Jennifer McGurn
as the school’s new director of athletics. McGurn, who currently serves as director of enrollment management, will transition into the role this summer, succeeding
Chad Wabrek
.
“Sometimes what you’re looking for is right in front of you,” says Head of School
Fred Assaf
. “Jen is a Pace Knight through and through. Her understanding of the student-athlete model we so value is unmatched because she has lived it—as an elite athlete, administrator, coach, teacher and parent.”
McGurn’s administrative tenure is marked by a steadfast commitment to Pace’s institutional values. For 20 years, she has served as a primary ambassador for the school’s mission, leading the admissions team with dedication. Under her strategic leadership, Pace has evolved its programs to meet shifting market trends, cementing its position as the premier choice for Atlanta families.
A standout volleyball player at Butler University, McGurn was a four-year starter, three-year captain and the 1998 Conference Player of the Year. She was inducted into the Butler University Hall of Fame in 2008. Her professional career began in collegiate athletics as an assistant coach at Butler and the University of Georgia. Furthermore, McGurn’s MBA in finance and accounting background provide a rigorous foundation in fiscal responsibility for the oversight of the athletics department.
“After 20 years at Pace, I truly bleed Pace blue, and I am honored to lead Pace Athletics into its next chapter,” McGurn says. “Athletics have been transformative in my life, and I look forward to working with the world-class coaches, talented student-athletes and supportive parents who care so deeply about our programs.”
McCallum Appointed Director of Enrollment Management
April
21
,
2026
Pace Academy has named
Mac McCallum
the school's new director of enrollment management. McCallum succeeds
Jennifer McGurn
, who will transition to the role of director of athletics this summer.
Since joining Pace in 2017, McCallum has served as director of admissions and advancement strategic initiatives. His multifaceted experience at the school includes serving as director of financial aid, teaching Upper School history and coaching varsity baseball. Known for his warm and welcoming presence on campus, McCallum has been a tireless advocate for the Pace mission, connecting deeply with prospective families across all grade levels.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated leaders within our own ranks to guide these important areas of school life,” says Head of School
Fred Assaf
. “Mac has been a key player in executing our strategic initiatives with passion and expertise.”
Prior to his arrival at Pace, McCallum spent five years at the Asheville School in North Carolina as the associate director of admissions and director of financial aid. He holds a master’s degree in independent school leadership from Vanderbilt University, a master’s degree in U.S. history from North Carolina State University and a bachelor’s degree from Sewanee: The University of the South, where he was a member of the baseball team.
“I am absolutely overjoyed for Jen and for Pace Athletics, and I am equally thrilled to step into the role of director of enrollment management,” says McCallum. “It is an honor to work alongside such a talented admissions team. This is a community that shows up fully, for each other and for our mission, and I am grateful to continue helping more families find their way here.”
Lawrence Honored Through "We the Teachers"
April
16
,
2026
Upper School history teacher
Mindy Lawrence
has been selected as one of 100 K-12 educators from all 50 states to serve as delegates to the inaugural
"We the Teachers" national fellowship program
. The program is a landmark civic education initiative timed to the 250th anniversary of American independence. Led by William & Mary’s
Strategic Cultural Partnerships
and executed in partnership with the National Council for History Education, "We the Teachers" is supported by a $2.89 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Delegates were selected through a competitive national application process and represent a diverse cross-section of grade levels, disciplines and communities.
See "Little Women" April 23 & 24
April
9
,
2026
The 31-member cast and crew of
Little Women
are ready to transport the Pace community to Civil War-era Massachusetts for this year’s Upper School musical. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, the musical features vignettes from the lives of the March sisters. It’s a love letter to girlhood, a tale of found family and a reflection on the choices faced on the precipice of adulthood. Ticket sales begin Friday, April 10. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for adults. Performances will take place April 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. in The Zalik Theater. Visit
pace.booktix.com
.
Knights Earn AJC All-Metro Basketball Honors
April
9
,
2026
Varsity basketball standout and seniors Lawson Monroe and Hayden Clay have been named to the AJC Varsity All-Metro Basketball
girls
and
boys
teams. The honor is a reflection of their hard work and dedication to both individual improvement and relentless teamwork. Congratulations, Knights!
LOWER SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
UPPER SCHOOL
April 21: Managing Motivation with Dr. B
Mar
26
2026
Read More
about April 21: Managing Motivation with Dr. B
April 28: Mothers & Special Friends Day
Apr
9
2026
Read More
about April 28: Mothers & Special Friends Day
April 13-17: Donate to Jump 4 Books
Apr
9
2026
Read More
about April 13-17: Donate to Jump 4 Books
April 21: Managing Motivation with Dr. B
Mar
26
2026
Read More
about April 21: Managing Motivation with Dr. B
History Students Honor “Silent Heroes"
Apr
16
2026
A Knight at the Benz Was a Night to Remember
Apr
16
2026
It’s Almost Time for Phlotilia
Apr
9
2026
'Strong start' fuels Pace Academy lacrosse to bounce back win over Woodward Academy
(opens in new window/tab)
Baseball Recap: Pace Academy Now 7-2 over Last Nine Games
(opens in new window/tab)
Baseball Recap: Pace Academy Now 7-2 over Last Nine Games
(opens in new window/tab)
2025-26 AJC Varsity all-metro Atlanta girls basketball teams
(opens in new window/tab)
Skip To Main Content
News
McGurn Named Director of Athletics
April
21
,
2026
Pace Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of
Jennifer McGurn
as the school’s new director of athletics. McGurn, who currently serves as director of enrollment management, will transition into the role this summer, succeeding
Chad Wabrek
.
“Sometimes what you’re looking for is right in front of you,” says Head of School
Fred Assaf
. “Jen is a Pace Knight through and through. Her understanding of the student-athlete model we so value is unmatched because she has lived it—as an elite athlete, administrator, coach, teacher and parent.”
McGurn’s administrative tenure is marked by a steadfast commitment to Pace’s institutional values. For 20 years, she has served as a primary ambassador for the school’s mission, leading the admissions team with dedication. Under her strategic leadership, Pace has evolved its programs to meet shifting market trends, cementing its position as the premier choice for Atlanta families.
A standout volleyball player at Butler University, McGurn was a four-year starter, three-year captain and the 1998 Conference Player of the Year. She was inducted into the Butler University Hall of Fame in 2008. Her professional career began in collegiate athletics as an assistant coach at Butler and the University of Georgia. Furthermore, McGurn’s MBA in finance and accounting background provide a rigorous foundation in fiscal responsibility for the oversight of the athletics department.
“After 20 years at Pace, I truly bleed Pace blue, and I am honored to lead Pace Athletics into its next chapter,” McGurn says. “Athletics have been transformative in my life, and I look forward to working with the world-class coaches, talented student-athletes and supportive parents who care so deeply about our programs.”
McCallum Appointed Director of Enrollment Management
April
21
,
2026
Pace Academy has named
Mac McCallum
the school's new director of enrollment management. McCallum succeeds
Jennifer McGurn
, who will transition to the role of director of athletics this summer.
Since joining Pace in 2017, McCallum has served as director of admissions and advancement strategic initiatives. His multifaceted experience at the school includes serving as director of financial aid, teaching Upper School history and coaching varsity baseball. Known for his warm and welcoming presence on campus, McCallum has been a tireless advocate for the Pace mission, connecting deeply with prospective families across all grade levels.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated leaders within our own ranks to guide these important areas of school life,” says Head of School
Fred Assaf
. “Mac has been a key player in executing our strategic initiatives with passion and expertise.”
Prior to his arrival at Pace, McCallum spent five years at the Asheville School in North Carolina as the associate director of admissions and director of financial aid. He holds a master’s degree in independent school leadership from Vanderbilt University, a master’s degree in U.S. history from North Carolina State University and a bachelor’s degree from Sewanee: The University of the South, where he was a member of the baseball team.
“I am absolutely overjoyed for Jen and for Pace Athletics, and I am equally thrilled to step into the role of director of enrollment management,” says McCallum. “It is an honor to work alongside such a talented admissions team. This is a community that shows up fully, for each other and for our mission, and I am grateful to continue helping more families find their way here.”
Lawrence Honored Through "We the Teachers"
April
16
,
2026
Upper School history teacher
Mindy Lawrence
has been selected as one of 100 K-12 educators from all 50 states to serve as delegates to the inaugural
"We the Teachers" national fellowship program
. The program is a landmark civic education initiative timed to the 250th anniversary of American independence. Led by William & Mary’s
Strategic Cultural Partnerships
and executed in partnership with the National Council for History Education, "We the Teachers" is supported by a $2.89 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Delegates were selected through a competitive national application process and represent a diverse cross-section of grade levels, disciplines and communities.
See "Little Women" April 23 & 24
April
9
,
2026
The 31-member cast and crew of
Little Women
are ready to transport the Pace community to Civil War-era Massachusetts for this year’s Upper School musical. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, the musical features vignettes from the lives of the March sisters. It’s a love letter to girlhood, a tale of found family and a reflection on the choices faced on the precipice of adulthood. Ticket sales begin Friday, April 10. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for adults. Performances will take place April 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. in The Zalik Theater. Visit
pace.booktix.com
.
Knights Earn AJC All-Metro Basketball Honors
April
9
,
2026
Varsity basketball standout and seniors Lawson Monroe and Hayden Clay have been named to the AJC Varsity All-Metro Basketball
girls
and
boys
teams. The honor is a reflection of their hard work and dedication to both individual improvement and relentless teamwork. Congratulations, Knights!
LOWER SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
UPPER SCHOOL
April 21: Managing Motivation with Dr. B
Mar
26
2026
Read More
about April 21: Managing Motivation with Dr. B
April 28: Mothers & Special Friends Day
Apr
9
2026
Read More
about April 28: Mothers & Special Friends Day
April 13-17: Donate to Jump 4 Books
Apr
9
2026
Read More
about April 13-17: Donate to Jump 4 Books
April 21: Managing Motivation with Dr. B
Mar
26
2026
Read More
about April 21: Managing Motivation with Dr. B
History Students Honor “Silent Heroes"
Apr
16
2026
A Knight at the Benz Was a Night to Remember
Apr
16
2026
It’s Almost Time for Phlotilia
Apr
9
2026
'Strong start' fuels Pace Academy lacrosse to bounce back win over Woodward Academy
(opens in new window/tab)
Baseball Recap: Pace Academy Now 7-2 over Last Nine Games
(opens in new window/tab)
Baseball Recap: Pace Academy Now 7-2 over Last Nine Games
(opens in new window/tab)
2025-26 AJC Varsity all-metro Atlanta girls basketball teams
(opens in new window/tab)