The Arrow Fall 2023

Dr. Michael Groves Marks 25 Years of Service Mr. Aaron Butt’s (Associate Head of School) remarks when recognizing Dr. Groves for 25 years of service to OHA. under him from feeling overly stressed or burdened. He has sacrificed a lot over the years for the school, passed up opportunities to move to a larger, more urban, more “elite” school, but has chosen

Dr. Michael Groves, along with his wife Joy and two young sons, Matthew and Aaron, arrived on the campus of Oak Hill Academy a quarter century ago. They moved into the West Hough Dorm basement apartment, and he began as an instructor that fall teaching Social Studies and serving as an assistant soccer coach. Over time he took on more responsibilities, first assuming the role of Dean of Students, then Director of Admission, and finally when Dr. Patton retired in 2002 he was appointed President. He has been in that role ever since, for more than 21 years. It’s hard to describe Dr. Groves’ (and his family’s) impact on Oak Hill Academy over these past 25 years. He’s overseen the construction of at least 6 new buildings including Williams-Berry Dormitory, Speeks Dormitory, Dixon Dormitory, the Patton Triplex, the Collins Triplex, and the Lenore Equestrian Center. He led the renovation of Fields Dormitory and the Alumni Campus Store. And he had the vision to create an amphitheater, which is used regularly by the campus community. He’s raised more than 10 million dollars for the school and significantly increased our endowment. He’s kept the school out of any debt, created significant savings for rainy days, navigated and led the school through national disasters like 9-11, the economic upheaval of 2008, political turmoil, and a worldwide pandemic. And he’s even planted more than 50 oak trees on campus. All of this has been done with steadfast grace and compassion. It is no exaggeration to say that he has given his life for this school, poured into it his time, talents, and treasure. Because it is his calling, his mission. A mission that is not about a brick and mortar campus, but about changing young lives, creating a space for teens to be mentored, loved, nudged – as he says, a place to “grow where you are planted.” Thousands of young people have directly and indirectly been changed by his leadership, his words, his actions, and his unfailing commitment. The thing that drives his decision making more than anything else is first to “do the right thing,” to be fair, honest, and true – to students, employees, parents. He shoulders a heavy weight, the responsibility for our school, and it’s future – but he wears it well, and largely shelters those

to remain here, in Mouth of Wilson, pouring his life into Oak Hill and it’s mission. Dr. Groves is incredibly attentive to detail, and will spot a piece of trash across campus, a broken limb, a wall that needs painting, a cooler left on a porch. But he’s also able to see the big picture, anticipate needed change, and is regularly prophetic. He stays connected to students, knows them by name, calls them into his office for a quick word, joke, or to give a piece of advice. After 25 years, he has vast institutional knowledge, and has his hand in almost every aspect of the campus – from sewer lines to strategic planning, from hedge trimming to health benefits. On any given day you might find him on a call with the board chair, unclogging a toilet in the cafeteria, developing goals for our reaccreditation visit, watching a basketball practice, popping in on a classroom, writing letters to donors, checking the water levels at the pump house, touring a prospective student, preparing a homeroom devotion, picking up sticks outside the campus store. He leads by example, and he empowers his staff to lead, to make decisions, to grow. Congratulations and thank you, Dr. Groves, for all that you have done for Oak Hill Academy these past 25 years.