E. J. “Woody” Rice

The E.J. ‘Woody’ Rice Family Endowed Scholarship was established in 1990 by Woody Rice.

Mr. E. J. “Woody” Rice retired in 1992 from Hercules Incorporated as the Group Vice President, Paper Technology. He went on to be Vice President of Development and then President at the Institute of Paper Science & Technology in Atlanta, Georgia.

After nearly 35 years with Hercules, Woody left a powerful legacy to the paper industry in product development and technology, spearheading improvements in the industry, and encouraging and aiding youthful entrants to the field. Known worldwide in the paper industry, Woody was active in the Paper Industry Management Association (PIMA) and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) throughout his career. He served as national chairman of PIMA in 1981 and was a member of its Board of Trustees. In addition, Woody was honored with PIMA’s Glen T. Renegar Award in 1990, which is given “in recognition of outstanding service and contribution to the growth and betterment of PIMA and the pulp and paper industry.”

The recipient of many commendations for his contributions to the paper industry, he also served on the boards of the Paper School Foundations of the University of Maine and of N.C. State University. He served on the executive committee of the latter foundation, from which he received an Outstanding Leadership and Service award.

Upon his retirement from Hercules, Woody said: “What I cherish the most, by far, are the friends I’ve made all over the world, and the associated memories – and that is something I look forward to enjoying the rest of my life.”