2023 - Founder's Day - Washburn and Huggins Families [Video]

Authors

Gardner-Webb University

Files

Description

Founders Day 2023 honored the names and legacies of persons and groups who played formative roles in the University’s development. The posthumous presentation of this year’s Founders Medal to J.D. Huggins, the first principal of Boiling Springs High School.

James Dwyer “J.D.” Huggins, who came to be known as Professor Huggins, served as the first principal of Boiling Springs High School from 1905 to 1928. His desire to guide students into thoughtful, conscientious service-leaders sparked student-led initiatives to establish the Athenian and Kalagathian literary and debate societies. Under his guidance, the institution remained strong through the 1920s, when it transitioned to a junior college.

Founders Day 2023 also featured the placement of a historical marker at the Washburn House, built in 1941. The Washburn House was given by Seaton Washburn in memory of his wife and two daughters: Mintie Missouri “Sudie” Hamrick Washburn, Sarah Oeland Washburn and Mae Washburn McMurray. The Washburn House served as the first free-standing library on campus.

Publication Date

11-30-2023

Publisher

Gardner-Webb University

City

Boiling Springs

Keywords

James Dwyer Huggins, Boiling Springs High School, Seaton Washburn, Washburn House, Mintie Missouri “Sudie” Hamrick Washburn, Sarah Oeland Washburn, Mae Washburn McMurray

Recommended Citation

Gardner-Webb University, "2023 - Founder's Day - Washburn and Huggins Families [Video]" (2023). Founder's Day. 1.
https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gardner-webb-founders-day/1