Crowder Welcome Center

The Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust Number One provided generous support for the Crowder Welcome Center, continuing Mr. Cannon's commitment to higher education and his legacy of philanthropy. The late Budd Smith, Wingate’s president from 1953 to 1974, once described Cannon as “a dedicated American businessman believing in everything that was good and also willing to participate in making it better.” Over the years, Wingate has received numerous gifts from the Cannon Foundation, the Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trusts Nos. 1 and 2, and the Mariam and Robert Hayes Charitable Trust. Mariam Cannon Hayes, for whom Wingate’s Hayes building was named, was Charles and Ruth Cannon’s daughter. The University is also the caretaker of the Charles A. Cannon Collection of personal papers. Mr. Cannon (1892-1971) is memorialized on campus with a statue next to Austin Auditorium.

(1945-2015) 

Our admissions suite is named in memory of dedicated Wingate employee, friend, and honorary doctorate recipient Frank Davis, who spent three decades working in higher education and was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. He served his alma mater, Berry College, as well as Brevard College, the University of Alabama at Huntsville, Mercer University and Wingate University. Frank joined The Cannon Foundation in 1998 and became its executive director in 2000. Under his leadership, the Foundation continued to expand its influence, making grants across the state and providing considerable support for difference-making projects on our campus.

(1908-1991) 

Fulton Allen Huntley, a former chairman of the Wingate College Board of Trustee, led the fundraising efforts for the construction of the Dickson-Palmer Building. He, along with family members, organized and was an owner of the Allen Stores, a small grocery chain, and the Wadesboro Hardware and Electric Company.  Later he became president and chairman of the board of West Knitting Mills and served on the board of directors of the National Knitwear Manufacturers Association. Loved and respected for his friendly humor, he was president of Anson Savings & Loan for a time period and also was a member of the corporate board of United Carolina Bank. “Fully,” as he was called, attended North Carolina State College. He served stints on the Anson County Board of Education and the Anson County Commissioners. As a Rotarian, he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. A faithful member of First Baptist in Wadesboro, he served the church as a trustee, deacon and Sunday School teacher. 

Cindy Jordan ran the Wingate University bookstore for 37 years and made a difference in the lives of countless students, employees and visitors through her helpful guidance, warmth and contagious smile. Hers was the friendly face that students would see as they browsed for a Wingate sweatshirt or panic-bought a book for class. “Miss Cindy” cherished the years the bookstore was located in Dickson-Palmer, because she saw the comings and goings of students and knew as much about what was going on on campus as anyone. After a brief move to Main Street, the book store is back in Dickson-Palmer.