SWU remembers tragedy
Pat Stuart Longfellow, center, and Marilyn Bennett Rust place bricks in Southern Wesleyan University’s Alumni Walk in memory of their sisters, Myrna Stuart and Crystal Bennett, who died in the fire that destroyed McDonald Hall on the campus in Central. Looking on is Joy Bryant, left, executive director of alumni and community relations.
Southern Wesleyan University marked the 50th anniversary of the fire that burned McDonald Hall Dec. 2 with a service of remembrance at ALIVE Wesleyan Church. During the service, many former McDonald Hall residents gave first-hand accounts of the fire, as did Dr. Paul Baker Wood, who was on staff as dean of students; Dr. Mickey Rickman, professor of mathematics and the son of academic dean (and later president) Claude Rickman; and Rev. James Wiggins, recently retired vice president for development, who pastored a nearby church at the time. Longfellow and Rust also shared how the loss of their sisters impacted family members. They also expressed appreciation to Wood and others associated with the university for providing encouragement during their time of grief.
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