Alumni Association recognizes three for service Three Piedmont alumni were singled out during Alumni Weekend for recognition of their commitment to their careers, their communities and their alma mater. Aubrey Finch (’51) of Lexington earned the Alumni Service Award, and the Excellence in Education Award went to Michelle Barthlow (’06 Ed.S.) of Woodstock. The Distinguished Alumni Award was reserved for Nelle Hood Higdon (’31) of Hendersonville, N.C. Longtime friend Reid Mullins (’59) of Dacula presented Finch with the Service Award. A member of the Class of 1951, Finch graduated from Piedmont with high honors in three years and then entered a 47-year career in education. He served as a high school teacher and coach and 33 years as a principal. “In addition, he has been a Sunday school teacher most of his adult life at the United Methodist Church in Oglethorpe County,” Mullins said. Finch and his wife, Kate, have long been supporters of the college and he has served as president of the Alumni Association and on numerous association committees. He is also a member of the college’s Sports Hall of Fame. “It is ironic that I am receiving a service award from Piedmont College, when it has always been Piedmont College that has served me from the time I first entered Aubrey Finch (’51), left, accepts the Alumni Service Award presented until this very day,” Aubrey by Reid Mullins (’59). said. “Others have noted that there have been a lot of changes here at Piedmont, but some things don’t change. The spirit that gave life to these buildings today was present back in the day when I was here.” From a family of eight children in Union Point, Finch said his father and four brothers worked in the mill most of their lives. “I was the only boy who did not work in the mill. I was able to get a college education because of the good graces of Piedmont College. I will never be able to do for Piedmont what it has done for me and continues to do for so many others.” Nita Bullock (’07 M) introduced her friend and coworker, Michelle Barthlow, winner of the Excellence in Education Award. A science teacher at Etowah High School, Barthlow earned an education specialist degree from Piedmont in 2006, and as part of her research for that degree began studying the differences in the way elementary school boys and girls learn. Since then she has presented papers on the subject at national and international education conferences. “Piedmont prepared me to walk through doors of opportunities that I never dreamed were possible,” Barthlow said. “Piedmont is a very special place—it Michelle Barthlow (’06 Ed.S.), left, collected the Excellence in Education prepared me for things I did not even know I wanted to do. And when I finished, the Award, presented by Nita Bullock (’07 M), for her studies of gender doors continued to open.” differences in education. Barthlow said her professors, particularly Dr. Gary Lemmons and Dr. Roy Pipes, “demonstrated excellence in everything. They set a bar that was really high … and then said ‘OK, now take what you have learned and find a way to make a difference.’” Jane Higdon of the class of 1970 said she was especially lucky to make her presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Award. “Most people are honored to introduce a coworker or a classmate. I get to introduce my Mom. Is that not the coolest thing?” Nelle Hood Higdon finished high school in Cornelia at age 16 and then entered Piedmont in 1928, the first of eight children to enter college. Working her way through school, she graduated in 1931. It was also at Piedmont that she met her husband, Earl. Finishing college “at the ripe old age of 19,” Jane said, her mother returned to Cornelia and taught sixth grade for a year and then became principal at the grammar school and also taught seventh grade for three years. After saving their money for five years, Nelle and Earl Higdon were married in 1935 in the heart of the Great Depression. To make ends meet, she taught school in Forsyth County, N.C., while Earl worked at a mill in Burlington, S.C. After moving to Burlington, Nelle taught high school English, and by 1946 the couple was able to start their own company, Higdon Knitting Mill in Henderson, N.C. “They were full partners in the mill,” Jane said. “Daddy ran the mill while Mother ran the office and the store. They worked together until 1969 when they sold their business.” “Through all of that they remembered their time at Piedmont and wanted to give back to the school,” Jane said. They came back to campus for Alumni Weekends, they supported the Letter Club, they established a scholarship in 1980, and donated to the construction of the Arrendale Library. Earl Higdon was a member of the Sports Hall of Fame and received an honorary doctorate from the college in 1985. “Both Mother and Daddy loved and supported the school, and I am so pleased that Piedmont has honored each of them for their contributions,” Jane said. Nelle Higdon recalled her time at Piedmont, when classes were held “in a renovated stable” and there were few buildings. “It was a far cry from the wonderful things we have now.” She recalled her favorite professor, Brooks Phillips. “I loved to hear him read poetry,” she said. “He instilled in me a love for literature.” Dancing was not allowed, but the students did hold a mock wedding one Valentine’s Day, she said. Nelle played the bride, and a “new boy” named Earl Higdon was best man. “So I always through the years loved to say that Earl was the best man at my first wedding,” she said. Winner of the Distinguished Alumni Award, Nelle Hood Higdon (’31) was introduced by her daughter, Jane Higdon (’70).
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