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‘Who is
Loy Witherspoon?’ By Melba Newsome
Religious studies professor made indelible mark in building UNC Charlotte When new UNC Charlotte students are assigned housing in the Loy Hahn Witherspoon Residence Hall, they may wonder, “Who is Loy Witherspoon?” That’s probably the same question they ask when acclaimed religion scholars from around the world turn up to speak at the annual Loy H. Witherspoon Lecture in Religious Studies. Former Chancellor James Woodward has a ready answer. “People who join an organization early define the culture of the organization,” said Woodward. “I don’t think there was anybody — other than Bonnie Cone — who contributed to the University so thoroughly. He did all of the extra things you need to have done by senior faculty . . . and then he did more.” Given that Witherspoon retired before the majority of today’s undergraduates were even born, many never had the pleasure to know the distinguished professor and scholar who devoted his life to education and whose 30 years of service left an indelible mark on the University. “It’s been a better place because he has been here,” said UNC Charlotte founder Bonnie Cone upon Witherspoon’s retirement. Born in Catawba, N.C. on January 17, 1930, Witherspoon and his younger brother were orphaned as young children and subsequently raised at the Methodist Children’s Home in Winston-Salem. Despite his disadvantaged childhood, he excelled academically. He spent four years at Duke 14 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine
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Loy Witherspoon stands in front of the residence hall that bears his name, and the home base for UNC Charlotte’s International House and Honors in Residence.
University followed by three years at Duke Divinity School. Always intrigued by the broader world and different cultures, the small-town boy began his teaching career in 1954 in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at American University in Cairo. “I realized how important it was for my own growth and development to be exposed worldwide,” he said. “I was interested in the ancient Egyptian culture because so much of it had an impact on the Old Testament period, the Hebrew people and
their religion. I thought it was very important to have an understanding of that background.” When he returned to Charlotte the following year as associate minister of Myers Park Methodist Church, prominent philanthropists and benefactors Ross and Jennie Puette were determined that he and Bonnie Cone, then president of Charlotte College, should get to know each other. What resulted was a remarkable 40-year friendship. “Mr. Puette played golf rain or shine and Mrs. Puette would always invite Bonnie and me to www.UNCC.edu