Oxford High School Class Of 1960 Honoring Former Teacher, Husband With Scholarship

Mary Frances McSwain taught and counseled in Granville County schools more than 30 years. Now, her former students are planning to honor her with a luncheon and a scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College. The scholarship will also be in memory of her husband, the late Eben G. McSwain, who was one of the first instructors at Vance-Granville Community College, where he headed the Electrical Installation program.

The Oxford High School Class of 1960 is planning a reunion on Saturday, June 11, in the Civic Center on the VGCC campus. As part of the reunion, a scholarship presentation and lunch beginning at 10 a.m. will honor Mrs. McSwain, and all her former students, fellow teachers and friends are invited.

State Representative Jim Crawford of Oxford, a former student of Mrs. McSwain, will speak at the ceremony.

All former students and friends of Mrs. McSwain and her late husband are being encouraged to donate to the scholarship. Persons wishing to contribute may send their checks to: Pat Graham, President’s Office, Vance-Granville Community College, P.O. Box 917, Henderson NC 27536.

A Gaffney, S.C., native and graduate of Queens College in Charlotte, Mary Frances McSwain, now 89, moved to Oxford in 1939 after teaching at Marion High School two years. She taught Bible at Oxford Orphanage and in Granville County schools from 1945 to 1959.

After earning a Master’s in Education from Duke University in 1959, Mrs. McSwain became the first guidance counselor in Granville County, working at Oxford High and Webb. Later, she was head of guidance and counseling at South Granville High School from 1970 to 1976.

Mrs. McSwain, who now lives in The Whitmore Retirement Center in Oxford, will participate in the scholarship luncheon in her honor on June 11.

Persons wishing to attend the luncheon should sent $17 by June 3 to Dr. Shirley Tippett Jones, 216 S. Spence Ave., Goldsboro, NC 27534.