Huff awards recognize American history scholarship

Furman University will present two awards that recognize history scholarship and support history literacy in the Upstate. The awards will be presented at the American History Book Club and Forum, which takes place Oct. 19 at The Poinsett Club in downtown Greenville.

Furman senior Elizabeth Campbell is the recipient of the inaugural A.V. Huff American History Scholars Award; and Furman alumna Katelyn Ammons Barnett (Class of 2012) is the first recipient of the Kate Huff History Scholars Award.

Campbell, whose hometown is Knoxville, Tenn., is scheduled to graduate in 2018 with a double major in History and Politics and International Affairs. She was chosen for the $1,000 award for her research, which she conducted with Furman History professor Diane Vecchio, dealing with the Red Scare of 1919-1920. Among other endeavors, Campbell plans to attend law school.

The Kate Huff History Scholars Award ($500) is presented to a social studies or history teacher in an Upstate public or private school.

Barnett teaches 4th grade at Augusta Circle Elementary. She is the inaugural winner of the Kate Huff History Scholars Award.

Barnett, originally from Memphis, Tenn., is a 4th grade teacher at Augusta Circle Elementary who plans to use the grant to help cover costs of a history-based field trip to Charleston. Barnett graduated from Furman with a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in education.

A.V. Huff, Jr. is a historian, author and retired Furman professor, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs. His passion for American history influenced Furman students during his 35 years at the institution (1968-2003). Kate Huff spent her career as an elementary school teacher. Together, the Huffs continue to advocate for history literacy in the Upstate.

The A.V. Huff American History Scholarship and the Kate Huff History Scholars Award are funded by the American History Book Club and Forum. Campbell and Barnett will be recognized at the group’s next event Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. when The New York Times’ Maureen Dowd and Carl Hulse present “Humor and History: The Role of Satire in Democracy.” Reservations are required.

For more information, contact the Furman News and Media Relations office at 864-294-3107.