Huff awards recognize American history scholarship, support Upstate literacy

Furman University presented three awards that recognize history scholarship and support history literacy in the Upstate. The A.V. Huff American History Scholarship and the Kate Huff History Scholars Awards were presented at the American History Book Club and Forum, which took place Oct. 25 at The Poinsett Club in downtown Greenville and featured Rice University professor and CNN presidential historian Douglas Brinkley.

Eleanor Mixon ’20 of Rock Hill, South Carolina, is the recipient of the A.V. Huff American History Scholarship.

Furman University junior and history major Eleanor Mixon is the recipient of the A.V. Huff American History Scholarship. Mixon, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, was chosen for the $1,500 award for research that she conducted with Furman History Professor Diane Vecchio about the Red Scare of 1919-1920. The 16th member of her family to attend Furman, Mixon plans to attend graduate school in public history or museum studies after graduation in 2020.

Two Furman University education alumnae are this year’s recipients the Kate Huff History Scholars Award ($500): Ashley (Barr) Causey ’97, M’05, and Audrey Neumann ’15, M’17.

Ashley (Barr) Causey ’97 is a recipient of the Kate Huff History Scholars Award.

Causey plans to use the award to purchase copies of the book “Unbroken” and related materials to use with her 9th grade geography class at Hillcrest High School (Greenville County School District).

Audrey Neumann ’15 is a recipient of the Kate Huff History Scholars Award.

Neumann, a teacher at Roebuck Elementary School (Spartanburg County School District) will apply the award toward inviting the Upcountry History Museum to present a program about World War I propaganda to her 5th-graders.

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 Awards are funded by the American History Book Club and Forum.