Bennett Loses an Angel
Faculty, students, and many associated with Bennett College mourned the death of the former Chair of the Humanities Division, Dr. Anne Mangum.
She died on Monday at the age of 68 after a four-year battle with cancer.
Originally from Asheville N.C., Dr. Mangum received her bachelor’s degree from Western Carolina University and earned her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in English Literature at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
In 1989, Dr. Mangum came to Bennett and joined the Department of English. She leaves behind an unforgettable legacy after serving the college for over twenty years.
“One word to describe her is an angel, she was a loving woman that was open and caring and she believed in me,” says Tenille Foust instructor of visual arts.
Penny Speas, director of the writing center worked with Dr. Mangum for a number of years.
“She was a very giving individual who really loved Bennett, she was truly a scholar who really put her heart into all that she did for the students during her time here,” says Speas.
Foust says she’s just going to miss talking to Dr. Mangum.
“I’m going to miss seeing her face walking by the office, seeing her door open, going to her just to have some talks. I’m just glad she is in a better place where she doesn’t have to feel any more pain,” says Foust.
The school held a meet and greet with Dr. Anne Mangum’s family, Friday April 1 in the Steele Hall Art Gallery. The school then held a campus celebration honoring the life of Dr. Mangum. It was held at the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel.
In memory of Dr. Mangum, donations can be made to help fund a future academic honor for Bennett students in the English Department. You can contact Professor Steve Willis, interim chair for the division of humanities for more information at swillis@bennett.edu.
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