Vidalia’s McNatt donates father’s class ring to BPC archives

Dr. David R. Smith, BPC president (left), accepts H.B. McNatt’s 1929 class ring from his son, Hugh McNatt Jr. (right), a local attorney. (Photo by Kelley Arnold)

By Kelley M. Arnold

Interim Director of Marketing

Local attorney Hugh McNatt Jr. presented Brewton-Parker College with a special gift last week. McNatt of Vidalia donated his father’s class ring – a 1929 Brewton-Parker Institute (BPI) ring – to the BPC Archives.

McNatt’s father, H.B. McNatt, was an influential farmer in the Marion Yancey Community of Toombs County. McNatt’s children found the ring while looking through his mother’s belongings after her death, said McNatt. His mother was Lillian Sanders McNatt. She was also a BPI graduate. The letters “H B M” are inscribed on the inside of the ring.

BPI operated between 1912 until the college became a two-year junior college in 1948.

Ann Turner, director of the college’s Fountain-New Library thanks McNatt for his family’s donation.

“Brewton-Parker College wouldn’t have an archives without the generosity of our friends and alumni. We value each contribution and will value Mr. McNatt’s family memento from his father,” said Turner.

Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four year Christian college in south Georgia. The BPC Archives are housed in the Fountain-New Library on the Mount Vernon campus. They open during the library’s regular operating hours. Call the library at 912-583-3230 for more information.

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