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Hanks presents plaque, pays tribute to history department faculty
May 27, 2003 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
Dan and Adeline Hanks presented a bronze plaque to Darlington’s history department during the faculty appreciation in May. The plaque recognizes former influential history department faculty including Darlington’s first headmaster James Ross McCain (1905-1915), Charles Everett “Son” Sammons (1928-1943), Joe Taylor Stukes ’44 (1948-1950 and 1952-1958), Jack Douglas Summerbell (1959-1998), Bruce Lamar Burch (1961-1995), Mary Hilda Amberson (1967-1973 Thornwood School and1973-1986 Darlington School), and Steve Killian (1988-2000).
McCain was Darlington’s first Headmaster and hired by John Paul Cooper on the recommendation of J.J. Darlington. He resigned as headmaster in 1915 to accept the position of Registrar at Agnes Scott College. He was elected as president of Agnes Scott in 1923, a position he held until his retirement. McCain was elected as a charter member of the Darlington Board of Trustees in 1922 and served until his death in 1965.
In addition to teaching History in Upper School and “Lower Forms,” as it was then known, Sammons served Darlington as athletic director and head football coach.
Stukes’ teaching career, spanning 42 years, began at Darlington where he taught for eight years.
During his 39-year career at Darlington, Summerbell taught at least one history class each year. He served as chairman of the history department and served as master of the day school before being named academic dean, a position he held until his retirement. Summerbell continues to serve Darlington as the School’s archivist.
Burch was “lured” to Darlington by E. V. “Doc” Regester and stayed for 35 years, teaching world and U. S. history. He also coached soccer, junior varsity football, and tennis.
Amberson taught history and current events at both Thornwood School for Girls and, after the merger, at Darlington School.
Killian taught U. S. history and government and economics and served as head wrestling coach and a junior varsity football coach.
McCain was Darlington’s first Headmaster and hired by John Paul Cooper on the recommendation of J.J. Darlington. He resigned as headmaster in 1915 to accept the position of Registrar at Agnes Scott College. He was elected as president of Agnes Scott in 1923, a position he held until his retirement. McCain was elected as a charter member of the Darlington Board of Trustees in 1922 and served until his death in 1965.
In addition to teaching History in Upper School and “Lower Forms,” as it was then known, Sammons served Darlington as athletic director and head football coach.
Stukes’ teaching career, spanning 42 years, began at Darlington where he taught for eight years.
During his 39-year career at Darlington, Summerbell taught at least one history class each year. He served as chairman of the history department and served as master of the day school before being named academic dean, a position he held until his retirement. Summerbell continues to serve Darlington as the School’s archivist.
Burch was “lured” to Darlington by E. V. “Doc” Regester and stayed for 35 years, teaching world and U. S. history. He also coached soccer, junior varsity football, and tennis.
Amberson taught history and current events at both Thornwood School for Girls and, after the merger, at Darlington School.
Killian taught U. S. history and government and economics and served as head wrestling coach and a junior varsity football coach.
