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though he had given his time and efforts
over the years, Reinhardt had also given back to him. I just
grew up with Reinhardt, Reinhardt, Reinhardt.”
During the luncheon, the museum’s
exhibition gallery was named in Buffington’s memory. He and his
wife were active members of the Cherokee County Historical
Society and avid historic preservationists. Buffington’s will
provided the $500,000 “be used to endow the operation of the
history museum at Reinhardt College.”
Dr. Joseph H. Kitchens, executive director
of the Funk Heritage Center, is very grateful for Buffington’s
gift. “Mr. Buffington always greeted me with an insightful
history question, and I enjoyed our discussions,” Kitchens said.
“He was a student of the history of our area; so, while
appreciative, I was not surprised by his generous gift to
Reinhardt for the Funk Heritage Center’s endowment. This will
help ensure the center’s future. It is an honor for us to be
able to dedicate a gallery to his memory, and to honor his
efforts to preserve this region’s legacy.”
At the beginning of the event, Reinhardt
President Dr. J. Thomas Isherwood said, “The Funk Heritage
Center at Reinhardt College completes us as an institution of
higher education. Not only do we do wonderful teaching and
research, we honor this community by protecting our heritage. It
is people like Herbert Buffington that have made this possible.”
Buffington was a well respected Canton
attorney from the time he joined the State Bar of Georgia in
1942 until his death in 2003. For decades, the 1941 Reinhardt
graduate provided free legal advice to his alma mater. He also
was a consistent donor to the College over the years. He
received Reinhardt’s Alumni Loyalty Award in 1996 and was an
inaugural member of its Board of Advisors.
JoEllen B. Wilson, vice president for
institutional advancement and external affairs at the College,
said of Buffington, “For those of us who knew him, we remember
the encouragement he gave us, his humility and his generosity.
His spirit lives on through us.”
Buffington was very active in the local
community, serving as a member of the Canton First United
Methodist Church, the Canton Lions Club, the Canton Jaycees and
The American Legion in Canton. He was an organizing member of
the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and presided over the
county’s Bulldog Club for many years. He also was an energetic
member of the State Bar.
Born in Nelson, Ga., Buffington moved to
Canton in the 1930s and graduated from Canton High School in
1939. He spent the next two years at Reinhardt before moving on
to The University of Georgia, where he earned his A.B. degree.
Buffington later received a law degree from Atlanta Law School
and also completed military service during World War II. |
