A former Alabama governor, Charles Henderson, and a former federal judge, T. Virgil Pittman, will formally join the Alabama Men’s Hall of Fame at an induction ceremony on Sept. 20. The Hall of Fame has been housed on Samford’s campus since 1987.
Gov. Henderson (1860-1937) served as Alabama’s 35th governor from 1915 through 1919. A successful business leader and former mayor of Troy, Alabama, Henderson championed a degree of reforms to the state’s educational, public health, child services, and prison and highway systems. Henderson was instrumental in founding Troy University. His philanthropic trust provided funding to create Charles Henderson High School, Charles Henderson Middle School, and the Charles Henderson Child Health Center, all in Pike County.
Pittman (1916-2012), former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, is known for several key court rulings in the wake of the Civil Right Movement that addressed discrimination in public employment and reshaped politics in the state. He also served as an FBI special agent and in the U. S. Navy during World War II. He was a civic volunteer, church leader and a life trustee of Samford University.
The induction ceremony luncheon is set for Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 11:30 a.m. at The Club in Birmingham. For further information and reservations, call (205) 706-1289.
Founded by the Alabama legislature in 1987, the Alabama Men’s Hall of Fame recognizes men "whose lives have impacted the state, nation and world." Honorees must have been deceased for two years. Its board members represent Alabama's seven congressional districts. The Birmingham Women's Committee of 100 sponsors the program. The Hall of Fame is located on the second floor of Harwell Goodwin Davis Library at Samford. The Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame is located at the University of West Alabama in Marion.