Maggie Jane Thurman Pennington

PENNINGTON, M. Maggie Jane Thurman Pennington, Ph.D., loved widow, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend, passed away on Friday, June 27, 2008. She was born to Walter Clay and Connie Hall Thurman of Radford, Virginia in 1927. She was the first woman professor at the College of Charleston and its first (and only) Dean of Women from 1967 to 1972. Maggie graduated from Radford College. She received her doctorate in biology from the University of Virginia where she was a Jefferson Fellow. She taught biology at Hollins College. From 1952 to 1961 she was Professor and Chairman of the Biology Department at Converse College in Spartanburg. For 35 years, from 1962 to her retirement in 1997, Maggie taught biology and botany. She also advised biology majors at the College of Charleston. When she came to the College there were 25 faculty members and 300 students. It grew rapidly when it became a state school in 1970. She always said the College was a marvelous place to teach. She loved her students and helped her colleagues. In 1967, the students dedicated their yearbook to her. She served on every major faculty committee over her career. She formed close friendships with many students and colleagues despite her outspoken nature and her high standards and expectations. She was always a proponent of the students and of maintaining the excellence of the teaching which was always the trademark of the College as a fine liberal arts school. She authored a biology lab manual for students. She oversaw the design and construction of the College's greenhouse. She was the President of the SC Academy of Sciences in 1971-72. She was a Distinguished Professor of Biology. In 1985 she was awarded the College's Distinguished Service Award for her service to the administration of the College. In 1992 she was given the College's highest award, its Founder's Medal. When she retired, she was given an Honorary Degree. Maggie was married to Dr. Raymond C. Pennington who taught anatomy at MUSC. She was widowed in 1988. In retirement, she cared for her family and her roses. Maggie loves her children and their families. Maggie is survived by her son, Ashley Pennington of Charleston and his wife Robin, her daughter Heather Downs, her husband, Jamie, of Savannah, Georgia and six grandchildren, Jennifer Downs, Jessie Downs, Grace Downs, Caroline Downs, Joy Pennington and Sean Pennington. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Monday, June 20, 2008 at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy., Charleston. The relatives and friends of Dr. Maggie Pennington are invited to attend her Funeral Liturgy at 10:00 am Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at the James A. McAlister Chapel. The Committal Service will be held in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Maggie T. Pennington Scholarship in Biology, College of Charleston Foundation, 66 George St., Charleston, SC 29424. This scholarship is awarded to junior and senior biology majors selected by the Biology Department. Arrangements are by the JAMES A. MCALISTER FUNERAL HOME, 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.