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PEOPLE
Teacher Education Scholarship
Honors John and Fran Carter by
Jack Brymer
When John and Fran Carter joined the faculty of Samford University in 1956 in what is now Orlean Bullard Beeson School
of Education, they became widely known on campus as “Dr. John” and “Dr. Frances.” Their illustrious careers have now
been enshrined at Samford with the John and Fran Carter Endowed Scholarship for Teacher Education. The scholarship
was established by Fran Tunnel Carter and donors who gave in memory of John, who died in March of 2014.
During her 28 years on Samford’s faculty,
Frances taught both education and home
economics, and established the early
childhood education major for Samford
students.
John taught secondary education and
served as dean of the school from 1980 to
1986. He initiated a series of annual
summer workshops at Samford, making it
possible for hundreds of practicing teachers
to earn professional development credit in
phonics, aerospace education, patriotism,
kindergarten and other topics.
“All of the scholarships the Carters have
given are important to me and to the
school,” said education dean Jean Box.
“Through the giving of the Carters, students
who are earning teaching degrees that
prepare them to teach in grades preschool
through high school can be better equipped
to attain their goal. John and Frances Carter
will forever touch the lives of children
through their faithfulness and generosity.”
Together, they taught at Hong Kong
Baptist University and Anhui Normal
University in Wuhu, People’s Republic of
China, on two sabbatical leaves.
After retirement, the Carters annually
led teams of American teachers to conduct
workshops for teachers in China. They
collected and shipped English books to
schools in several other countries through
the International Book Project at Samford,
prompting Anhui Normal University to
open the Samford University Reading Room
on its campus, and the Carters to build a
library/community center for the Marla H.
Corts Mission School in Liberia. For 17
years, John led the Christian Corresponders
letter-writing project, matching more than
20,000 American Christian young people
with Chinese students.
John was instrumental in beginning the
Samford Retired Faculty Association and the
Fellowship of Baptist Educators, serving as
its national president and then executive
director. Frances served as national executive
director of Kappa Delta Epsilon educational
fraternity for 15 years and was president of
the National League of American Pen
Women.
The Carters participated in numerous
international mission trips, taught Sunday
school and Bible study for most of their
adult lives, wrote books and denominational
curriculum for the Southern Baptist
Convention for 25 years, and taught
Conversational English through their
church, Dawson Memorial Baptist Church.
In addition to their many contributions
to education at home and abroad, the
Carters were recognized for their military
service. As a World War II U.S. Army
paratrooper, John earned five battle stars and
bronze arrowhead, landing in the invasion
of southern France in a glider plane and
participating in the Battle of the Bulge.
Frances founded the Rosie the Riveter
Association in 1998 to recognize and
preserve the history and legacy of working
women during WWII. Together, the Carters
presented more than 250 programs nationwide
as “Rosie the Riveter and her WWII
paratrooper.” ◗
Fran Carter signs scholarship agreement as,
from left, Wayne Carter, Nell Carter Branum,
Jean Box and Randy Pittman look on.
samford.edu • 9