Joan Huntley (1931-2019) never had a Davidson diploma with her name on it hanging in the home she shared with her husband, Bob, Class of 1947, but she enthusiastically adopted the college as her own. Joan served Davidson as a lifetime member of the board of visitors. She attended Mary Washington College (now University) and UNC Chapel Hill, earning advanced degrees in public health during a time when women did not get those kinds of degrees; she was often the only woman in the room. She was famous for bringing people together, a real connector. Her passion for Davidson and art led to the formation of the Van Every/Smith Galleries’ Art Collection Advisory Committee (ACAC). Amy Clemmons King '97 recalls the founding as, [Joan] knew that if you believed in something, you could make it happen. She had been to museums at other private colleges, and she knew Davidson could attain that kind of collection if enough people got behind it." It is no surprise that Joan became known as the "godmother of the ACAC." Her generosity during her time with the ACAC and her estate gift aid in the group's efforts through the Joan Huntley Art Acquisition Fund, supporting the addition of new works to enhance campus and the curriculum. Joan’s artistic passion centered on 19th-century works of the Barbizon school. In addition to a superb selection of paintings and works on paper donated through her bequest, the college's Art Collection Advisory Committee purchased works from this era to honor her dedication and legacy. Additional works will be added to this collection thanks to the Dr. Joan Huntley Art Acquisition Endowment.

Blog Post: SEEN IN STORAGE: The Dr. Joan Huntley Collection by Sarah Zhang ‘23