TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Preston H. Gunning 1927–2020 New Jersey Board of Education Administrative Pioneer, U.S. Army, WWII Veteran
By Billy Wright
L ong time Camden (NJ) Board of Education Business Adminis- trator and Superintendent Pres- ton Hubert Gunning (Lambda 1949) passed to the Chapter Invis- ible on December 17, 2020. Brother Gunning was a Charter Member of the Burlington-Camden (NJ) Alumni Chapter. Brother Gunning was born on May 27, 1927 and departed this life just five days after the passing of the love of his life, Jacqulin Taylor Gunning. When Jac- qulin died of COVID-19, her children decided not to inform Preston, her hus- band of 71 years, who didn’t have any symptoms. Five days later, he also died of the virus. The couple, both 93, retired Camden educators, “were inseparable,” said their son, Brother Calvin Gunning (Burlington-Camden alumni, Spring 85). It would have been difficult for his father to carry on without his high school sweetheart. “In his heart, in his mind and his soul, he knew. No one had to tell him,” said Brother Gunning, a re- tired principal. “I think the day my mom died that’s the day my dad died.” He attended the public schools of Harrisburg, PA where he was also a standout athlete at William Penn High School. Brother Gunning was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II and utilized the GI Bill to matriculate and earn his Bachelors’ degree from Cheyney
State College wherein he majored in Education.
“He was a true educator, He always helped people. Brother Gunning was a mentor for the young guys, nurturing many of us into the administrative ranks. Pres was well respected in New Jersey for his keen knowledge in finance.” Brother Gunning was very active in the community including the Rotary Club and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. “He was a true educator, He always helped people. Brother Gunning was a mentor for the young guys, nurturing many of us into the administrative ranks. Pres was well respected in New Jersey for his keen knowledge in finance.”
He was a superior athlete at Cheyney and earned varsity letters with the Wolves in track, basketball, and foot- ball. He was later enshrined into the Cheyney State University Athletic Hall of Fame for Football and Track in the induction class of 1985. His acclaimed career as an Educator be- gan with a teaching position in the Cam- den New Jersey school system. Brother Gunning served as a Coach and school Counselor before his calling to educa- tional administration. The school board recognized his leadership acumen and he rose to the position of Camden Board of Education Assistant Superinten- dent for Finance, and Board Secretary, becoming the first African American to serve in that position. Brother Gunning oversaw the finances and budget for 34 schools and over 4,000 employees in South Jersey’s largest school district. Shortly after Brother Gunning retired in 1990, he was asked to return as interim Superintendent when then-schools chief Brother Dr. Arnold Webster (Gamma Omega 1952) was elected Camden mayor. He was succeeded two years later by his good friend and confidant Brother Dr. Roy J. Dawson Jr (Delta 1963).
Working closely with Brother Gunning for over 30 years, Brother Dawson said
216 | SUMMER 2021 ♦ THE JOURNAL
VIRTUAL 85 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING
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