TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
as a legislative assistant for the late Sen. Alan Cranston (D-CA). He served as an assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation before starting his own law firm in Washington, D.C. Davenport started Georgetown Partners, a Maryland-based private equity firm specializing in leverage buyouts. He has held executive level positions in various firms including GTE Consumer Services, Envirotest Systems and Basho Technologies. In 2005, Davenport endowed the Chester C. Davenport Scholarship Fund at UGA Law School. He also has served as a member of the Board of Visitors and the UGA Arch Foundation. In 2016, UGA Law School gave its Distinguished Service Scroll Award to Davenport which is the highest honor given by the Law School Association and recognizes outstanding dedication and service to the legal profession and law school. The UGA chapter of the Black Law Students Association is named in Davenport’s honor. In October 2020, the University of Georgia and its Law School, “established the Chester C. Davenport Memorial Endowment Fund to support scholarships and fellowships in Davenport’s honor. The fund will give priority to incoming students in the School of Law who have graduated from Georgia-based historically Black colleges and universities. Recipients also will be chosen for reflecting Davenport’s legacy of academic excellence, courage, determination and trailblazing spirit.”
Preston Gunning was born on May 27, 1927, the third son of Roscoe and Hester (née Womack) Gunning. He attended the public schools of Harrisburg, PA, where he was also a standout athlete at William Penn High School. After high school, Preston went to serve in the United States Army. After his honorable discharge, Gunning attended Cheyney State College (now Cheyney University of Pennsylvania) via the G.I. bill. Gunning was a top athlete for the Wolves teams in track, basketball, and football. Gunning earned a degree in 1951. Professionally, Gunning began his career as a teacher in Virginia before moving to Camden, NJ, where he was an industrial arts teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School. He also worked as a guidance counselor and coach. Gunning worked as an assistant superintendent and became one of the first Black business administrators in the district. He worked for many years in school administration in the Camden, NJ School District and was one of the early African-American administrators in the school district. In 1990, he retired as Camden Board of Education Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Board Secretary. Shortly after Mr. Gunning retired in 1990, Dr. Arnold Webster (Gamma Omega 1952) asked Gunning to return as interim superintendent when Webster became Camden, NJ mayor. He was succeeded two years later by his good friend and confidant, Brother Dr. Roy J. Dawson Jr (Delta 1963). Working closely with Gunning for over 30 years, Dawson said, “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.” Gunning was a charter member of the Burlington-Camden (N.J.) Alumni Chapter. He was a member of the Rotary Club and a longtime member of the historic Kaighn Avenue Baptist
Church of Camden, NJ. Gunning served as Chairman of the Deacon's ministry for over 30 years, sung on the Men's Choir, attended the Men's Sunday School Class, and was a sought- after speaker throughout New Jersey. Brother Preston Gunning Sr. was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 71 years, Jacqulin, two sons Preston Jr. and Jeffrey, his parents, and his three brothers, Oscar, Heyward, and Calvin. He survived by daughter Ann, son Calvin (Burlington-Camden (N.J.) Alumni 1985), ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Reginald A. Guy, Jr. Esq. 1948–2020 Attorney, Civil Rights Activist
After graduating from Central State University in 1970 where he pledged our noble bond in December 1967 Reginald A. Guy, Jr. Esq. became one of the first African American
graduates of the University of Kentucky’s Law School in 1973. After passing the bar examination, he accepted a position as deputy attorney general for the state of Pennsylvania in 1974. Brother Reginald A. Guy, Jr. who was 72 years old peacefully transitioned to the Chapter Invisible on November 25, 2020. He was an impressive figure of a man standing 6’5” tall who spoke like a combination of an English barrister and an old time African American preacher. Guy was the Student Government President and President of the Class of 1970 at Central State. Guy was part of what former U.S. President Barack Obama calls in his most recent book, A Promised Land “the Joshua Generation.” The Joshua Generation took on the responsibility of not only doing well for themselves, but for all of those black and brown students who would follow them. He also took on the responsibility of
Preston Gunning, Sr. 1927–2020 Educator, U.S. Army
Preston Gunning, Sr. (Lambda 1949) entered the Chapter Invisible on December 17, 2020, sadly five days after his wife of 71 years, Jacqulin (née Taylor) Gunning
passed.
72 | WINTER 2020-SPRING 2021 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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