WILSON, N.C. — April 7, 2025 — Barton College will host the K.D. Kennedy, Jr. Rare Book Room & Special Collections Forum on Tuesday, April 15 at 4:30 p.m. in the Willis N. Hackney Library Commons. This annual event, designed to showcase the College’s distinguished rare book collection, will also recognize Dr. K.D. Kennedy, Jr., whose philanthropy established the Rare Book Room. The forum is free and open to the public.
Michael Brantley, Elizabeth H. Jordan Chair of Southern Literature, will serve as host, providing an overview of the collection and its significance to Barton College. Faculty presenters Dr. Bill Hunt and Dr. Lydia Walker will share insights into the use of rare materials in their fields and classrooms. Students Terra Schmidt and Jack Welch will take part in the discussion, and Technology and Grants Librarian Naija Speight will lead an interactive look at select rare books and historical artifacts.
The event is sponsored by the Barton College School of Arts and Humanities and the Willis N. Hackney Library. For more information, contact Michael Brantley at mkbrantley@barton.edu.
About Dr. K.D. Kennedy, Jr. —
Dr. K.D. Kennedy, Jr., a Wilson, North Carolina, native, was a business leader, philanthropist, and advocate for the arts. He earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Duke University and a Master of Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University. Though his academic background was in engineering, a summer session at Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) fostered his appreciation for small, private liberal arts institutions. As CEO of Electric Supply Company of Raleigh, he helped establish the company as one of the Southeast’s leading electrical equipment suppliers.
A dedicated supporter of literature, music, and education, Kennedy played a significant role in Barton College’s growth. Serving as a trustee from 1989 to 2004, including five years as chair, he was later named trustee emeritus. His philanthropy supported major campus projects, including the Kennedy Recreation and Intramural Center, the Kennedy Family Theatre, and the K.D. Kennedy, Jr. Rare Book Room. An accomplished poet, he authored several books, contributing to the literary world as well. In recognition of his service, Barton College awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2008.
About the K.D. Kennedy, Jr. Rare Book Room —
Established in 2014 through the generosity of Dr. K.D. Kennedy, Jr., the Rare Book Room houses a distinguished collection emphasizing British and Scottish literature, history, and philosophy. This focus reflects the Scottish heritage of Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone, founders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The collection also includes materials on the history of books and printing, books published in Great Britain before 1640, and early works from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, printed before 1820.
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