Dennis M. Huggins

Year Inducted: 2020

Dennis M. Huggins was born in Florence, SC, and graduated from Tabor City High School in 1973. He graduated from Wingate University and East Carolina University, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1977.

Huggins moved to Wilkes County in 1990 with his wife, Jan when he was promoted from store manager to a position in retail and commercial sales promotions with Lowe’s Companies Inc. Once in Wilkes, he quickly became engaged in learning all he could about Wilkes and fell in love with the community. He retired from Lowe’s in 2000 after rising to corporate commercial sales manager. After retirement, Huggins worked with others to fund and establish the Yadkin Valley Greenway and was instrumental in raising money to restore the 1902 Wilkes County Courthouse and Jail and establish the Wilkes County Heritage Museum. At the invitation of Wilkes County Schools Superintendent Dr. Stephen Laws, he became the system’s Director of Development in 2006.

During Huggins’ time at Wilkes County Schools, he was involved with the Technology in Education Challenge, Project ADMIT, and other fundraising efforts for various school and district initiatives. His work with grant writing provided numerous resources and opportunities for students they never would have had without his efforts. He also played a vital role in the development of a student leadership program in 2006, where he served as the adult advisor to students from all Wilkes County high schools until his retirement in 2019. The program taught the youth of Wilkes County the value of giving back and enriching our community.

Since moving to Wilkes County, Huggins has held multiple positions within the community, each directed toward the improvement of the quality of life for Wilkes citizens. He was a founding member of the Wilkes County Hall of Fame, served as an ambassador for the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce, and on the Wilkes YMCA Board of Directors. Huggins served as past president of the Wilkes Community Foundation and was a member of the North Carolina Community Foundation Affiliate Advisory-Impact Committee. He was vice president of Leadership Wilkes for the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce, co-chairman of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame, and volunteered at Samaritan Kitchen. He currently serves on the board of directors for the 12 Note MAP and Whippoorwill Academy and Village. At First United Methodist Church in North Wilkesboro, Huggins has served as a Stephen’s minister, on the finance committee and is currently chairman of the Outreach/Mission committee and Colvard Fund. Upon his retirement from Wilkes County Schools, it was announced the groundwork had been laid for a Dennis Huggins Community Scholarship Fund. Huggins awards this scholarship to chosen high school seniors who have participated in the youth leadership program which he helped create. Huggins was also named Grand Marshal of the 2018 Wilkes County Christmas Parade along with wife, Jan. They are the parents of two children, Abigail and Andrew and grandparents of one grandchild, Caleb.