Whose House? Building Names at Georgia Southern: Henderson Library

Zach Suddath Henderson is remembered as a gentleman who devoted his life to help serve the people of Georgia, whether it be serving in the military or working to help share education. He devoted 45 years of his life to serving as an educator. 21 of those years he served as a dean to Georgia Southern and another 20 as president. Under his leadership, Henderson expanded and helped shape the university into what it is today. While he was head of the school, Georgia Southern more than quadrupled the number of students and underwent the process of desegregation. 

Henderson Library was opened up in 1975. It is 245,888 square feet (each floor is a full acre!) and contains four floors that houses books, articles, government documents, and other rare and special collections. The library has private study rooms that students can reserve, computers and printers, and even a coffee shop. In 1997, the library held over 500,000 volumes of books and bound journals, over 600,000 publications from the US government, over 3,000 periodicals in paper and microfilm, and thousands of online books and resources. Those numbers have only grown since then. 

“Dr Zach Suddath Henderson (1902-1985) - Find a...” Find a Grave. Accessed May 3, 2022. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77307236/zach-suddath-henderson.

http://“The George-Anne.” Georgia Southern Commons, 1967. http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/george-anne/2548.

http://“The George-Anne.” Georgia Southern Commons, 1968. http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/george-anne/2552.

Henderson Library Tour

Davidson. (1997). A guide to the Zach S. Henderson Library  / by the Information Services Dept.

 Houston. (2002). Zach Suddath Henderson, educator and Methodist lay leader  / by Lawrence E. Houston, Jr.
 

Dr. Zach S. Henderson was born on January 24, 1902 in Banks County, Georgia. Over the years, he attended Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia, Teacher's College at Columbia University in New York City, and the University of Chicago where he obtained his bachelors and graduate degrees. He moved to Plant City, Florida where he worked as a teacher and coach at the local high school, and then moved to Eastman, Georgia. Here, he served as a principal and coach at the local high school, and eventually as superintendent. In 1927, he married his wife, Marjorie Clark, who he went on to have three children with. 

He served as a dean at Georgia Southern for 21 years, from 1927 to 1948. In 1948, he became the president of Georgia Southern and served for an additional 20 years, retiring in the spring of 1968, meaning he served Georgia Southern University for 41 years. During his time at the university, the school multiplied its number of students, went through desegregation (1965), and also grew and acquired more programs of study beyond those associated with a teachers college. Anyone who knew Dr. Henderson knew what a kind and caring man he was. He was very involved in the college, whether it be participating in faculty sporting events, attending school dances, or Christmas parties and events. He also cared about his faculty. During his time at the college, he secured higher pay for faculty. He, along with Professor C.M. Destler, also established a healthcare plan for faculty with the Bulloch County Hospital, which was ahead of its time. 

Along with serving the college, he also participated in educational concerns outside the local level. He was a member of the Nation Education Association, the American Association of School Administrators, he was a chairman of the Georgia Accrediting Association, and he served as president of the Georgia Education Association from 1965-1966. In addition, Dr. Henderson was also an active part of the Statesboro and Bulloch County community. He served as president of the Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce, as well as serving the local YMCA and Rotary club. He is known to have encouraged his faculty and administration to help support and serve the community as well. Another aspect that was important in Zach Henderson's life was his devout Christianity. He helped play a big part in the growth and service of Pittman Park Methodist Church in Statesboro. After he retired from Georgia Southern University, he continued to serve at the church until he was unable to because of his health.

Zach Henderson was a role model to many. He helped shape and grow not only Georgia Southern University, but Statesboro and Bulloch County as well. He passed away in Bulloch County, Georgia on January 6, 1985, leaving behind a great legacy.