This Wilmington high school is named after a titan for education in New Hanover County

How did Hoggard High School in Wilmington get its name?

The high school on Shipyard Boulevard was built in 1967 and named for Dr. John T. Hoggard. It's the second oldest high school in the county behind New Hanover High School.

Hoggard had an active career in education, beginning as chairman of the New Hanover County Board of Education in 1935. He later helped open Wilmington College, now known as the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and was its president from 1949-58, leading the school from a junior college to a four-year school.

Some notable alumni that attended Hoggard:

• Bill Saffo, the longest-serving mayor of the city of Wilmington.
• Connor Barth, former NFL kicker.
• Todd Vasos, a 1979 graduate, is chief executive officer of Dollar General Corporation.
• Deb Butler, member of the North Carolina House of Representatives.
• Kimberly Munley, a 1993 graduate, was a civilian police officer who helped in stopping the Nov. 2009 shooting at Fort Hood.