Public Service
Pictured: Bob and Jessie Rae Scott during election in 1968, courtesy NCSU Special Collections.
The Scotts of Hawfields are a remarkable family of service-oriented individuals. Within one century, this family produced a legislator and prominent Farmers’ Alliance leader, a governor who later became a U.S. Senator, an NC State Senator of tremendous influence, another governor who later served as the state community college system president, and two state agricultural commissioners. In addition to political service the Scotts have served as members of the armed services, leaders in their churches, schools, and civic organizations.
Notable Public Service
Robert Walter Scott (1861–1929)
At the age of 27, Robert W. Scott was elected to the first of four consecutive terms as a Representative from Alamance County to the NC State House of Representatives. With his avid support, North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (NCSU) was founded.
W. Kerr Scott (1896–1958)
Governor W. Kerr Scott was inaugurated as the 62nd Governor of North Carolina in January of 1949. During his term as Governor, Kerr Scott sought to improve communication in the rural areas of North Carolina by paving dirt roads, installing telephone lines and improving services to rural families. Following his term as Governor, Kerr Scott was elected to represent North Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
Henry A. Scott (1898–1962)
Henry A. Scott worked as a champion of education. He served as both member and Chairman of the Alamance County Board of Education from 1938–1962 and as a member of the Alexander Wilson School Committee. Henry was also elected as the President of State School Boards Association. In 1943 he was appointed by Gov. J. Melville Broughton to the Board of Trustees of NC A&T College and he maintained this appointment until his death in 1962.
Ralph H. Scott, Sr. (1903–1989)
Ralph Scott was elected to 8 terms in the NC State Senate, serving as President Pro Tem in 1963. He was very active in his community as a member and leader of a host of civic and professional organizations.
Anderson Hughes “Jim” Scott (1911–1993)
A civic-minded individual, Jim Scott helped organize the Good Shepherd Community Kitchen and was involved with the Federal Surplus Commodities distribution program. He also served as Chairman of the Alamance County Department of Social Services Board from 1980 to 1983.
Robert W. “Bob” Scott (1929–2009)
After serving as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, Robert. W. “Bob” Scott was inaugurated on January 3, 1969 as Governor of North Carolina —20 years after his father served in the same office. During his term the state’s sixteen institutions of higher learning merged into a distinguished consolidated university system.
Jessie Rae Osborne Scott (1929–2010)
Jessie Rae Scott served as the Director of the American Cancer Society and the President of the North Carolina Division of the American Cancer Society in 1982. Later that year, she received the Sword of Hope award from the North Carolina American Cancer Society. In recognition of her work she was named Honorary Life Member of the North Carolina Division of the American Cancer Society in 1995.
Meg Scott Phipps (1956– )
Meg Scott Phipps served as an Administrative Law Judge for the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings. In 2000, she was elected as the first woman to serve as the North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture. Meg became the Director of Christian Education for Hawfields Presbyterian Church in 2007.