College Mourns Loss of Alumna Lucy Beckham ’70

Lucy Beckham ’70

College of Charleston alumna Lucy Beckham ’70, a former principal at Wando High School and former National High School Principal of the Year, passed away on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015.

Beckham was named the 2010 Alumna of the Year by the College of Charleston Alumni Association and was the keynote speaker and recipient of an honorary degree at the College’s 2010 Graduate School Commencement.

Read a profile of Beckham from College of Charleston Magazine.

“College of Charleston alumna Lucy Garrett Beckham was a remarkable educator and principal,” said College of Charleston President Glenn F. McConnell ’69. “Her personal philosophy about opportunity in the classroom informed her approach to educational leadership and commitment to lifelong learning. Lucy symbolized the spirit, pride and values of the College, and I know her impact will be felt for generations to come.”

Lucy Beckham ’70 was the keynote speaker and recipient of an honorary degree at the College’s 2010 Graduate School Commencement.

A native of Fountain Inn, S.C., Beckham was educated in the Greenville County public schools. She graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1966 and from the College of Charleston in 1970 with a bachelor’s of science in mathematics. She later received master’s and specialist’s degrees from The Citadel.

She taught high school math for 16 years and served as a principal of Wando High School from 1998 until July 2015, when she was named executive principal of Charleston County’s Constituent School District 2.

In her 2010 commencement speech, Beckham urged the graduates to support public education. “Speak up for our schools. Learn about the candidates running for office and choose those who support public education. Vote in every election. Contact lawmakers, write letters to the editor, and engage in other civic activities that will support and sustain our public education system.”

Watch a video profile of Beckham from the 2010 Alumni Awards: