ROCKY MOUNT — More than 250 people showed at Nash Community College for the eight newest inductees into the Twin County Museum & Hall of Fame Thursday night at Nash Community College.

Of the eight, the late, former George Washington Carver High School Principal Samuel Gilliam was the only one from Edgecombe County.

There was a good showing specifically for the late principal, with around 30 former G.W. Carver High students and Gilliam family members in attendance. Gilliam, an N.C. Central University and Shaw University graduate, passed away in June 2001 at the age of 89.

Both Edgecombe County Commissioner Wayne Hines and former Edgecombe Community College President Dr. Hartwell Fuller referred to the principal as "an icon" in the county, for his 34-year tenure at Carver High and the impact he had in the community.

Gilliam was principal from 1941-43, and then from 1945-77, with the two years in between spent with the U.S. Army serving in World War II.

During her introduction of him as an inductee, Ann Edge said that when Gilliam did not receive permission to hold classes in the then-uncompleted Carver High School in Pinetops, he held the children's classes within school buses. "He blew a whistle" to let students know that it was time to change classes, she added.

Because of Gilliam's commitment to his students, Edge added that "Carver became the role model for other high schools in the county."

Hines said "it means the world to me" to see his one-time principal recognized for his work. "He made a difference in most of the children's lives. ... He didn't have much trouble out of anybody" because of his ability to enforce discipline, and command respect, with children, Hines added.

Fuller added that, especially during the period of racial integration of the county's school system, he was "a stabilizing force" in the community, someone "loved by everybody who knew him."

Accepting a commissioned portrait on Gilliam's behalf was his great niece, Deborah Gilliam, who came from Virginia for the ceremony.

"He has always done wonderful things, but it's great for him to be recognized for the things he's accomplished," she said. She felt "happy and full of pride" to be representing her family Thursday, to see her great uncle inducted and recognized for his efforts in education.

Gilliam said that Sam's widow, 97-year-old Dorothy, was "overjoyed" on Thursday to know that her late husband was being honored for his lifelong accomplishments in Edgecombe's school system. Dorothy lives in Rocky Mount on her own, though she does have "around the clock" assistance from caretakers, her great niece added.

Leah Vines, the national president of the George Washington Carver Alumni Association, said the induction of Gilliam into the Hall of Fame "means everything really" to the 250 members of her organization.

"He really is the roots of high school in Edgecombe County for black children," added Vines, a 1955 G.W. Carver High graduate.

James Collins, a 1969 Carver High graduate and local president of the school's alumni association, said that his former principal was "the type of person everyone should want to model (themselves) after.