A gift from a longtime supporter of Meredith College is having a lasting impact on the Meredith College campus. Former Trustee Ruby McSwain, ’54 (H), provided funds to support the creating of The Ruby McSwain Magnolia Collection to supplement the beauty of Meredith’s landscape.

With more than 200 species of magnolias around the world, the collection will feature some of the most beautiful and diverse selections of species and cultivated varieties, with funding that will provide for plantings well into the future.

Planting began in the spring of 2010, with more scheduled for fall 2010, and for years to come. A portion of the funding will also provide for the careful cultivation of the newly planted magnolias. In addition, as many of the best magnolias are new and rare to cultivation, larger specimens are often not available. Consequently, a portion of the early funding will be put toward the purchase, propagation and cultivation of young promising magnolias for future planting.

About Ruby McSwain

McSwain was elected to the College’s Board of Trustees in 1992. She served on the board until 1995, and again from 1998-2001. In addition to serving Meredith in this capacity, her generous support made a scholarship and library renovation possible. She was also a sponsor of the Spring 2010 Alumnae Art Exhibition. She is pleased that this latest gift allows her to share her love of magnolias with Meredith students.

“Meredith has always been admired for its campus,” McSwain said. “There is so much beauty right there for students to enjoy as they are learning.”