The society gave a $1,000 donation in honor of the late Billy Medford. Medford, an early member of the organization, promoted the society on campus and was responsible for designing and maintaining HCC’s dahlia garden. 

“It is important to the members of the Carolinas Dahlia Society and the Southern States Dahlia Association that this donation be made to continue the garden because of how much this means to the college history and to the community,” said Ken Zulla, treasurer of the Carolinas Dahlia Society. 

HCC’s dahlia garden has been a part of the college since the early years of the school’s existence. In 1966, A.L. Freedlander donated some of the money to build the campus in its present location, and with that gift he made a request that the campus maintain a collection of dahlias. That request has been honored throughout the school’s history.