William "Fred" Gunn was born June 27, 1885 in Crawfordville, Georgia. He graduated with his B.S. degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia in 1915 and his M.S. degree in 1917. Gunn married and had two sons, Fred Allyn and William B. In 1918-1920, he was principal of Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Georgia. In 1920-1924, Gunn was Superintendent of Sparta Public Schools in Sparta, Georgia. In addition, he was Superintendent of Sandersville Public Schools in Sandersville, Georgia from 1924-1927. He served as Superintendent of Carroll County Schools from 1927-1933. He was the Dean of West Georgia College from 1933-1946. In 1936, West Georgia College dedicated the Chieftain yearbook in his honor, citing his "honesty, justice and willingness to lend a sympathetic ear to students at any time and who has, through his tireless effort, been an influence for good on the campus." Gunn was the president of Tift College from 1948-1952. Tift College merged with Mercer University in 1986 and was closed by Mercer in 1987. Gunn died in August 1964 and approximately a year later Gunn Hall, an award winning residence hall on the UWG campus, was constructed and dedicated in his honor.
From the description of [William Fred Gunn (1885-1964)]. 1912-1956. (University of West Georgia). WorldCat record id: 646198743
