SEDLEY—Though it has been several years since Hubbard Peanut Co.’s founder died, Dorothy Owen Hubbard’s name lives on in her business and in an endowed scholarship at Longwood University.

The scholarship, which was established at Hubs’ 50th anniversary celebration in 2004, was recently awarded to Katelyn Black of Waynesboro.

“I think my mom would be very proud,” Lynne Rabil said. “The scholarship is to be given to a student in the business school, preferably from Southampton County or the City of Franklin.”

Hubbard graduated from Longwood in 1947. Rabil graduated in 1975 and served on the Alumni Board and Foundation Board. Sisters Sandra Edwards and Terri Powers also attended the institution.

“Almost 34 years ago, I graduated in the last ‘all girls’ class of Longwood College. I never applied anywhere else,” Rabil said during a recent scholarship awards luncheon. “I didn’t want to apply anywhere else, and it was a good thing because my father said, ‘You are going to Longwood.’”

Rabil said the family chose Longwood as their institution to give to because of the many family ties there, as well as the influence of her former teacher and principal. Ethel Fenimore.

“I have to say, though, that Dot Hubbard was the most significant of all those Longwood influences. My sisters and I spent hours pouring through her yearbooks, listening to her stories, loving her Longwood friends …,” Rabil said. “The advice my mother had when I left home freshman year was to have fun. From the stories I’ve heard, she took her own advice and I did, too.”

Rabil told the group that her mom and dad, H.J. Hubbard, started the peanut company with a family recipe and the need for more income because of their big family — the three girls and baby brother, Harvey Hubbard.

“When there is no reality TV to help you market your needs, you begin to think about drastic measures like starting a business,” she said. “Our family could think of no better way to memorialize Dot’s love of Longwood and her entrepreneurial spirit than to establish this scholarship.”

Franklin Grant, associate vice president for university advancement, worked closely with Hubbard in her role as a school alumna.

“She was always active with Longwood and assisted in any way she could, and that included fundraising when necessary,” he said. “The class of ’47 was a very active group and Dot was certainly one of the driving forces behind that.

“It’s an honor to be able to work with the family and have them do something permanent at Longwood. Dot would be humble about it but very, very pleased.”