BIOGRAPHY OF DR. M. LOUISE McBEE

The Louise McBee Lectureship in Higher Education honors Dr. M. Louise McBee, vice president for academic affairs emerita of the University of Georgia. The lectureship, established in 1988, is filled annually by a distinguished scholar or public figure in the field of higher education or with expertise in that area. The McBee lecturer visits the University campus to deliver lectures, conduct seminars, and take part in the life of the University. The lectureship is housed in the Institute of Higher Education where Dr. McBee served as a member of the faculty.

Louise McBee is a native of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from East Tennessee State College in 1946, a Master of Arts from Columbia University in 1951, and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University in 1961. Dr. McBee's career began as a high school teacher in Marion, Virginia, and includes eleven years in various positions at East Tennessee State University where she served as dean of women. Beginning in 1963, she held several posts with the University of Georgia including dean of women, associate dean of students, dean of students, assistant vice president for instruction, associate and senior associate vice president for academic affairs, and acting vice president for academic affairs.

Throughout her tenure at the University, Dr. McBee won the high regard of students, faculty, alumni, and friends of the institution for her openness, candor, honesty, and integrity as well as for her consummate skill as a university administrator. As a Fulbright scholar and as author or co-author of four books and of numerous scholarly articles, she also enjoys the approbation of the scholarly world. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, having served as the national president of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, as vice president of the National Association of Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors, and as trustee and secretary of the Kathryn Phillips Trust Fund. In 1988, she received the Abraham Baldwin award from the University of Georgia Alumni Society for distinguished service to the University. She retired in 1988 and moved into that phase of her life with customary vigor and enthusiasm, serving in the General Assembly of Georgia for fourteen years and as chair of the Higher Education Committee from 2002 to 2004.

Copies of past lectures are available from the Institute and information on upcoming lectures will be provided when available.

If you would like further information, please contact the Institute of Higher Education at (706) 542-3464.