The University of Georgia has paid tribute to a former administrator with the naming of the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education. The institute is an academic unit committed to advancing higher education policy, management, and leadership through research, graduate education, and outreach. Since its creation in 1964, the institute has expanded to support two doctoral programs, a master’s degree, and three innovative outreach initiatives.
Dr. McBee was born in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. She was one of two members of her graduating class to attend college. She earned a bachelor’s degree at East Tennessee State University, a master’s degree at Columbia University, and a doctorate at Ohio State University.
Dr. McBee came to the University of Georgia in 1963 as the first dean of women and subsequently served as dean of students, assistant vice president for instruction, associate and senior associate vice president for academic affairs, and acting vice president for academic affairs. She retired from the university in 1988 and three years later won a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives. She served in the legislature for 13 years, including an influential term as chair of the House Higher Education Committee.
“Dr. McBee’s extraordinary legacy of leadership and service to UGA and the state of Georgia is one that will be remembered for generations to come,” said Jere W. Morehead, president of the University of Georgia. “For her many contributions to this institution and to public higher education, we are pleased to recognize her and link her with the institute she cared so much about.”
Dr. McBee died this past March and left an estate gift of more than $3.5 million to the institute that now bears her name. The gift will support the Louise McBee Distinguished Professorship in Higher Education and the Louise McBee Lecture in Higher Education. Additional funds will create an endowment to enhance the institute’s strategic partnerships, initiatives, and innovation across the three core areas of instruction, research, and service.