Margaret Blanchard Two longstanding leaders of the Institute of Higher Education were recognized on January 28 with President’s Medals by the University of Georgia Alumni Association. Louise McBee, emerita UGA vice president for academic affairs and former state representative for Athens, and the late Thomas G. Dyer, UGA university professor and vice president for instruction emeritus, were honored with the first-ever award. The awards were presented by President Jere Morehead at an invitation-only luncheon sponsored by the UGA Alumni Association. Dyer’s wife, Anna Burns Dyer, accepted the award on his behalf. The medal, conceived by the UGA Emeriti Scholars, recognizes longstanding, extraordinary contributions of former employees who support students and academic programs, advance research, and inspire community leaders to enhance Georgians’ quality of life. Emeriti Scholars is a group of retired faculty members known for their teaching abilities who continue to be involved in the university’s academic life through part-time teaching, research and service assignments. During McBee’s 25-year tenure at UGA, she served in a number of positions, including dean of women, dean of students and acting vice president for academic affairs. Following her retirement in 1988, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia named her vice president emerita for academic affairs. McBee was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1991 and served six terms before stepping down in 2004. In her last term, she was chair of the House Higher Education Committee. Dyer, who died on Oct. 10, 2013, also made a significant impact during his years at UGA, especially within undergraduate education. He began initiatives such as the extension of the learning environment into student residences, the relocation of academic advisors to resident halls, and the establishment of the Freshman College. He served in various administrative positions including vice president for instruction, associate vice president for academic affairs (twice), senior associate vice president for academic affairs, associate vice president for services, and interim senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. He was a professor of higher education and history and former director of the Institute of Higher Education. FRIENDS & ASSOCIATES NEWS IHE Fellow David Mustard was a recipient of the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorship, UGA’s highest recognition for superior instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Mustard, associate professor of economics in the Terry College of Business, will receive a permanent salary increase of $6,000 and a one-year discretionary fund of $1,000. Type of News/Audience: 2014 IHE Report
