Mary Dorothy Lyndon
Encyclopedia
Mary Dorothy Lyndon was the first female graduate from the University of Georgia
(UGA) in Athens
, Georgia
.
. She graduated from Wesleyan College
in Macon, Georgia
in 1896 as it first Dramatic Arts degree holder. She continued her education in Dramatic Arts and History at Columbia University
in New York City
before beginning her studies at UGA during Summer school sessions.
degree on June 17, 1914 - four years before women were admitted to UGA as regular students. Upon her graduation, Lyndon taught English at Athens High School
When women were finally admitted as full students during the 1919-1920 school year, Mary Lyndon was nominated by UGA Chancellor David C. Barrow and then elected by the University Board of Trustees to the positions of Associate Professor of Education and Dean
of Women.
Lyndon taught classes in the Peabody School of Education, directed the Thalian Dramatic Club, helped organize the University chapter of the Phi Mu
Sorority (the first sorority at UGA), and founded the Pioneer Club
.
, secretary of the local Daughters of the American Revolution
chapter, writer for the Athens Banner Herald
, and Sunday school teacher at the First Methodist Church of Athens.
. In 1936 Mary Lyndon Hall, initially a female residence hall on UGA's south campus, was named in her honor.
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
(UGA) in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
.
Early life and education
Lyndon was born in 1877 in Newnan, GeorgiaNewnan, Georgia
Newnan is a city in Coweta County, Georgia, about 30 miles southwest of Atlanta. The population was 16,242 at the 2000 Census. Newnan is one of the fastest growing cities in Georgia, with an estimated population of 27,097 in 2006 and 33,293 in July 2008...
. She graduated from Wesleyan College
Wesleyan College
Wesleyan College is a private, liberal arts women's college located in Macon, Georgia, United States.-History:The school was chartered on December 23, 1836 as the Georgia Female College, and opened its doors to students on January 7, 1839. The school was renamed Wesleyan Female College in 1843...
in Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
in 1896 as it first Dramatic Arts degree holder. She continued her education in Dramatic Arts and History at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
before beginning her studies at UGA during Summer school sessions.
UGA education, academic career
After earning sufficient credit Lyndon received a Master of ArtsMaster of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree on June 17, 1914 - four years before women were admitted to UGA as regular students. Upon her graduation, Lyndon taught English at Athens High School
When women were finally admitted as full students during the 1919-1920 school year, Mary Lyndon was nominated by UGA Chancellor David C. Barrow and then elected by the University Board of Trustees to the positions of Associate Professor of Education and Dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of Women.
Lyndon taught classes in the Peabody School of Education, directed the Thalian Dramatic Club, helped organize the University chapter of the Phi Mu
Phi Mu
Phi Mu is the second oldest female fraternal organization established in the United States. It was founded at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. The organization was founded as the Philomathean Society on January 4, 1852, and was announced publicly on March 4 of the same year...
Sorority (the first sorority at UGA), and founded the Pioneer Club
Pioneer Club
Pioneer Club may refer to:* Las Vegas Pioneer Club, a former casino in Las Vegas, Nevada* Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall, a former casino in Laughlin, Nevada*Pioneer Club , listed on the NRHP in Oklahoma...
.
Community service
Lyndon was active in the Athens community as the recording secretary for the Athens YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
, secretary of the local Daughters of the American Revolution
Daughters of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership organization for women who are descended from a person involved in United States' independence....
chapter, writer for the Athens Banner Herald
Athens Banner Herald
The Athens Banner-Herald is a 32,000 circulation newspaper in Athens, Georgia, owned by Morris Communications.The newspaper traces its history to the Southern Banner newspaper that first published on March 20, 1832....
, and Sunday school teacher at the First Methodist Church of Athens.
Death and legacy
On April 5, 1924, Lyndon died from pneumoniaPneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
. In 1936 Mary Lyndon Hall, initially a female residence hall on UGA's south campus, was named in her honor.