Remembering Shirley McBay’s Legacy at Spelman College and Her Impact on Black Mathematicians

By Tasha R. Inniss

One person can make a difference; for Dr. Shirley Ann Mathis McBay, that difference significantly impacted the education and careers of innumerable students and faculty of color in various science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. I consider myself blessed for having experienced the privilege of Dr. McBay’s support, guidance, and advocacy. She was my first role model of a Black woman mathematician. 

It is fitting that we pay tribute to Dr. McBay, who passed away in November 2021, at the intersection of Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March) this year. She is remembered as a “pioneering mathematician” and a STEM advocate; in 1966, Dr. McBay became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in any subject from the University of Georgia (UGA), thus blazing the trail for future women in all Ph.D. programs. In fact, UGA has renamed its Science Library as the “Shirley Mathis McBay Science Library” in honor of her pioneering efforts to increase participation of women and minorities in STEM fields. McBay is also well recognized for founding the Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network in 1990.

Much is known about Dr. McBay’s background, her work as a dean at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and her pivotal contributions to the QEM Network. However, her impact on the stellar trajectory of STEM education at Spelman College is less celebrated. Dr. McBay began her tenure at Spelman in the mid-1950s and remained at the College until 1975. Though I was not at Spelman during that time or immediately thereafter, I had the opportunity to speak with several retired Spelman professors and administrators about Dr. McBay’s legacy.

I am and always will be a catalyst for change. — Shirley Chisholm 

Shirley Chisholm’s quote aligns with the thoughts of Dr. Albert Thompson, professor emeritus of chemistry who considered Dr. McBay to be his “scientific sister.” “Dr. McBay had a vision for the sciences at Spelman,” he said. “She was really the catalyst to put the College on the move in the sciences to become a leader in preparing African American women to earn undergraduate and advanced degrees in STEM.”

Dr. Audrey Manley, president emerita of Spelman and lifelong friend of Dr. McBay, noted that Dr. McBay wrote the first grant proposal that resulted in the establishment of Spelman’s Division of Natural Sciences in 1972. She served as the first chairperson of the Division, presented a compelling case to then-President Albert Manley about the necessity of a change in the sciences (she, Mrs. Manley, and three Spelman students convinced him), and developed a comprehensive plan in collaboration with Dr. Etta Z. Falconer (another pioneer in mathematics). The first activity in this plan was a pre-freshmen summer program, which was still in existence when I arrived at Spelman as a junior faculty member in January 2004.

Thompson, who later served as Division Chair of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, also indicated that Dr. McBay put Spelman on the map with grant writing for the National Science Foundation (NSF). It seems that there was much curiosity about a small school in Georgia that was submitting excellent, well-written proposals — all of which were written by Dr. McBay. She started the trend of writing proposals for external funding to support STEM programs at Spelman, a legacy that has continued to this day. Falconer, who became Spelman’s Division Chair of Natural Sciences after Dr. McBay’s departure, wrote grants and received funding for NASA's Women in Science and Engineering Scholars Program and the Model Institutions for Excellence Program. Dr. Leyte Winfield (current Division Chair of Natural Sciences and Mathematics) and Dr. Monica Stephens (current Department Chair of Mathematics) have written numerous grants and received funding for research, pedagogical initiatives, and scholars’ programs.

Have a vision. Be demanding. — Colin Powell 

Colin Powell’s sentiment aptly describes the life and work of Dr. McBay. From the moment she arrived at Spelman in the 1950s, she upheld a vision for the sciences and educational attainment of students of color. Her impact and influence touched not only students, but faculty as well. Dr. Sylvia T. Bozeman, professor emerita of mathematics, shared how Dr. McBay and Dr. Falconer insisted that she go back and finish her Ph.D. in mathematics (even with two small children) — they also found funding for her to do so. When Dr. McBay recognized a strong work ethic, there were no limits to what she would do to support one’s goals.

During her tenure at Spelman College, Dr. McBay demanded change, implemented new strategies, and planted the seeds that have resulted in Spelman’s flourishing STEM programs. As a result of Dr. McBay’s vision and diligence, Spelman has consistently ranked as the #1 baccalaureate-origin institution for Black women who earn doctoral degrees in science and engineering, as reported by the National Science Foundation [2]. In an article about the history of sciences at Spelman, Falconer wrote that “the science program at Spelman College is a successful program of excellence that is a source of pride for our country” [1]. That legacy began with Dr. McBay’s vision and demand for change. 

As I was reflecting on my own educational and career trajectory, I realized that Dr. McBay’s guidance and mentorship has led me to where I am today: Associate Provost for Research at Spelman College. I first met Dr. McBay after graduating from Xavier University of Louisiana with a B.S. in mathematics. I was selected as a David and Lucile Packard Foundation Scholar (a fellowship program for students in the physical sciences and mathematics from Historically Black Colleges and Universities), and she was serving on the Advisory Board along with Dr. Hugh Gloster, president emeritus of Morehouse College. It was clear that Dr. McBay viewed students of color as brilliant and exceptional; not only did she expect us to act accordingly, she urged institutions to create environments that facilitated our success rather than impose additional barriers. 

In a tribute that the QEM Network organized for Dr. McBay, I spoke about how Dr. McBay routinely invited me to organize and present at workshops, speak to students, contribute to handbooks, and serve on advisory boards. An article about Dr. McBay in UGA’s “Georgia Groundbreakers” series references her 1985 biography in the American Women in Science series, entitled Mathematician and Administrator: Shirley Mathis McBay. I too am a mathematician and administrator because I am walking and operating in the legacy that Dr. McBay created. My life and career have been so richly influenced by her fierce advocacy and support.

As I meditated on how Dr. McBay dedicated her entire life to enhancing and ensuring educational equity for students and faculty who are historically underrepresented in STEM—particularly from minority-serving institutions—I realize this this was far more than a passion for her; it was her calling. I for one am very thankful that Dr. McBay pursued this lifelong mission for all of us and am truly grateful for all that she accomplished.

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References
[1] Falconer, E.Z. (1989). A story of success: The sciences at Spelman College. Sage, 6, 36-38.
[2] National Science Foundation. (2020). Top baccalaureate institutions of Black or African American S&E doctorate recipients, by science and engineering and type of institution: 2015-19 (NSF 21-321, Table 7-8). National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics.

Tasha R. Inniss, Ph.D., is the Associate Provost for Research at Spelman College, where she leads the Office of Research, Innovation, and Collaboration. She previously served as the inaugural Director of Education and Industry Outreach at INFORMS and completed a rotation in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources at the National Science Foundation.