Indiana State University Newsroom

When Clyde McKee enrolled at Indiana State Teachers College in 1929, it marked the beginning of a family legacy that continues today.

Clyde McKee graduated in 1931 and taught in Indiana public elementary schools for more than 40 years, retiring at Pittsboro in 1975. Several of his descendants have also completed degrees from what is now Indiana State University and/or have served to the university in a variety of ways. In honor of their multi-generational commitment and dedication, the university's Alumni Association selected the McKees to receive its 2013 Legacy Award.

"The McKees are a true blue Sycamore family. They have three generations of Sycamores who have not only graduated from the university, but also served the institution through professional and volunteer roles," Ron Carpenter, president of the Indiana State University Foundation, said in presenting the award. "Their commitment to Indiana State extends beyond their service and includes their philanthropic support of several important Indiana State initiatives that impact nearly every area of the university."

Clyde's son, Dale, earned a bachelor's degree in 1957, a master's degree in 1960 and went on to serve the university for 33 years, as director of alumni affairs, executive director and executive vice president of the ISU Foundation, and acting vice president for university advancement. Dale's wife, Nancy, was a prominent nursing faculty member for 32 years. Her roles included professor, chair of undergraduate nursing studies, associate dean and interim dean.

Dale and Nancy's children, Craig, Beth and Chris, also earned degrees from Indiana State. Craig, an attorney and federal magistrate judge who was honored this year as a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, has remained connected to his alma mater since graduation. He is a charter member of the Alumni Association's dues paying membership program, has served on the ISU Foundation board and served as Winter Commencement speaker in 2012.

Craig's wife, Diann, earned a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1983 and a Master of Public Administration degree in 1993. She has worked at the university for more than 20 years and, currently is vice president of business affairs and finance and university treasurer. She is a past member of the Alumni Association board.

Beth graduated from Indiana State's Scott College of Business in 1983 and is the residential controller for the Carrier Corporation in Indianapolis. As a student, Beth was involved in numerous campus activities, including Alpha Chi Omega, Hulman Student Union Board, Blue Berets and Mortar Board. She has remained active with the university. She is a charter member of the Alumni Association's dues paying membership program and served as president of the association board.

Chris graduated from the Scott College in 1987 with a degree in management information services and is senior vice president of operations for CNO Financial Group in Carmel. At ISU, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

"The McKee family has attended and been a part of hundreds of university events and given generously to support all facets of Indiana State," Carpenter said. "Notably, they have established the McKee Family Scholarship to help a student from Indiana earn his or her degree from ISU. All of the McKee family members are proud contributors to the scholarship. The McKees are an instrumental part of the ISU family. Their dedication, influence and true blue spirit has touched the lives of thousands of Sycamore alumni, students and friends."

Dale and Nancy also established the McKee Nursing Center through a gift through the March On! Campaign in 2009, Carpenter noted. The Center, located in Sandison Hall, is equipped with the latest technology and enables nursing students to get hands-on practice in areas related to their classroom studies from the convenience of their residence hall.

"We are thrilled to award the McKee Family with the 2013 Legacy Award," Carpenter said.

The award was presented Oct. 4 in conjunction with the Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Awards. While no one in the family was tipped off about the selection in advance, remarks Craig delivered earlier in the evening upon his introduction as a Distinguished Alumni addressed the level of his family's involvement with Indiana State.

"We are an ISU family," he said. "When we sit down at Thanksgiving dinner in a few weeks there will be 14 post-secondary degrees represented at the table. Seven of those were conferred by this university. At least one family member has been employed by Indiana State University continuously since January 1, 1965."

After the surprise announcement, Dale McKee said, "This recognition was very much unexpected by any of us. Indiana State University has been a central part of our family life for nearly 50 years and all of us have been touched by that connection. The Legacy Award will be very much treasured by all of us as a reminder of many happy memories from our association with ISU."

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/photos/i-K5vxtt6/0/D/i-K5vxtt6-D.jpg - The McKee Family received the Indiana State University Alumni Association's 2013 Legacy Award. Pictured with university President Dan Bradley (left) are (from left) Diann, Chris, Dale, Nancy, Craig and Beth McKee; ISU Foundation President Ron Carpenter; and Keary Dye, president of the Alumni Association board. (ISU/Tony Campbell)

Contact: Hilary Duncan, assistant director, Indiana State University Alumni Association, 812-514-8453 or hduncan@indstatefoundation.org

Writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu