The story of Mary Wilson Gee, who arrived on the Converse campus in the fall of 1890 and remained until her death in 1963, and the story of Converse are inseparable. Miss Gee and twelve other women became the first, and smallest, class to graduate from Converse. In her later years, she reminisced about the day—October 1, 1890—when she arrived at Converse:
“I knew that a great and thrilling adventure awaited me, but I had no idea that I was going away to the new college to spend my life there in an adventure that after two-thirds of a century is still thrilling and tremendously challenging.” [Excerpt from Yes Ma’am, Miss Gee written by Mary Wilson Gee/LeGette Blythe in 1957.]
“The Mary Wilson Gee Society is comprised of individuals who support the mission and traditions of Converse and who share a desire to leave a lasting legacy to Converse.”
Mary Wilson Gee, in her response to a tribute made to her by Dr. Gwathmey, third president of Converse College, upon her retirement as Dean of Students, said: “To our students: You love your college, not yet as I do, for I am part of it and it is a large part of me. I give our Converse to all of you as sacred trust and challenge. Never fail her. Keep the sacred fires burning to consume weaknesses and leave strength and truth enthroned.”
The Mary Wilson Gee Society is comprised of individuals who, like Miss Gee, support the mission and traditions of Converse and who share a desire to leave a lasting legacy to Converse by including the University in their will or by making a planned gift. The Society includes some of Converse’s closest and most generous friends, and theUniversity is profoundly honored and grateful to be remembered by them.
Create a will with the FreeWill online tool.
If you would like more information on how to become a member of the Mary Wilson Gee Society, you may contact Mary Ann Cleland, Major and Planned Giving Officer at 864.596.9390 or maryann.cleland@converse.edu.
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