Miss Gee Legacy Society

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 Miss Gee Legacy 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.”

Miss 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 Miss Gee Legacy 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 the University is profoundly honored and grateful to be remembered by them.

There’s another easy way to join the Miss Gee Society. Converse has partnered with FreeWill to give you an online tool where you can create a legally valid will in under 25 minutes and give a gift directly to Converse University. Best of all, it’s completely free to use. Get started today!

If you have already responded to Miss Gee’s challenge by including Converse in your estate plan or if you would like more information on how to become a member of the Miss Gee Legacy Society, you may contact Gina Miller, Director for Philanthropy, at 864.596.9217 or email gina.miller@converse.edu.