Oberlin's Women: A Legacy of Leadership & Activism

Lillias Margaret Macdonald

Lillias Margaret Macdonald (1885-1961, OC 1908) was an educator and college administrator. She was passionate about promoting physical training and education for the young. She graduated from Oberlin College in 1908 with a B.A. in physical education and afterward became the director of physical education at the Y.M.C.A. in Scranton, P.A later that year. After working as a playground director in Buffalo, N.Y. from 1909 to 1910, Macdonald was employed as the assistant supervisor of physical training in the Buffalo public schools. By 1914, she began working as the director of physical education at Park High School. She became before the first dean of women and the assistant professor of hygiene for the University of Buffalo in 1922. She established the first physical education program for women on the campus. From 1932 until 1952, Macdonald was chairman of the University Committee on Scholarships and Loans. She also recognized the need for living accommodations for women on campus and urged the university to build dormitories. Macdonald Residence Hall was named in her honor after her retirement in 1952. Even after her retirement, Macdonald continued to work at the university as the assistant to the director of alumni relations until 1956. She received the Achievement Award from the Buffalo branch of the American Association of University Women in 1955.

Sources:
Student File (Lillias Margaret Macdonald), Alumni & Development Records, O.C.A.

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