“Give me a place to stand and I will move the world.”
– Archimedes
Dr. Murlene “Mac” McKinnon has lived a fulfilling life rooted in education. She believes
that education means a variety of things but boils down to three main elements: academia,
philosophy (ethics, logic and language) and travel.
She feels everyone has a right to these elements of education and will do everything in her power to ensure equitable access, including the new Delta College Public Media endowment established in her name.
Though it’s not the most important, academia is significant in Mac’s life. She earned her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and Ph.D. from Michigan State University and found a career as a speech communication instructor at Delta College in 1969. “I always loved [Delta]. I like that the teachers care about their students. I think it’s the best community college in the state of Michigan.” Mac was a distinguished faculty member for 20 years, and earned the highest honor in 1973 when she was awarded the Bergstein Award for Teaching Excellence by her students and peers.
Mac has worked hard to support free educational resources; from establishing an endowment for the Stratford Shakespeare festival in Ontario, to starting the popular Uncork’d Wine, Ale and Food festival benefiting the East Tawas Library. But, when it comes to learning as much as you can about the world, Mac says travel is the most beneficial component.
She describes herself as a great traveler driven by curiosity, empathy and good old-fashioned common sense. Mac has been to more countries than she can count. Her love of travel began in 1964 when she became a Peace Corps volunteer assigned in Malawi, East Africa. In travel, she says, “You begin to realize what it’s like to be different. And I think we all need that lesson.”
Looking back at all that Mac has done for her communities, and all that she continues to do, it’s easy to understand her passion for Delta College Public Media and the reasons for establishing this endowment.
From historical documentaries and informational programming to cultural experiences of music and travel, Public Media offers “a window on the world,” encompassing all that Mac values in education and accessibility.