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CONVERSATION WITH... Harriette McAdoo, former co-chair, All University Campaign

Photo by G.L. Kohuth

Harriette McAdoo (Education, ’61 and ’63) is a professor of psychology and child and family community services, and professor of sociology in the College of Social Science. She served as co-chair of the All University Campaign in 2001. She is a member of the Hannah Society and has established the Harriette Pipes McAdoo Fellowship Fund in the African American and African Studies Doctoral Program and the John L. and Harriette Pipes McAdoo Expendable Scholarship Fund in Human Ecology.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your relationship with MSU and  why you’re a donor.

A: I give to MSU because I believe so strongly in the importance of education, and particularly in the work done here.   My children are the fifth generation of college graduates in my family, so our relationship with higher education goes back many years.  My great grandparents went to Berea College in Kentucky, and each succeeding generation has attended universities and colleges in states across the country.  My father was a professor of American Thought and Language here at MSU for thirty-some years, and was the first Black faculty member appointed full professor here. My bachelor’s and master’s degrees are from MSU and my doctorates are from U of M. But we have a whole lot of personal history here.
I created two endowments and an expendable fund at MSU because of my life experiences, especially those that are the result of my being an African American. I want to enrich the experiences of others.
I understand the concerns that come to a student of color, so establishing these endowments is something I would expect to be done through a sense of responsibility to others who wish to come here.

Q: What was the catalyst that first inspired you to give?

A: Initially, I wanted to honor my father by creating an endowment through the support of the MSU Black Alumni organization. Later, I created a fellowship in the Aftrican American and African Studies doctoral program to get more people interested in Africa and African Americans. A third fund I established honors my husband, who also was a professor – and supports dissertations focused on research regarding people of color, of any color.
Q: Tell us about some of the folks who may have been touched by your gifts.
A: I hear from the students every year. They send a thank you note and they let me know what they’re majoring in. I enjoy hearing from them, so over the years I’ve kept in contact with them, but none of them have actually been in any of my classes. I have had more contact with those who are doing their dissertations.

Q: When you worked on the campaign, why did people choose to become involved and give?

A: Everyone has their own interests and motivations, and we tried to let people know that there are scholarships and programs of all kinds to support.

Q: Where do you want to see MSU in 10, 20 or 50 years?

A: I’ve done a lot of work abroad, and I believe that our programs overseas will be an important part of MSU’s future. I’m interested in future collaborations across the world, and hope that we continue to expand our work, particularly in Africa.