Mary McMullen,
96; dean, principal
Abstract from the San Diego Union-Tribune,
Obituaries, August 18, 2001

Mary McMullen

A few years removed from the presidency of San Diego State's associated student body, Mary I. McMullen pioneered one of the university's most enduring organizations, the Cap and Gown Honor Society.  Mrs. McMullen was acting dean of women at her alma mater in 1932 when the organization's chapter opened with 12 female seniors.  In 1993, long after Cap and Gown had been renamed Mortar Board; she was honored for her pioneering efforts by the Mortar Board Alumni Chapter of San Diego County.

Mrs. McMullen, who became the first principal of Abraham Lincoln and Will C. Crawford high schools after her nine years on the San Diego State faculty, died Aug. 11 at Brighton Place, a nursing center in La Mesa. She was 96.  Admitted to the center in June, she had been in declining health during the last decade, said niece Mary Jeanne Crabtree.

In 1931, two years after joining the San Diego State faculty, Mrs. McMullen was appointed placement secretary. She served as acting dean of women in 1932 and 1933 and as dean of women from 1934 to 1938.  "Her smile and charm are an inspiration to all who meet her," said an article in the school yearbook in the 1930s.

The Cap and Gown chapter she founded was patterned after a men's organization known as the Council of Twelve. Members were required to excel in scholarship, leadership and service. One of the first items on its agenda was meeting with a men's fraternity to sponsor a school song contest.  In 1965, the Cap and Gown chapter at San Diego State was recognized as a member of the national Mortar Board organization. Today, there are more than 200 collegiate chapters and nearly 200,000 members nationwide.

When Mrs. McMullen resigned as women's dean in 1938 to become vice principal at La Jolla High School, many students tried to persuade her to stay.  "It just won't be the same school without Mrs. McMullen," said Aileen James, president of the associated women students.

Mrs. McMullen eventually left La Jolla High for principal assignments at Snyder Continuation School and Lincoln and Crawford high schools.  "She had a special feeling for adolescents and loved being a principal, especially opening Lincoln High (in 1951)," Crabtree said. The Lincoln High football field was named in her honor.

Mrs. McMullen was born in Springfield, Ill., and moved with her family to San Diego as a child. She graduated from San Diego High and San Diego State Teachers College, as it was known before its 1931 move from University Heights to Montezuma Mesa.  In 1937, she received a master's degree from Stanford University.

Mrs. McMullen was a longtime Del Mar resident, but she moved to the Hillcrest area when her late husband, Thomas F. McMullen, became ill, Crabtree said. She later settled in San Carlos, where she lived across the street from Patrick Henry High School.

She was a former director of the San Diego YWCA, a member of the Wednesday Club and president in 1946 and 1947 of the San Diego Administrators Club.

Dedication

Mrs. Mary McMullen has been described as a perfectionist possessing warmth and dignity.  As Crawford’s first principal, she set the standards and traditions, employing quiet determination to make Crawford a school of high integrity.

Because she had been Lincoln High’s first principal, Mrs. McMullen was conscious of the problems involved in coordination the development of a new school.  Under her guidance and experience all phases of our school life began functioning smoothly and efficiently--- and Crawford took its place among the best schools in San Diego.

She did he job well.  It is now up to us, as students of Crawford, to uphold our fine reputation.  To remind us of this duty we dedicate this annual to Mrs. McMullen---who helped us earn the respect that follows the name “Crawford High.”

-From the 1961 Centaur Yearbook