Meet The School of Education's 2015 Outstanding Alumnus: Dr. Chris McGee
by Dean Brenda Fyfe

Saturday, May 9th was Webster's 96th Commencement Ceremony for our 2014-2015 graduates. It was a day of celebration, it was a day of tradition, it was a day of rain. The School of Education's ceremony was cut short so we were not able to honor our outstanding alumnus or hear the speeches prepared by our student speakers. For the next three days we will share these speeches on our blog.  

This is the speech Dean Fyfe had prepared to introduce the School of Education's 2015 Outstanding Alumnus, Dr. Chris McGee. 

This year I am pleased to introduce Dr. Chris McGee as the 2015 Outstanding Alum from the School of Education. Chris epitomizes what we hope each of our graduates will become – a lifelong learner, a leader, and an advocate who, as Pablo Casals once said, “We all must work to make this world worthy of its children.”  Throughout his career and his personal life Chris has demonstrated a fierce commitment to the welfare of children.

President of Webster University’s Alumni Board of Directors, Dr. McGee is an acclaimed educator who has held teaching and leadership positions in the public school districts of Kirkwood, Mehlville, and Webster Groves, where he currently works as curriculum coordinator.  In every setting he has been a leader in technological advancement in education. He is an Edtech Innovationist, co-founder of EdcampSTL, and founder and CEO of ConnectED Learning.  His e-publication Redefining Professional Development Through Edcamps documents this innovative approach to professional development.  

His honors and awards include:

• Apple Distinguished Educator, 2013
• Excellence in Education Award – St. Louis Magazine, 2014
• Phi Delta Kappa Emerging Leader, 2013
• Peabody Energy Leader in Education, 2014
• Top 100 Experts in #eLearning and #edtech – BestCollegeRankings.org, 2013
• Featured in Daily Edventures by Microsoft Corp, 2013
• Midwest Spotlight Educator – Cooperating School District, 2014
• Nomination:  National Life Changer of the Year – National Life Group, 2014 

It is easy to see why Chris has earned the award of Outstanding Alum. He exemplifies the kind of graduate we aim to produce at Webster University, someone who has achieved individual excellence and demonstrates global citizenship.