Published July 8, 2020
Growing up on a rural Louisiana farm where his father worked as manager, Van McGraw
believed education and hard work would open opportunities for his life.
As valedictorian of his class at Northwestern State University, he earned a Bachelor
of Business Administration on a scholarship, and a Master of Business Education while
working as an instructor.
His diligence earned him recognition in the Senior Hall of Fame and as a Distinguished
Military Graduate, and he was selected as the Commencement Speaker at his master's
graduation.
During this time, he began serving his country as a captain in the U.S. Army and would
continue serving in the U.S. Army Reserves for 10 years.
Leading the College听of Business Administration
In 1959, McGraw joined the University of Louisiana Monroe, then-Northeast Louisiana
University, as an instructor in Business Administration. Supported by a Ford Fellowship
in Business Administration, he earned his doctorate from Louisiana State University
in 1966. He was promoted to Professor of Management and head of the Department of
Management and Marketing.
Ten years later, he was promoted to Dean of the College of Business Administration.
McGraw's leadership grew enrollment, earned national accreditation of the undergraduate
and graduate programs by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business,
and merited the designation as Louisiana's Small Business Development Center.
In 1978, the college received recognition by the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools with "an outstanding job of developing a quality College of Business Administration."
The Master of Business Administration program was awarded a Commendation of Excellence
by the Louisiana Board of Regents in 1981 after review by a nationally-recognized
team of consultants.
According to McGraw, the building process involved the setting of yearly goals and
objectives as well as meticulous attention to detail, such as answering every letter
and phone call. He credited his faculty and the support of the university administration
with the success of the program.
To expand the impact of the college and university, McGraw authored more than 100
papers, articles, and books, served as a leader of community organizations such as
United Way and the Ouachita Parish Economic Development Committee. He presented over
75 professional development courses and programs for local corporations on topics
such as time management, communication, cooperative education, improving managerial
effectiveness, and motivation.
Dedication to the students
While these accomplishments were rewarding, his true love was teaching, interacting
with the students, and seeing them succeed. During the school holidays, some students
could not return home, so he and his wife, Pat, would host them at his home for Thanksgiving
or Fourth of July feasts. He noted when a student was absent, and he would call to
see if they were ill or needed help making up the assignments.
His night class students, many of whom had already worked a full day at their jobs,
were shocked one evening to see him "eat the chalk" while teaching (before class he
placed candy cigarettes on the chalk tray) in an effort to engage their waning attention.
Students were impressed with his white 1965 International pick-up truck that he drove
and even more surprised when he arrived on campus on his maroon Honda Goldwing motorcycle.
Contribute to the Dean Van McGraw Endowed Scholarship听
Contributions may be made by mailed check or online .听Select the Designation Student Scholarships 鈥� Specify by Name and enter Dean Van
McGraw as the name.听
听
Former student, Michelle McEacharn, Ph.D., shared, "At an especially pivotal point
in my life, when my hopes of ever finishing a degree were virtually nonexistent, Van
McGraw noticed me. Unexpectedly and uninitiated, he approached me and changed my life
forever 鈥� just by noticing who I was and what I could potentially do. His words to
me: 'There are doors waiting for you to open them. You need to open them.' Because
of him, I did open the door to a college education and multiple degrees. Now, as a
麻豆果冻传媒 accounting professor, I get to carry on his work, transforming lives for students."听
Her story is indicative of many of McGraw's students.
McGraw retired from administration in 1989 so he could once again focus on teaching
students. He served as Director of the Business Cooperative Education Program until
1991 and continued teaching as Professor of Management until 1996. He was named Professor
Emeritus of Management and Dean Emeritus in 1991. In 1992, he was selected by Omicron
Delta Kappa as an Outstanding Faculty Member in the College of Business Administration.
Life after the university
Today, McGraw enjoys his growing family. His wife, Pat, four daughters and sons-in-law,
eight grandchildren, and soon-to-be eight great-grandchildren, are blessed beyond
measure by his caring guidance, woodworking instruction, and sharing the beauty he
sees in nature.
In recognition of his selfless dedication to students, the Dean Van McGraw Endowed
Scholarship has been established in the 麻豆果冻传媒 College of Business and Social Sciences
by family and friends. If you would like to share a story or send a note to Dean McGraw,
mail it to the 麻豆果冻传媒 Foundation, Attn: Dean McGraw, 700 University Ave, Monroe, LA 71209.
He would love to hear from you.听
Contributions may be made to the Dean Van McGraw Endowed Scholarship by mailed check
or by online credit card听, select the Designation Student Scholarships 鈥� Specify by Name and enter Dean Van
McGraw as the name.听
