The Mary E. Humphrey Biology Lecture Series

The Mary E. Humphreys Biology Lecture Series was established in 1992 to bring prominent scientists to the campus to present public lectures. Sponsoring the series are friends and former students of Dr. Mary Humphreys, professor emerita of biology, who served on the biology faculty at MBC for 25 years (1943-1968).

As one-half of the college’s two-woman biology department for most of her tenure, Mary E. Humphreys taught biology, botany, and genetics. She provided a role model for her female students working toward careers in the sciences. Humphreys is now professor emerita of biology having served on the faculty from 1943 to 1968. In 1992 friends and former students established the Mary E. Humphreys Biology Lecture Series in her honor.

Humphreys earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Maryland College and her master’s and doctorate from Duke University. She received grants for post-doctoral studies from the National Science Foundation and from MBC while working here as a professor. Humphreys also participated in Mary Baldwin’s first international faculty exchange, teaching at Isabella Thoburn College in India in 1964-65. During World War II, she also led the college’s student group, Victory Corps, which coordinated student volunteer efforts such as the sale of war bonds, collecting supplies, and blood donations.

This lecture series brings prominent scientists to campus to interact with students, faculty, and staff, and talk about their work. It has provided rich learning opportunities for our academic community.

Past Humphreys’ Lecturers

2007 Dr. Roy Ogle
Professor of Medicine at University of Virginia

2006 Dr. Michael Pelton
Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Science at University of Tennessee

2005 Dr. Sarah J. Parsons
Professor of Microbiology at University of Virginia

2004 Dr. Paul Cabe
Associate Professor of Biology at Washington and Lee University

2003 Dr. Lincoln Pierson Brower
Research Professor of Biology at Sweet Briar College

2002 Dr. Scherer P. Sanders
Associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

2001 Dr. Nancy E. Davidson
Director of the Breast Cancer Program at Johns Hopkins Oncology Center

2000 Dr. Francis S. Collins
“Gene Hunter” -- geneticist

1999 Dr. D. Holmes Morton
Pediatrician and geneticist

1998 Dr. John R. Horner
“Dinosaur Hunter” -- paleontologist

1997 Dr. Sheila M. Galloway
Molecular cytogeneticist

1996 Sara J. Nicholas
Director of the Wetlands and Private Lands Initiative at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

1995 Dr. Charles “Stormy” Atkins Mayo III
Marine biologist

1994 Mary Murrin Painter ’71
Founder of the Virginia Native Plant Society

1993 Bill Akers
President of the Virginia Society of Ornithology

1992 Dr. Lois Lundie Spence ’68
Biologist

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