[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. ISAIAH R. McGEE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 9, 2009

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding constituent and an award-winning educator, Dr. Isaiah R. 
McGee. Dr. McGee is a 2009 recipient of the South Carolina Independent 
Colleges and Universities Inc. Excellence in Teaching Award. He is the 
director of choral studies and assistant professor of music at Claflin 
University. He also directs the Claflin University Concert Choir.
  Dr. McGee is a native South Carolinian, having been born and raised 
in Anderson. He is a graduate of my alma mater, South Carolina State 
University, and earned his masters from the University of South 
Carolina. Dr. McGee earned his doctorate from Florida State University 
in Music Education--Choral Conducting, and served as a graduate 
assistant and director of the Gospel Choir at Florida State.
  During his career, Dr. McGee has earned a reputation as an 
accomplished vocalist, conductor, adjudicator, and clinician. He has 
international experience, debuting as the Conte in Cimarosa's II 
Convito at Teatro Signorelli in Cortona, Italy. He stays very active in 
professional organizations including the American Choral Directors 
Association and MENC.
  Dr. McGee joined the Claflin University faculty in 1997, and has made 
an enviable mark on the Orangeburg campus. Dr. McGee is always looking 
for ways to enrich the experiences of his students to promote their 
performance and their commitment to their craft. Last year, he took 
Claflin's Concert Choir to China to participate in the pre-Olympic 
ceremonies. They performed in both Beijing and Shanghai.
  Dr. McGee has developed a great deal of respect from his colleagues 
and students. Claflin University's president Dr. Henry Tisdale calls 
him ``an exemplary member of our faculty and committed to teaching and 
service.'' Claflin's vice president for academic affairs Dr. George 
Miller says, ``Dr. McGee's approach to teaching and scholarship with 
his student partners demonstrates the strength of the amalgam that 
results when theory and practice are combined.''
  Dr. McGee was selected for the Excellence in Teaching Award by his 
peers at Claflin University. The purpose of the award is to honor 
faculty members who demonstrate the highest standards of teaching that 
encourage students to strive for excellence in their studies and 
intellectual pursuits. In addition to the recognition, Dr. McGee 
receives a $3,000 grant to be used for professional development 
opportunities.
  Madam Speaker, I invite you and my colleagues to join me today in 
applauding the tremendous accomplishments of Dr. Isaiah McGee. He is an 
extraordinary example of an educator who inspires intellectual 
curiosity and demands outside enrichment to ensure his students reach 
their full potential. This award is well deserved and is recognition of 
a job well done.

                          ____________________