Oliver George McGee III (October 28, 1957 – June 7, 2020) was an American analyst,[1][2] strategist,[3] professor of engineering, and author in the United States. He wrote about his switch from being a Democrat to a Republican and about being a Republican in the "age of Obama" in his book Jumping the Aisle.[4][5] He provided public advocacy on capital, technology, and U.S. competitiveness strategies for several political campaigns including Hillary for President 2008, McCain-Palin 2008, Romney-Ryan 2012, and Trump-Pence 2016 campaigns.
Oliver McGee | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Oliver George McGee III October 28, 1957 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | June 7, 2020 (aged 62) Washington D.C., U.S. |
| Alma mater | Ohio State University University of Arizona University of Chicago University of Pennsylvania |
| Employer | Texas Tech University |
| Political party | Republican |
| Website | https://olivermcgee.org/about-dr-mcgee/ |
Early life edit
Oliver was born on October 28, 1957. The oldest of four children to Oliver McGee Jr. and Jean McGee (nee Arnold), in 1961, his father became the first African American to join the Cincinnati Fire Department.[6] His parents divorced in 1970, with his father remarrying in 1988. Oliver III would follow in his father's groundbreaking footsteps, earning his Ph.D and M.B.A., as well as several certifications.[7]
Education edit
McGee graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1981. He was the drum major for The Ohio State University Marching Band.[8] At the University of Arizona he received a Master of Science in civil engineering in 1983 and a Doctorate in engineering mechanics (with a minor in aerospace engineering) in 1988.[9][10]
In 2004, he received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Career edit
McGee was a Professor and former Department Chair (2016–17) of Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech University.[11] He taught at Ohio State University, Georgia Tech, and was a visiting professor at MIT.[10] He was formerly professor of mechanical engineering and former Vice President for Research and Compliance at Howard University,[9] serving as the chief research officer. He was Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs for the United Negro College Fund (2006). McGee was a Professor and former Chair (2001–2005) of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Geodetic Science at Ohio State University.[12]
McGee was the former United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Technology Policy (1999–2001) at the U.S. Department of Transportation and former Senior Policy Advisor (1997–1999) in The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.[13][14]
Honors edit
- American Council on Education Fellow (2012–13)[15][16]
- Certificate of Professional Development at The Wharton School (2001)[17]
- Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching State of Georgia Professor of the Year (1995)
- National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award (1991)
Death edit
McGee died on Sunday, June 7, 2020, at the age of 62 years.[18] In 2020, his niece mentioned in a GoFundMe memorial that his cause of death was stage 4 cancer.
References edit
- ^ Fox News "Why are African-American voters in lockstep with Democrats?" 16 Sep 2012
- ^ "Was national security at risk as result of Petraeus affair? Richard Socarides and Oliver Mcgee weigh in – Early Start with John Berman & Zoraida Sambolin - CNN.com Blogs". Earlystart.blogs.cnn.com. November 12, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
- ^ Partnership Possibilities for America
- ^ "I'm a Republican: I think Trump has had a truly great year". Sky News. January 22, 2018.
- ^ "OliverMcGee.org". OliverMcGee.org.
- ^ "Oliver George MCGEE Jr. Obituary (1936 - 2012) The Cincinnati Enquirer". Legacy.com. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
- ^ "Obituary of Oliver George McGee, III | Direct Cremation Svcs of VA - Chantilly". directcremationservicesofvirginia.com. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
- ^ "Ohio State University Drum Major: Oliver McGee". Ohiostatedrummajor.com. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ a b Howard University Press Release, "Howard University Announces New Vice President for Research and Compliance" 7 May 2007
- ^ a b US Black Engineer & IT 1996
- ^ Texas Tech University Department of Mechanical Engineering 2016
- ^ Ohio State University, Oliver McGee, "Do Something Great" feature
- ^ The History Makers, Oliver McGee Interview, 11 September 2012
- ^ [1] Sept-Oct 2005 Science Spectrum
- ^ American Council on Education Fellows 2012, 28 March 2012
- ^ Class of 2012-2013 ACE Fellows
- ^ "CPD Circle - Wharton Executive Education". Executiveeducation.wharton.upenn.edu. July 8, 2010. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
- ^ "Texas Tech Mourns Loss of Professor and Former Mechanical Engineering Chairman Oliver McGee". Texas Tech Today. June 18, 2020.