A Family’s Commitment to Education

Baylor Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Doug McNamee, B.A. ’03, M.S.Ed. ’05, is deeply connected to Baylor. The culture, history and mission of the University has shaped his life. From vivid memories of game day with his grandparents to attending Baylor himself and earning his master’s degree from the School of Education, his return to Baylor has been a remarkable experience.  

One of the first things Doug and his wife Lacy McNamee, B.A. ’04, M.A. ’06, wanted to do after beginning his new role at Baylor was to give back to the university that had meant so much to them. They established the Dr. Gary Marshall McNamee and Dr. L.V. McNamee Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Education, in memory of Doug’s father, Gary McNamee, B.S. ’68, and grandfather, L.V. McNamee, B.A. ’38, two men whose lives reflected deep faith, quiet leadership and a steadfast belief in the power of education to transform lives. 

L.V. McNamee devoted his life to students and learning. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he spent decades shaping Texas public education as a principal, district administrator, professor and ultimately dean of Baylor’s School of Education. His commitment to nurturing gifted students, supporting teachers and preparing the next generation of educators left a lasting imprint on Baylor and beyond. He modeled integrity, service and lifelong scholarship — always believing that education was both a calling and a privilege. 

Doug’s father, Gary McNamee, carried those same values into his own life. A Baylor graduate in chemistry, Gary served his country in Vietnam before completing his doctorate and building a long career as a patent researcher. Though his professional path led him into science, his heart remained anchored in faith, family and learning. His greatest pride was watching his children and grandchildren grow in character, kindness and perseverance. 

Education is woven through the McNamee family story. Doug and his sister both earned graduate degrees from Baylor’s School of Education, continuing the legacy begun by their father and grandfather. This scholarship honors that legacy by supporting graduate students in the now Moody School of Education who feel called to teach, but for whom the burden of student loan debt might otherwise place that calling out of reach. 

Recipients of this scholarship are students who are called to demonstrate a dedication to serving others through teaching — students who believe, as the McNamees do, that education shapes communities and strengthens families. Through this scholarship, the family hopes to continue the work begun generations ago: equipping committed educators to change lives, opening doors that might otherwise remain closed and honoring two men whose lives quietly reflected faith, purpose, humility and love.