Maurice Cecil Mackey Jr.

1929 - 2018

Maurice Cecil Mackey, Jr.

Hillsboro Beach, FL - University President Emeritus and University Professor, devoted family man, dedicated public servant, and equal rights advocate, passed away on Thursday Feb. 8, at age 89. He was the husband of Clare (Siewert) Mackey to whom he had been married for 64 years. Cecil was born on January 23, 1929 in Montgomery, AL

Cecil started college at age 16, attending Georgia Tech for a year, then transferring to the University of Alabama where he received his B.A. and M.A. in economics. He earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Illinois. Cecil received his law degree from the University of Alabama and studied post-graduate law at Harvard University. He returned to the University of Alabama to be an assistant law professor from 1959-1962. He had been a member of the Alabama Bar since 1958.

Cecil's military service included the Alabama National Guard; the U.S. Army; the U.S. Navy; and the U.S. Air Force.

In 1962, he was assistant counsel for the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust and Monopoly chaired by Senator Estes Kefauver. In 1963, he became director of the Office of Policy Development for the Federal Aviation Agency. In 1965, Cecil was director of the Office of Transportation Policy for the U.S. Department of Commerce. In 1967, he helped establish the U.S. Department of Transportation and was named its first assistant secretary for policy development.

In 1969, after a short stint as visiting professor at the University of Maryland, he was selected as executive vice president and professor of law at Florida State University. In 1971, he was chosen to be the second full-time president of the University of South Florida. In 1976, Cecil became president and professor of law at Texas Tech University. From 1979-1985, he was president and professor of economics at Michigan State University. In conjunction with his work as a university president, he served terms as president and director of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

From 1985 until the time of his death, Cecil remained a full-time economics professor at Michigan State University.

For more than 30 years, Cecil consulted as a higher education specialist to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was the principal advisor to Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, the UAE's Minister of Higher Education. Cecil was instrumental in building two universities including the country's first women's university and a system of technical colleges. Cecil was a distinguished visiting professor at the UAE University for several semesters, conducted economic research about the country, and mentored many young researchers.

Cecil was a confirmed Methodist, a member of The Peoples Church in East Lansing, Michigan, and an affiliate member of Community Presbyterian Church in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He was a long-time member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, president of his chapter, and was awarded their highest honor, "Significant Sig," in 1979.

Cecil served on the Advisory Council of the National Science Foundation; was an associate on the National China Council; chairman, board of directors of the Debt for Development Coalition; member of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council; and member of the Advisory Committee for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Cecil was on boards of directors for several councils of the Boy Scouts of America, the United Fund, the United Way, and other charitable and service organizations in his communities.

Cecil also served alongside Clare on the National Leadership Council of the Michigan State University College of Music. A music aficionado, and his wife's biggest fan, in 2006, he helped her establish the Clare S. Mackey Endowed Fund in Voice at the Michigan State University College of Music.

We will remember Cecil as an avid runner and tennis player, an ardent music lover and an enthusiastic Michigan State sports fan. He was a lifelong learner and educator who inspired and encouraged others to capitalize on the extraordinary opportunities the world presents.

Cecil is survived by his wife Clare, daughter Carol Shaffer (Edward) of Dallas, TX, son John Mackey (Amy Perruso) of Honolulu, HI, daughter Ann Kling (Michael) of Las Vegas, NV, and grandchildren Hannah, Albert & Sophia Mackey and Lauren & Katherine Kling. He was predeceased by daughter Jane.

Memorial Services will be scheduled later in Deerfield Beach, FL. and East Lansing, MI. Burial will be scheduled later at Arlington National Cemetery.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either the M. Cecil Mackey Endowed Scholarship in the School of Law at the University of Alabama: (205) 348-0999, http://giving.ua.edu/; or the Michigan State University College of Music Pavilion Fund: (517) 884-1000, https://givingto.msu.edu/gift/?appeal=18MASWB1WAYS.