Sue McBee

Sue McBee, beloved Austin preservationist, humanitarian and storyteller, has been named one of the 1990-91 College of Communication Outstanding Alumni.

McBee earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at The University of Texas at Austin. During her time at the university she served as editor of The Daily Texan.

McBee worked for The Austin American-Statesman writing “Hereabouts,” a collection of usually funny tidbits about the South Austin neighborhood in which she and her husband Frank lived. McBee eventually added a second column, “Reflections,” in which she wrote about the many people that she met doing the many different parts of her life.

No other endeavor received more of McBee’s attention than historic preservation, particularly historic homes and buildings around Austin. McBee served as president and chair of the foundation of the Heritage Society of Austin and was the founding president of the Austin History Center. She also authored “AUSTIN: The Past Still Present,” a collection of stories about many of the historically and architecturally significant buildings and homes in Austin.

McBee received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Edwards University and is the namesake of the annual Sue and Frank McBee Vision Award of the Heritage Society of Austin and the Sue and Frank McBee Elementary School, home of the Fighting Bumblebees.