Mary Dorothy Lyndon (1877 – April 5, 1924) was the first female graduate from theUniversity of Georgia (UGA) inAthens,Georgia.

Lyndon was born in 1877 inNewnan, Georgia. She graduated fromWesleyan College inMacon, Georgia in 1896 as its first Dramatic Arts degree holder. She continued her education in Dramatic Arts and History atColumbia University inNew York City before beginning her studies at the University of Georgia during Summer school sessions.

After earning sufficient credit, Lyndon received aMaster of Arts degree on June 17, 1914 – four years before women were admitted to UGA as regular students. Upon her graduation, Lyndon taught English atAthens High School.

When women were finally admitted as full students during the 1919–1920 school year, Mary Lyndon was nominated by UGA ChancellorDavid C. Barrow and then elected by the University Board of Trustees to the positions ofAssociate Professor of Education andDean of Women.^[1]

Lyndon taught classes in the Peabody School of Education, directed the Thalian Dramatic Club, helped organize the University chapter of thePhi MuSorority (the first sorority at UGA), and founded the Pioneer Club.^[2][3]

Lyndon was active in the Athens community as the recording secretary for the AthensYMCA, secretary of the localDaughters of the American Revolution chapter, writer for theAthens Banner-Herald, and Sunday school teacher at the First Methodist Church of Athens.

On April 5, 1924, Lyndon died frompneumonia inWashington, Georgia.^[4] In 1936Mary Lyndon Hall, initially a femaleresidence hall on UGA's south campus, was named in her honor. She is one of two 2019 inductees to theGeorgia Women of Achievement hall of fame.^[5]

• Mary Lyndon, Dean of Women Papers, 1915-1964, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia
• 'History of the University of Georgia by Thomas Walter Reed, Thomas Walter Reed, Imprint: Athens, Georgia : University of Georgia, ca. 1949
• Bulldog Families, Department of University Housing, Division of Student Affairs, University of Georgia, Spring 2006, p.5

• Mary Dorothy Lyndon atFind a Grave

• 1877 births
• 1924 deaths
• University of Georgia alumni
• University of Georgia faculty
• People from Newnan, Georgia

• Use mdy dates from March 2020
• Articles with hCards