Murray MacIntyre Lumpkin '75
(Awarded 2010)

Mac Lumpkin has led an exemplary life of achievement, excellence, and service. Distinguishing himself in the practices of medicine and civil service, he has brought great honor and recognition to Davidson College.

Mac arrived at Davidson from Dalton High School in Dalton, Georgia, where he'd been President of the National Honor Society, and Vice President and President of the Student Congress. He brought those leadership skills to the Davidson campus, along with his singing talents, which he shared as a member of the Davidson College Male Chorus.

Mac majored in German, with a concentration in German linguistics, and spent his junior year studying at the University of Marburg, in Germany. He then studied medicine at Wake Forest University, where his training included a rotation working at a refugee camp in Bangladesh.
His residencies and fellowship at the Mayo Clinic centered on pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases. He also held a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and that year received a degree in Medical Parasitology from the University of London.

Today, Mac is Deputy Commissioner for International and Special Programs of the United States Food and Drug Administration. During his long and celebrated career in the FDA, he has been responsible for the oversight, review and approval of dozens of life-saving drugs. Under his direction, the FDA created and implemented new leadership initiatives to ensure that his division met its goals efficiently. Also created was a remarkable drug review process that won the 1997 Ford Foundation / Harvard University "Innovations in American Government" award. This was in addition to Mac's numerous personal awards including the FDA Commendable Service Award and the Presidential Senior Executive Meritorious Award. Most recently, Mac was a recipient of the 2009 Food and Drug Law Institute Distinguished Service and Leadership Award for service, leadership and contribution to the food and drug industry.

Mac also has represented the United States on numerous international working groups and commissions, in countries ranging from Australia to Singapore, from Brazil to Nigeria.

Even with such an intense professional schedule, Mac has been a terrific volunteer for Davidson, helping to organize his class' 20th and 25th Reunions. No matter what Mac does, says friend and classmate Richard Deal, "He does it right. He doesn't boast, even when he's earned the right to."

Mac's Davidson roommate and classmate Mark Connors adds that Mac's "intelligence, intellectual curiosity, and passion for learning is unparalleled. His work ethic is unmatched. But it is his genuineness and compassion that sets him apart from those of us that are mere mortals."

Mac has been married to Lucy since 1978 and they have two children who over the years have benefited from Mac's wisdom. His friends, similarly, say they have benefited from his generosity. "Mac is a selfless, kind, smart, funny man who is always thinking of others; he does not let you down or disappoint," says his friend Debbie Bell. She notes that she's not surprised Mac's medical career led to the service of his country. He once considered entering the ministry -- yet another career dedicated to service.

For your distinguished career in which you have loyally served the people of the United States of America, for the high standard of ethics you have brought to your profession, for the recognition given to you by your peers, and for the distinction you reflect upon Davidson through your achievements, we honor you, Mac Lumpkin, with the Distinguished Alumnus Award.