Dr. Eleanor McMahon, 1929-2002, was the Rhode Island Commissioner of Higher Education and former Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Rhode Island College. A Brown University Alumni Trustee, she has been the recipient of five honorary doctoral degrees and is the author of twenty treatises on education. Beginning her distinguished career as a classroom teacher in Pawtucket, she devoted her life to education. Dr. McMahon served as a member of the 1983 Steering Committee of the prestigious Education Commission of the State. She received several outstanding achievement awards, and was active in civic and cultural affairs.