STAUNTON, Va – Mary Baldwin University mourns the passing of President Emerita Dr. Cynthia Haldenby Tyson, who left an enduring legacy of growth and inclusivity during her tenure from 1985 to 2003.

Tyson’s visionary leadership propelled Mary Baldwin University to unprecedented heights. She spearheaded the establishment of the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership (VWIL) in 1993, the nation’s sole women’s cadet corps, graduating over 500 cadets and earning national acclaim for leadership development. Tyson also championed diversity, launching the Office of African American and Multicultural Affairs in 1996.

During her time at Mary Baldwin, its Adult Degree Program was extended to satellite locations, enhancing accessibility for non-traditional students managing work, family, and coursework and the Mary Baldwin’s Program for the Exceptionally Gifted expanded during her tenure, offering undergraduate education to exceptional students as young as 13 years old.

Campus infrastructure underwent significant transformations, with Tyson overseeing renovations, acquisitions, and constructions, resulting in enduring structures like the William G. Pannill Student Center, Physical Activities Center, and Cynthia Haldenby Tyson Hall.

Honored by the Legislature of Virginia and the U.S. Congress upon her retirement in 2003,  Tyson received an honorary doctorate for distinguished service to Mary Baldwin. Her impact extended beyond academia, as the first female president of the Staunton Rotary Club and a contributor to various community boards.

The memorial service for Dr. Cynthia Haldenby Tyson will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C., with details forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Charlotte, N.C.’s Covenant Presbyterian Church, Queens University of Charlotte, or Mary Baldwin University.

Tyson’s profound influence, marked by transformative leadership, will forever resonate within the Mary Baldwin University community.