Dear Harvard Community,
I am sad to inform you that Virginia Savage McAlester (1943-2020), the first woman president of the Harvard Club of Dallas, passed away on April 9th. She succeeded me as president, serving from 1987-1988. Virginia joined the club in 1965 after returning from Cambridge where she graduated from Radcliffe and completed the first year curriculum of Harvard's Graduate School of Design. Her father, Wallace Savage, who served as Mayor of Dallas as well serving in the US House of Representatives, was a graduate of Harvard College and a longtime member of the club. I have no doubt that he was influential in Virginia becoming a member. Virginia had deep roots in the Dallas community and was a tireless and dedicated club leader. During her time in office she led the initiative for the club to adopt its first set of By-Laws, which have been updated over the years and are still in use to this day. She also energized our recruiting and membership efforts with resounding success. Virginia was a great friend to me personally and to the Harvard Community in North Texas. Her love for architectural design and historic preservation is legendary and is described in her obituary (Click here for the article that appear in D Magazine). I will miss Virginia. She had an inspirational perspective on our great city and all that is Harvard!
Grafton Dulany Howland '67
Director Emeritus - Harvard Club of Dallas