DBU Awards Honorary Doctorate to Rose-Mary Rumbley

Rose-Mary Rumbley Honored

Dallas, TX - Dallas Baptist University awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities to Rose-Mary Rumbley, former DBU professor, humorist, and author, during the University's Spring Convocation service held on Monday, April 22, 2013.

Dr. Rumbley was hooded by Dr. Gary Cook, University president, Dr. Blair Blackburn, executive vice president, and Dr. Denny Dowd, provost. During her response, she expressed her deepest gratitude to the University, sharing that "the 12 years that I spent on faculty here were the best years of my life." She shared with those in attendance several stories from her time as a professor, recounting memories of the "60s kids" who attended chapel in a tent and how far the University has come from the early years of relocation.

While trials will inevitably come in life, Dr. Rumbley reminded students to "Be grateful to the Lord for the blessings He gives."

Dr. Rumbley's Background

Dr. Rumbley was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She joined the initial faculty of Dallas Baptist College in 1965 and taught communication arts for the next 12 years.

Dr. Rumbley's acting career included appearances in several made-for-TV movies, and she also appeared in supporting roles at the Dallas Summer Musicals with John Davidson, Ginger Rogers, Carol Lawrence, and at Casa Manana in Fort Worth with Van Johnson and Ruta Lee.

In 1991, DBU honored Dr. Rumbley with the DBU-Oak Cliff Good Samaritan Award for her outstanding support and service to the University. She was also invited back to campus as an adjunct professor in the College of Fine Arts. A lifelong book lover, Dr. Rumbley generously donated her private collection of books and plays to DBU, and they are housed in the Rose-Mary Rumbley Room located in the Collins Learning Center.

Dr. Rumbley's Contributions and Achievements

In addition to teaching and acting, Dr. Rumbley is also a talented writer, having contributed for several years to a weekly column in the Oak Cliff Tribune entitled "Not So Faded Memories," as well as having stories featured in the Dallas Morning News and former Dallas Times Herald. She has also authored several books, including The Unauthorized History of Dallas, Texas; Strolling Through the Park: 100 Years of the Dallas Park Board; What! No Chili!; as well as a book about the 300th anniversary of the piano.

A 1949 graduate of North Dallas High School, she remained in the area for college and attended the University of North Texas. She received both a bachelor's degree in drama in 1952 and a master's degree in education in 1953. Several years later, she would make the school her three-time alma mater as she earned a Ph.D. in communication in 1970. She is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Dallas and makes her home in Dallas.