Dr. George E. McCloud

Youngstown - Dr. George E. McCloud, 72, died Wednesday morning, August 16, 2017 with his wife, Maggie, by his side, after complications from a lengthy illness.

Dr. McCloud was born March 1, 1945 in Detroit, MI, a son of George and Janet Spyrka McCloud.

Raised in Michigan, he was a graduate of Garden City High School. In 1967, Dr. McCloud received his Bachelor of Arts in Speech/Communication from Eastern Michigan University. He later earned his Master of Arts in Speech/Communication in 1968 and Doctor of Philosophy in Speech/Communication in 1975, both from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

In 1967, he began his career as an evening supervisor for The University of Michigan Hospital, later becoming the Assistant Director of Unit Management and Director of Training for Unit Management until 1970. While completing his Ph.D., he was an instructor for Eastern Michigan University, teaching speech and dramatic arts courses, as well as directing student-performed theatrical productions. Dr. McCloud later became EMU's Dean of the Graduate School and worked as the Director of Strategic Planning and Executive Counsel to the President.

Dr. McCloud also held the position of Dean of the Graduate School of Communication at Fairfield University in Connecticut, where he met his wife, Maggie, and Dean of the Fine & Performing Arts at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

In 1997, Dr. McCloud joined the faculty at Youngstown State University. During his tenure at the university, he was Dean and Professor of the College of Fine and Performing Arts, Special Assistant to the President for Development and Public Relations, Special Assistant to the President of University Advancement, and was the Vice President of University Advancement. While Dean of the College of Fine & Performing Arts, Dr. McCloud was instrumental in developing the SMARTS program and was the founder of the Summer Festival of the Arts. He was also a former commentator for the radio show, Looking Out on WYSU. Dr. McCloud knew the importance of the ancient world culture and the economic power of China and was instrumental in introducing the faculty and students of YSU to the arts of China through cultural exchange programs. He retired from YSU administration in 2011 and faculty in 2016, recently earning the title of Professor Emeritus.

Over the years, Dr. McCloud was involved in acting, writing, and producing. While in graduate school, he worked in over 25 commercials and industrial motion pictures for clients that included Pontiac Division of General Motors, Volkswagen of America, Frigidaire, and Michigan National Bank. At The University of Michigan, he had many theatrical performances in George Bernard Shaw plays, and did stage readings with Laura Steele, Kate Mulgrew, and Elsa Higby while at YSU.

Some of Dr. McCloud's interests included sailing, watching plays and musicals, attending the Shaw Festival annually, visiting the gardens at Fellows Riverside Gardens, following Michigan football, and traveling with his wife, especially to Niagara on the Lake, Hawaii, and China.

Active in the community of education and the arts, he contributed to many organizations and groups throughout the years some of which included being a former board member of Ballet Western Reserve and Fellows Riverside Gardens, a member of Trumbull 500, and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, the former Maggie Hamel, whom he married December 17, 1988; son, Scott (Elaine) McCloud of Leesburg, VA; daughter, Brook (Clark) Johnson of Baltimore; adopted daughter, Linlin (Jeffrey) Chen Reid of New York City; two sisters, Sue (Ed) Tietz of Northville, MI and Kim (Shaun) Bromley of Palmetto, FL; three brothers, Frank (Janet) McCloud, Ralph McCloud, all of FL, and Don (Karen) McCloud of MI; daughter-in-law, Linda McCloud of Alexandria, VA; three grandchildren; and his faithful companion, Zoey.

In addition to his parents, Dr. McCloud was preceded in death by his son, Aaron McCloud.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the McKay Auditorium located in YSU's Beeghly College of Education, 250 W. Rayen Ave., Youngstown. There will be no calling hours.

The family kindly asks that any memorial tributes take the form of contributions in Dr. McCloud's name to the YSU Foundation, Deans' Scholarship, 655 Wick Ave., Youngstown, OH 44502 or a charity of the donor's choice.

Arrangements are being handled by the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Poland. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.