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September 10, 2007
Former Agnes Scott president bridges disciplines at Emory

By beverly clark

Former Agnes Scott College President Mary Brown Bullock has been named Visiting Distinguished Professor of China Studies at Emory in the departments of history and political science. She began her appointment this fall, and will focus her teaching on contemporary China, U.S.-China relations and Western science and medicine in China.

Bullock led Agnes Scott for 11 years, and was named “President Emerita” when she departed in August 2006 to pursue more research, writing and teaching about China. A longtime China specialist, Bullock earned her doctorate in Chinese history from Stanford University.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Mary Bullock to the Emory faculty as a colleague this fall. As a prominent scholar of contemporary China, her depth of knowledge and experience will be a great benefit to our students and faculty,” said Emory College Dean Bobby Paul. “Professor Bullock’s expertise in Chinese science and medicine will provide a welcome and vital bridge between Emory’s great strength in the health and biomedical sciences and our fast-growing excellence in East Asian studies.”

Bullock spent this past year immersed in research, including a public policy fellowship at The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., a research residency in Italy at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Study and Conference Center, and research in China for a book titled, “The Oil Prince’s Legacy: Rockefeller Philanthropy and China.”

Bullock recently was elected a trustee of The Henry Luce Foundation and appointed senior scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. She also serves as chair of the China Medical Board of New York Inc. and a director of the Asia Foundation. Bullock is a member of The Carter Center Board of Councilors and the Rotary Club of Atlanta, and serves on the board of directors for Genuine Parts Company.

During her tenure at Agnes Scott, enrollment increased more than 50 percent, the faculty grew by one-third, fundraising reached record levels and a $120 million building program was completed. A national leader in higher education, she served two years as chair of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and chaired the Women’s College Coalition.

A 1966 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Agnes Scott, Bullock earned her master’s degree in 1968 and doctorate in Chinese history in 1973 from Stanford University. Her scholarly publications focus primarily on studies of U.S.-China scientific and educational relations. Special honors include the Elisabeth Luce Moore Visionary Leadership Award, National Academy of Sciences Distinguished Service Award, Agnes Scott Distinguished Centennial Alumna, and ranking among the “top 10” School for Advanced International Studies faculty at Johns Hopkins.

The daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, Bullock spent 10 years in Korea and Japan. Her international experience also includes extensive travel throughout Asia and Europe, and typically, annual research visits to China. Bullock and her husband, George, have two adult children, Ashley and Graham.

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