News Articles

Southern Adventist University Names Ruth McKee School of Business After Bakery Co-founder

July 25, 2023 | Collegedale, Tennessee | Southern Adventist University and McKee Foods

A group of smiling individuals stand in front of an outside structure with a rendering of a building in the middle of them — McKee family members join Southern Adventist University business professors at a ceremony announcing the name of the new Ruth McKee School of Business. Ruth and her spouse, O.D. McKee, co-founded McKee Foods Corporation, best known as the maker of Little Debbie® snacks. Both were also students at Southern. Photo: Southern Adventist University

Officials from Collegedale-based Southern Adventist University and McKee Foods Corporation gathered at the McKee Foods campus on Thursday, July 20, 2023, to announce the naming of Southern’s School of Business after Anna Ruth (King) McKee. The new campus building that will house the business program will also carry her name. Known as Ruth, she and her spouse O.D. McKee co-founded McKee Foods Corporation, best known as the maker of Little Debbie® snacks. Both were also students at Southern.

“Our goal is that each student who graduates from the new Ruth McKee School of Business will embody the core of Ruth’s leadership of McKee Foods Corporation: integrity, wisdom, acumen, and beneficence,” said Stephanie Sheehan, dean of the business school. “These qualities, which transcend the ever-changing landscape of business, were foundational to the caliber of Ruth and O.D.’s legacy of business leadership, innovation, and success. We strive to encourage and equip Southern students to live and lead likewise.”

The McKees knew the value of hard work and discipline in achieving success in life. Where O.D. excelled in salesmanship, Ruth remained the constant presence in the early days of the business, managing personnel, purchasing, transportation, and all other aspects of a growing business, all while raising a growing family.

A man stands outside speaking under a tent while cameras record him and people stand listening. — *Southern Adventist University president Ken Shaw speaks at a ceremony announcing the name of Ruth McKee School of Business. Photo: Southern Adventist University*

Accomplishing all she did during the height of the Great Depression was a further testament to Ruth’s character — a character she unfailingly demonstrated to everyone who knew her, from her family and friends to suppliers and employees.

“Ruth’s passion was always in teaching,” said Mike McKee, CEO of McKee Foods and grandson of the founders. “It was this career she left behind to help launch the company, so I find it such a fitting tribute to give her name to Southern Adventist University’s School of Business, where generations of business minds will be shaped by a top-notch educational institution that she loved so dearly.”

At the time of her death, she held the positions of director and senior vice president of Hamilton County’s largest manufacturing firm. The 42,000-square-foot building is the second building named for McKee family members, joining McKee Library. The Prayer Garden on campus is also dedicated to Ruth McKee.

Click here for more information about Southern Adventist University and here for more information about McKee Foods Corporation.

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