Bobcat Stories

Lees-McRae College Oral History Project

Please note: Purchase of products are not necessary to participate in the Oral History Project.

The history of Lees-McRae is a rich quilt made up of stories from thousands of Bobcats who have passed through these buildings. Each member of the Lees-McRae community has left their mark and been impacted in return. Now, it's time to tell those stories. 

As part of the celebration of our 125th anniversary, Lees-McRae is partnering with Publishing Concepts (PCI) to create a comprehensive oral history of the college. This project is an opportunity for Bobcats of all ages to share their story and preserve their personal history with Lees-McRae. All stories will be collected by PCI and published in a book that will then be available for purchase. 

Thank you in advance for your participation in this important project. 

How to Get Involved

You will be receiving a postcard in the mail soon with instructions for participation. The postcard will instruct you to call PCI to verify your alumni contact information and schedule an interview time. During the interview, a PCI representative will ask a series of questions to prompt you to share your story. 

Questions may include: 

  • Which faculty or staff member had a life-changing impact on you? 
  • How did your time at Lees-McRae set you up for future success? 
  • What relationships did you form at Lees-McRae that have remained important throughout your life? 
  • What experiences shaped you into the person you are today? 

Has Your Information Changed? 

The oral history project also provides an opportunity for the college to ensure we have the most up-to-date contact information for you. Please provide the PCI representative with your correct phone number, email address, and physical address. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  •  

    I received an email/postcard/phone call from PCI (Publishing Concepts) asking for my personal information. Tell me more about the project.

    Lees-McRae has partnered with PCI to develop a comprehensive oral history of the college in honor of the college's 125th anniversary. All information collected for this project will be used for communication purposes by the Lees-McRae Office of Institutional Advancement. 

    This project allows Lees-McRae to receive important updates and add stories to its database and so it knows more about its people and how it can serve them better.

    PCI is a family-owned business based in Dallas, Texas that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years.

  •  

    Does Lees-McRae benefit from this at all?

    Yes, in a few different ways:

    • Updated Information—allows the college to more effectively communicate with and engage alumni
    • Legacy—preserves the history of the organization
    • Marketing—allows Lees-McRae to use alumni experiences to demonstrate the value of Lees-McRae to prospective students
  •  

    How do I know my information will only be used for publication purposes?

    PCI is committed to protecting your information. Lees-McRae and PCI have a contractual agreement that states:

    The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication  will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the publication and except as required by court order or law. The publication will be made available only to alumni/members. Upon completion of the project, PCI will return any and all electronic files that have been supplied or produced by PCI in connection with the production of the Publication. 

    Check out the PCI Privacy Policy.

  •  

    How do I verify and update my information?

    If you received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, call the number listed to speak with a real, live human being. A trained PCI associate will verify all the information your organization has on file for you and make any updates where needed.

    If you received an email with an embedded link, simply click the link to go to the online site to review your information and set up an interview time.

    If you have any questions, feel free to call the PCI customer service helpdesk at 800.982.1590.

  •  

    Can I choose some or all of my information not to be printed in the publication?

    Yes! When you call to update your information, you can tell the PCI associate what information you’d like to exclude or include. You can also call the customer service helpdesk at 800.982.1590 or contact Lees-McRae directly.
  •  

    Can anyone purchase a publication?

    No. The oral history publication is only available for sale to alumni/members of the Lees-McRae community. 
  •  

    When will I receive my publication?

    Please contact the PCI customer service helpdesk at 800.982.1590 to find out specifically when you will receive your order.