Awards

Chancellor and Provost Medallion - 2012

IU Southeast Chancellor's Medallion

New Albany, Indiana

Presenter: Sandra R. Patterson-Randles

About Donald E. McMahel

In 2013, McMahel celebrated 50 years with IU Southeast where he began as the University’s first music instructor in 1963. He held both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Music from IU Bloomington, and he taught music at both Western Kentucky University and Texas A&M – Kingsville.

During his 34 years teaching for the New Albany-Floyd County School Corporation, he held many positions within the organization. McMahel was an associate director for the Louisville Youth Orchestra from 1965 to 1974, and he co-founded and co-directed the Southern Indiana Orchestra in 1966 and the Floyd County Youth Symphony in 1974, later becoming director of both ensembles.

He served on the planning committee for the Paul W. Ogle Cultural and Community Center, and in 1997, he helped start the IU Southeast Concert Band. McMahel became director of the group in 1998 and continues in that role until his death.