Missouri Western State University will hold a memorial service for Dr. Janet Gorman McCarthy, former president, at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 in the Kemper Recital Hall inside Spratt Hall.

The public is invited.

The service will include an opportunity for attendees to share their memories.

 

Dr. McCarthy was known as Dr. Janet Gorman Murphy when she served as Missouri Western’s president from 1983 to 2000.   She died at her home in South Dennis, Mass., on May 15.

Born in Holyoke, Mass., on Jan. 10, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Catherine Hennessey and Edwin “Pat” Gorman. She served as president of Lyndon State College in Vermont for six years before coming to Missouri Western as the first woman president of a four-year university in Missouri.

Dr. McCarthy was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She received her Master of Education from Boston University and her Doctor of Education and honorary Doctorate of Law from UMass Amherst.

During her retirement years, Dr. McCarthy served as the Chair of the UMass Cape Cod Alumni Scholarship Fund and enjoyed travel and time spent with friends and family.

A scholarship has been established at Missouri Western with a lead gift from one of Janet’s closest friends as a way to honor her memory as a steadfast advocate for higher education for all.

The chief donor to the Dr. Janet Murphy McCarthy Memorial Scholarship welcomes others to contribute so as many students as possible can receive financial assistance. Contributions may be mailed to the Missouri Western State University Foundation, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, Mo., 64507.