Dr. Janet Murphy McCarthy, president of Missouri Western State University from 1983 to 2000, died May 14, 2013. Service details will be announced at a later time.
“Dr. Murphy McCarthy will be sadly missed by the entire Missouri Western family,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s current president. “She was a great leader and has left a lasting legacy here.”
Dr. Murphy McCarthy (then Dr. Janet Gorman Murphy) became Missouri Western’s president on July 1, 1983, becoming the first woman to lead a four-year university in the state of Missouri. She had previously served as acting chancellor of the Massachusetts State College System and president of Lyndon State College in Lyndonville, Vt.
Her 17 years at Missouri Western saw a significant expansion of the university campus, including the construction of Spratt Hall, Murphy Hall, Vaselakos and Leaverton residence halls, the Baker Family Fitness Center and the Department of Conservation building, as well as the Glenn E. Marion Memorial Clock Tower. Every classroom on campus was also made technologically “smart” with up-to-date presentation technology during her tenure. Three buildings – Blum Student Union, Potter Hall and the Hearnes Center – received significant expansions.
Under Dr. Murphy McCarthy’s leadership, Missouri Western established its four-year nursing program, the physical therapist assistant program, the health information management program, the honors program and the Missouri Western Law Enforcement Academy. She spearheaded the creation of programs such as the Barbara Sprong Leadership Challenge, the R. Dan Boulware Convocation on Critical Issues and Access Plus, a program to better serve under-prepared students which brought Missouri Western national recognition.
Her commitment to Missouri Western didn’t end with her retirement on June 30, 2000. Just last December, she helped create the R. Dan Boulware Scholarship Fund in honor of the former president of Missouri Western’s Board of Regents.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.