BY CORBIN MCGUIRE, EDITOR IN CHIEF
Bellarmine University President Dr. Joseph J. McGowan passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at home March 1, with his wife, Maureen McGowan, by his side. His death followed a brief illness, according to a statement released by the Office of the President.
McGowan was 71 years old.
According to bellarmine.edu, McGowan became Bellarmine University’s third president in 1990, and since then, Bellarmine has grown significantly in size and stature under McGowan’s leadership. The school’s enrollment was 2,500 when McGowan became president and is nearly 4,000 today.
McGowan had a broad vision for the future of Bellarmine, which has since become the premier independent Catholic university in the South, and thereby the leading private university in the commonwealth and region, according to bellarmine.edu.
“He led a physical and educational transformation on campus that challenged his staff, faculty and students to set high goals and achieve them. My thoughts and prayers are with the McGowan family, and the entire Bellarmine community. Jay will be sorely missed,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said.
According to a story on wave3.com, Louisville Archbishop Joseph Kurtz said, “It has been a privilege to collaborate with Dr. McGowan for the good of Catholic higher education, and I will miss him.”
Bellarmine students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as local leaders, have shared their reactions via Twitter since news of McGowan’s death spread across the state.
“The passing of Dr. McGowan is a tremendous loss to Bellarmine, to the Commonwealth and higher education. His leadership was transformative,” Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin said in a tweet.
Bellarmine’s dance team tweeted: “Dr. McGowan was a huge supporter of athletics, and of the dance team. He was so incredibly proud of our student athletes, and on their accomplishments on and off the court.”
The Student Government Association tweeted: “Through his leadership our Bellarmine home gained numerous new items ranging from the change in the name Bellarmine College to Bellarmine University, to the development of new and improved programs across campus departments and architecture. Through dedication to the Bellarmine family growing in the love of truth (In Veritatis Amore) and in the relation to the Merton spirit President McGowan supported the growth of each individual.”
Bellarmine Alumnus David Ogbe tweeted: “When my father went to be with the Lord and my family was half a world away Dr. McGowan brought me soup and sat with me. When I graduated from Bellarmine he celebrated with me wearing head-to-toe African clothing. After graduation we remained close friends and he continued to support me academically and professionally.”
McGowan will be missed both as a fellow leader and as a friend.
Senator Mitch McConnell issued a statement, which said, “I am so sorry to hear of the tragic death of my friend Dr. Joseph McGowan. To put it plainly, Bellarmine University would not be the institution it is today without Dr. McGowan’s vision and leadership.”
The Office of the President asks for reflection not only on the magnitude of his accomplishments in this life and the gravity of the loss, but also on the good of Bellarmine University, and the community’s love for each other.
In honor of McGowan, who was an Elvis fan, Bellarmine Radio played Elvis Presley music all day Tuesday.