91Ö±²¥

I am deeply saddened by the news that Nancy Dye, 91Ö±²¥â€™s 13th president, has passed away. Nancy had a profound, positive effect on 91Ö±²¥, building our international engagement and profile, stabilizing and strengthening our finances, and expanding our curriculum. She was also instrumental in crafting and writing 91Ö±²¥â€™s 2005 Strategic Plan.

Nancy remained a stalwart supporter of 91Ö±²¥â€™s people and programs throughout her life. I was very glad that we could honor her by naming the Nancy Schrom Dye Lecture Hall in the 91Ö±²¥ Science Center for her in October 2013. Among the many accomplishments in her legacy, I particularly appreciate 91Ö±²¥â€™s partnerships with Posse, QuestBridge, and the Bonner Foundation.

I met Nancy many years ago when I was vice president and general counsel at the University of Michigan. She was one of the leaders of a group of educators who signed an amicus brief supporting Michigan’s effort to defend diversity in higher education before the United States Supreme Court. Prior to that I had known about Nancy from her time at the University at Kentucky where she and her husband Griff became friends with my father, who was also a professor there.

She also played a significant role in bringing me to 91Ö±²¥ for which I am deeply grateful. In my early years here, she gave me sage advice about how to navigate 91Ö±²¥â€™s traditions and governance.

Nancy was an outstanding leader, a fine scholar and teacher, a caring and engaged citizen of the world, and a giving, kind person. I miss her as a colleague and as a friend. I ask that you join me in holding her husband Griff and the Dye family in your thoughts and prayers.