Louisville and Kentucky
I am saddened by the sudden death of Dr. Jay McGowan, and I extend my deepest condolences to Maureen and their sons, as well as to the students, faculty, and staff of Bellarmine University. Dr. McGowan’s death is a great loss to the community... (more)
Louisville Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz
The passing of Dr. McGowan is a tremendous loss to Bellarmine, to the Commonwealth & higher education. His leadership was transformative.
Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin
“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..." (more)
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
It was very sad to learn of the passing of Dr. Jay McGowan earlier today. Jay was brilliant, charming, hilarious, and always exciting to be around; the rare university president known for an Elvis impersonation.
He leaves behind a legacy embodied in the campus he helped transform: 40 new buildings to accommodate a near doubling of enrollment, five additional schools and centers, and more than 30 academic programs created during his incredible tenure at Bellarmine University.
But his legacy, both to Bellarmine and Louisville, goes even deeper. Jay helped instill a commitment to the kinds of successful student-faculty relationships that set the university apart and make our community stronger. He never stopped working to expand what his school could offer, growing the university’s study abroad program and directly linking Louisville to classrooms around the world. His embrace of technology and innovative teaching methods has made it possible for students in Louisville to actively participate in the projects and programs that shrink our world and broaden our horizons. His is truly a legacy that will benefit our community for generations.
In his inaugural speech at Bellarmine nearly 26 years ago, he said his role as president would be "to understand, interpret, and advance the collective vision of the Bellarmine community, a great vision built on great hope." The result of Jay’s daily commitment to that role gives us a reminder of the tremendous value education can bring to a community.
I’m proud to have called Jay a friend, and my thoughts and prayers are with his wife Maureen, their family, and the entire Bellarmine community.
Rep. John Yarmuth
Jay McGowan was a visionary leader who took Bellarmine from college to university, from a local learning institution to an international destination for innovation and knowledge.
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
As Mayor working with Jay on enhancing educational opportunities throughout our community; as an adjunct professor teaching courses at Bellarmine under his guidance and seeing his vision for his beloved BU evolve; and as a friend who saw Jay’s leadership personified in so many community successes -- our hometown has lost a giant.
Jerry Abramson, Former Lt. Governor and Louisville Mayor
Dr. Jay McGowan passionately led his university with skill, integrity, and a clear-cut vision that has resulted in extraordinary growth, innovation, and achievement within the Bellarmine community. I personally appreciated Dr. McGowan’s sincere friendship and his keen leadership, particularly on the implementation of the Bellarmine Literacy Project, a remarkable partnership between Bellarmine and JCPS that is engaging our young students and seeing breakthrough results. My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. McGowan’s family and the entire Bellarmine community.
Dr. Donna Hargens, Superintendent, Jefferson County Public Schools
Families of Previous Bellarmine Presidents
The Horrigan family wishes its beloved Bellarmine Community to know we are deeply saddened by the news of Dr. Jay McGowan's sudden death - but we are so grateful for everything he had time to give us.
More than once, Dr. McGowan humbly quoted Sir Isaac Newton in saying "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants." Those who knew the two presidents who preceded him would likely agree. What is undeniable is that Dr. McGowan's Vision for Bellarmine University was so clear and compelling that others will see it through to his 2020 milestone and beyond.
If the time comes for the naming of a building as McGowan Hall, may it give others a good view of all he imagined. Jay's family, friends, and Bellarmine colleagues know where he will be seen again. Until then, our prayers are with all of you.
Michael Horrigan ’75, on behalf of the Horrigan family
The Petrik family is deeply saddened by the passing of Bellarmine University President Joseph J. McGowan. His accomplishments in shepherding the University through a period of remarkable growth are well-known and obvious to any who chanced to visit the University during his tenure. What was equally obvious to those who knew Jay is that he possessed what my husband called, "greatness of heart."
St. Robert Bellarmine wrote, "The school of Christ is the school of love. In the last day, when the general examination takes place...Love will be the whole syllabus." President McGowan was a master teacher of this syllabus. We take comfort in the realization that many, including thousands of Bellarmine students, grew in their own understanding of this syllabus as a result of his vision, leadership, and tireless service. He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maureen, Joseph, and Matthew, and the entire Bellarmine University community.
Helen Petrik, on behalf of the Petrik family
Campus Community
It is my sad duty to report that our beloved Bellarmine University President Dr. Joseph J. (Jay) McGowan passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at home early this morning, with his wife Maureen McGowan by his side.
Our Lady of the Woods chapel will be open for all members of the Bellarmine community.
More information will be shared as it becomes available. In the meantime, I know you join me in reflecting deeply not only on the magnitude of his accomplishments in this life and the gravity of our loss, but also on the good of this place, and our love for each other.
Especially, we send our love and support to Maureen McGowan, and the twins, Joseph and Matthew, at this most difficult time.
Jay loved this place. He believed to his core that its mission of sending educated people into the world to make this a better place was singular work. Please keep Maureen, Joseph, Matthew and this community in your prayers.
Regards,
Pat Mulloy, Chair, Board of Trustees
Dear Bellarmine Community,
It is with deep sadness that we learned yesterday (March 1st, 2016) of the unexpected and untimely passing of our beloved President, Dr. Joseph J. (Jay) McGowan. Over the past few months we have experienced the loss of several valued members of our community. Dr. McGowan was the one who comforted us with words of reflection and remembrance for lives lost seemingly too soon. It is unthinkable that now it is our time to comfort one another and to reflect upon his life.
Undoubtedly, Dr. McGowan loved Bellarmine. His insight and vision propelled us from a college often referred to as, “the high school on the hill” to a thriving University. As a leader, Dr. McGowan charted an aggressive roadmap for Bellarmine’s future, Vision 20/20, and in doing so challenged us all to achieve excellence. He encouraged us to be thoughtful and productive scholars, empathetic and creative teachers, and to serve one another “with respect for each individual’s intrinsic dignity and infinite value” (Bellarmine University Mission Statement).
Dr. McGowan was a President who availed himself often to discuss faculty issues or to address concerns. As is true within any community, there always was the need for compassion, camaraderie and compromise to move things forward. But we did move forward and his willingness to listen and to consider the interests of the faculty is what helped to make that happen. As Thomas Merton so aptly writes, “Every moment and every event of man’s life plants something in his soul.” Dr. McGowan’s life was full of seeds planted that will surely produce a harvest.
We will miss Dr. McGowan stopping to chat in the quad on his way to a meeting, singing Blue Christmas during our annual holiday dinner, and the special time he spent with us-the faculty-at Glenview celebrating major milestones and the end of a successful year. There will be a void of his stories told during meetings or his updates (sometimes over and over) and the thoughtful way he listened when he likely had many other things to do. It won’t be the same without him at Bellarmine games or at the annual faculty celebrations that he instituted. Dr. McGowan was a man with a great presence so his absence will be that much more keenly felt.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. McGowan, their children, grandchildren and the entire Bellarmine Community. We and the students are better because Dr. Joseph J. (Jay) McGowan was Bellarmine’s 3rd President. In the words that he would pen as Bellarmine’s alma mater, “The hopes and dreams and values born in our Kentucky home, will stir our hearts and minds and lives wherever we may roam. And as we grow, Dear Bellarmine, in the love of truth, Alma Mater Bellarmine, so grows our love for you.” Dr. McGowan, we wish you peace and eternal rest.
In veritatis amore,
The Bellarmine Faculty Council
Dr. Matisa D. Wilbon, President
Dr. Belinda Richardson, President-Elect
Dear Bellarmine Family members,
Together we mourn the passing of our leader, supporter, and family member President Dr. Joseph J. (Jay) McGowan. We, the Bellarmine Student Government Association, send our prayers and condolences to those touched by the life of President McGowan.
President McGowan served as our university’s third President for 26 years, striving to encourage his faculty/staff and the students of Bellarmine to achieve more than we could imagine. 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. In his own words the time between signing the Matriculation book in his office, and receiving your diploma is where the magic lies. “Every day, this magical growth takes place in our classrooms, on the quad, in our athletics facilities, in the library, and- most important- in the hearts, minds and souls of our students.”
The Bellarmine family’s memories with President McGowan will grow in our remembrance of our lost family member. To the McGowan family, we respectfully give our prayers and condolences in this time. We thank you for the support you have given, and give our support and hope to you now. We ask all Bellarmine family members to send support to the McGowan family, Maureen and their children Joseph and Matthew.
Though we all did not know President McGowan personally, may his teachings of growth and encouragement continue to be a lesson within our family.
Sincerely,
The 2015-2016 Bellarmine Student Government Association
May I express my condolences to you and Bellarmine University on the death of President McGowan. He was a giant in the academic community and in the city of Louisville. His spirit of "can do" and his philosophy of forward thinking will be missed by all.
I am the President of the Veritas Society of lifelong learners on campus. President McGowan was always very encouraging in his support for Veritas, and we fondly remember his talk with us last term at our Lunch and Learn session on his great vision for the expansion of Bellarmine. He was truly a man of our time!
"May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine upon him."
Faithfully,
Sandra Cherry, President, Veritas