Former Barry University President Remembered As Beloved Champion

MIAMI SHORES — Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin, the fifth president of Barry University, was remembered this week by friends, colleagues and the entire South Florida academic community as a champion of higher education, a true relationship builder and a spiritual cheerleader who leaves behind a decades-long legacy of helping others.

The 90-year-old O’Laughlin passed away on Tuesday at the Dominican Sisters’ health care facility in Adrian, Michigan, according to the university and the Adrian Dominican Sisters.

"When assuming the presidency of then Barry College, Sister Jeanne envisioned a model of Catholic higher education that clearly challenged the status quo," observed Sister Linda Bevilacqua, Barry’s current president and a graduate of the school. "She was remarkable in her resolve and courage to take the necessary risks to re-fashion Barry."

O’Laughlin led the university for 23 years — from 1981 to 2004 — making her one of the longest serving university presidents anywhere in the United States at the time.

Under her vision, student enrollment exploded from 1,750 students to more than 7,000. The University’s assets of property and buildings also grew significantly.

"Sister Jeanne will always be remembered with reverence for her passion and influential work in education," said Miami-Dade School Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. "She paved the way for many seeking knowledge, including me during my time at Barry University."

Upon stepping down from the presidency in 2004, O’Laughlin served as chancellor of Barry University another five years before becoming president emerita in 2009.

Founded in 1940 by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, Barry University now offers more than 100 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs through two colleges and six schools.

University of Miami President Julio Frenk said his community was grateful for O’Laughlin's "many contributions" to higher education as well as her generosity to the community.

"My heart is heavy after hearing about Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin's passing," added Miami Dade College President Eduardo J. Padron, who called her a champion of higher education and a community unifier.

A prominent figure in the South Florida community known for her compassion and grit, her colleagues at Barry said she never hesitated to step in to help a community or individual in crisis.

Early in her tenure, she worked with
the Immigration and Naturalization Service offices to create a system to keep track of 300 Haitian
immigrants released from the Krome Detention Center. In 1992, she intervened on behalf of three
Chinese women who spent more than a year in a room at the Miami International Airport awaiting asylum
for fear of political persecution.

"She was a wonderful and caring human being, friend, teacher and a true relationship builder," remembered Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.

A member of numerous civic and professional associations, including the board of directors of the
Florida Association of Colleges and Universities, the Council of Independent Colleges, the Southeastern Florida Holocaust Memorial Center and the Governor’s Constituency for Children, O’Laughlin was also the first woman named to the Orange Bowl Committee and the Non-Group, an alliance of Miami-Dade business leaders.

O’Laughlin served as chair of the Victory Foundation for the Homeless, the Miami Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Community, the Religious Task Force for We Will Rebuild following Hurricane Andrew and Miami’s Blue-Ribbon Aviation Panel. She also co-chaired Save the Children — an initiative to aid youth in nine Latin American countries. In 1998, O’Laughlin joined an ecumenical
mission to Cuba seeking to promote religious freedom following Pope John II’s historic visit to the island
nation.

Her many recognitions included the Distinguished American Award from the Jack Harding Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame; The Miami Herald’s Charles Whited Spirit of Excellence Award; the United Way of Miami-Dade County’s Dorothy Shula Award for Voluntarism; the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Sand in My Shoes Award (honoring the community’s top volunteer); recognitions from the YWCA, the Mayor’s Economic Task Force 101, Miami Shores Chamber Commerce, and the Anti-Defamation League.

“Sister Jeanne, with extraordinary vision, dedication, determination, and sheer force of will, turned little
Barry College into Barry University — a powerhouse institution that is a mainstay of higher education in South Florida," asserted John Bussel, chair of Barry University’s board of trustees.

Raised in Detroit by a widowed father whom she often referred to as “the anchor of her life,” O’Laughlin joined the Dominican Sisters of Adrian at age 16 and took her final vows at 21. She earned a bachelor’s degree from then Siena Heights College (now university) in Adrian and a master’s degree in biology and doctorate in educational administration from the University of Arizona.

She served as the executive assistant to the president of St. Louis University, where she was an associate professor of education and a member of the graduate faculty. She also served as superintendent of the Adrian Dominican Independent School System in Michigan, Illinois and Florida.

"Her ability to inspire our students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees and benefactors to be better and to do more was like no other," Bussel added. "The Barry community is eternally grateful for her leadership and will forever miss her presence.”

A prayer service and funeral Mass will take place at the mother house of the Dominican Sisters of Adrian on Monday and Tuesday. Barry University will hold its own memorial service at a future date.

“I think it all comes back to
our mission," said O’Laughlin at her retirement. "Our caring environment is what distinguishes Barry from all other universities."