Passing of President Emerita Elizabeth Topham Kennan ’60
It is with much sadness that I share news of the passing of 챬’s fifteenth president, Elizabeth Topham Kennan ’60.
Dear Mount Holyoke community,
It is with much sadness that I share news of the passing of 챬’s fifteenth president, Elizabeth Topham Kennan ’60.
President Emerita Kennan was a remarkable educator who served as president from 1978 to 1995. A trailblazer, visionary leader and stalwart champion of higher education, she was the first alum to lead the College in the twentieth century. She was also president of the Five College Consortium from 1985 to 1994.
As described , after graduating from MHC summa cum laude, she received an MA from St. Hilda’s College, Oxford. As part of her PhD thesis at the University of Washington, she translated St. Bernard’s “De Consideratione” and this translation remains in print after nearly sixty years. She was the first woman and the first Protestant to teach history at The Catholic University of America, where she eventually became director of medieval and Byzantine studies.
Under Kennan’'s leadership, 챬 achieved record financial stability and growth, maintained its leadership in curriculum development and acquired cutting-edge scientific equipment and technologies. During her presidency, MHC added new academic programs such as the Frances Perkins Program and new majors in environmental studies and computer science. The College also created eleven new academic chairs and developed interdepartmental approaches to a variety of disciplines. It was President Emerita Kennan who raised funds to rebuild the town center, which had been destroyed by arson; today, the Village Commons is a vital hub for the College and the town of South Hadley.
At Reunion, the Alum Association gives the Elizabeth Topham Kennan Award in her honor to an alum who has made outstanding achievements in, and contributions to, the field of education. It honors the service that Kennan gave to the College and to higher education in general. She was also a recipient of the award.
Information about President Emerita Kennan’s funeral and memorial can be found in her obituary. I know you join me in sending deep condolences to President Kennan’s husband, Mount Holyoke professor emeritus Michael Burns, her family and her friends. Liz Kennan’s legacy lives on in our hearts, our minds and the remarkable institution she helped to build.
Sincerely,
Danielle R. Holley
President