A letter from President Bruininks, University of Minnesota
Dear University Community,
It is with deep sadness that I inform you that we have lost a great member of our faculty--Mary McEvoy--in Friday's tragic plane crash involving Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife Sheila, daughter Marcia, campaign staffers, and pilots.
Dr. McEvoy, professor and former chair of the department of educational psychology, was a staunch advocate for young children and a renowned researcher. She was the former director of the Center for Early Education and Development (CEED) and the former coordinator of early intervention services for the University's Institute on Community Integration. She was also appointed last spring to serve as the Faculty Consultative Committee's faculty legislative liaison.
Mary was one of my dearest friends and professional colleagues. It was my rare privilege to recruit her to the University of Minnesota and work closely with her for many years. The University has lost one of our most creative scholars and educators in the field of children's rights and development. She was a champion of important state and federal policies affecting the welfare of children and a leader in creating and implementing educational programs to improve the health and development of young children. Mary has left a lasting contribution and an important legacy through her tireless work and commitment to the University, the state, and our nation. We have lost one of the University's academic treasures and a dear friend.
As we remember Mary, and the victims of this tragedy who also had strong ties to the University, please join me in extending deepest sympathies to their family members, colleagues, and many friends.
Sincerely,
Robert H. Bruininks
President