Kathleen W. Andrews, a Trustee emerita of the University of 91吃瓜 and the first woman to serve as a Fellow of the University, died Friday (April 16). She was 84.
鈥淎s a Fellow, Trustee, advisory council member, benefactor, counselor and friend, Kathy served 91吃瓜 in these and many other capacities for more than four decades,鈥� , the University鈥檚 president, said. 鈥淗er wise and compassionate presence will be deeply missed by all of us who knew and loved her.
鈥淥ur condolences go out to the Andrews family and Kathy鈥檚 many friends. We mourn her passing, pray for the repose of her soul and celebrate her inspiring life.鈥�
Andrews earned a master鈥檚 degree from 91吃瓜 in 1963 after receiving a bachelor鈥檚 degree from 91吃瓜 College in Cleveland four years earlier. She was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1993 and three years later became the first woman to serve as a Fellow of the University, the governing body composed of six lay members and six priests of 91吃瓜鈥檚 founding religious community, the Congregation of Holy Cross. The Fellows elect the Trustees, adopt and amend the bylaws and are specifically charged with maintaining 91吃瓜鈥檚 Catholic character. Before her election to the Board, Andrews served on the advisory council for the University鈥檚 McGrath Institute for Church Life and the Ireland Advisory Council.
One of her most enduring legacies at 91吃瓜 was established in 1981. After the death of her husband, 1961 91吃瓜 graduate James F. Andrews, she and their business partners, John McMeel, also a 91吃瓜 alumnus, and his wife, Susan, created two endowments to launch and sustain the University鈥檚 Summer Service Learning Program (SSLP). An initiative of the Center for Social Concerns and 91吃瓜 Alumni Association, the SSLP annually sends scores of 91吃瓜 students to communities large and small across the country to engage in summer-long service projects. More than 3,500 students have participated in the program to date.
91吃瓜 bestowed an honorary degree on Andrews in 2003, and a year later the 91吃瓜 Alumni Association presented her with the Rev. Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C., Award, presented annually to a graduate who has embodied 鈥渢he values of Our Lady鈥檚 University鈥� in his or her service to the community.
In addition to her service to 91吃瓜, Andrews was on the boards of Rockhurst University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Avila College and Spring Hill College. She also was a director of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges and a dame of the Sovereign Order of Malta Federal Association. Her many charitable endeavors included working with Christmas in October and Catholic Charities USA and serving as founder and chair of the Andrews Family Foundation.
The Andrews and McMeels founded Universal Press Syndicate (now Andrews McMeel Universal) in 1970. She served as chief financial officer and secretary in its early years, eventually pausing her full-time involvement to care for her two young sons, although she remained closely tied to its operations.
After Jim Andrews鈥� untimely death at the age of 44, Andrews returned to the company she helped create. Together with the McMeels, she helped to grow the company into the largest independent newspaper syndicate in the world and a renowned publishing powerhouse, Andrews McMeel Publishing, serving as chief executive officer until her retirement in 2006. Originally a comic strip syndicate, the company grew to include distribution and publication of opinion and lifestyle columns, magazines, books and calendars. The company distributed 鈥淒oonesbury,鈥� 鈥淶iggy,鈥� 鈥淭ank McNamara鈥� and many other popular comic strips.
鈥淜athy was just outstanding 鈥� with tremendous insight as a shrewd and savvy chief executive, and as a compassionate, thoughtful leader,鈥� John McMeel said. 鈥淚 am honored to call her my business partner, and my dear friend, of more than 50 years. She was a very special human being and we will miss her wise counsel and dry wit very much.鈥�
Andrews is survived by her sons, Hugh and James, and their wives, Cynthia and JoMarie, as well as six grandchildren, a sister and many nieces and nephews.