In Memoriam: Patricia Ann Kearney, 1943-2020

Pat Kearny, the former executive director of student housing and financial aid at the University of California, Davis, died late last year at her home in Sisters, Oregon. She was 77 years old and had suffered from ovarian cancer.

Kearney was a native of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. She received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a master’s degree from Indiana University and had completed coursework for a doctorate in higher education administration at Oregon State University.

In her 28-year career at the University of California, Davis from 1974 to 2002, Kearney was involved in every aspect of student housing. Her leadership expanded over time as she assumed many roles within the Division of Student Affairs, ultimately serving as the executive director of Student Housing and Financial Aid. She also served as president of the American College Personnel Association.

For her service to the University of California, Davis, a new residence hall on campus was named in her honor in 2006.