Cathleen Clare Real, a three-time college president, passed away on April 11. She was 91 years old.
Born in Kewanee, Illinois, Dr. Real entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1953 and professed vows in 1956 as Sister Mary Anne Cathleen. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from education from Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa, her master’s degree in mathematics from Saint Louis University in Missouri, and her Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Iowa.
Dr. Real’s career in academia began as a mathematics professor at her undergraduate alma mater, Marycrest College. She went on to serve as the college’s assistant vice president and then president from 1972 to 1975. Later in her career, Marycrest awarded her an honorary doctorate for her contributions to higher education.
Following her tenure at Marycrest, Dr. Real went on to hold leadership roles with Schenectday County Community College in New York, Barat College in Lake Forest, Illinois, and the College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, where she served as academic dean and acting president.
From 1984 to 1994, Dr. Real served as president of Siena Heights College (now University) in Adrian, Michigan. Following the conclusion of her presidency, the college established the Sister Cathleen Real Scholarship in her honor. For over three decades, the program has supported women with financial need in pursuing higher education.