Elizabeth Topham Kennan ’60 Memorial by Mount Holyoke College

mtholyoke — 2025-07-29 20:12:27 UTC

Dear Mount Holyoke community,

It is with much sadness that I share news of the passing of Mount Holyoke College’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 in her obituary, 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, Mount Holyoke College 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

mtholyoke — 2025-07-31 14:38:19 UTC

The Mount Holyoke community reflects on the passing of President Emerita Elizabeth Topham Kennan ’60, a remarkable educator who served as president from 1978 to 1995. She was a trailblazer, visionary leader and stalwart champion of higher education. We invite you to share reflections, memories and messages to the family of President Emerita Kennan.

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2025-07-31 21:50:33 UTC

I was privileged to not only share my MHC years with Liz, but also to have been a year behind her at Westfield High School in NJ. Always so smart, she was an inspiration! It was nice to share that extra bond with her when I returned for our reunions during her tenure. I seem to recall she was also instrumental in raising the reputation of the equestrian program at MHC. My condolences to her family.

Kim Kimball Holmquist, Class of 1961.

2025-08-03 18:01:57 UTC

2025-08-05 01:14:34 UTC

From the very first time she said "Welcome to Mount Hol-yoke!" with her arms wide open, I knew I was home. May her memory be a blessing and and her life be a continued inspiration to all those who knew and loved her.

Caroline Carosso Griep, '86

2025-08-05 21:10:51 UTC

5 AM first day of classes, my first year: I was working at the barn cleaning stalls as my student job, who should I stumble into but President Kennan! She said hello and asked about me, (not what I was expecting at that hour). She was always gracious. Now whenever I hear birds chirping- I think of the lone horsewoman riding in the empty arena to the sounds of Robert J. Lurtsema's "Morning Pro Musica" and the stable in the early morning. Fond memories, RIP Elizabeth Kennan.

Amy Springer '87

2025-08-07 19:40:14 UTC

During my first week in the fall of 1985, I was "a bit" stressed out (alone on my own, functioning in a second language, how was I going to fit at MHC?, etc., etc., etc.). I was not sleeping well and waking up at odd hours. One morning, while ruminating, I heard the sound of hoofsteps. Who on earth was riding a horse at 5:45 a.m. in a college campus?! My room was on the second floor of Prospect Hall, facing the hillside, so I looked out the window and saw President Kennan regally riding a beautiful horse. That image gave me the feeling of a protector, a mother hen. The thought that crossed my mind was “My mom left me in good hands.” It was at that moment, that I felt calm, and knew I would be okay. Rest in peace President Kennan. My deepest condolences to her family.

Alida Montanez-Salas ‘89

How lucky were we to have attended Mount Holyoke while the inimitable Liz Kennan was there as president!

2025-10-09 22:53:26 UTC

Any time she spoke, we listened for new words that would expand our vocabulary. She had the unique ability to speak intelligently and eloquently combined with warmth. You never felt talked down to, you were brought up with it. She led us but she was also of us, and she seemed to just revel in her role. She enjoyed being president of Mount Holyoke.

I was especially fortunate to have had her as a professor for Medieval Studies, and oh, how I loved that class. I reveled in writing papers for her, digging deep into the library stacks. She brought the Medieval Age to life and was so enthusiastic about the subject.

Liz inspired us and she was truly something special. I mourn her loss, but am ever so thankful that our paths crossed and that I was drawn to MHC.

Dee (Drummey) Boling '88

2025-10-09 23:06:29 UTC

President Kennan had a way of making any and everyone feel absolutely valued and important. Her grace and eloquence is well documented and I remember running into her at the stables (of course!) as a freshman in 1987 and she introduced herself to me and gave me every courtesy in wanting to know all about me and my horse. I later called my mom and told her all about it. It was very impactful at the time and still is today. I was later asked to ride a few of her horses and felt so honored to ride for her and Michael.

Joy Collins nee Wiezbicki, '91

2025-10-09 23:26:36 UTC

I was a (very grateful) scholarship student with frequent food service assignments as part of my work-study program. On occasion, those assignments included evening catering work in President Kennan's kitchen. She always made a point of visiting the students working in the kitchen--without fail. She spoke to us individually, recognized that we were working after hours (and still had to go back to the dorms and study), and thanked us for helping her guests celebrate holidays and other special events. On some evenings I left the President's House feeling that President Kennan cared as much about the scholarship students in her kitchen as she did about the donors her dining room, and that was amazing.

Christiane Mitchell '87

As a junior I lived in brand new Buckland Hall as did also Liz Topham, who was a cute little red headed freshman. When participating in "little sister" traditional occasions, I remember how Liz was always so full of enthusiasm and energy. Cindy Carpenter McFadden '58

2025-10-10 01:28:25 UTC

2025-10-10 13:49:27 UTC

I was a senior at MHC when President Kennan was installed as our next president. We were all so thrilled to have a woman president who was also a MHC grad. The theme of the celebration was Medieval studies (which was her scholarly interest). There were so many creative costumes. One of the memories that is most vivid for me was the actual ceremony in the amphitheater. Some friends of mine from Cornell joined us from behind the hedgerow, dressed as vikings. After the ceremony, they stormed the stage and carried President Kennan to the President's home. She was such a good sport about it and welcomed them to the festivities that followed. Heidi Beck Schwarz '79