Wave Magazine Online Jacksonville University News Hub
University matriarch and Chancellor Emerita Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne may be gone, but as we approach what would have been her 103rd birthday on Saturday, May 23, the entire Dolphin community is celebrating her continuing legacy.
Since her passing on Mother’s Day, May 10, the campus has been bathed in red light at night in memory of Dr. Kinne’s fondness for the color red. Dolphins have also been posting memories of how Dr. Kinne lived her life by the philosophy “life is not about me, it’s about others.” Here are a few examples:
“When I attended Jacksonville University (Graduated in 1997), Fran was so incredibly kind to me. She would invite me to sing at her home, and we had many wonderful discussions in her office. She was such a strong woman who believed in the students at JU. She built confidence in others with her love and guidance. She wanted me to follow my dreams, and I eventually went on to get my graduate degrees at OCU and Juilliard. Now I am a director and teacher, and she is the ultimate model for those roles. Thank you, Fran … you believed in me when I did not. I will take a bit of your spirit with me wherever I go. Rest well, guardian angel.” – Michelle Hache ’97, Artistic Director of Opera and Musical Theater and Assistant Professor of Voice, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
“I can remember sitting next to Dr. Kinne at a dinner for donors. There were so many more influential people around and the fact she chose to talk to me, a recent grad who had only donated services instead of the hundreds and thousands the others around me had, blew me away. She was a legend and I was so honored that she wanted to hear about what I did and how my time at JU shaped me. I will never forget her.” – Sarah Pascual ’08, Art Educator and Owner of Shining Moments Photography, LLC.
You can see many more memories or add your own at our “Remembering Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne” webpage.
You can also make a gift in memory of Dr. Kinne to ensure that her legacy of selfless service and support of others will live on at Jacksonville University. In honor of her 103rd birthday, we invite you to make a gift to support what was most important to Dr. Kinne – JU students. For every one-time gift of $103 or recurring monthly gift of $10.30 made between May 22-May 24, Jacksonville University will plant a flower on campus in memory of Dr. Kinne.
The University will be posting remembrances of and tributes to Dr. Kinne all weekend long on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.