NOTICE: Classes canceled today due to weather conditions. Check Blackboard for communication from your instructors.
±«Óătv’s First Lady, Judy Taylor, passed away Saturday, March
26, in Bolivar, leaving a legacy of nearly two decades of service to the University.
Judy served as ±«Óătv’s First Lady alongside President Dr. C. Pat Taylor since October 1996. Together, they have worked tirelessly for the greater good of ±«Óătv and are the longest-serving president and first lady of ±«Óătv in the university’s 138-year history.
“Ever since Judy and Pat stepped on campus in 1996, she has been one of ±«Óătv’s greatest supporters,” said Don Fahrni, chairman of the ±«Óătv Board of Trustees. “One of her first priorities at ±«Óătv was to beautify the campus through landscaping, and she personally invested countless hours in those efforts. She devoted her life to teaching and serving others, and many ±«Óătv students benefited from her mentoring and expertise. Judy truly will be missed by the entire ±«Óătv family. Please join us in praying for the Taylor family.”
Judy was awarded an honorary doctorate of education from ±«Óătv in 2013 and was an assistant professor in education at ±«Óătv from 1997 to 2006. She taught English as a second language in China, Hungary, Brazil, Thailand and Russia and helped organize an English Institute in the state of Roraima in Brazil in 2000.
Judy was active throughout the Bolivar and Polk County area in various organizations, including active membership in First Baptist Church–Bolivar, P.E.O. and Daughters of the American Revolution.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar and will be released through ±«Óătv’s social media channels, the ±«Óătv website at and Butler Funeral Home’s website at www.butlerfuneralhome.com.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Judy Taylor Campus Beautification Fund at ±«Óătv, 1600 University Ave., Bolivar MO 65613. Cards can be sent to the Office of the President at the same address.