In Memory of Mary A. McEvoy

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Mary A. McEvoy, Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota and friend, colleague, and inspiration to many
died on Friday, October 25, 2002 in a plane crash in Eveleth, Minnesota.
Mary was traveling with Senator Paul Wellstone, Sheila Wellstone, Marcia Wellstone Markuson, Tom Lapic, Will McLaughlin, and two pilots,
en route to a funeral and as part of a day of campaigning.

Awards

Reactions - University of Minnesota

Media coverage

Activities and celebrations

Awards

Mary McEvoy Service to the Field Award

The Mary McEvoy Service to the Field Award is an award established by the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and is given to a parent, community member, or professional who has made notable and significant national or international contributions to the field of early childhood special education. This award is presented during the opening ceremony of the International DEC Conference on Young Children with Special Needs and Their Families. More information about this award, including how to place a nomination, is available on the DEC Awards web page.

2009 Recipient: Mary Beth Bruder
2008 Recipient: Scott McConnell
2007 Recipient: Judy Carta
2006 Recipient: Camille Catlett
2005 Recipient: Susan Sandall
2004 Recipient: Christine Salisbury
2003 Recipient: Linda Brekken

Mary McEvoy Light a Candle Award

The Light a Candle Award is presented bianually at CEED's Minnesota Round Table and is presented to an individual or group that successfully promotes ties between research, policy, and practice to improve the lives of young children in Minnesota and throughout the world. The award was originally inspired by a speech given by the late Senator Paul Wellstone where he talked about the importance of seeing the possibilities that each and every child brings to the world and the role that each of us can play in lighting a candle of hope for that child.

I know what I believe:
I believe that every infant that I hold in my hands - every one of them, it makes no difference if it's a boy or a girl, rich or poor - that every child in Minnesota and our world can have the same chance to reach her full potential or his full potential. I call on all Minnesotans and all of Minnesota to light a candle and lead the way. We can lead the way in Minnesota, and we will lead the way.

Paul Wellstone, 1944 - 2002

2007 Recipient:

Nancy Moore Latimer

2005 Recipients:
John Davis, Gerry Christenson, George Latimer, and Don Fraser
for their work individually and as a group.

Read the text and view photos of the presentation of the 2005 award.

2003 Recipient:
Mary McEvoy

Mary was a tireless researcher, advocate, and collaborator, with a heart that guided her and a head that directed her to try, and succeed, in creating new programs, services, and supports for children in Minnesota and throughout the country.

Mary McEvoy Award for Public Engagement and Leadership

The Mary A. McEvoy Award for Public Engagement and Leadership is facilitated in coordination with the Office of the President, University of Minnesota; Office for Student Affairs, University of Minnesota Alumni Association, Twin Cities Student Unions, and the Student Activities Office. This award is given annually to graduate and professional students who display leadership and public engagement which is clearly "above and beyond" one's normal duties and responsibilities. Candidates must demonstrate dedication and assistance that benefit an individual, group or community, or strengthens a democratic way of life.

2008 Winners:
Daniel Bernard, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
Shefali Mehta, CFANS

2007 Winners:
Heather Horton, School of Dentistry
Andrea Elisa Martinez, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
Jerri Wachter, School of Public Health

Mary McEvoy Fund

A memorial fund called the Mary McEvoy Fund was established by Mary's colleagues in the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development. Contributions can be made through the
University of Minnesota Foundation.

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Activities

McEvoy Lectures

The goals of the McEvoy Lecture Series on Early Childhood and Public Policy are to:

~ provide a frequent, contemporary perspective on early childhood policy issues confronting Minnesota and the nation,

~ foster deep and deliberative discussion of the issues among academics and policy makers/advocates, and

~ promote development of policies and practices that will enhance development and well being for children.

September 25, 2005

Dedication of Wellstone Memorial and Historic Site

A six-acre memorial in the north woods was dedicated to the Wellstones and staffers near Eveleth, MN. Beautiful stone monuments honoring each are part of the legacy trail.

February, 2004

McConnell, S.R. (2004). Considering the role of individuals in creating commitment, continuity, and dedication in the science and practice of early education and development: A memorial to Mary A. McEvoy (1953-2002). Journal of Early Intervention, 26(2), 80-90.

October 20-24, 2003

There was a memorial drive benefiting the Harriet Tubman Center crisis shelter during the week of October 20-24 in honor of Mary McEvoy.

June 23-25, 2003

The Minnesota Autism Symposium for Educators was held on June 23-25 at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and was dedicated to the memory of Mary McEvoy, champion of young children with special needs and challenging behaviors.

April 25, 2003

Photo of Jamie Cloyd at dedication ceremony Photo of Nora McConnell-Johnson planting flowers
Jamie Cloyd at dedication ceremony; Nora McConnell-Johnson planting flowers
(2003 Star Tribune/Minneapolis-St. Paul)

Family and friends gathered at the daffodil garden, planted in Mary's honor in front of Pattee Hall at the University of Minnesota on April 25 for an afternoon of friendship and service. From there, the afternoon was spent volunteering at one of several sites. Donations of women and children's clothing, toys, and toiletries for a local women's shelter
were delivered that afternoon.

Read the Star Tribune article of April 26,
Friends of Mary McEvoy revisit garden six months later

April 8, 2003

The Minnesota Round Table was dedicated to Mary McEvoy. At this event, legislation was proposed and named in honor of Mary for her dedicated service to early childhood issues. Called the Mary McEvoy Endowment for Young Children, it proposed an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that would serve to "enhance the development and education of young children through age five to ensure the long-term security of the state's workforce and economy" (Article 1, Sec. 13).

The first Light a Candle Award was awarded to Mary McEvoy.

March 28, 2003

A celebration of the life of Professor Mary McEvoy was held by the Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, at the Radisson Hotel Metrodome in Minneapolis on March 28, 2003. Opening remarks were made by Chris Espin, Ph.D. Memories and tributes were also shared by Steve Yussen, Dean of the College of Education and Human Development; Frances Lawrenz, Chair of the Department of Educational Psychology; and Scott McConnell, professor and director of the Center for Early Education and Development. Everyone present had an opportunity to share their thoughts and memories in celebration of Mary.

Rather than mourn the absence of the flame,
let us celebrate how brightly it burned.

November 20, 2002

The Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board dedicated their School Readiness Initiative to the memory of Mary McEvoy at their November 20, 2002 meeting. Read the declaration document and download the fact sheet (word document in .doc format).

November 1, 2002

The Institute on Community Integration and the Center on Early Education and Development dedicated the Mary McEvoy Memorial Garden on Friday, November 1, 2002. Approximately 300 daffodil bulbs were planted in front of Pattee Hall. A reception was held immediately following the planting and people had an opportunity to share their thoughts and memories of Mary.

A humorous update:
Lo and behold, spring came and the daffodils planted in the Mary McEvoy Memorial Garden were nowhere to be seen... not in the garden anyway, not where we planned for daffodils to be.

Life doesn't always unfold according to our plans.

However, I've seen daffodils all around campus, and beyond...