The University of Houston is mourning the loss of Kathrine G. McGovern, whose kindness and commitment to service not only enriched the university’s cultural landscape but left an indelible mark on the city of Houston and beyond.
“I am saddened by the loss of a distinguished alumna, esteemed benefactor and friend,” said UH President Renu Khator. “Kathrine’s enduring generosity will resonate in the hearts of our community and her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come. When we established the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, I said art is not about making a living, it’s about making life richer. And Kathrine McGovern certainly made our lives a lot richer.”
In 2017, after a transformational gift from the John P. McGovern Foundation that created a permanent endowment benefiting arts students and faculty, the University of Houston College of the Arts was renamed the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts. It was the first college at UH named after a former student and the first named after a woman.
The University sends its deepest condolences to her family and friends.