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Dr. FranÇoise Lepage And Dr. Denise Lucy: Leaving Their Legacy
trand Hall over the past decades, Dr. Françoise Lepage and Dr. Denise Lucy are the familiar and friendly faces of the Barowsky School of Business. Lepage came to campus in 1976 to teach an American Politics class — and never left. Blessed to have Sister Samuel Conlan, Dominican’s fifth president and retired professor of English, as a mentor in her early days of teaching at Dominican, Lepage spoke of how Sr. Samuel always challenged her, “with her high expectations of me!” In her 44 years at Dominican, Lepage has witnessed the evolution and growth of the campus while going through her own growth, from faculty to first dean of the School of Business and International Studies, and back to faculty as the Sarlo Distinguished Professor. Lucy began her academic career at the University of San Francisco. She remembers the first time she visited Dominican to interview for an associate dean position. She was charmed by the peaceful and lovely campus, hearing students practice violin as she walked past Angelico Hall. Her interview committee — which included Sr. Samuel — persuaded her that Dominican was the place to be. In her 27 years on campus, Lucy remembers many mentors fondly, names that resonate for so many at Dominican, like Sr. Aquinas Nimitz. Denise was the first recipient of the Sister M. Aquinas Nimitz, O.P. Distinguished Service Award, which honors those who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service, commitment and dedication to all members of the Dominican community. Like Lepage, Lucy has built a storied career at Dominican, serving as Dean of Liberal and Professional Studies and Vice President for Academic Affairs, before founding the Institute for Leadership Studies. So many students, faculty and staff have benefitted from the positive influence of Lepage and Lucy. Mel Atkins, BS ’06, MBA ’10, and current Trustee of the University, sums it up like this: “Fran and Denise have played many roles in my own personal and professional development over the years, from being mentors to me as an undergraduate to now being friends and supporters in my role as trustee. They have been integral to mine and countless others’ Dominican experience by their unrelenting dedication to helping their students believe in themselves and achieve their fullest potential. They exemplify what makes
For anyone who has so much as stepped a foot into BerDominican so special.” I hope students remember me as faculty who taught them to believe in themselves in their quest to develop both personally and professionally.
—Dr. Françoise Lepage
When asked about how they would like to be remembered, Lepage says, “I hope students remember me as faculty who taught them to believe in themselves in their quest to develop both personally and professionally.” Lucy echoes that sentiment, saying, “I hope my students will remember that I was dedicated to their well-being, and my high expectations of them to be ethical in mind and spirit, and to lead with character.” The University feels blessed to have them both for so many years, sharing their intellectual curiosity, their generous spirits, and their humor and looks forward to their continued positive influence on students for many years to come. Lepage and Lucy have decided to show their affection for Dominican by establishing an estate gift, one of the largest in the University’s history. Lucy says: “I know Dominican is committed to being a vibrant, diverse campus, the most important educational asset in Marin County, and among the finest private universities in California. We’re happy to support that commitment.”
Build Your Legacy
If you're interested in learning more about including Dominican in your estate plans, contact Marly A. Norris, Vice President for Advancement and Public Affairs at (415) 257-1396 or marly.norris@dominican.edu
